Michael's stuff

Liveblog from meeting with two Tory cabinet ministers

Yesterday I liveblogged from a meet-up with Andrew Mitchell and Baroness Warsi. The result is posted below.

  
Close  
5:37
Michael Grimes: 
Andrew Mitchell telling us how great Birmingham is, and how the Tories enjoy coming here, and how thriving a blogging community we have. Creep ;-)
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:37 Michael Grimes
5:37
Michael Grimes: 
Last time they came the Tories had a lovely reception from the people of Birmingham. That's partly why I moved here too.
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:37 Michael Grimes
5:39
Michael Grimes: 
"If we don't dictate things the market will" (Andrew Mitchell, paraphrased; a lot)
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:39 Michael Grimes
5:40
Michael Grimes: 
Birmingham's coalition council has been good for democracy apparently, and is a good model.
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:40 Michael Grimes
5:41
Michael Grimes: 
"The whole concept of the Big Society ... is an answer to the self-evident fact that the state can't do everything" - Andrew Mitchell
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:41 Michael Grimes
5:42
Michael Grimes: 
"There is such a thing as society, it's just not the same as the state" (Andrew Mitchell. Hmm... :-/
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:42 Michael Grimes
5:42
Michael Grimes: 
Baroness Warsi will be joining us later, apparently.
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:42 Michael Grimes
5:44
Michael Grimes: 
"There is a strong opportunity to change the way our civic activity works..." (Nick Booth, worrying that we're retreating from that).
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:44 Michael Grimes
5:46
Michael Grimes: 
"The trick is not just to put everything in the public domain, but to put it there in a way that's accessible" - Andrew Mitchell
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:46 Michael Grimes
5:47
Michael Grimes: 
"Is there any tension between Cllr Whitby and David Cameron" re elected Mayors? (Simon Gray). No, according to Andrew Mitchell.
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:47 Michael Grimes
5:48
Michael Grimes: 
Is AM 'Minister for Birmingham' or not? Question now being asked.
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:48 Michael Grimes
5:49
Michael Grimes: 
Difficult having a regional minister, because there are so many regional interests. - Andrew Mitchell
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:49 Michael Grimes
5:50
Michael Grimes: 
Rather than rushing in, we're going to think about it. (Andrew Mitchell re regional ministers and mayors, etc)
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:50 Michael Grimes
5:50
Michael Grimes: 
Having trouble hearing...
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:50 Michael Grimes
5:51
Michael Grimes: 
Sorry if this reads a bit randomly, I'm also having trouble focussing.
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:51 Michael Grimes
5:52
Michael Grimes: 
Alison Smith: what are the Conservatives' digital priorities?
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:52 Michael Grimes
5:53
Michael Grimes: 
"People who have disabilities ... should not be impeded in any way by any changes that we may make" - Andrew Mitchell
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:53 Michael Grimes
5:55
Michael Grimes: 
Digital content (eg streaming) tends not to be accessible. If disabled people are expected to engage with politics accessibility needs to be better. (I think that was the gist of what Alison was saying.)
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:55 Michael Grimes
5:56
Michael Grimes: 
Nicky Getgood: want can you do to help people do interesting things with local, redundant spaces?
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:56 Michael Grimes
5:58
Michael Grimes: 
"In the past the balance of power has rested far too much with developers and not the local people" ... areas surrounding people's homes has been too much in the hands of developers, who hold neighbourhoods to ransom in that respect. AM
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:58 Michael Grimes
5:59
Michael Grimes: 
Oh hear we go, he's slagging of John Prescott. Yawn.
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:59 Michael Grimes
5:59
Michael Grimes: 
'Here' we go, I mean. Sorry.
Saturday October 2, 2010 5:59 Michael Grimes
6:01
Michael Grimes: 
"Any smaller plans [for Sutton Coldfield development] now that the larger ones have been put to one side?" @najmc
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:01 Michael Grimes
6:02
Michael Grimes: 
Apparently they've asked lots of people and have a 'permissive' blueprint; engine is economic investment and growth, so until then... erm, no. I think.
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:02 Michael Grimes
6:03
Michael Grimes: 
But he's doing everything he can to make Sutton Coldfield attractive.
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:03 Michael Grimes
6:03
Michael Grimes: 
And he's off. Many thanks to Andrew Mitchell for his time, that was quite interesting.
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:03 Michael Grimes
6:05
Michael Grimes: 
Some centre-right policy wonk is handing out business cards. They're blue.
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:05 Michael Grimes
6:11
Michael Grimes: 
Baroness Warsi has arrived.
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:11 Michael Grimes
6:18
Michael Grimes: 
Had a quick and interesting discussion with Baroness Warsi on why social media is worth taking notice of. Many of us wouldn't be in this room now if it wasn't for Twitter. Interestingly her Question Time non-appearance was due to an eye infection, and that if it wasn't for social media-ites people would still be unaware of that. So she's not completely dismissive.
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:18 Michael Grimes
6:20
Michael Grimes: 
Alex Hughes has been drawing cartoons. Hopefully I'll be able to link to some later.
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:20 Michael Grimes
6:25
Michael Grimes: 
Sam Coates (they're online man) says the point was simply to get ministers to meet alternative media publishers. In which case I applaud them.
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:25 Michael Grimes
6:25
Michael Grimes: 
And now I go, because I'm running low on battery.
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:25 Michael Grimes
6:41
Michael Grimes: 
I'm back briefly to give you Alex Hughes' artistic interpretation of the meeting: http://bit.ly/cMdeab
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:41 Michael Grimes
6:41
Michael Grimes: 
Erm, don't follow that link. Apparently it's a zip file. Hang on...
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:41 Michael Grimes
6:47
Michael Grimes: 
...Here it is: http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/564489/2/Drawnalism/ConConf2010?h=4bb671
Saturday October 2, 2010 6:47 Michael Grimes
10:06


Stronger Communities, Stronger Economy

Below is a copy of the confirmation letter sent to attenders, which explains the event. If you would like to come this afternoon, please register here or contact Michael Grimes or Laura Hyde. Places are limited.

 

When is it?

25 March 2009,  4-6 pm

 

Where is it?

The venue has been confirmed as The Coffee Lounge, 10-11 Navigation St, Birmingham, B2 4BS tel: 0121 633 9767‎ Click here for a map link http://bit.ly/ecCQ6

This meeting will be very informal, and will be led by Michael Grimes (email michaeljgrimes@gmail.com) If you haven't done so already please watch David Robinson's video on the thinking behind the paper before you go! 

 

What will happen?

This meeting will be an open and informal discussion on the Council on Social Actions 'Stronger Communities, Stronger Economy' paper, which will touch upon the questions:

  • That we would not have chosen the circumstances but there are opportunities in recession - What are they and how might be realised to rebuild a better, fairer society?
  • What action can government, business and the third sector, together with all of us as individuals, take now to ensure that we emerge from the current economic challenges with stronger, more connected and more caring communities?
  • And finally, and perhaps most importantly:  What will you do next?

Click here for a summary of the paper 'Stronger Communities, Stronger Economy'

Feedback from the meeting will be recorded and forwarded to Chain Reaction to be written up for the website, and to the Council on Social Action.

 

Taking the conversations online

If you wish to blog about your meeting, or contribute to or follow the conversations on Twitter, please use the hashtag #scse  These will then be streamed onto our live twitter feed

If you are no longer able to attend this meeting please let us know so that we can give your place to somebody else.

And finally, if you have any questions please contact Laura Hyde on 020 7473 9643 or Laura Hyde.

Best regards

Laura Hyde
Chain Reaction Events Manager