The IDeA have published a report on the personality types of councillors and how they differ from the general population (hat-tip Mike at OpenEye). Councillors are more likely to be extravert (sic – IDeA are obviously followers of Jung) – 68 per cent compared to the general population’s 52 per Read more
There’s still several months to go before Local Democracy Week and the final deadline for signing up for I’m a Councillor, Get me out of Here!, but we’ve got a record-breaking 24 councils signed up so far – a lot of them returners from last year, who we’re glad to Read more
It seems as though people emailing schools might have some trouble getting through according to Tony Attwood, moderator of the Education Marketing news group. An update he sent about changes in Government were blocked by a number of school filter systems because it contained "a forbidden word". What, or rather Read more
I received this email this morning from BusinessLink: From: alerts@businesslink.gov.uk [mailto:alerts@businesslink.gov.uk] Sent: 09 July 2007 11:07To: shane@gallomanor.comSubject: Business Link has an improved registration system – please upgrade Dear registered user As we add new interactive services to our website, we upgrade our security framework to ensure your information is always Read more
I’ve come across some recent research by Nielsen/Netratings about who’s active online. Contrary to lazy stereotypes about nerdy teenage boys, they find that now the most prevalent group online in the UK are women aged 18-34 (a group I sadly find myself no longer a member of). And in fact Read more
Hans Rosling has presented at TED again. More statistics, more original views of world poverty and development and an extraordinary way to finish a presentation. It is well worth spending 20 minutes watching. (Hat tip: Andrew Brown)
The Cabinet Office launched a consultation on consultation a couple of weeks ago and I’ve finally made it through the document – Effective Consultation: asking the right questions, asking the right, people, listening to the answers. My main feeling is that it really lacks ambition and I suspect this reflects Read more
Richard Brunstrom is the Chief Constable for North Wales. If you read the Daily Mail (and other seemingly respectable newspapers) Richard Brunstrom is the "Mad Mullah of the Traffic Taliban", a manic obsessive determined to raise revenue through speeding fines, and determined to make criminals out of motorists. I’ve been Read more
And many, many other thoughts on the RSA conference:-
THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE WEB: Society, Government and the Internet
25th May 2007
RSA, London
I went to this afternoon conference at the RSA a couple of weeks ago and wanted to put down an account of what was said, along with my thoughts, counter-arguments, and of course a plethora of thought-provoking links. I would have written about it earlier, but I’ve been flat out getting teacher packs ready and sending them out for I’m a Councillor. As always here at Gallomanor Towers, our clients (and community engagement) come first!
It was all a bit odd, because some friends of mine had their wedding reception at the RSA last September. So the last time I was there I spent my time drunkenly ceilidh-dancing and telling friends I hadn’t seen in ages how much I loved them. Obviously I tried to keep these activities to a minimum on this visit, as it was on company time.
First session:-
Against my better judgement I watched the Labour Deputy Leadership candidates on Question Time last night. Apart from understanding why so many are supporting Jon Cruddas – he simply comes across as genuine – the highlight was a member of the audience pulling up Hazel Blears (I think) for saying Read more