Stephen Kingdom

Tonight, we have passed a budget that delivers Sutton's future.

Despite these uncertain economic times, the Sutton Lib Dems are always the ones fighting for the very best for Sutton.

Absolutely colossal night of success for the Lib Dems.

In the 10 byelections, the LDs have gained from the CONs, GRNs, INDs and LAB, with a narrow loss to REF by 31 votes in Babergh.

Scoreboard: LD 7, REF 1, CON 1, IND 1.

I assume the media will cover this as breathlessly as every opinion poll?

It risks being a mess, whatever. And even more so in the context of a 0-25 SEND system

Could go the whole hog and recreate the Department for Education and Employment.

Danny Pike - Emily Jeffery sits in (19/08/2025) - BBC Sounds Emily brings you the perfect start to your day in Sussex.

DCP campaign manager, @cyclingtheseaso.bsky.social spoke to Emily Jeffrey this morning on
BBC Sussex about the lack of funding for special education needs and how to improve the system.

Listen from 2:07:05 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Ten years ago today I drove into a mulit-story car park with my bike on the roof. You don't make that mistake twice.

Keir Starmer faces fresh Labour revolt over special needs support reforms Senior figures warn that the plans risk becoming ‘welfare mark two’, as the government insists the changes are not about saving money

“The government should concentrate on addressing current failings in the mainstream system, not on removing vital rights and protections.” @cyclingtheseaso.bsky.social in @thetimes.com (paywalled) www.thetimes.com/uk/education...

'I've been fighting for so long': More than half of special needs plans delayed Only 46% of education, health and care plans were issued by local authorities within the 20 week deadline last year, according to the DfE.

"The SEND community is not asking for anything special - we are simply fighting for an ordinary education, an ordinary commute to school, and a seat in a classroom where a child or young person can learn." @cyclingtheseaso.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

WE'VE WON THE FUCKING CUP

One more game

The News Quiz - Series 117 - 3. Power Outrage - BBC Sounds Ed Byrne and Lucy Porter join host Andy Zaltzman for the topical panel quiz show.

Listen at 21 mins 30 seconds. Geoff Norcott is aiming directly at me. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Picture of a day old baby looking up at her mother

Where does the time go? This little girl is 14 today.

To have been absolutely perfect, Dunk would have missed his penalty, but you can't have everything.

If Carlsberg did FA Cup Quarter Final Saturdays

A picture of Craven Cottage football pitch, taken from the Putney Road Stand

Ground number 26 that I've cycled to.

'I can't work because my kids have severe needs, cruel DWP changes will sink us' Nicola Holmes quit work to care for her son and daughter who both have severe needs. For the former professional actor, PIP and Universal Credit have been lifelines for her family. Without them, she f...

“Disabled young people tell us how few opportunities there are for inclusive work or training so we are extremely concerned about the removal of under 22's access to top-ups to universal credit unless they are in work or training.” @cyclingtheseaso.bsky.social www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Schools in Leicester to get new special provision places The places, set to be created within mainstream schools, will help pupils with additional needs.

"Provision of this type if done right can make a real difference, children can still be part of their local communities but get the specialist support they need."
@cyclingtheseaso.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A newspaper headline: Thousands of people could soon live in Strangeways as masterplan revealed.

Alternative headline: Strangeways here we come

Map headed "That was more like it" showing route of cycle ride from the New Forest to South London. Includes statistics: distance 166.6km; moving time 6:35:36; av speed 25.3km/h; elevation gain 1,342m and calories 1,619.

Second 100-miler of the year - just two days after the first and couldn't have been much more different. A much easier ride back home with much nicer weather

Map showing a cycle ride from South London to the New Forest, with stats showing distance 161.38km, moving time 7:19:28, average speed 22km/h, elevation gain 1,066 metres and 1,862 calories

Did my first 100 miler of the year yesterday. Fair to say I could have chosen a better day for it - headwind and heavy rain especially towards the end of the ride. It should be better for the return journey tomorrow.

Ben Kentish | Global Player Listen to Ben Kentish for free on Global Player.

If you missed DCP Campaign Manager, @cyclingtheseaso.bsky.social last night on LBC talking about the SEND crisis, and the impact it is having on families, you can catch up below from 1:04:15.

(Sign up needed) www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...

City council facing more than 50 tribunals over special needs pupils' schooling But the council insists its tribunal rate for SEN children is 'no different to that of other local authorities'

We're expecting our campaign manager, Stephen Kingdom, to be on LBC at 11 tonight to talk about this story www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-n...

I was only a teenager for 27 days of the 1990s. (The first 27 days.)

Jesus Jones - Right Here Right Now (Official Music Video) YouTube video by Jesus Jones

Just been listening to Right Here, Right Now by Jesus Jones. I'm not sure we could be further away from the joyful sentiments of that song with the way the world is now. youtu.be/MznHdJReoeo?...

'Lower your tone': DfE's account of THAT Birbalsingh chat Government's minutes claim education secretary had to ask head to 'allow me to finish my sentences'

Gosh. schoolsweek.co.uk/lower-your-t...

Listening to the Today programme piece on the Merseyside derby. They interviewed some Everton fans as they left the ground on 90 mins. Who on earth leaves their derby match before the final whistle when there is only one goal in it?

This is so well deserved.

I miss Michael Olise

Sometimes I worry about AI taking over the world, and then when I left YouTube music shuffle music for me, it doesn't realise I probably don't want Christmas carols in February

Don't worry. Keep up the hard work and soon you'll be a relegation threatened team.