Latest news with #PaulHolmes
Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
PICTURES: stunning cars and more at Bromyard Speed Festival
HUNDREDS of people and cars descended on Bromyard for a true celebration of motorsport and motoring. Crowds were drawn to Bromyard Speed Festival on July 27, with the promise of a paddock full of classic cars, tractors, bikes, and even some more modern vehicles. Kicking off on Saturday with participating cars taking a scenic tour of the surrounding area, the main event for spectators was on Sunday, with a section of road closed off outside the festival site, between Broadbridge and the Downs, for the non-competitive hill climb until 5.30pm. Crowds watched as owners of everything from classic Bentleys to Fordson tractors put their vehicles through their paces on the closed road track. ALSO READ: 'Highly unique' farmhouse with woodland and streams is up for sale Huge timber-framed manor house for sale for just £185,000 Vandal-struck derelict pub was saved from ruin In the paddock itself, there was something for all motoring fans to enjoy, with people bringing their vehicles from near and far for the event. Paul Holmes, with his Austin 7 Chummy, had travelled from Cornwall for the festival. A seasoned hill climb participant, Mr Holmes said he is no stranger to Herefordshire, often driving making the lengthy trip from his home to take part in events locally. Meanwhile motorcycle owners Peter Wills and Paul Clarke, who came with a Ducati and a Suzuki, live just down the road. There were plenty of unusual cars at the event too, including a stunning Lancia Stratos rally car and the British land speed record-holding jet-engined Vampire. And plenty of the cars on show had stories to tell. Lancia Fulvia owner Julien Wilkinson was one of those exhibiting on the day, his car a tribute to his father, who used to drive him to school in a Fulvia he also raced in. Bought in France and transformed into the Jolly Club car he remembers from his youth, Mr Wilkinson's Fulvia carries the registration plates of his father's car behind the seats.
NDTV
18-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
UK To Reduce Voting Age To 16, These Countries Have Already Done It
The United Kingdom has announced its plans to lower the voting age to 16, and the Labour Party-led government wants to do it before the next General Election. The proposal, which is likely to have a massive impact on the country's democratic system, comes months after the UK witnessed its lowest turnout in the 2024 national polls since 2001. The step is aimed at ensuring maximum participation in all elections once the proposed changes are written into law. The move will grant around 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote when the country goes to the polls for the next general election in 2029, BBC reported. But not all parties supported the idea. While Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that young people should have the opportunity to say what they want their money spent on, Conservative MP Paul Holmes said the government's proposal was "hopelessly confused". Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said he didn't support lowering the voting age to 16 "even though we get lots of votes". Apart from the voting age, the government also plans to expand the purview of UK-issued bank cards, which will be treated as legitimate voter ID in Great Britain, but they must have the elector's name, according to reports. Not just that, once the changes come into effect, people will be able to apply for a postal vote at least 14 days before a poll. Earlier, the deadline was 11 days. This is to ensure people get their ballot in time. The proposed law will bring uniformity as far as the age of voting rights across Britain is concerned. In Scotland and Wales, youngsters could already vote to elect their representatives to the devolved Parliament, but not so for the British polls. Countries where the voting age is 16: In Europe, only Austria, Malta, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have granted voting rights to people who are at least 16 years old. Among other nations, Brazil, Argentina and Cuba, too, have voting age reduced to 16, according to The Guardian. Parts of Germany, Israel, and Estonia allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in some, if not all, elections. While 16-year-olds are allowed to vote in Nicaragua, the legal voting age in Indonesia, East Timor, Ethiopia, North Korea, and Sudan is 17.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
United Kingdom lowers voting age to 16 in biggest reform since 1969: PM Keir Starmer says 'They're old enough to go out to work'
In a major step towards electoral reform, the United Kingdom is lowering the voting age in the country to permit 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in all elections thanks to the Labour party's upcoming Elections Bill. This was a promise made by current Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his election campaign. In an interview with ITV News, Starmer clarified the rationale behind his decision, saying: "They're old enough to go out to work, they're old enough to pay taxes ... and I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the government should go." While the change in voting age is pending parliamentary approval, the Labour party's majority all but ensures it'll pass. However, Keir Starmer's popularity has been in decline since he took office, with Nigel Farage's Reform UK party catching up to Labour in the polls. Keir Starmer fulfils major campaign promise Keir Starmer and the Labour Party campaigned on electoral reform and empowering younger voters, and with their upcoming Election Bill, they're set to follow through on their promise. Other measures in this Election Bill include expanding voter ID options, tightening regulations on campaign financing and moving towards automatic voter registration. Kier Starmer is changing the plans have been published in a new strategy paper: - Extend the right to vote in UK-wide elections to 16 and 17-year-olds by next general election - Allow UK-issued bank cards to be used as voter ID at polling stations- Permit use of… This change will also standardize voting eligibility laws across the United Kingdom, as the voting age was already 16 in local council elections in Scotland, along with elections to the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd. The Elections Bill also heralds the biggest reform to the system since 1969's change to the voting age from 21 to 18. UK right-wingers oppose the reforms The United Kingdom's right wing has come out in opposition to these voting reforms. Conservative party minister Paul Holmes accused the Government of being 'hopelessly confused', saying: "Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they're voting in?" Paul Holmes take a bow "Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they're voting in?" #votingage The Conservative party has also spoken against the usage of bank cards as voter ID, claiming it undermines the integrity of the voting process.
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Votes at 16 policy ‘hopelessly confused', claim Conservatives
Ministers have been urged to clarify their 'hopelessly confused' position on the age of majority, after they set out plans to give 16-year-olds the right to vote. Paul Holmes asked in the Commons why the Government plans to lower the voting age while 16 and 17-year-olds are not allowed to buy lottery tickets or alcohol. He summoned democracy minister Rushanara Ali to the despatch box to take questions about the Government's plans, which it had originally set out in a written statement. Conservative shadow housing, communities and local government minister Mr Holmes told MPs: 'This strategy has finally revealed their ambition for allowing a 16-year-old to vote in an election but not stand in it, probably because young people are being abandoned in droves by the Labour Party. 'So, why does this Government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they're voting in? 'Isn't the Government's position on the age of majority just hopelessly confused?' Responding, Ms Ali said: 'This Government was elected on a manifesto that committed to granting 16-year-olds the right to vote and protecting our democracy from foreign money. 'So, can I remind (Mr Holmes) that his party lost the election in the worst general election defeat for decades? It's no wonder that the party opposite are scared of the electorate. 'The truth is, young people deserve to have stake and to have a say in the future of our democracy. Young people can vote for any party they like, and it speaks volumes that (Mr Holmes) would prefer for them to be silenced.' Ministers will bring forward a bill before 2029 which will include extending the right to vote to 16 and 17-year olds, and work to create a system of automated voter registration, according to the Government. Teenagers aged 16 or over can already vote in Holyrood, Senedd and local government elections in Wales and Scotland, but not in UK parliamentary elections. The Government has also vowed to close 'loopholes' which allow foreign donors to give political parties money through UK-based companies. Ms Ali said the Conservatives 'sat in government for 14 years and did nothing to close the gaping loopholes allowing foreign interference and foreign money to enter' the system. She later set out that the Government would 'give courts the powers to increase sentences for those who are hostile to candidates', and added: 'An aggravated factor for intimidatory offence will be introduced allowing courts to pass proper sentences. 'We will also remove the requirement to publish addresses of candidates, and we will consult with the Crown Prosecution Service and Sentencing Council and other judicial bodies.' Mr Holmes had earlier asked why the Government had chosen to announce the changes in writing. 'Instead of the democracy minister using this democratic chamber to announce a new wide-ranging strategy on democracy, the Government chose to announce it to the press in the Monday Number 10 lobby briefing, typical of Government by press release,' he said. 'Why has there been no consultation of political parties to date?' Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Sarah Olney said there are 'many aspects' of the proposals which her party supports. She asked: 'Will they finally scrap first-past-the-post and introduce fair votes via proportional representation?' Ms Ali replied: 'The Government has no plans to change the electoral system for UK parliamentary and local elections.' The minister also took a question about banning cryptocurrency donations. Labour former minister Liam Byrne said: 'I welcome the measures to take out dark money from our politics, but they will mean nothing unless we move forward aggressively to ban cryptocurrency donations into British politics. 'They are used for money laundering, they are used to disguise dark money, they have no role in British politics. Will she confirm the elections bill will ban cryptocurrency donations?' Ms Ali said: 'Our reforms on political finance to further strengthen our democracy will apply to all donations, regardless of form, and that includes cryptocurrency.'
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Utah mudslides destroy hillside mansions
A hillside water meter malfunction triggered a destructive mudslide, sending tons of mud and debris crashing into homes in one of Utah 's most upscale neighborhoods and forcing emergency evacuations. The devastating incident began shortly after 8pm on Tuesday near 3100 East Silver Hawk Drive in Holladay, where a water meter failed on a steep slope above the ritzy homes. Emergency response crews responded to reports of flooding, only to realize a large volume of mud and water had broken loose, slamming into at least three properties. One home took the brunt of the slide, with several feet of mud filling the basement. No injuries were reported, but three homes were evacuated as a precaution. 'It seemed like an explosion of water coming out from up there, and it just started rushing down,' resident Paul Holmes, whose basement apartment was inundated, told KSL-TV5. 'We can't even get the doors open because the mud is keeping them shut, so we have to go through the back windows.' Holmes said the damage is severe and will require a full gut of the space. 'It's a full restoration - like, tear it down to the studs,' he said. Authorities believed a water main had ruptured at first, however, it was later discovered by Salt Lake City Public Utilities officials that the break came from the sacrificial bottom of a water meter box - a built-in fail-safe designed to release pressure and prevent a full-blown pipe burst. 'The meter did exactly what it was supposed to do,' Chloe Morroni, communications manager for the utility department, said. 'It's just - the topography out here certainly caused some issues,' she said, adding that the same design on a flat surface would have likely caused 'no issues.' Normally, the release would saturate nearby ground, but in this case, the meter sat roughly 50 to 75 feet above the neighborhood on a steep incline, she explained. The released water quickly destabilized the slope, triggering the devastating slide. 'I look out the garage, and I just see all this, like, dirty water gushing and just a bunch of stuff falling. It was just really chaotic,' Piper Knight, a local resident who witnessed the slide, said. Local fire departments worked for over two hours to contain the flow, building dikes - barriers to hold back water - to redirect mud and shut down the water source. City utility crews reportedly stayed on the scene overnight and into Wednesday morning. Now, the 21-year-old meter will be replaced with a modern 'smart' version, according to Morroni. In addition, the city will bring in contractors to shore up the hillside and conduct geotechnical assessments to determine what additional protections may be needed. 'We'll do what we can to not only replace it, but make it even stronger,' Jason Draper, chief engineer for Salt Lake City Public Utilities, told the outlet, adding that the city is looking into 'adding retaining walls.' Officials have since acknowledged that aging infrastructure - especially in hilly terrain - poses unique risks. 'We hate to see this happen. It's so unfortunate. I'm thankful no one was injured and the water line was not broken itself, so that it did not knock a whole bunch of homes out of water,' Morroni said. The Utah Division of Public Utilities have also emphasized the importance of funding long-term infrastructure upgrades. 'The Division strongly supports a rate-funded capital reserve account to ensure the companies can replace aging infrastructure and respond to emergencies,' Division Director Chris Parker said in a statement.
