Just as good ol’ Dave Cameron starts to hog the all-important mid festive season headlines, knackered old Charlie Kennedy decides to hurl himself at the press super-star destroyer and battle to save his so-called leadership. Apparently some rather annoyed LibDem candidate has launched a web petition to sack Kennedy and rather a lot of LibDem members have signed it – thousands upon thousands. Then it is revealed that 400 or so of which are elected councillors. Oh dear. However, instead of ignoring the rantings of a LibDem malcontent, Mr Kennedy decided to make himself the BBC’s number 2 story by attacking his own party. Curious still is his defence. Kennedy says that the petition of his own members in no more worthy than an attack by, say, Labour or the Tories. Yet the attack comes from within his own party. Also a LibDem unnamed frontbencher says he better be gone by New Year or there’ll be a vote of no confidence.

David Cameron’s decision to ask Sir Bob Geldof to be an advisor to the Conservative Party on the issue of global poverty was an interesting one. It has certainly upset Mr Blair, who has always treated the world of celebrity as his fiefdom, and is a very clever piece of media positioning. However I do fear a major elephant traps wait in the long term.
Sir Bob told the BBC News 24 today that he would speak his mind and, of necessary, oppose the policy that the Tories come out with if he doesn’t agree with it – i.e. if it isn’t his policy. I fear Sir Bob will accept nothing less than his point of view. We may have the tide behind us now, but what if Sir Bob is leading the charge against the new Tory poverty policy in a few years’ time? I wonder what he had to say about Michael Howard’s globalisation policy, launched just a matter of months ago. With most Tories talking about free trade rather than fair trade…

My simple Christmas offering this year is to ask what chance I have in the Queens Speech Sweepstake. My 6 random choices, which have to appear Bingo style for me to win, are (in order of sanity...)

1. A reference to Camilla
2. A reference to natural disasters around the world
3. Queen comes out against the Iraq War
4. Queen declares herself for David Cameron
5. Queen wears something stylish
6. Queen wears something from Debenhams

I don't think I'm going to win. In fact, 2 points would be good.

Merry Christmas!

Firstly the big voting news and the present Mrs Little and I are very happy with the X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing results. When you reach a certain age and your babysitters are away in London, Saturday night television is all that keep you going.

Sunday was spent mainly at a party in Dereham, but I did get a chance to read Matthew D’Ancona’s excellent piece in the Sunday Torygraph today. Now either he has read my blog or he is indeed a very astute gentleman. The trust of his argument was that the Tories and LibDems are moving politically and personally closer together, maybe in preparation for a post-election coalition. Conservative Chairman Francis Maude and LibDem Treasury Spokesman Vince Cable have both been saying nice things about the other side. Plus who’d want to be the LibDem Leader who helped prop up a Brown-led Labour government after a poor poll showing? Anyway, since the Tory and LibDem leadership are getting on and Cameron is banging on about all sorts of libertarian and environmentalist ideas the notion of a Con/Lib government isn’t all that barking.

So, as predicted, the downfall of Kennedy – when, not if, it comes – will see the LibDems potentially choosing a future coalition partner. Now, obviously I believe that Cameron will be storming to a massive 341 seat majority, with Labour forced into sixth place behind Respect. However, if by some shock the inbuilt problem with First-Past-The-Post prevent this, you could see the Conservatives as the largest party dealing with Laws or Oaten. But perhaps not Hughes or Campbell. Anyway, the Sunday Torygraph seems convinced it’ll be Campbell so ho-hum.

On the Tory front, my little spies tell me that the diary of newly promoted Shadow Education Minister Boris Johnson is filling up with various jaunts around the nation visiting union bars and telling CF branches full of wonderful young blonde Tory-girls about the wonderfulness of Dave Cameron. Damn tough job, but somebody has to do it!

It has been an eventful end of the week. On Wednesday I was told that I have been put back onto the Conservative Parliamentary Candidates List and can start applying for seats as and when they come up! Good news! Hurrah! I thought the interview went well and it must have. We have been asked to join mobile campaigning units, which I am glad to do.

It seems like Kennedy has survived in tact, although The Sun tried their best as always. Campbell’s pledge of loyalty was fairly week willed, and Oaten’s Telegraph interview said more about where he wants to go than where he is now. David Cameron heaped the pressure on Kennedy this week. Despite his almost failed jibe at PMQs (a pretty good joke about decapitation strategies but flopped due to timing) he then went back on the attack by calling upon LibDems to defect to the Conservatives. I liked the timing and the speech content but I do wonder what Cameron’s speech expected the outcome to be. I just can’t see any LibDem MP defecting, we may get a handful of Councillors and activists but the key group is voters. We’ve seen our association membership jump by 13% since the day Cameron was elected – a mixture of new members and those who lapsed some years ago. We are particularly doing well in LibDem strongholds in Eaton and Town Close – so the results in May will be interesting!

Website of the day: www.libdems4cameron.com

I shan’t pretend I’m in the least bit bothered about the woes that the LibDems have found themselves in during the past 24 hours but two things do spring forth of note worthiness.

Firstly are the similarities to the IDS Tory debacle. I found myself musing this morning about who exactly is spreading the rumours about Kennedy, particularly to Neill of the BBC. Today Party bigwigs Matthew Taylor and Paul Holmes have strongly come out in Kennedy’s defence, as have senior LibDem frontbencher Lembit Opik. So just who is spreading the rumours? Well, with the Tories I naively thought that the media had got their wires crossed and a few private mumblings of a few obscure Tory MPs made it onto the front-page, but of course it wasn’t. The finger of suspicion has pointed at the swivel-eyed loon of the LibDems Party President Simon Hughes and also the statesmanlike Foreign Affairs Spokesman (not, not Shadow Cabinet as they like to claim) Sir Menzies Campbell. So will they use this chance to come out and back their man? Because Charlie can’t take many more PMQs like that.

My other thought is about where this leaves the LibDems as a party. I’m not joining in the Tory gleeful rubbing of hands over this because I think it could be a worrying sign. Not of a Kennedy departure, but that the LibDems have come to maturity as a political party. All the best parties are big-tents who bring in people of various political viewpoints who can agree an end product but not necessarily the same means to will it to happen. The Tory Party contains Bill Cash and Ken Clarke. Labour has Dennis Skinner and Peter Mandelson. Enough said. Whilst the LibDems sat on the sidelines being irrelevant – which to a degree they did rather well under Ashdown – then nobody bothered mentioning that they all fundamentally disagree over absolutely everything. Now there’s a wiff of something in the air – not power, don’t be silly, but a chance of a seat in a coalition government. After years of Tory-bashing the rather dapper Vince Cable has started mending bridges by saying he could work with the Conservatives – just in case Cameron has the largest number of seats in 2009. If not, they could always throw their lot in with Labour – under Brown or another Blairite Leader. With the next poll result in serious doubt the LibDems are players. If Cameron crashes and burns or if he takes a commanding lead then the LibDems may well slink away to the fringes again. If not, this argument is important because they are fighting for the soul of the party and maybe even the soul of the next government. If Laws and the Orange Book Liberals win it raises the prospect of a Con-Lib coalition working effectively. If Hughes or Davey win then a coalition is only likely with Labour. Either way the LibDems need this leadership crisis badly, because an attempt to go into coalition under Kennedy (or in my view under Campbell) would be a disaster. It may never happen, but this crisis is in many ways good for the party and a clear sign that they may well help form the next period of British politics.

Had a very successful Christmas event on Saturday in Eaton ward. Very well attended and raised rather a lot for the campaign fund - or in this case sending letters out to prospective new members. Plenty of mince pies and punch too!

School today was a tad dull, though I did manage to complete marking my Mock GCSE Exams and potentially ruin the Yuletide of my 'A' Level class by setting them a whopping great essay. Ho ho ho! Though my New Year is ruined by marking...

Tomorrow is our Year 8 Celebration Assembly - the theme is Oscars. Given the amount of work that my wonderful PA did today, it bought to mind a gleeful Sir Humphry declaring that all the work of any organisation is admin. Seeing her at work, one wag mused: "If the teachers all disappeared, we'd get cover. If the admin staff disappeared, the school would collapse." Quite.

I was quite surprised today to be flicking around the LibDem website (fear not, I shall punish myself harshly later tonight) to see that they have a button on their homepage dedicated to their position on Iraq. It got me thinking about to what degree they really now have become a series of protest issues strung together into a political party. It’s like the anti-war movement meets the anti-fees students union. They made a big deal out of Blair’s war at the last election and there is some feeling within both the local and national LibDems that they will continue to do so in the future to continue their advance against Labour in the urban constituencies. I cannot really see this working. Firstly because they are fighting (maybe) Brown in (maybe) 2009 and Gordon very cleverly sidestepped blame for the war in a way that Hoon, Straw and Clarke never did. Secondly the issue will have passed, with 90% of troops being out by the time of the next poll. So why concentrate on it then? Well the LibDems seem to be struggling for a purpose at the moment. Poor Charlie Kennedy even had his resignation plans blow by old Brillo on “This Week” and had to deny his own resignation plans. Yet the whole buzz around the LibDem camp now is on positioning to be his successor. When, and if, the LibDems do that they still have to overcome the Cameron issue. The Times runs a good article today suggesting that Cameron is the heir to liberal Toryism. Maybe, and certainly not a head banging euro sceptic (copyright, Mr K Clarke). I think we are re-entering two party politics. I can’t see the LibDems falling to 11 seats, as has been mooted over on politicalbetting.com, but I can see them falling back slightly. The LibDems will struggle to define themselves – as a party to the left of Labour under a Hughes leadership or a party fighting for the liberal ground led by Laws? Or maybe a party fighting for survival under Campbell? I know it isn’t popular to knock old Ming, but I see him as a caretaker man for the job, in both leadership and ideological terms. A great guy and good media performer but he won’t advance the argument within the party. And then, without Iraq, what does the member for North East Fife have to offer? Anyway locally LibDems continue to spin themselves in circles. One leading light told me this week that they were struggling to hold onto people because of the Cameron effect. We’ve had 17 people join since Cameron became leader, and I’ll happily run a book on the first sitting or former LibDem Councillor to switch to us. Apparently a similar book is being run on the first parliamentary defection to the Tories.

Cameron today announced his plans to broaden the base of Tory candidates, a story much missed by the BBC all day. I am very weary of this big idea. I agree I want to see more female, Asian, disabled, gay and public sector Tory candidates (though not necessarily the same person, you understand). But most importantly I want to see the best Tory candidates. I am very unsure about plans to create the so-called ‘A’ Lists of candidates. Will they guarantee that no woman on this list is worse than a man who wasn’t on the list? Why are we not compiling the best 140 Tory candidates, full stop? I want women etc. to get on the list by merit alone. I am also concerned about this headhunting proposal. Why are we dragging people into a career that requires a huge amount of passion when they didn’t volunteer for it? I stomp the streets almost daily for the party and I do expect a little reward for my work – like perhaps being considered ahead of somebody who isn’t even a member. I do despair at the throngs of pin-stripped suited lawyers queuing up to be a candidate but is this really our only answer? As the member for Maidstone said recently, she would never have made it only an ‘A’ List yet she remains one of the most formidable forces in the party. Come on, Mr Cameron, is this really the only way?

I have been informed today that more people voted for Carol Thatcher on IACGMOOH than voted for her Mother during a 20 year political career.

British public again.

Welcome to my new look blog! I've changed the design to fit in with our new look association website and also because it looks rather nice. I've also added the comments facility so please let us know what you think! Around (well exactly) 12 people e-mailed during the general election campaign asking me to have comments. I didn't then because of the amount of abuse that other candidates, from all parties, suffered. However under the new leadership of consensual Cameron I'm sure we can all have a reasonable debate!

If you want me to link to your site, just e-mail me using antony at norwichconservatives dot com

Due to popular demand (well, my ‘A’ Level class) I have decided that it would only be right and proper to follow the example of Iain Dale and return to blogging. Now that politics is back on an even keel!

The Leadership. I have never been a huge Cameron fan, and it is quite well known that I backed Ken Clarke in the first round of the leadership. When he was voted out – the best news possible for DC – then I didn’t know what to do. I felt Cameron was very young, a bit policy light and may not stand up to the onslaught that Blair’s brigade would no doubt unleash. However, despite liking DD’s background and policies I felt that there was somebody not quite right. I read all the websites, documents and went to see DD when he visited Norwich (work stopped me from seeing DC). With the membership in Norwich South clearly swinging behind Cameron it wasn’t until the last possible moment that I voted, and did so for Cameron. In the end he was saying what I’ve said for years about fighting for the centre ground of politics. He seemed to know what needs doing to sort out the party. Within seconds of victory the website changed too! So Tuesday wasn’t a bad day, but I didn't hold my breath!

Then came PMQs. I thought Cameron did brilliantly – not because he humiliated Blair (although the “You were the future once” line was excellent) but because he out-thought the Prime Minister and was strategically the better man. His rant at government chief whip Hilary Armstrong was fantastic, and shut the Labour MPs up at the beginning so he got away with his first PMQs almost heckle-free. But then not to use the 6th question and rob Blair of his final big blast against the new Tory Leader was inspired. Poor Tony. He’ll never know when Cameron will use his sixth question now! Does he therefore use his best lines on question 5 and give Cameron the chance to come back or does he leave it out altogether? Similarly the decision to lead on education and climate change is symbolic of his change in policy attitude. Backing Blair on education isn’t just fun to annoy the Labour left, it is also practical politics. Blair is offering us an essentially conservative piece of law – why would we vote against it? By supporting Blair you marginalize the Labour left and help him to introduce the kind of legislation that we would have done. Where Blair is wrong, we’ll vote against him when where he just might be right… Anyway, PMQs laid my fears to rest. The papers and the media went over-the-top for Cameron – ITV’s Bradby in particular. I’m not in favour of building Cameron up too much, lest he falls as quickly as he rose, but the plaudits are always good to receive.

Then came the reshuffle. I was on the whole happy with it, particularly the return of William Hague as Shadow Foreign Secretary and keeping David Davis at Shadow Home Affairs. I am a bit miffed that we didn’t appoint a Deputy Leader, choosing instead to have a so-called “senior member of the shadow cabinet.” Hmmm. Anyway, it means that when Tony is off swanning around the world and can’t get back to the commons, it’ll be Prescott versus Hague! What a sight to behold. I will hold my judgement about Willetts at education, although the poor soul now has Boris Johnson and John Hayes in his team! I am glad that Maude kept the Chairmanship, Lansley kept Health and Mitchell kept International Development. I am pleased by May’s promotion back into a real job and am over the moon that Gillan and Villiers have been promoted, not because they are women but because they are very, very good at their jobs. Caroline Spelman, whom I admire, is also promoted to Shadow ODPM. I am surprised that Damien Green was left wanting and a bit frustrated at the childish antics of Sir Malcolm Rifkind. I have nothing against Phillip Hammond but I felt Rifkind at DWP put out a powerful message about the Tory view on pension reforms. Giving Osbourne time to grow as Shadow Chancellor was clever and I am also pleased that Patrick McLaughlin is now Chief Whip (although clearly John Randall would have been my choice!). I struggle to remember when Peter Ainsworth was our Shadow Environment before (apparently 3 years ago) but I do know that he is anti-nuclear. So is Cameron building up to dump nuclear or are we on for our first resignation due to policy differences? That leaves Fox at Defence, a bit of a shame given his result I suppose but he does have excellent relations with the US. Overall then, a good reshuffle.

Then came the speeches on the environment and the visit to the East London school of Leadership. Nice touch but a bit obvious going to a Labour stronghold like that. Why not visit Jarrow next time? I know the first visit as Leader sends a message but I feel there are enough inner-city marginal seats to choose from. Does anybody feel we’ll win that seat next time?

Then came this morning’s poll – 2% ahead according to ICM, never a friend of the Conservatives. Setting aside the fuel crisis in September 2000 this is the first time that the Tories have led in an ICM poll since 1993. We are ahead in YouGov too but they did show us bouncing around in the lead a few years back too. Anyway I am pleased that we have broken out of our 30-33 box but the champagne isn’t quite on ice yet.

On a personal level Emily is now 9 months old and into everything – the whole house is levitating 3 foot in the air to prevent her from grabbing things. She is on the move and pulling herself up on all the furniture! School is going fine, I have started teaching ‘A’ Level politics this year too, so god help them – first exam is on 11th January (my birthday).

Anyway must go, the papers need examining and a large pile of GCSE Mock Exams need my attention!

First Tony Blair wins an election and now Brenda is out of X-Factor.

Just what is wrong with the British public?

Politics returns to normal after the summer hols:

The Norwich Conservatives have highlighted a blunder by City Hall that means every house in the City has been asked to register for an election that occurred months ago.

The letter – headed “Important Information” in bold red type – is enclosed with the voter registration form and tells people that if they register “you will then be eligible to vote at the City Council elections in May 05.”

Conservative spokesman Antony Little said the mistake was careless. “Not only has this election passed but the vote in 2005 was for the County Council,” he said. “It is clear that they meant to say “May 06” but such a simple blunder suggests that careful checks are not being made at City Hall.”

“Or maybe it is our political leadership at City Hall that doesn’t know what year it is.”

“This mistake makes City Hall look foolish to every voter in Norwich. At a time when public confidence in the Norwich LibDems is at an all-time low this will have done nothing to boost voter turnout.”

Well, I think I've just about recovered from that! I'll be back to blogging soon, so in the meantime check out the new website from the Norwich Conservatives.

Bugger.

Well, a dry a tear from my eye as the campaign comes to a conclusion. We finished off with a flying visit from Michael Howard – and boy was he in fighting form! – and then we took teams out to West Earlham, University, Nelson and Wensum. I wanted to finish the campaign where we had started it, the areas that need a Conservative government to start acting on the things that matter. Today I have been inundated with messages of support and good wishes – all university friends, family and colleagues. A few may even vote for me!

It’s been a fantastic campaign all in all and I have been so well supported and met so many people, all of whom want Norwich to be the best place it can be. To my regulars, especially the other politico’s who read this blog, is thank you and good luck.

Oh, and I should say: Vote Little!

Today has been a frantic last minute dash to get everything done and I think we managed it. Tellers are in place, leaflets printed and people ready to go. The last day of real-time campaigning always feels slightly odd, and tonight’s leafleting and canvassing session felt a bit strange, knowing next time we’re doing it to get out the vote. Still, across the constituency today, in Eaton, Town Close, Nelson, Cringleford and University, people were coming across to us. In an election where tonight we got two new members from people on the streets, anything could happen.

People often ask me for my prediction – unlike the LibDems I don’t make predictions. Today I spoke to a gentleman outraged by the LibDem tactics. He said that whilst the opposition claim a two-horse race, in reality the voters decide who wins. “It could be the ruddy Revolutionary Workers for all they [the LibDems] know, people could vote for anybody,” he said.

Also today I have had a real variety of issues on the phones – from the lack of quality broadcasting on the BBC to immigration and from banning fireworks to my views on abortion. At least this election, I have to say unlike 2001, is a getting people interested. I also had excellent feedback on my column in today’s Evening News.

Tomorrow is our first GOTV day, so look out for big Blue teams on the streets!

Today has been a frantic last minute dash to get everything done and I think we managed it. Tellers are in place, leaflets printed and people ready to go. The last day of real-time campaigning always feels slightly odd, and tonight’s leafleting and canvassing session felt a bit strange, knowing next time we’re doing it to get out the vote. Still, across the constituency today, in Eaton, Town Close, Nelson, Cringleford and University, people were coming across to us. In an election where tonight we got two new members from people on the streets, anything could happen.

People often ask me for my prediction – unlike the LibDems I don’t make predictions. Today I spoke to a gentleman outraged by the LibDem tactics. He said that whilst the opposition claim a two-horse race, in reality the voters decide who wins. “It could be the ruddy Revolutionary Workers for all they [the LibDems] know, people could vote for anybody,” he said.

Also today I have had a real variety of issues on the phones – from the lack of quality broadcasting on the BBC to immigration and from banning fireworks to my views on abortion. At least this election, I have to say unlike 2001, is a getting people interested. I also had excellent feedback on my column in today’s Evening News.

Tomorrow is our first GOTV day, so look out for big Blue teams on the streets!

Today has been a frantic last minute dash to get everything done and I think we managed it. Tellers are in place, leaflets printed and people ready to go. The last day of real-time campaigning always feels slightly odd, and tonight’s leafleting and canvassing session felt a bit strange, knowing next time we’re doing it to get out the vote. Still, across the constituency today, in Eaton, Town Close, Nelson, Cringleford and University, people were coming across to us. In an election where tonight we got two new members from people on the streets, anything could happen.

People often ask me for my prediction – unlike the LibDems I don’t make predictions. Today I spoke to a gentleman outraged by the LibDem tactics. He said that whilst the opposition claim a two-horse race, in reality the voters decide who wins. “It could be the ruddy Revolutionary Workers for all they [the LibDems] know, people could vote for anybody,” he said.

Also today I have had a real variety of issues on the phones – from the lack of quality broadcasting on the BBC to immigration and from banning fireworks to my views on abortion. At least this election, I have to say unlike 2001, is a getting people interested. I also had excellent feedback on my column in today’s Evening News.

Tomorrow is our first GOTV day, so look out for big Blue teams on the streets!

Back home from one of my now regular day-trips to Bowthorpe and what a day its been – we’ve covered the whole area with our newspaper and had to stop for chats along the way. Bowthorpe is becoming a really interesting place where the current Tory agenda – school discipline, value for money tax, controlled immigration, more police and cleaner hospitals – is really going down well. Had one chap declare very loudly out of a top window that he was never voting for “liar” Blair again, and would support me to get rid of him! Fine chap!

Yesterday (was that Sunday?!? It all blurs) was spent in New Costessey and Saturday before that in Eaton, Cringleford and Town Close. We’ve met so many people in this election, so many more than in the recent past. I’m getting recognised a lot at the moment – the lady serving in Tesco’s is voting for me, as is a Mum on the schoolgate on Friday.

Doing quite a bit of media work at the moment, particularly for the Radio. Good slots of Radio Norfolk talking about manufacturing decline in Norwich and for Broadland on crime.

The national campaign is getting me down at the moment. I think Howard is spot on to move back to the big 5 (see above) at this juncture, and Kennedy is looking like a complete opportunist by sticking to Iraq. Blair is just looking tired at the moment. I think most people are, in general, getting just a little bored of the national stuff.

Locally too we are dragging it out a bit. This week one lady complained that 5 pieces of Tory literature fell through her door. Well, the LibDems have made this seat a literature battle and has lost methinks! Last week was also the debates – I felt that churches together event went down very well and Clarke, whom I am reluctantly gaining respect for, did rather badly over Iraq. On Friday we went to the UEA where the other three parties bussed in their crowds. Bit more challenging, but with eight candidates causing the whole event to drag out, it was a bit long. Adrian Ramsay is a very passionate speaker, but doesn’t seem to be able to take the passion about the environment and apply it to other topics. My LibDem opponent is very robotic – he only seems to have three standard answers to any questions, don’t invade Iraq, scrap tuition fees or tactical voting. Bless. He even tried those on topics that had nothing to do with them! Charles Clarke is, of course, highly competent and very on top of his brief. Pity he won’t be around much longer. Mr Barnard and the UKIP candidate deserve praise for getting cannabis and Europe into every answer, the WRP candidate wasn’t half as revolutionary as I’d have liked and the EDP lady should really have been a Tory! Several people in the crowd said they’d switched their vote to me because of my debate performance. One even said she would vote for me because of my honesty!

I’m going to have a last-week burst of LibDem negativity watch – I have so many e-mails to choose from! But today I’m going to mention a phone call from a lady in Nelson Ward, who has pulled apart the LibDem Bar Charts apart and a letter from a gentleman in Thorpe Hamlet that includes a letter from Charles Kennedy that is full of anti-Tory and anti-Labour stuff. Interestingly enough, I noticed that the LibDem response to today’s Tory timetable was to call it negative. Hang on, if stating policies is negative then what counts as positive? Oh, anything a LibDem says…

Tomorrow we’re back in Bowthorpe for canvassing in the morning and then launching our get-out-the-vote leaflet in the afternoon.

A little something to muse on...

Our vote on Thursday is about who will make Britain, and Norwich, better; about who will provide more police, cleaner hospitals, lower tax and discipline in schools. It’s also about who will be our next local MP.

If you vote Conservative, you’ll have a government that will treat senior citizens with respect, put more police on the beat, put Matron back in charge to clean up hospitals, allow Headteachers to tackle disruptive pupils and believes in value-for-money.

If you vote for me, you’ll have a local MP. I live in the City Centre, am married with a young family and teach at Notre Dame High School. I believe an area is best represented by somebody who is part of the community.

If you vote for me, you’ll have an active MP. I have been campaigning on issues that matter to people - against mobile phone masts, putting more police on the beat, freeing up our City roads, cleaning up St. Stephen’s underpass and for better recycling in Norwich. I have also worked with the community campaign to save Ellacombe Care Home.

If you vote for me, you’ll have an in-touch MP. I always keep in contact through my website, regular leaflets and on-line diary.

On the doorstep, people tell me that they are fed up with Charles Clarke and don’t believe that the LibDem candidate, who lives in Suffolk, can win. Please, use your vote to make the difference. I believe I can be the MP that Norwich South deserves.

Well I’ve failed to make my pledge to blog each day (hey, but unlike Blair, at least I can admit a failing!). Thankfully it isn’t a resigning issue!

At least I have a good excuse – in the last week we have shifted an incredible amount of literature as postal votes start to go out. Last week I had Shadow Minister for Young People Charles Hendry and former Education Secretary Gillian Shepherd both swoop in to support my campaign. Saturday was amazing – so many helper we ran out (yes, ran out!) of leaflets. Our campaign is becoming very targeted and, luckily we now have a round of newspapers to deliver! It is crazy now, just a week or so before the poll. I am still amazed at the number of people getting involved – either through asking questions or wanting to help. Posters are up around the place, the Newmarket Road looks very blue but so too are the back streets. Who could imagine a campaign where Tuckswood and West Earlham – not traditional Tory heartlands – would have “Vote Conservative” posters up? Don’t believe a word the opinion polls say, this one’s gonna be close!

Today I am shackled to the whiteboard at work, followed by an evening on the doorsteps. Tomorrow we have a senior shadow cabinet member coming, a senior board member on Thursday and two debates at the end of the week!

Quiz of the Day: Which LibDem Councillor in Norwich admits that she hasn’t decided who to vote for in the general election and can’t agree with LibDem policies on crime, tax or Europe? Answers on a postcard please…

I have decided that being a Tory teacher is like being part of a secret society – a colleague whom I never thought would vote for us came up today to enquire about the year group, Emily and the campaign … then came a wink and she said “I hope we do well!”

Last night was another good night – we had a campaign launch in Thorpe Hamlet under the watchful eye of our candidate and association chairman Trevor Ivory. We descended mob handed upon the area and got a really good response. One young lady, who recently had a child had this to say to me:

”I have always voted LibDem because you don’t have to put any thought into it. Since I’ve been off with my baby I’ve watched most of the election coverage live. I saw the LibDem manifesto launch and it scared me. We’re both now voting Conservative.”

There’s been quite a massive shift in Thorpe Hamlet, a few LibDem switchers to Labour and a few to us. Rather more disgruntled Labour voters saying they won’t vote at all and a good chunk of Labour voters switching directly to the Conservatives. Issues raised on the doorstep included Kyoto, fox hunting and immigration.

Can’t believe the polls at the moment – I know I’m a Tory candidate but the feeling on the ground is much better. Poor Kennedy (for whom, as fellow first time fathers I have some limited sympathy) got a real roasting on Newsnight last night. Poor chap, so apparently a nurse married to a fireman is worse off under the LibDems. Nice to know.

Later today I am off to the UEA to meet Shadow Minister Charles Hendry coming to launch our latest poster and university funding policies. Then, after a meeting at school, we are canvassing in Bowthorpe. The new “Vote Little” posters are springing up at the moment, not least on my garden gate!

Saturday is catch-up time for school work, political work and home work! The last few days have been a blur.

On Thursday I felt like a bit of a political fraud, jumping from political event to political event. That morning I was at school, but out by 2 to meet Shadow International Development Secretary Alan Duncan for a walk-a-bout in Norwich City Centre. There were some rather long dwindling shots of me on BBCs Look East and there has been divided thoughts between those who think I look young and energetic and those who thought I looked a bit simple! We were lucky to stay rain free for Alan but I wasn’t quire so lucky when I went to Hellesdon Hospital to lodge a massive petition with the NHS mental Health Trust against the closure of Ellacombe Care Home in Thorpe Hamlet. We had to stand in the rain after health care bosses failed to show to accept the petition – I can’t believe they think so little of the campaign that nobody in the whole trust could meet us. The Evening News ran an excellent front-page version of the story the day after. From Hellesdon it was over to my team canvassing in Mancroft Ward, and the delight when one voter offered me a campaign donation on the doorstep! I then had to shoot off to the Methodist Church on Chapelfield to attend, along with Charles Clarke, the Make Poverty History (MPH) campaign rally for Norwich. A great evening and a big surprise to find a cohort of my sixth formers involved! Day over, tired but happy.

Friday was less exciting; school all day (a whole four periods!) then out with my team in Town Close Ward, along the Ipswich Road. What was interesting is the fact that very few people are (politically) moving in this area. If the LibDems think they can plough Tory votes in this area, they are very much mistaken. The only real change we detected were the number of non-voters in 2001 moving back to the Tories.

Today was an all-day campaigning session in Eaton Village and we welcomed our Area Chairman to the doorsteps. A fantastic response from around the village, new members and new poster sites too! It was a good day but soured by the first person to be totally and unacceptably rude towards me – I have to say, a LibDem voter. I am fairly thick skinned (teacher and Tory politician!) but there is a line to be drawn between political analysis and just abuse. There was quite a strong Labour vote here, but we were far and away in the majority.

I haven’t been able to see the party election broadcasts this week so far, but Trevor has passed me a DVD of our cinema advert to watch to fill the gap! Labour are slinging a lot of mud at the moment about negative campaigning – have they not been looking at their own campaign?!?

We’ve had the best day’s campaigning for a long time today. School went well, there seems to be as much interest in the general election as there is in the Head Student election! I even managed a sneaky pop home to check on Emily today – she’s not been sleeping during the day at the moment (although is sleeping at night!) and we’re doing the whole new-parent-paranoia at the moment. I had a phone call this afternoon from a lady furious because apparently a LibDem canvassed her and told her that the Tories lost their deposit at the last election! I laughed – she then looked it up on the BBC website and was outraged at that lie.

I will make a rare entry here praising the EDP for their constituency profile of Norwich South today – at last quite rightly pointing out that the Tories are second and that the LibDem is making his third attempt to not come third!

Spent the afternoon preparing for tomorrow’s visits – we have Alan Duncan coming early afternoon and then I’m off with Rita Stevens to present the Ellacombe petition in the late afternoon.

We soon hit the streets of Lakenham and what a canvass! I knew the area was going to be good for us but to get three new members, a deliverer and a helper on polling day in one session is going great guns. Loads of support, one chap switching to us from Labour over immigration, another lady moving LibDem to Conservative because she’s impressed with Howard’s stand over school discipline. Very little mention of today’s Labour manifesto launch. You’ve made a big impression then, Tony!

Today has felt like a real school day – teaching nearly all day and then year 10 parents evening tonight. It hasn’t left much in the way of campaigning time, although we received requests for posters for a couple more people and took receipt of our next newsletter. We hit the trail again tomorrow with a campaign session in Mancroft and then Lakenham in the evening!

I have just heard that Joan Donald, the President of the Uxbridge Conservatives, passed away yesterday. Joan was a remarkable woman in all senses and was my political mentor in the early years. She had a wicked sense of humour and such a passion for life, travelling extensively and more often than not putting her friends and family first. She was utterly dedicated to the Conservative cause and put the party way before her own needs, never seeking office but always being the first out with bundles of leaflets or canvass cards. When I marched into the Uxbridge Tory office in January 1995 to join up, Joan was the first person I met. She whipped my subscription money off me and within half an hour I was a member of the Ickenham Committee, such was her drive and commitment. We really got on well – Joan took a deep interest in my personal as well as political life. Always corresponding, the last time I really spoke at length to Joan was at my wedding – she was so proud. I remember the thrill in her voice when I said that I’d been selected as a PPC. She really believed that I could be a good MP. It didn’t matter what you did or how you acted, Joan always had time for you. She also had time for Talking Books, the Wrens and her countless friends around the country.

Joan fought for her country and fought for her party. She drank, smoked, laughed and danced her way through life. She lived to a grand old age and enjoyed every moment of it. We’ll all miss her enormously.

Today was the day that reality hit home – and there weren’t even any children in school! The whole (working) day was spent on GCSE coursework moderation and cleaning out my desk in preparation for the new term. Many people, including my colleagues, expressed surprise that I didn’t have more time off – but they don’t realise that with my number of exam classes more than just the voters of Norwich South rely on me!

This evening has to have been my favourite canvassing session for a long time – we were doing roads off Bluebell Road and also Earlham Road. We found lots of staunch Tories cheered to have visits. I know I shouldn’t be pleased, but there are also a lot of LibDem to Labour switchers, and as this is Roy Blower County he should be proud of what he has achieved. People certainly hold him in higher regard than the LibDem Councillors (though, of course, our very own Tom Holland would do a better job even than Blower!) I got the chance to have a few really good in depth discussion with people tonight – focusing in on tax and education. You know you make a difference when one non-voter and one ex-LibDem come away pledging their support. My favourite comment of the night: “My family and I haven’t had a political thought between us since 1983 – so obviously we’re voting LibDem.”

Whilst we were busy putting up posters today (got more sights whilst out canvassing!) the national campaign got into full swing with the publication of our manifesto. It is good to see all of our policy work being bought together in a very slim document – small manifesto, small government perhaps.

Why vote Conservative – cleaner hospitals, school discipline, lower tax, more police, controlled immigration. It’s getting clearer by the day.

LibDem Negativity Watch – Part II

Well, I have to say that this entry comes by popular demand. It has received 5 e-mail nominations, not all from budding Tories either. I am going to handover now to “SJ”, who starts his/her e-mail by saying that she is voting Green after years of being LibDem, turned off by their negative campaigning. In her own words…

“The newspaper put out by the LibDems contains more than just negative words about the Tories. As a Green voter you get used, now, to regular negative comment from the LibDems. Take, for example, the story “Greens demand economic disaster for Norwich” in the same newspaper. I didn’t even get to read the story for the mist of fury rose before I got to that point. The Greens have never demanded an economic disaster; they simply have a point of view. At no point has Adrian Ramsay, or any other Green Councillor, lept to their feet in the council chamber and shouted “I want an economic disaster – now”. You don’t see greens lining the streets shouting, “What do we want? Economic disaster! When do we want it? Now!” You are right to point out the negative tactics of the LibDems, but don’t for a minute believe they are all aimed at the Tories.”

The first weekend of campaigning has been an interesting one, although I do fear that interest in politics fell to an all-time low. Friday morning I feel honoured to have been able to watch the funeral of Pope John Paul II – truly we must be grateful to live in a world of instant communications. That afternoon I spent most of the time going through correspondence, writing letters and the like whilst my team made a start on the poster campaign.

Saturday was a big day, spending the morning in New Costessey going door to door and the afternoon we split up to cover both Chapel Break and Clover Hill in Bowthorpe. The reception was excellent – one chap even leaning out of his window to shout support as we went down the street. I met one young lady who took time out of gardening to share her feeling of let down by Labour – eight years, she said, and we’re going backwards. Another vote there! Sunday meant a lie-in (!) and some time with Emily following leafleting in Bowthorpe and Eaton – although leafleting in the sunshine is more like canvassing given the number of people you meet! A great reception, even those non-Tories were happy to see the candidate out and about. Only one very rude person – an out-and-out LibDem at that. Still, outweighed by getting a new leafleter and poster site. This evening, family dinner and Bremner!

Due to a problem yesterday with either blogger.com or my computer, this post is a few hours late…

Another day out campaigning – going from one end of the City to the other! This morning was mainly spent in the campaign office, signing off election material, replying to the e-mails and letters I get and overseeing the last big mailing of the pre-campaign (yes, despite the hype parliament hasn’t yet dissolved for the election!).

Over lunchtime I got to spend some precious time with baby Emily whilst Louise hit the shops. She was awake the whole time and getting really alert. Even our very own Cllr Collishaw fell for her!

This afternoon began with a five-hour (yes, count ‘em!) delivery and canvass session in the St. Giles area of the City Centre. Ever since the boundary changed people assumed that Mancroft became unwinable for the Tories – not a bit of it judging by today’s reception!

Then, after another hour or so dealing with correspondence, it was out again to New Costessey. Despite the rain, my team and I managed to hurl ourselves around. Main questions on the doorstep were about crime and immigration. Good day all around.

Being a candidate I must admit taking less time to look at the national campaign. The BBC Website and Newsnight are as about as far as I get at the moment, although I do find Michael Crick to be very bias! Today’s posters from Labour were interesting. One gentleman told me on the doorstep that if asked who should run the country, he’d answer Michael Howard without hesitation!

As for the LibDems, another day, another barrage of spending commitments. I wonder if it is the knowledge that they’ll never win or just economic incompetence that keeps their spirits up? Nobody can doubt their motives but we all realise that to fulfil their plans you’d have to raise tax even beyond the 40 hikes that they want! A good day for Michael Howard and, after yesterday’s PMQs stormer, a great press too.

Another day out campaigning – going from one end of the City to the other! This morning was mainly spent in the campaign office, signing off election material, replying to the e-mails and letters I get and overseeing the last big mailing of the pre-campaign (yes, despite the hype parliament hasn’t yet dissolved for the election!).

Over lunchtime I got to spend some precious time with baby Emily whilst Louise hit the shops. She was awake the whole time and getting really alert. Even our very own Cllr Collishaw fell for her!

This afternoon began with a five-hour (yes, count ‘em!) delivery and canvass session in the St. Giles area of the City Centre. Ever since the boundary changed people assumed that Mancroft became unwinable for the Tories – not a bit of it judging by today’s reception!

Then, after another hour or so dealing with correspondence, it was out again to New Costessey. Despite the rain, my team and I managed to hurl ourselves around. Main questions on the doorstep were about crime and immigration. Good day all around.

Being a candidate I must admit taking less time to look at the national campaign. The BBC Website and Newsnight are as about as far as I get at the moment, although I do find Michael Crick to be very self-important and just a little hard to stand. Today’s posters from Labour were interesting. One gentleman told me on the doorstep that if asked who should run the country, he’d answer Michael Hoard without hesitation!

As for the LibDems, another day, another barrage of spending commitments. I wonder if it is the knowledge that they’ll never win or just economic incompetence that keeps their spirits up? Nobody can doubt their motives but we all realise that to fulfil their plans you’d have to raise tax even beyond the 40 hikes that they want! A good day for Michael Howard and, after yesterday’s PMQs stormer, a great press too.

Some kind of medal, or a prize at the least, should go to Graham for e-mailing me the first entry in my LibDem Negativity Watch feature.

A rather gripping story from the under whelming “Norwich Mail” – a LibDem propaganda sheet masquerading as a free newspaper. Apparently, they claim, “New Tory policies will wreck our NHS”. The story goes on to say that “New Tory health policies unveiled by Michael Howard would effectively end the NHS”. The story goes on to bash the Tories without a single mention of a LibDem health policy (do they have any?!?). Untrue, negative and designed to scare … LibDem electioneering off to a great start, then!

Are those blisters on my feet so soon?

Well, day two has been as proactive as day one for sure! This morning I spent a few hours in my Campaign Office answering e-mails and letters from local people about policies – issues such as climate change, the Child Support Agency, discipline in schools and pensions were covered. We have also this morning sent out our second campaign e-mail – hoping to do a couple per week during the lead up to polling day.

From there I joined a team out and about in Nelson Ward and enjoyed a couple of hours meeting people in and around Earlham Road. Pleased to get new poster sites and interesting that the LibDem vote really is crumbling – some shifting to us and some going Green. There are a lot of Green posters in Nelson – quite scary.

After lunch it was out again to Town Close Ward going in and around the Unthank Road. I met an old colleague from my former school (who pleasingly is switching from LibDem to me!) and found my way around the system of flats again. Leafleting Winchester Tower bought back memories of when I was helping Geoff Williams in the old St. Stephen’s Ward in 2000 – ah, the good old days!

Several nappies and a brief flick through the Evening News (great article on yesterday’s launch, and interesting to note that even they say the election is between the Tories and Labour) it was then over to New Costessey. The team from South Norfolk are trying really hard to wrench the county seat back and it was great to see them at work!

Robert Sturdy, local MEP, is joining us later in the week too. Now, to bed… earlier than last night but still not great (and now Emily’s crying!)

I notice that the LibDems are bleating on about only being positive in this campaign (yet, as anybody who is involved in politics knows they are the dirtiest fighters in town) and so I know they won't mind me starting a new "LibDem Negativity Watch" feature on this blog, highlighting every negative comment from local Norfolk LibDems. If they are as positive as they claim to be, there shouldn't be too many entries!

It is amazing how many messages of support you get - I have got home to find 26 e-mails from local people and friends wishing me luck. I know you all read this blog so if I don't get time to call between then and now, thank you!

Well, we’re off!

This weekend has been a really busy one with last minute peacetime canvassing – I was in Lower Hellesdon (part of Wensum Ward) on Saturday afternoon and met a group of residents to talk about the junction of Hellesden Mill Lane and Hellesden Road that is causing real problems. Earlier that morning I had a rather pleasant time around the City in the sunshine! We canvassed around the St. Giles area of the City and I met a UKIP convert to the Conservatives. There really is a sea change of opinion, especially towards the LibDems. The more people talk of their policies such as not jailing burglars, raising taxes or joining the Euro, the more support they seem to lose. Funny that!

Sunday we went to an NCT (National Childbirth Trust) lunch at Pizza Express at the forum – real baby overload! I feel sorry for the other diners actually – but all the babes were really well behaved and a minimum of crying! After that it was out delivering my “Being Local Matters” leaflet to Thorpe Hamlet.

Monday was a surprising day, a lot of mixed emotions about the Pope’s death and a time for reflection really.

Then, of course, the worst kept secret in Westminster was today’s announcement of a 5th May poll. This morning we were in Norwich for the launch of our Eastern Region Campaign, led by Transport Spokesman Tim Yeo – himself a Suffolk MP. It was a great event and did a few media interviews. From there it was off to start the delivery of my first leaflet! We had literally dozens of people across Norwich out delivering today – covering I am pleased to say areas in every single ward in the City.

I wanted to start to campaign on the doorsteps, which is exactly what I did, canvassing two large areas of Nelson and then University Ward. People were really shocked to see me so early on in the campaign – ah, I said, the advantage of living in the City! One lady couldn’t believe her eyes having just watched the announcement on the lunchtime news only to find me on the doorstep moments later!

Leafleting next - I was out first in Town Close, with our county candidate John Wyatt, then off to Nelson Ward to almost die of a heart attack leafleting a surprisingly hilly area (who said Norfolk was flat?!?). This evening we were joined by ACD Kate Fuller too, who leaflets faster than anybody I have ever seen! The woman is like Linford Christie!

This evening I managed to watch Hustle, send out 500 e-mails to voters announcing my candidature and update our Norwich South website to the Antony Little Campaign Website.

The people I met on the streets today were all really friendly – the running score was five positive comments, two thumbs-up-from-passing motorists and a “go on my son” shouted from a passing truck versus one rude comment shouted down a street. Not doing badly!

Since the Easter holiday I don’t think my feet have touched the ground. Easter itself was packed full of relatives all cooing over Emily and a wonderful meal at the out-laws in Taverham. Today I had a meeting with an EDP Reporter who is covering Norwich South at Prospect House, in Norwich. Really positive meeting all-in-all. Tonight I am working on our strategy to be first out of the blocks come the big announcement!

A lot of people, generally party members, hacks and a few journo types have asked me to comment on Howard Flight. Why, I replied, when we got the latest rather massive wodge of telephone canvassing results from the last week and not one single voter contacted (out of over a thousand) mentioned him?

p.s. Reason not to vote LibDem No. 341: Not sending women to prison because of the impact on families. And, of course, sending men to jail doesn’t at all impact on families!

Best comment of the day:

Voter: "If you must know, I'm a communist. So left-wing it hurts. That's why I'm voting LibDem!"

Senior Conservatives have hailed the launch of a new UEA Conservatives website as proof that the party is fighting back amongst young voters. Conservative parliamentary candidate Antony Little said: "This website is a vital tool in communication our message with students."

"The website includes profiles of the UEA Tories and of their policies and campaigns. It'll also be used to hold the other parties to account as well as selling Conservative policies."

"Labour broke their word of fees, students should believe them."

"LibDems want to charge students their new local income tax. Students shouldn't trust them."

"Only the Conservatives are fighting hard for students - by cutting out fees, investing more in universities and putting police back on the beat."

You can visit the new site by clicking here.

Survey Results (In full, where figures exceed 5%):

24,000 surveys distributed in February 2005 in: Cringleford, Eaton, Bowthorpe, Thorpe Hamlet, Lower Hellesden, Norwich City, Town Close, Golden Triangle, New Costessey, Lakenham, Earlham, Colney, UEA

Most important local issue:
Refuse collection 30%, Rising crime 25%, Council tax 19%, Traffic 8%, Education 8%

Is Norwich better or worse than it was in 1997?
Better 13%, No different 39%, Worse 48%

How do you feel in your neighbourhood
More safe 5%, No different 45%, Less safe 50%

Are your councils value for money?
Yes 16%, Unsure 24%, No 61%

Do you think your MP (Clarke) does:
A good job 8%, An adequate job 31%, A bad job 27%

Most important national issue
Crime 20%, Immigration 17%, Health 13%, Pensions 13%, Tax 9%, Europe 6%, Education 7%, Environment 7%

What should we do about:
Crime - More police 49%, Tougher Sentences 46%
Schools - Discipline 69%, Cut paperwork 26%
NHS - Cleaner hospitals 48%, More nurses 41%
Immigration - Annual limits 63%, ID Cards 22%
Tax - Cut inheritance tax 56%, Cut Stamp Duty 12%

It has been an interesting weekend in which we managed to juggle babies, politics and a big dose of oh-my-god-I’m-back-to-work-tomorrow. Emily isn’t sleeping too badly – regular feeds and if we go to bed late enough and rise early, she only wakes once a night. Ah. Just getting used to the idea of being a Dad – must buy a cardigan or something!

Saturday was rare as I didn’t go out canvassing – instead I juggled writing my election material and caring for Emily. Louise caught up on a week’s sleep in an afternoon! Instead we had teams out in Cringleford and (judging by the results) had a rather good time.

In a later post I am exclusively putting the results of our surveys onto this site. We had a massive response to these surveys and the outcomes should make all politicians think.

Today, however, we are just back from an association fundraiser – afternoon tea at the home of former Lord Mayor of Norwich, George Richards. A wonderful event and glad to see so many County Council Candidates there! The food was, unsurprisingly excellent, and well done to the enterprising lady raffling it off at the end! It often surprises me that such events raise such a lot of money – it should make the likes of Lord Sainsbury and the entire trade union movement think about who is properly involved in politics. Gave a speech entitled, “How to Beat Blair”. Quite pleased with it actually!

It is not often that I say a newspaper has things spot on, but tonight's Evening News did us all proud. I have also uploaded a not-very-good photo on our campaign website. Plus got the shock on my life when Ann Widdecombe phoned tonight to say "congratulations"! Ann is, as my sixth formers will testify, is a bit of a hero of mine. The Tories certain know how to welcome in a new life!

Well, we’re home – mother and baby doing fine (in fact, both are asleep now). Tonight is potentially another night without sleep. Louise started having contractions at 1pm on Sunday and Emily was born 10.09am on Tuesday! That’s a long time with no sleep! Emily has been sick on me twice now and looked rather smug about it both times. We must talk about the whole vomiting thing. Hmmm, should also have that “fatherly” conversation about boys too! So pleased that they’re home – still well up inside when I think at her, let alone when we cuddle!

I would love to comment intelligently about the political news of the week, but having not even read a newspaper this week I couldn’t possibly, although friends do say that Mr Blair is having more trouble with the Lords ... fancy the “unelected” Lords standing up for liberty and justice! I do hope all those anti House of Lords types will write lots of letters to the Guardian proclaiming it the theatre of liberty!

This has just come out from our Media Department at my Campaign HQ and is the proudest entry on my blog:

Antony Little, the Conservative’s local candidate for Norwich South at the next general election, has become a father for the first time. Baby Emily Rose was born 12 days late at the Norwich & Norfolk after a labour lasting around 45 hours. Weighing in at 7lb 7ozs, Emily has so far been the perfect baby despite the struggle to be born!

Antony, 26 and a High School Teacher at Notre Dame School, and his wife Louise, 25, are “thrilled” at the new arrival. Both mother and baby are doing fine, and have been transferred to the Blakeney ward.

Antony said: “We made Norwich our home all those year’s ago because we wanted to bring up our children here. Little Emily is just so perfect in every respect and we’ve both totally fallen in love with her.”

“After such a long labour, holding and cuddling Emily is a real blessing. Babies really do change your life forever and Emily is now the centre of our lives.”

The couple – who live in Trafford Road, in the City Centre – are planning to take a year’s leave between them to care for Emily.

I may be away from blogging for a while … more news next week!

In a campaign that has been full of amazing moments, today had to be the most amazing. On a day where the snow ruined any chance of political activity (or, in Louise’s case, any activity at all!), the Norwich South Conservatives carried on.

Despite the weather, one team of UEA activists still went out leafleting in Eaton – madness. We also had teams of people telephone canvassing in Cringleford, University Ward, Bowthorpe, Town Close and Nelson. I’ve just got the figures through about the number of contacts we made today!

If the weather can’t stop us, I really don’t fear Charlie “House Arrest” Clarke!

Last night was the AGM of the Norwich South Conservatives and saw a new officer team elected, under the continued leadership of Trevor Ivory. In a well-attended meeting at the URC, Ipswich Road, we elected two new Deputy Chairmen and I made what was probably the most important speech so far. It was important to get the party faithful geared up the fight ahead – it certainly worked given the number of offers of help we received and extra donations to campaign funds. We also learnt today that we are three quarters of the way to achieving our Fighting Fund target (the money we need to spend on the campaign). I am feeling really confident at the moment, as you can tell! Still, we need to keep grounded for the fight ahead…

Last night was the AGM of the Norwich South Conservatives and saw a new officer team elected, under the continued leadership of Trevor Ivory. In a well-attended meeting at the URC, Ipswich Road, we elected two new Deputy Chairmen and I made what was probably the most important speech so far. It was important to get the party faithful geared up the fight ahead – it certainly worked given the number of offers of help we received and extra donations to campaign funds. We also learnt today that we are three quarters of the way to achieving our Fighting Fund target (the money we need to spend on the campaign). I am feeling really confident at the moment, as you can tell! Still, we need to keep grounded for the fight ahead…

Further to my declaration of weaknesses in the spelling department, a further tropical fruit to the person who can understand this:

Not a spelling mistake rather a solecism, in that you put in parentheses
(which should contain a subordinate clause) "(and most embarrassing spellin'
mistake)", this would be A.O.K however the rest of the sentence cannot stand
by itself and therefore renders it gramatically incorrect. Unless this of
course was a more subtle form of "spellin' mistake"?

Not from me, of course, but confirmation if it means anything or not would be appreciated!

I now have a weekly prize for the person that can spot my best (and most embarrassing spellin' mistake): this week a coconut goes to Acle very own Cllr Charlotte! Well doone!

In our recent City survey, the number one local issue that people complained about was rubbish collection. I have visited lots of street and blocks of flats where the problem is getting beyond a joke. People's lives are being made so much worse, and by the sound of things the LibDems are doing nothing about this.

Take a look at this site, because unless we work out a better way for councils and individuals to take responsibility for our environment, there may be serious consequences. Jim and the residents of Globe Place deserve better, quite frankly.

Even the Daily Telegraph agrees with me today (not a first, but an infrequent delight):

So if local taxation were raised entirely through income - adding an average 3p to the basic rate as the Lib Dems suggest - it would hit younger, working, voters who frequently have huge mortgages and are struggling to bring up families, while desperately trying to accumulate some capital of their own.

Important press release issued today: There's more on the Norwich Conservative website.

Following yesterday’s public meeting at the UEA Sportspark about the future of Ellacombe in Thorpe Hamlet, Conservative candidate for Norwich Antony Little laid the questions that the NHS Mental Health Trust still need to answer:

Antony said: ”Nobody doubts the hard work of the staff at Ellacombe or the passion of the campaigners trying to save it. However, we do doubt the motives of the Mental Health Trust on some issues.”

Antony – who has been supporting Rita Steven’s campaign – added: “On the future of Ellacombe, the Mental Health Trust has previously said that they would back down on their closure plans if the public come out strongly against the plans. With a 2,000 name petition in North Walsham and a 1,700 name petition in Norwich, how much stronger must the public oppose these plans before they are shelved?”

The Norwich Conservatives are in the process of delivering around 20,000 petition slips on their leaflets arguing against the closure.

Antony said: “They must also answer the charge about deliberately running down the number of patients. If Ellacombe is still running as normal, why are people being turned away from it? We know people who cannot get a place at Ellacombe – to most people that looks like the Mental Health Trust is running it down. Will they now confirm that this is not the case and agree to look again at the cases of those who have been refused?”

Antony concluded: “Ellacombe is so precious to the staff, patients and carers – we will not give up on it without a fight.”

There is nothing that I enjoy more than scrutiny of the Lib Dem policy positions – where, that is, they have them. Today both the BBC and the News of the World take tomorrow’s LibDem Budget to task. The LibDems have so few policies – just council tax, Iraq and erm, that’s it really – to speak of that it is difficult to pin them down. They say things like “we want better schools” but fail to mention how they’ll achieve it. Soft words won’t get you very far, Mr Kennedy. Either that or their policy statements are in direct contradiction – for example, being against binge drinking whilst cutting the age of drinking down to 16. Strange, really. Most fun is the analysis of the Local Income Tax (LIT). True, pensioners would (some of them) be better off, but what of hard working families, with two incomes or maybe more, who are hit hardest? The LibDems want pensioners and the unemployed to benefit whilst the young and families suffer. All very good fun picking holes in the LibDems, but as the NotW say … they haven’t got a pray. Either nationally or in Norwich.

Am spending the day working on our latest campaign (possibly the last before an election), to be launched in the middle of the week. Have had lunch at the Trafford with friends and then my parents are up this evening.

A good day out canvassing ruined … at least by rain rather than snow! We had a productive time on the doorsteps of first the Golden Triangle then Town Close. When the skies opened we retreated and telephone canvassed for the afternoon – with particularly good results in New Costessey.

Best ‘phone conversation of the day: The women who demanded that we knocked on her door rather than phoned before saying she only wanted me to call so that she could say that she wasn’t voting for anybody!

Best doorstep of the day (or the Antony Little reminder that letters to the press do matter): A gentleman who had read a letter in today’s Evening News from a LibDem attacking Labour, said it was far too negative and was back to voting Labour. Shame, I thought I might have been in with a chance there!

Got home to find a letter from Michael Howard encouraging me to vote by post (that was one of nearly 10,000 sent out) – thought it was very well written. During the week, roughly 8,000 letters were sent out to senior citizens making them aware of our new policy to cut up to £500 off their council tax bill. We are really touching base with a lot of voters at the moment.

Last month we delivered another 25,000 surveys and I got into the office to find the first 1,000 responses stacked up for me to read. Plus the next load of Matters leaflets that have been printed. Plus 20,000 leaflets from Campaign HQ. We really are dealing with a lot of paper at the moment! If it wasn’t for the good cause of getting rid of Labour and Blair I’d be upset about it!

Also in today’s paper was a good bit about the traffic light problems on Queens Road – plus have been phoned by a journo about the problems with traffic around Trafford Road. Been a productive day all around, I’d say.

Spending this evening out for a curry on Magdalen Street (wife is now 2 days overdue and getting fed up) then working on the Tories new Sports Proposals.

Busy two days at school, avoiding snow... Monday evening was a Behaviour Management Committee and tonight a full staff meeting. I have come home and Louise is so tired that I have cried off the Council Meeting. Sometimes family come first.

Check out our website for the new updates!

Also was pleased to see that the Tories defended the Ruislip-Cavendish by-election. This is a three member ward where the sole Tory (against 2 LibDems) passed away. Our majority was next-to-nothing. The LibDems launched their famous by-election machine and ... increased majority to 95!

The dining room has been turned upside down and the computer unplugged this week so that I can paint the walls and ceiling. Nice shade of green! It has been half term and quite a week too. Louise is now a few days from her due date and we’ve really been working hard on the campaign.

This afternoon we braved the snow to go to a meeting with the Ellacombe Carers Association in Thorpe Hamlet to talk about Labour’s closure plans. They are a group of some of the passionate people I have met and you have to admire their fighting spirit – 1,500 names on their petition and growing. Led by the wonderful Rita Stevens, the group should win their fight on caring alone. We are offering them our support and will e publishing their petition on all Matters leaflets. If you want to add your name, e-mail ellacombe@norwichconservatives.com

In the meantime, we’ve been on the doorsteps in Town Close, Eaton, New Costessey and Nelson – plus phone canvassing in Cringleford, Wensum, Mancroft and Lakenham. Huge boost to campaign funds too this week as our members continue to astound me with their vigour and generosity.

On the national scene, I feel Howard has had good hits this week on Immigration, Pensions and Health – plus today also on Special Schools. Poor Blair on the other hand has been caught up in the Livingstone row. All I can say is that I wonder how the media and the government would have reacted if a Tory had said it!

Tonight we’re welcoming a friend back from working abroad. Be seeing you!

Good news for the day:
Carpet down in dining room
My leaflets go to the printers
Year 9 can draw and label a trench
Good polling for the Tories
I am officially leading sausage champion in Norwich
Another massive wodge of paperwork done

Bad news for the day:
Labour’s failed attempt to size the immigration initiative
Louise is complaining about being massive
Norman Lamb’s bigger blunder by saying we should talk about immigration at election time (!)
New temporary traffic lights on Queen’s Road are very unsafe for pedestrians

Much has been done over the last week, at least some of it involving DIY, which is why posts have been a bit thin. Last week we got the good news that the baby has turned (“the baby IS for turning”!) and is (apparently) three fifths engaged. Which is nice. Carpets are being laid, the house is a mess, as am I.

On Saturday we had one of the biggest Action Days in the constituency for a long time. In the morning we canvassed nearly the whole of Eaton Rise and got an excellent response. The last time I canvassed Eaton Rise was a couple of years ago and the response was dodgy to poor. This time people are openly switching to us. One now-ex LibDem voter was shocked at their soft crime policies. Another lady, an ex-LibDem, said that Howard’s stand on immigration had bought her back. In the afternoon we canvassed the Golden Triangle and the flats behind Chapelfield. There was an interesting comparison between the two. The biggest issues in both the morning and afternoon were crime, pensions and the NHS.

To my surprise on ending up in the office last night, there are still surveys being returned at a steady rate (this is a fortnight after the launch). Spent last night designing 4 newsletters and making dozens of phone calls. We have lots of new deliverers and am planning a delivery action day soon.

I have been working this week on a project with the wonderful Rita Stevens, who is campaigning to save Ellacombe House in Thorpe Hamlet from the NHS Mental Health Trusts axe. Rita is fighting an uphill battle but with the support of the community I am sure that minds can be changed.

Looks of funny looks around school due to a certain article in the Advertiser about sausages … always reminds me of that Blackadder III episode …

We are off to the N&NUH today for another baby scan prior to the big day - 3 weeks to go now. Heavy teaching load also. Sigh* Went out last night for a drop of leafleting around the Hall Road area of Norwich. Must have been light on my feet because we got loads done!

The week in figures:

Number of room stripped of delicious woodchip covering: one
Number of doors knocked on in Eaton & Cringleford: Too many to count
Number of carpets pulled up: one
Number of trips to Mile Cross Tip: Two
Number of leaflets delivered: Errrmmm, lots and lots
Number of books marked: Now you're talking a really big number!
Number of Labour Councilllors committed to opening the Bus Lane in Bowthorpe: None
Number of Tory PPCs committed to opening the Bus Lane in Bowthorpe: One
Number of games of GameCube: None (pleasingly addiction over)
Number of LibDem Council Leaders quitting: None
Number of LibDem Council Leaders or Councillors apologetic for absolute disasters in City: None
Number of Governing Body Meetings Attended: One
Number of Ante-Natal classes: One

Everybody that believes in accountability should sign our petition on www.norwichconservatives.com

Tories keep up the pressure on Couzens

Petition launched to restore confidence in City Hall

Leading Conservatives have kept up the pressure on embattled LibDem Leader Ian Couzens after he refused to take responsibility for the CityCare by failing to quit.

Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman Antony Little widened the debate with a full analysis of Cllr Couzen’s leadership under the title “5 strikes and he’s out”, detailing the LibDems woes in a number of areas including CityCare, Norwich Market, Car Parks, Snow Gridlock and the recent revelations about waste in the Housing Department.

In a letter to the Evening News and the EDP, Antony summed up the Tory position, saying:
“If people are losing faith in politicians it’s because nobody seems to be accountable anymore, or take responsibility when things go wrong. Cllr Couzens, this is your administration and your problem. Put public faith back into City Hall – surly it must be 5 strikes and you’re out?”

Speaking later to a meeting of Conservative council candidates, Antony said:
“We will not let this issue lie. The report from the Housing Department about money being wasted and the rules being broken should shame the Council. The CityCare fiasco has literally shaken lives in our City. Somebody needs to be held responsible.”

“This evening we will start collecting names of those believe we should have accountability in political life. Cllr Couzens believes he can hide in a City Hall bunker and ignore the wishes of local people. We won’t let him.”

“This evening we are launching an on-line debate and petition calling from Cllr Couzen’s resignation. Our website – www.norwichconservatives.com - details the case against Cllr Couzens and asks for new political leadership.”

“We will take this information to every home in Norwich asking people to stand up for accountability. LibDem Couzens must listen, and it must be 5 strikes and you’re out.”

To look at the truth behind LibDem campaigning, just take a look at these examples from Salford and Ruislip.

Have had quite a busy, but hard, weekend. Spent most of it laid up feeling ill – but that hasn’t stopped the world going around!

Friday night I went to a highly successful “Winter Warmer” event at St. Andrew’s Hall in Eaton. It was great to see so many new members turning up and the food was excellent. A tidy little sum raised the election campaign.

Saturday I made a rather high profile splash in the press with both the Evening News and EDP leading on my calls on Ian Couzens to quit over the CityCare fiasco. Needless to say, he has said he won’t go. Is that because he feels he hasn’t done anything wrong or that his party desperately want him to stay? I’ve identified the 5 big failures of this LibDem council – including CityCare, last January’s gridlock, car parks and the market – so Cllr Couzens has a selection of reasons to resign. It really does upset me, this whole thing about politicians clinging on to power no matter what. Resigning has gone out of fashion. But it strikes me that if we want to raise turnout and return politicians to some kind of public respect then our senior leaders need to become more accountable.

We’re keeping up the pressure this week – more details later. Also noticeable about this whole thing is the way that the Labour Party are having to back Couzens because they were the ones who negotiated the CityCare contract in the first place.

Saturday was also spent on the doorsteps. The morning we were in Eaton village where we got a good reception. Lots of talk there about Labour’s pensions crisis and the CityCare issue too. It is damaging the LibDem vote. But not nearly as much as in Sunningdale, where we met not one single person prepared to sday they were voting LibDem. We met a Green voter, a couple of socialists, but not one Liberal. Why? Because of their shamless development of the Civil Service Site and Cllr Lubbock’s indifference to their opinions. If the LibDems allow this to go through then Sunningdale itself will become a rat-run extraordinaire. That really cheered our Eaton Campaign Team up!

Sunday has been spent clearing up the house and working on strategy. Next week we are launching survey’s about one-way systems in the Golden Triangle and we are going to publish the results of the Crime Survey. Busy!

The result of meetings last night. It's time that Labour and the LibDems carried the can for this disaster.

Citycare: Conservatives call on Couzens to quit

Council Leader Ian Couzens should take the blame and resign over the Citycare fiasco, say the Norwich Conservatives.

City Tories entered the row over the costly contracts after it was revealed that taxpayer would be force to pick up the compensation costs.

At a special meeting of the City Group Conservatives to discuss the growing crisis, Parliamentary Spokesman Antony Little said:

”Everyone who works in the community knows of people stung by the overcharging by Citycare. We strongly welcome the compensation being provided but we cannot fathom why it is taxpayers who are lumbered with the bill and not Citycare who were the ones overcharging.”

“This is a serious mess and there needs to be accountability here. Labour created the contracts and the LibDems worked with them. For all the people affected and now the taxpayers footing the bill, there needs to be an acceptance of blame.”

“As long as this goes on without an acceptance of blame, the people of Norwich will have no faith in this council.”

“It is time that LibDem Leader Ian Couzens actually took responsibility for something. This Citycare issue is a disaster – he should go now, and go quickly.”

Got into school at around 7.45 this morning to find a dozen kids hanging around. Who says that they don’t like school? Busy day today followed by ante-natal classes tonight and a quick trip to my constituency office to check the postal returns to our crime survey 2005.

Crikey, I can actually see some floor space now. Quick – somebody put a box on it! A busy day at school trying to sort out Sixth Form Admissions soon pans out towards the dreaded DIY.

Fantastic stuff from the Conservatives today on the tax and spending plans, although slightly disappointed we can’t point to the specifics with the unfair taxes (inheritance tax, stamp duty, petrol tax etc) that we’ll cut. Andrew Marr, the hardly pro-Tory political editor of the BBC, said it was achievable and anybody that works in public services knows that there is money to be saved. £8bn off public debt and an extra £24bn into frontline public services sounds sensible to me, plus these are by far the most detailed plans put forward by any opposition in a decade.

As for the rather timid LibDem launch, there was really nothing new. Raising tax etc but nothing to write home about. Their rather sad placing on the news says it all.

Really interesting piece in tonight’s Evening News standing up for the Tesco’s on Unthank Road today and also another complaint about charges at the Mile Cross Tip.

Another grovelling apology for failing to blog this week, but we have just moved! Yes, it’s happened! We’re now living in a rather nice house on Trafford Road. It is an absolute tip and plenty of DIY and TLC is required. Perhaps I should now call this Blog from Town Close?!?

Between me smashing out wardrobes (something rather pleasing about hammers) and running around in circles for school there have been very few opportunities to do anything else. Saturday I had a large team out in (you guessed it) Town Close Ward knocking on doors – really good reception. The LibDems are currently trying to ignore the Greens in between periodic bouts of having a pop at them. If I were the Liberals I’d be very worried about the Green vote in Norwich, because it certainly isn’t coming from Labour or the Tories. Had a few switchers from Labour and a very angry nurse declaring she’d rather eat her ballot paper than vote for Blair. Nice.

This week my Gamecube playing goes to one side to enjoy more DIY, parents evening on Thursday and ante-natal classes on both Tuesday and Wednesday!

p.s. I have only seen the response to the Crime Survey 2005 from those who completed it online but it looks like a real success!

Norwich Conservatives are doing an unprecedented survey about City resident’s views on crime and anti-social behaviour.

The survey is to be delivered to 6,000 homes across the City, e-mailed to over 500 people and is available to complete on-line at www.norwichconservatives.com.

I hope it will be the biggest consultation about crime in the City for years.

With violent crime on the up and our local MP now Home Secretary the pressure is really on Labour to start delivering on law & order.

However we all have a role to play in trying to combat crime, which is why we are asking people across the City about their views.

Crime is by far the biggest single issue that people are bringing up at the moment. Politicians don’t know all the answers so we’re asking questions about how residents feel we could be doing more.

Be it through tougher sentences, more police on the beat or an extension of CCTV, it is important that local people have their say about local crime fighting and what we can do to help.

There are also questions about the controversial ASBOs and the use of prison as a deterrent against crime.

Also, very importantly, we want to know from people how they want the extra police numbers promised by the Conservatives to be put to use. The Norfolk Conservatives have said that we want over 400 more officers on the beat in our county, but we think people should have some say on how they can be deployed.

People know that Labour are all talk and the LibDems are soft on crime. Now is the time for the Conservatives to put forward plans to cut crime.

Whatever your political view, each completed survey helps us to represent you better.

Happy New Year everybody!

I can happily blog again now as I am back to work and politics is back up to speed. I have enjoyed the Christmas break, although Louise was very ill over New Year, but feel that all of the Bank Holiday’s took me by surprise and I never want a finish that early again. When you finish the term in school you are really ready for Christmas, but to face a whole week of getting ready it really let me down. Ho-hum!

Back to work today, have been lesson planning for hours now. Such a rush around – I was at Earlham High School this morning at a cluster meeting for all the History Department’s in the area and saw some very impressive work being done with PowerPoint. Felt almost technologically ashamed. Then in the afternoon I attended a meeting at the Earlham Excellence Centre (what the government would like us to call a PRU) and saw how well it worked. Tim Collins, the Shadow Education Secretary, has pledge to massively expand these units and offer long-term placements for the most disruptive pupils. Everyone there agreed this was a fantastic idea, even the most socialist and liberal of teachers. We have pupils – as do all schools – who need a lot of work on their social skills and school isn’t always the best place to do that. However the EEC can only accommodate a pupil for a maximum of 3 days. At least the Conservatives are talking about 3 weeks and 3 months … we can’t change attitudes and behaviour like it were a paid of underpants, it doesn’t work like that. Meanwhile the government (now in the form of Ms Kelly) digs its head in the sand.

This evening we went to the first National Childbirth Trust meeting at the Christ Church Centre on Magdalen Road. Excellent even – a good group of 8 “parents-to-be” and we had a laugh! The men particularly enjoyed it, and there appears to be very little you can’t do with one of those plastic babies and a lot of jokes about breaking water…

However, now for me it’s back to the planning (sigh*). One last political add-on. I saw Labour’s rather feeble election posters up around Norwich tonight. We got stuck in traffic, right underneath one, and only recognised it when we came to pull off. Done in a sixties style groovy ad, it really didn’t catch either of our attentions. They’ll have to do a lot better than that come May!