Cash-strapped Birmingham city council is sponsoring a conference organised by a think tank dedicated to cutting public spending.

The Conservative and Liberal Democrat-led authority is sponsoring a London conference organised by Reform, at a cost of £7,500.

Star speaker will be Eric Pickles, the Local Government Secretary, who spends much of his time attacking councils for wasting taxpayers' money.

Before I go further, I should point out that Birmingham City Council have been asked for a comment (at about ten minutes to five this afternoon) and have promised to speak to us tomorrow. So they haven't really had a chance to respond.

Have you bid for Olympic tickets? If so, you may be surprised to learn you are competing against Her Majesty's Government, which has requested 9,000 for itself

Of these, 3,000 will be set aside for for civil servants and other officials, who will have the chance to buy tickets from the reserved pool.

Another 6,000 will be available for Ministers and top officials to entertain "international and domestic political and business leaders, dignitaries and others with a close connection to the Games".

It stands to reason that we'll see David Cameron at the games schmoozing foreign leaders, but does the Government really need 6,000 tickets for hospitality? And who are these business leaders, exactly?

President Obama has delivered a moving speech to Parliament, addressing both the Commons and the Lords gathered together in Westminster Hall.

He hasn't always been portrayed as a friend of the United Kingdom, so I thought it was interesting that he chose to portray America's commitment to democracy and civil rights as a continuation of a political tradition which began in England and Britain.

It's hardly a new idea, but it contrasts sharply with an alternative view of the United States as something new and unique in the history of the world.

Who should run Walsall Council?

We've had the election, but it's not too late to have your say. Just head over to the blog of Lib Dem group leader Ian Shires and tell him what you think.