Back from my weekend visits to find rather a lot of e-mails and mail to go through – plus surveys from Cringleford, Colney and New Costessey still coming in, which is why I haven’t posted the results yet!

Spent much of the afternoon getting the house in order and then went into my constituency office to work on leaflets and press releases. Got a phone call from a gentleman who lives in Town Close to say that he had seen my letter about LibDem hypocrisy in the Evening News on Saturday and that had convinced him not to vote for them again. Everything seems to be in order – only a week and a half of the holidays to go, can’t believe it’s gone by so quickly.

Oh, and here’s a rather funny story from the world of the LibDems … wonder if the Norwich variety may follow suit?

At the tender age of just 25 (ahhh!) I must be amongst the youngest parliamentary spokesman in the country, so here is the compulsory link for Conservative Future, the youth section of the party of which I am a member.

I am not sure if this is a good thing or not. Either way, Boris is welcome in Norwich South anyday...

It's been a while since my last post, but I have been away for a few days with my parents in Hillingdon. Good opportunity to catch up and have a drink to celebrate our recent good news - my wife and I are expecting our first baby next February. Needless to say we have two very excited mothers (first grandchild on both sides of the family). The excitement of the mothers doesn't even compare to the joy of the parents (and Daddy in particular!). Such good news, and hopefully just before the general election too. Don't even start us on names - most favoured so far are Michael or Howard for a boy and Margaret or a girl (!) I won't say anymore as I now know that my family monitor this site closely! Back in Norwich on Tuesday.

Police stations are vanishing while crime increases: spot the problem

New figures from the Home Office show that 227 police stations have closed since May 1997, representing three closures for every month that Labour has been in power.

Rural areas have been hit hardest by the closure programme as services have been centralised in urban areas.

Essex has lost 59, Gloucestershire 23, Nottinghamshire 22, Hampshire 20 and Cumbria 10. Other areas which have seen double-figure closures include Greater Manchester (15), Gwent (10), Lancashire (13), South Wales (22), and South Yorkshire (12).

Police spokesmen argue that the cost of maintaining old and ill-equipped buildings justifies closures. In London and other major cities, police stations may be sold to property developers in order to boost funds.

The closure figures have emerged at a time when crime figures are increasing. Government ministers say the British Crime Survey points to a decline in crime – but the Survey excludes around 12 million crimes a year from its calculations, ranging from murder to shoplifting.

Although smaller police stations have been closing for a number of years, these latest figures highlight the difference between Labour’s talking about crime and what happens in reality.

On television, Government ministers tell us they are spending more on policing. In practice, violent crime is soaring and the public feels let down by Labour’s record.

As Michael Howard has stated in his speech about fighting crime and restoring respect, we need a new start in policing with more officers on the streets, less paperwork and bureaucracy and an emphasis on results, not targets.

In his speech on Tuesday, Mr Howard quoted Sir Robert Peel, the founder of Britain’s police force, who said, “The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder – not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it”.

But in instances of domestic burglary or violent crime, said Mr Howard, “David Blunkett’s ‘Policing Performance Assessment Framework’ requires the police to ‘measure the victims’ satisfaction with the overall level of service provided’.

“What the victims of burglary and violent crime want is to see the criminal who caused the crime caught, convicted and punished.”

He added, “We need to police our streets, not de-police them. We need a police force which intervenes, confronts and challenges every kind of crime and disorder… in short, we need zero-tolerance policing.”

Just come back after a gorgeous curry at “A Passage to India”, on Magdalen Street, and feel the need to lie down. Spent most of today in the Conservative Office and in meetings with Councillor Eve Collishaw, our Leader on Norwich City Council. Combined with a visit from some of Louise’s family, it’s been a busy day.

Yesterday I went to campaign with the South Norfolk Conservatives at a district by-election for the Easton Ward. Great reception on the doorstep, and particularly plenty of enthusiasm for Michael Howard. Not very much support at all for the LibDems, contrary to their national literature. Not even I hope they do as badly as they did in this recent by-election!

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Michael Howard's speech today on law & order, putting it firmly back on the political agenda. Crime, and the fear of crime, is a massive issue on the doorstep - as suggested by the returns on our surveys in Cringleford, Colney and New Costessey - and it is good that the Conservatives are making headway here. For anybody who doubts Michael Howards's sincerity on this issue, or for those who believe that we would not be tough on crime, please click here to read the speech in full. It's time for zero tolerance - a return to respect and cutting crime.

Council Dossier Row Engulfs LibDems

LibDem hypocrisy exposed: “They’ll blame anybody but themselves,” say Norwich Conservatives

The LibDem criticism of County Council Leader Alison King’s council dossier has backfired after the Norwich Conservatives revealed that the Lib Dem run Norwich City Council had too blamed the government for dumping legislation on them without adequate funding.

Alison King had put together 135 government acts in dossier to prove to a constituent the pressure being put on Norfolk by the Labour government. However, LibDem Leader Barbara Hacker once again chose to side with Labour and accused Cllr King of using a “pretty lame” excuse for the Conservatives’ running of the County Council and said that the council was more responsible for tax hikes than the government.

However, in the March edition of the LibDem leaflet “Lakenham Focus”, then-Councillor Linda Harper also attacked Labour for putting more and more legislation on councils. Under the front page headline “Government Dumps more onto councils”, Focus reports that Cllr Harper is “highlighting that the Labour Government has dumped more things for the council to do – but makes you pick up the bill through higher council tax.”

Norwich Conservative’s Parliamentary Spokesman Antony Little blasted the LibDems for their “blatant hypocrisy” whilst campaigning with the South Norfolk Conservatives at the Easton By-Election.

Antony commented: “County LibDems love to blame the council, not the government, whilst City LibDems love to blame the government, not the council. This shows the blatant hypocrisy in the LibDem position.”

“They love to blame anybody but themselves. If Cllr Hacker is right, then the LibDems should take the blame for City council tax hikes. However, it is clear that the Conservatives in Norfolk have got it right, and it is at least decent of the Norwich LibDems to agree with them.”

“Or is this another example of how Norfolk LibDems never agree with the Norwich LibDems? Two messages for two different groups of people. It is especially strange as Cllr hacker represents Thorpe Hamlet – a ward in Norwich City!”

Antony’s stinging attack on the LibDem position went on: “It is almost as if they make it up as they go along. Not quite sure what to say, but trying to please everybody. The LibDems made a hash of being in power in Norfolk and now once again they’re backing Labour to try and defend the government. It is becoming ever more clear that when the LibDems are trusted with power they don’t know how to behave.”

“Norwich market, community wardens, Magdalen Street flyover, chaos in the snow and now Council Tax. The LibDems love to stick their fingers in their ears, shift blame and hope nobody noticed. We’ve noticed and we’ll campaign day-in-day out to make sure the residents of Norfolk and Norwich know.”

Lazy Sunday afternoon… after a bit of a lie in (following, sadly, one-too-many at the Garden House last night), the day has rather been dominated by my eating scrambled eggs in the garden and generally sitting around. Going for a long walk over Bowthorpe Southern Park later and who knows, maybe even a BBQ later. This is what summer holidays are for…

My blogging fame now extends to Conservative Commentry - staple blogging diet of the party and much noted intellectual powerhouse. Thanks guys!

Why do LibDems never say they’re sorry?

I had a very interesting telephone conversation with an old school friend today and, as it tends to, the conversation turns to politics and in particular the recent London Mayoral Elections. My friend, who is a small-c-conservative, is one of a faithful band that I can rely on from my old sixth form class to always vote for the blues. Imagine my surprise she declared that she had voted for Simon Hughes, the failed Lib Dem candidate, and felt very angry because of it. Well, I said, I’d feel angry if I’d voted for Hughes too (unlikely that I would ever do so, as a Norwich resident I don’t actually have a vote in the London Mayoral Elections). However, my friend falls into a big category of people that always vote but pay very little attention to what is going on in politics. She told me that she had received Lib Dem leaflets bearing the slogan: “Only Simon Hughes can beat Ken Livingstone” (or similar, we all know them!) and had believed it. She really wanted Ken out of power and so would vote for anybody who stood the faintest hope of unseating him. Fooled by the LibDem hype (which they try in every election - ever), she duly voted for the man she thought would oust Ken. Then the result came in – Conservative Steve Norris runs second to Ken in a close contest, with Simon Hughes miles behind in third place. My friend was furious that she was tricked and should have voted for Norris. How many more people, she asked, fell for this “con trick” (her words)? The result in London gave away the LibDem lie that they are always best placed to beat Labour. Having only now bothered to check previous results which showed the LibDems always get crushed in London, my friend telephoned LibDem HQ to demand an apology – only be told that Simon Hughes was the only man to beat Ken … if only the voters had voted the way they should have. The moral, I said, was never to believe the LibDems when they claim to be the “only party to beat Labour” or “it’s so close”, because in elections anything could happen - it's down t the voters. In fact, I said, always vote according to what you believe. Just out of interest, did they say sorry, I asked? Don’t hold your breath…

Great news - we now have a third blogging Conservative parliamentary candidate in Kingston's Kevin Davis. It looks like he's doing a great job in holding a Lib Dem MP to account - so good, even LibDem Watch covers him! I have a personal interest in watching Kevin become the next MP for Kingston & Surbiton because my wife hails from New Malden, in the neighbouring Richmond Park constituency, so I know all about the lunacy of the LibDems in that part of London. Good luck Kevin!

There seems to be a real perception at the moment that all politicians are the same and there is no difference between the two major parties. This view is supported when one week the Conservatives announce massive cutbacks in the Civil Service and then the next week the Labour government adopts the idea as policy.

However, beyond the headlines the real dividing lines between the parties are not noticed. Labour talks a Conservative talk, but can't walk the walk.

In the same week that Chancellor Brown announced the cutting of 100,000 civil service jobs, the government advertised for a further 1,000 public sector jobs - with a wage bill totaling £36m. Various positions, with wonderful job titles attached, that betray Labour's true feelings. They talk about cutting the bureaucracy, whilst continuing to let it grow.

The funniest and, at the same time the saddest, element of this fraud is that people are being hired to add to the numbers in a quango that the Government recently announced it was abolishing. Adding staff to quangos that do exist is bad enough; adding staff to quangos that don't exist is the ultimate sign of a government that has totally lost touch.

People may see the two parties as being similar but you have to look beyond the headlines. Labour believes in big government, the Conservatives believe in small government.

As research reveals a massive hole in the Norfolk Police Budget:

LITTLE ASKS CLARKE: "POORER POLICING OR A COUNCIL TAX HIKE: WHICH IS IT?"

"Will the £7.8m black hole in police funds for next year land on council tax payers", asks Norwich Conservatives Parliamentary Spokesman Antony Little as new research again reveals how the government is failing to be tough on crime.

Some police authorities are so short of cash that cuts in manpower and service levels are in prospects, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis has warned.

Responding to this news, Norwich resident Antony Little said: “Police authorities increasingly find their hands tied behind their backs by Labour’s centralising approach to policing. Police forces have every right to feel aggrieved at the lack of local control as they are held to ransom by a government that tells them how to spend their money and forces them to spend time on form filling and gimmicks and not on meeting local priorities and needs. We see it in the NHS and education and now we see it in the police service too.”

“Reports of funding problems and cutbacks in police forces across the country come as a double whammy for the public who have already paid for their police through the council tax. This news means one of two things - poorer standards of policing or a massive hike in the police precept on our council tax.”

Promising that an incoming Conservative government would fund an extra 40,000 police officers to tackle crime, the Antony added: “It is this type of commitment which is needed from the Government. Sadly they have refused to match it. Labour’s failure comes at a time when Tony Blair’s promise to be tough on crime seems increasingly hollow. Seven years of failed rhetoric have lead to crime soaring, with more than a million violent crimes last year alone.”

The survey found that Norfolk will be £7.8 million under funded.

"Think back to the last week's news", Antony declared. "The N&N is £15m in debt, there are to be up to 100 teachers laid off in Norfolk and now the police are struggling with a £7.8m black hole funding crisis."

"Labour cannot be trusted with our public services."

Check out Iain Dale's blog for another Conservative view on the crisis.

Afternoon spent watching three episodes of the West Wing, followed by shopping at Sainsbury’s in New Costessey and then laughing at Big Brother. Who says teachers waste their summer holidays?

Today we received through the Royal Mail a copy of the government’s much vaulted document "Preparing for Emergencies", which has really bought home the threat that many people – and too many civilians – face day in, day out. On very few occasions are the British public ever forced to face these kinds of realities and a good job too. I hope that as many people as possible read this booklet.

What, for me, was the most shocking was that parents are discouraged from collecting their children from school – one of the most natural reactions – in the event of a national emergency. Parents, grandparents, teachers and pupils should read the information and be prepared. Not scare mongering, as some on the left would have us believe, but rightful consideration.

I have always had huge admiration for the leadership and style of Norfolk County Council's Leader Alison King. As well as being massively on top of her brief, very much in touch with local people and a Councillor in my patch, Alison has given the government a right rocket in today's Eastern Daily Press. Alison has prepared a document showing 135 new - and unfunded - responsibilities or diktats sent down by central government to local government. We await Labour's response with glee! There's only one sure way to reduce council tax - government needs to give council's the cash they need to do their job.

Spent much of the day today in my campaign HQ sorting a lot of things out - including updating and sorting the links column, so I hope you'll visit a few sites. Particularly that of John Randall, the excellent and bearded MP for Uxbridge, and Ali Miraj, the Conservative's new PPC for Watford.

From tonight's Eastern Evening News:

Tory calls for rise in crime detection
A city political campaigner has criticised low levels of crime detection, as published in recent crime statistics. Antony Little, the Norwich Conservative Party's Parliamentary Spokesman, said it was a matter of concern that criminals were being let off the hook.

"More criminals are going unpunished across Norfolk. The detection rate has fallen by 3% across central Norfolk alone in the last year," he said. "We already knew that many types of violent crime are rising. But worse, we can now see that fewer criminals are being punished for those crimes.

"More criminals are getting away scot-free with their activities, and their victims are not seeing proper justice." Mr Little said: "Our police officers in Norfolk are working hard, but are being dragged down by Whitehall bureaucracy that prevents them from patrolling the streets and catching criminals."

"This is why Conservatives want to see a greater emphasis on nieghbourhood policing, a greater say for local people on how the police forces are run and backed up by more money for extra police officers across Norfolk."

A great new blog to monitor the highs, lows, monkey business and dubious LibDem tactics in the Hartlepool By-Election.

I am rather ashamed that it has taken me a while to update this blog – it’s been quite a week! Time flies when you’re on school holidays…

I won’t be forgiven for not giving a mention to my agent, Trevor Ivory, for his wonderful BBQ last week. I was very impressed that he managed to create something not too dissimilar from a iron ore furnace out of a charcoal barbeque and still didn’t manage to destroy the food!

Last night a group of us went to dinner (and what a dinner!) at the home of John and Eileen Wyatt. Delightful evening, lots of Pimms and enough deserts to sink the proverbial battleship. Spent much of this morning working off desert by delivering our survey in Cringleford and then visiting the Little Melton home of Garry Wheatley, district Councillor for Cringleford & Colney, and his wife Joan.

Last week was mainly spent in New Costessey doing the first full survey (i.e. every house) in the ward for over a generation – I’ll post the results when we get them! Tomorrow is my next Campaign Strategy Meeting, held in Nelson Ward.

New crime figures published by the Government today are evidence that Labour have failed to be ‘tough on crime’.   The figures released by the Home Office on 20 July show that in the last year, violent crime rose by 10% per cent in Norwich, whilst other kinds of crime fell.

No amount of statistical manipulation can conceal what everyone in Norwich already knows: Violent crime is soaring. The rise in violent crime is extremely worrying, and shows yet again that the Government is not making enough headway in tackling crime and disorder. These figures will come as no surprise to the millions of people up and down the country who suffer daily from crime, much of it drug related, and in our town centers increasingly alcohol-fuelled.

Whilst I support the hard work of the Norfolk Constabulary – who desrve congratulations for the overall fall in crime -  the problem is that the Government’s plethora of initiatives and vast bureaucracy are preventing the police from doing their job. Conservatives have a series of practical proposals to address Norwich’s crime crisis:

· An extra 40,000 police officers across England & Wales, with 457 allocated to Norfolk.
· 18,000 new hard drug rehabilitation places to give young hard drug-users a clear choice: intensive, residential rehabilitation or face the penal system.
· Directly elected police boards, with the Home Office’s current powers over local policing transferred to local people, accountable via the ballot box.
· Reversing the reclassification of cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug, and engage in a proper war on drugs with the aim of creating a drug-free society.
· Resist Liberal Democrat plans to let burglars escape jail, abolish mandatory life sentences for serial rapists and weaken the laws further on hard drugs.”

The Government is drawing up plans for further increases in local taxes across Norwich and Norfolk – either via the introduction of new, higher council tax bands or a supplementary income tax levied by councils.
The plans were outlined in a report commissioned by the Government on the ‘Balance of Funding’ published on 20 July, and further development work will now commence on introducing these new taxes, which would come into effect after the general election.

The review’s report recommends ‘there is a clear case for reviewing council tax bands and the ratios between them at the time of revaluation’; under the proposals being considered, the top band of council tax in Norwich, currently £2,502 could soar to £6,672, with homes across Norwich worth more than £170,000 all seeing substantial rises in council tax. In addition, the report calls for more work on the development of a supplementary income tax -  ‘a supplement to, not a replacement for, council tax’ which could be as a high as 4 per cent on the basic rate of income tax.

Across the country, council tax has soared by an average of 70 per cent since Labour came to power, across all types of home. In Norwich, council tax has risen from £664 to £1,251 on a Band D property. But Labour are now planning for third term tax rises.

Residents whose only crime is to live in areas like Eaton, Bowthorpe, Thorpe Hamlet, Lakenham, the City Centre or the Golden Triangle, where house prices have risen rapidly over the last few years, will be alarmed at the proposals for a new ten band council tax system. Hardworking families and pensioners across Norwich face the prospect of soaring bills from 2007 as a result of revaluation and re-banding, which will be yet another contribution to Labour’s third term tax rises.

As if that is not bad enough, the Government has called for further work on a supplementary income tax that would be levied in addition to, not instead of, the council tax. This supplementary income tax would be a back door way round the Tony Blair’s pledge not to increase income tax at all.

But this assault on the middle classes would pale in comparison with the Liberal Democrats’ proposals for a local income tax, which would mean a return to 1970s-style punitive rates of income tax on hard-working people.

Besides which, £170,000 value is no longer a good indicator of an expensive home.  Perhaps the government should come to Norwich to see the trouble first time buyers have and why that figure does not indicate any threshold of wealth.

The news that the new Norfolk  & Norwich University Hospital is to lose one its stars must come as a shock to the hundreds of committed and hard working staff who keep our much valued NHS going and will only serve to damage the morale of both those who work in, and use the NHS.
 
My family recently had cause to use the N&N and we found the quality of care to be fantastic.  It really was case of “three stars” all round as far as we were concerned, but still the government strip them of a star because they haven’t hit a certain Department of Health target.
 
This has got to stop. Star ratings do not give an accurate reflection of a hospital’s performance. They are extremely misleading for patients, who should rightly assume that a three star hospital must be better than a trust with one or no stars - but this is not the case.

The ‘star ratings’ system is misleading, and it distorts priorities and is incompatible with patient choice.  The “star ratings” system is not a viable part of the future structure of the NHS. We need an NHS which responds to the choice and needs of patients, not the dictates of the Department of Health. Star ratings do not represent a measure of the quality of clinical care provided by hospitals, even more so in relation to clinical departments within hospitals. If patients are to exercise choice they need information relevant to this, not misleading star ratings.

Ask the staff and management of those Trusts which have lost stars this year and most will tell you that the quality of clinical care they offer is the same or even better than last year. Star ratings are arbitrary and perverse and there is no place for them in a patient centred NHS. 

Nice weather for a Tory BBQ!  Last night we had a “thank you” party for everybody that helped during the recent local elections.  A great turnout and (as yet) Councillor Collishaw hasn’t managed to poison anybody – although her party trick of dropping all the food in the hot charcoal raised a few laughs.  Typically the heavens opened and a large group of Tories end up huddling under far-too-few umbrellas for safety.  Who would have thought that climate change could have had such an impact on Eaton already?  The prize for “most plucky Briton” must go to Mr Gaymer – for it took more than a shock lightening storm to prevent him from eating his dinner and the stout chap sat in his garden chair and munching on half a burnt sausage with only a child’s umbrella to fend off the weather.

I have a great many things in my life to be thankful for, and now I have one more ... a slice of cake made by my year ten pupils - and who would have thought that crunched up KitKat could come in *so* handy...

The subject of the rights of fathers and the extended family is one of crucial importance. I have just issued the following statement of support:

Antony Little, parliamentary spokesman for Norwich, today endorsed calls by Conservatives nationally to review family law and give divorced parents greater rights of access to their children. Today divorce affects almost 150,000 children every year, more than two-thirds of whom are under the age of ten.

Antony, who holds a pastoral role in a City High School, explained,
“When relationships break up, too many children become unfairly cut off from one of their parents, as well as grandparents and other close relatives. The current legal system isn’t working, trapping many families for years in the courts running up massive legal bills.”

Under the three-point plan to guide a review of family law by Conservatives:
· There should be a strong presumption in favour of equal rights for parents to have an influence on the upbringing of their children.
· Mediation should as far as possible always be the first step – taking matters to court should be the last resort for parents who separate.
· The procedures and powers of the family courts should be much more open and fair.

Antony added,
“The current system is hugely expensive, inefficient, unfair, insensitive and often, fairly chaotic. All of this causes resentment, frustration and anger in families across Norwich. I see day in, day out the impact it has on the lives of our young people. I believe there should be a presumption that the extended family has a crucial role to play in the upbringing of children. It's time to put the children first.”

Speculation today that I might be moving to the House of Lords - but not before victory in Norwich South! Will publish the link when I get it!

Antony calls on Norwich City Council to "get a grip" over the travellers in Bowthorpe - check out the story from the Evening News here.

Antony Little has praised the National Blood Service for their work and asked that local people continue the push to increase blood stocks.

Antony, the Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich, issued his call after donating blood at the Assembly House in Norwich.

I started giving blood when I was at UEA and was proud to give blood alongside many of my sixth formers today. The quality of care was wonderful - the staff alone made you want to come back again. They answered questions with tact and with a friendly smile.

I don't think people realise how low blood stocks are and how much is needed to keep them topped up. This really is a vital service. We need to have a really good awareness campaign - one that both the government and local authority can push.

The Blood Service want to get into schools and offices but can only do so with the resources and money that it takes. This is so vital that the government must act.

The Evening News are very good at reporting the sessions - you can donate in Norwich, Thorpe End, Heartsease, Bowthorpe, Sprowston or Eaton, so always a session near by.

According to the BBC, Lib Dem failed Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes has said that he believes the Lib Dems will be in government within 10 years – any one willing to put any money on that one?

Also on the Lib Dem stupid-o-meter is his pledge to treble membership and over take Labour – typical Lib Dems making pledges they “know” they can’t keep…

Antony warns of internet scam:

Following the EDPs front page yesterday, Antony warned that he too has been hit by an internet scam:

The EDP does Norfolk a great service in highlighting the dreadful telephone scams, which are causing misery to a great many people (front page 24/6).

My wife and I were recently victims of this sort of “internet mugging” and thought that we might be alone in our fate, but it seems not. In our case we were connected to an account in the Cook Islands after cancelling a pop up on screen. Luckily the connection only lasted 11 seconds – but still cost us a whopping £24 for the privilege.

BT, although very nice about it, said we were responsible for the bill. Ours was, in the great scale of things, a minor incident but how I feel for those robbed of hundreds through these scams.

Since this we have become extremely wary of the internet and never visit sites that we have not visited before or follow links. This is a shame as it is not what the internet was meant to be about – freedom of information in a global community.

So all power to the EDPs elbow and I wish our Norfolk MPs the best of luck when taking this issue to the government.

A special message to our MP from the people of Norwich South.

This just has to been (and heard) to be believed.

Charles Clarke, you're fired.

The wonderful Lib Dem Watch once again leads the way in pointing out Lib Dem hypocrisy – this time claiming to be the “growing party” and “Winning here” in Norwich, despite losing 12 seats and control of the council just a fortnight ago.

I had an extremely good evening attending the group meeting for the South Norfolk Conservative Councillors last night. We share several part of our Norwich South seat – Cringleford, Colney and New Costessey – with South Norfolk district council. It sounds like the Lib Dems are making a rather typical hash of running the district – they may share the same fate as the Norwich LibDems who got the boot on 10th June. There was a lively debate about issues ranging from parish level up to setting council tax. A real good group of Tories – and a fabulous BBQ too! I got a few moments to talk to them about campaigning and how to get the LibDems on the run. Easy when you know how!

I have just spent the weekend doing very, very little to do with politics. Bit of a strange feeling actually because I have suddenly found time to do other things. Add to that the strange world that is school without my year group (on work experience) and my life has felt oddly void at the moment.

Of course I spent this evening watching the wonderful sight of England thrashing Croatia (hurrah!) and planning newly elected Conservative Councillor Eve Collishaw's first toe in the pool of the City Council. We're going for a big launch to begin with!

I had a letter in the EDP today calling for the money from the means tested pension credit to be put straight into the basic state pension. Got a really good reception when people read it - means testing is simply not popular, and the massive admin cost of the scheme could really boost pensioner income. Pity they cut the bit about linking pensions with wages not inflation, but can't have everything.

Right, off to bed now to think about tomorrow - teaching during the day and a night at the South Norfolk Conservative Councillors meeting and BBQ. Hurrah!

Norwich is a "Fine City."

There is no other way it can be said. It isn’t just a slogan but more of a universal truth. The story in today’s EDP, repeated in the Evening News, that the City slogan might be dumped is an outrage and yet more from the brigade who care little for either tradition or history. And it isn’t the first time this crazy idea has been floated!

Then a tiny, tiny cynic inside me started to turn. Every time this story gets leaked into the press, it is instantly slapped down by City Hall Lib Dems. Always makes them look like the champions of Norwich. Wonder how it gets pushed in the first place – who is actually behind this scheme?

We don’t need a new slogan, and we don’t need the Lib Dems to tell us we don’t need a new slogan. Norwich people know that.

Antony enters the Exclusion Zone!

Last nigh I was invited to the opening of a new play put on by a team from High Schools to raise awareness of the complicated and incredibly serious issue that is High School Exclusion. This is one of these issues that teachers are very hot on – normally our sanity and the needs of the many come first – as too are the political classes, with Labour & Lib Dems wanting to “include” as far as possible and the Tories keen on simply handing power to Heads and governors to decide.

Two things really stood out about the performance – firstly was the way in which you saw the exclusion process from all angles. So pupils experienced several reactions, some enjoying the concept of a long holiday whilst other lamented on their behaviour in school. You had teachers who wanted the pupils out at any cost facing up to lethargic senior management. This is one of those situations where we don't work hard enough to include some pupils but aren't fast enough reacting to exclude others. By the end, you had sympathy with all sides. Exclusion is the most serious thing that teachers can do and I am not always sure that exclusion is the answer or that we understand its real impact.

The second good thing was when they replayed some the scenes, but asked members of the audience to call out to point out where the teachers could have done things better (or just differently) in various situations. Some of the complaints were fairly awful (one lady asked why the teacher assumed that a parent could read) but generally it was well thoughts out and made you think about the tiniest details of what we do. In the end (needless to say), I ended up taking the role on stage of one of the teachers – dressed in a pink jacket and matching headband. It wasn’t quite acting for me, just another day at the office. Soon got the situation sorted out! Several parents caught up with me afterwards and said I should become a teacher, Well, I said…

It was a fantastic night and all the team of the “Exclusion Zone” should be proud of bringing such crucial, but often forgotten, issues to centre stage.

Those Lib Dem Election predictions in full…

1.We’ll get 3 MEPs in the Eastern Region … erm, just the one, actually.
2.Simon Hughes is the only man who can beat “Ken Livingstone” … erm, Simon came a humiliating third well behind Steve Norris, actually.
3.Lib Dems will make strong advances … erm, they came a very sad 4th behind UKIP at the Euro Elections, actually.
4.“Liberal Democrats Winning Here” … erm, they lost control of Norwich after just two years and lost 12 councillors, actually.

With such a “strong” record on predictions, it is no wonder nobody believe a word they say anymore. Lib Dems – rejected and dejected.

Euro Election Results in the Eastern Region shows a meltdown for Labour and a complete standstill for the LibDems. The Conservatives walked away with the election - winning the highest share of vote plus 3 MEPs. Labour lost an MEP, with UKIP picking up two seats. Didn't the LibDems once gloat they'd get 3 MEPs in the East? Errr, just the one for them!

It is Sunday afternoon and I think I have only just recovered from the exploits of the local elections – just in time to go the European count at St. Andrews Hall!

Everything has gone like clockwork – from the eve of poll leaflet drop, where we managed to cover the whole ward – to the polling day organisation! We had polling stations covered with tellers (which, apparently, gave our Labour opponents a little bit of a shock!) and a fantastic knock up team. It couldn’t have gone any better. This was the most clockwork campaign I think we’ve ever done and I am so proud of what we have achieved.

In the end, and after a re-count, I was beaten by 14 votes. The media tried to play this up, but for the Conservatives in Norwich South it is the best result we’ve had since 1990.

Just remember, this is (or was!) Labour’s safest seat in Norwich. Last year we were third, with 603 votes and 650 behind Labour. Now we almost take the seat with 1,386 votes and only 14 behind Labour. Labour may have hung on in Bowthorpe but if that 11% swing were repeated across the City, Mr Clarke would be looking for alternative employment (hint, Charlie, don’t go for teaching).

This campaign showed us that we can win in Norwich. I am the Conservatives who can take on, and beat, Charles Clarke.

As for our “friends” the Lib Dems, it was an utterly humiliating night. Not only did they crash and burn in both Bowthorpe and Catton Grove (which senior Tory Eve Collishaw won from Labour), but also they lost seats to Labour in Lakenham and University and to the Greens in Wensum and Nelson. Norwich is a multi-coloured state! I look forward to seeing how the LibDems try to claw back this dreadful result. It is clear that the people of Norwich don’t like being taken for granted, they don’t like arrogance and they don’t like the LibDems.

Just one final thought before I go off for the Euro count. How will the now infamous LibDem graph portray this result? They were down c.10% on last year whilst we went up c.5%. Interesting times ahead!

Thank you for voting Conservative in Norwich.

Just back from a very long slog out in Clover Hill, canvassing a very large section of the village. I am incredibly grateful to my team – especially agent Trevor Ivory and dedicated helpers Dipesh Palana and John Wyatt for their support. A team sent by Robert Study –one of our local Tory MEPs – joined us too! Lots of people switching from Labour tonight, several citing the disaster that is the administration of the working families tax credit as a reason. One man said he felt let down by Labour (hmm, there’s a slogan there somewhere) because of spiralling council tax bills and will vote Conservative on June 10th. Another said that the anti-social behaviour was getting out of hand and there should be more police on the beat – couldn’t agree more! Most politically telling was the young man who said I had once lent his best friend a bucket and was therefore assured of his vote. You can always trust the man who lends out his bucket…

Another day, another campaigning session. This morning was a bit of a lay in, followed by putting up posters around Norwich before going into Tory HQ and doing a serious amount of data input. I’ve also written to everyone I haven’t yet been able to catch in during the evenings and weekends. Am afraid that this evenings canvassing session was a bit of a wash out, but hey! Things can’t always go right…

I’m not saying a word, but I think that the government and the political parties had better look very closely at actions such as those of this Lib Dem Candidate accused of vote rigging. Are we really ready to dump the ballot box just yet?

Why vote Conservative on 10th June? Let Michael Howard explain, courtesy of North Norfolk's Iain Dale.

Yesterday was a fantastic day on the campaign trail - not least because I managed to get a haircut that doesn't make me look like a coconut. The hairdressers is fast becoming a very political place to be - subjects covered included taxes (too many of them), education (too few teachers), Iraq (too many terrorist killings) and pensions (too little cash for senior citizens). Most interesting quote was from one lady who said she voted LibDem last time, but won't now because of their slavish pro-European line.

Then it was onto Ber Street to meet Robert Westrop - owner of "Bob's Fish & Chips" and Theresa May, Shadow Transport Secretary. Robert has a real problem and is due to shut his business in the next month because the parking meters around his shop has caused a massive drop in trade. Theresa and I - plus Euro candidate Jonathon Morgan - spoke to Robert at length on the issue. Robert is really annoyed that the council seem simply not to listen - first Labour and now the LibDems. It's just not good enough! Following a lunch with Theresa in the T Lounge, it was off again to start campaigning in Bowthorpe.

The evening was spent in Catton Grove, helping Trevor Ivory, Colin Barker and Eve Collishaw re-take the seat from Labour. From the responses we were getting last night, I'm pretty confident.

What would life be like in a Conservative City? Bowthorpe candidate and Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, Antony Little, explains:


"You would have a council that listened to you, and acted in the interest of the City

and its residents, from Bowthorpe to Thorpe Hamlet and

Catton Grove to Town Close. "


"You would have a council that cared about all in society and worked to

include all of our citizens.


As we go around Norwich, people keep saying to us that they feel let

down by Labour, and let down by the Lib Dems, who have wasted the last two

years in City Hall."


"They could have expanded the recycling service, but haven't."


"They could have improved public transport, but haven't."


"They could have worked to clear up the fly tipping, but haven't."


"Norwich Conservatives want to make things better in Norwich. That means

taking a stand against fly tipping but making the Mile Cross tip free

for use. That means freeing up our roads again and reversing road

closures. That means encouraging people onto buses by making it free

for our senior citizens. That means employing city rangers to clean up

both our City Centre and our suburbs. That means abolishing parking

meters."


"The Conservatives have a vision for Norwich - a moving City, a clean

City and a working City. A vote for the Conservatives is not just a

vote against congestion charging and the fiasco in our market, it's a

vote for a new kind of community politics in Norwich, a vote for getting things

done for local people. "

Hi – just back from a hefty few days on the campaign trail, and a hefty few days at school! After the torture that was Year 10 Exam week (number of pupils not in trouble: 196), this week was fieldwork and rewards trip week. So, Cromer here we come for two days (Tuesday and Friday) and a rather exciting afternoon at Megazone on St. Stephens Street (Wednesday). On paper there seems to be nothing duller than any coursework on Cromer. However, after a trip around it with the utterly impressive Sue Mills (is there anything about Cromer she doesn’t know?!?) I was prepared for similar with the pupils. Tuesday’s group listened in total crisp silence whilst we wandered from Church to building to museum. Friday’s group asked awkward question and cracked poor quality crab-related jokes. All came to a head with a plastic sword, so least said…

As for Megazone, at what point I left my sanity behind and decided to play the game with the kids is not yet known. It is dark, creepy, loud and I got hunted down by packs of year 10’s all wanting some kind of revenge. Didn’t quite come bottom of the pile though!

Thursday night saw me mutual aiding on the streets of Catton Grove and a good opportunity to catch up with Iain Dale, Tory Spokesman for North Norfolk. It’s looking good for us on the ground at the moment – very little sign of LibDem activity, possibly they are keeping their heads to the ground because of the way that Simon Hughes mayoral bid and their local Norwich campaign are falling away. Most Labour voters are seriously thinking again – lots coming over to us and the rest at least (for the first time in a long time) thinking about it.

Today was spent in Bowthorpe, delivering the second of our newsletters, which highlights the fact, that all of the Conservative candidates live in Bowthorpe, whilst none of the Labour Councillors do. Got the whole ward covered (good going!) and before we’d got home there had been calls to the office pledging their support. Spoke to a couple in Humbleyard who said they were sick of Blair and just wanted change. Then went over to the other side of Cloverhill and spoke to a family who have voted Labour through thick and thin even up until last year – but are voting for me this year. Great news! Labour really has got a reputation for being arrogant in Bowthorpe and it’s showing through. Can’t wait for polling day!

Sorry I haven’t blogged for a while but the campaign is really going at some pace – we are now calling on everybody for the second time to try and catch those people who were out last time. There is a real sense of enthusiasm for having local people representing Bowthorpe. Our Labour councillors all live far from the ward, whereas the local candidates see the problems and people in Bowthorpe day in, day out. Glad to see a really good poster display going up around the area for the Conservatives too – people willing to make a very public statement about who they are supporting. Just managed to find time yesterday to watch the FA Cup Final and go to Ster Century and watch Troy. A very good film (my wife cried!) if rather long. Another real epic! On Wednesday I have been invited to go to an anti-council tax meeting. Interestingly enough I spoke to a policeman in Bowthorpe yesterday who said that with his wage, plus his wife’s part time job, they would end up paying more under the Lib Dem Local Income Tax than under Council tax – at a time when they are struggling to buy their first home and bring up a small child. I think the Lib Dems have really not thought this one through enough.

A press release that came out of a meeting I had tonight in Bowthorpe:

CLARKE'S POST OFFICE CHALLENGE
Will our so-called local MP back our local Post Offices, asks Little

Antony Little, the Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, has hit out at threats to local Post Offices by demanding that Charles Clarke lay down an amendment to a Conservative motion to help guarantee the survival of Post offices such as the one on Leopold Road in Norwich.

Antony issued this challenge to Charles Clarke:
"Currently, the Post Office is closing around 1/3rd of the 9,000 urban post offices in the UK. No Post Office should shut without wide ranging consultation and no post office should shut where it hits elderly or disabled people in our society.

In January, Conservative MP Michael Fabricant issued this Early Day Motion on behalf of the Conservative Trade & Industry team:

CLOSURE OF URBAN POST OFFICES 15.01.04

That this House calls on the Government to ensure that the Post Office closure programme for urban post offices is conducted systematically and only after first consulting all relevant parties including post office users, local public bodies and authorities and the relevant honourable Member of Parliament, allows for adequate time for such consultation, takes into account not only the distance between existing post offices but also physical obstacles such as hills, rivers, canals and major roads between each post office and the nature of the community served by each post office including factors such as deprivation and concentrations of older or disabled people, has special regard to the level of deprivation in the area being served by the post office, and takes the views of both the public and Postwatch into account before announcing any closures; believes that the Government's failure to intervene has resulted in the closure of urban post offices which would have remained open had a systematic closure programme with full consultation been undertaken by the Post Office; and therefore deplores the closure of any post office which did not take these factors fully into account.

"I now call upon Mr Clarke to substitute the names of the post offices in this motion - from "any post office" to "Leopold Road Post Office, Norwich."

"By laying down this amendment, Mr Clarke can show he is serious about saving our urban post offices."

"The Post Office is at the centre of our communities, and the systematic shutting of them under Labour is a disgrace. With the Lib Dems after privatisation of the Post Office, we Conservatives are ready to stand up for them."

Antony is set to make the challenge as he launches the Conservative Campaign in Bowthorpe this evening to an audience of local people.

Conservatives "winning team" for Norwich

Norwich Conservatives announce full slate of candidates to stand up for our City

The Norwich Conservatives have today announced their candidates for the 39 seats being contested in the City Council elections on 10th June.

Standing on the steps of City Hall, the Conservatives said they would be challenging the complacency that had set in within the Labour and Lib Dem Council Groups and declared their ambition to "tackle fly tipping, to regenerate the City Centre and get Norwich City moving again."

Antony Little, who is contesting Bowthorpe for the Conservatives, said: "I am very pleased that the Conservatives are fielding a diverse group of candidates - of all ages and professions and from all over Norwich. We are putting forward new ideas to make our City a better place to live and work. We have high hopes of being a major force on Norwich Council after June 10th. With our candidates being from students to solitictors and pensioners to postal workers, we're getting a great reception on the doorsteps."

Catton Grove Candidate Eve Collishaw added, "It is great to see the Conservatives giving everybody in Norwich the chance to vote for a real alternative to the stagnant Lib Dems in City Hall. We are about bringing democracy closer to the people of Norwich."

UEA Students Union Officer Dipesh Palana is also standing for the Conservatives - in University Ward. Dipesh said: "Students have been let down by Labour and let down by Charles Clarke on student fees. These elections will give them a chance to have their say on Labour's destructive fees."

Trevor Ivory - Conservative candidate for Catton Grove - welcomed the number of young Conservative candidates. Trevor said, "It is fantastic that there are so many people amongst the Conservative candidates. Young people feel let down by Tony Blair who promised so much but delivered so little. They are sending a message to Tony Blair by voting Conservative."

Town Close Conservative candidate John Wyatt blasted the Labour government: "There is only one way to send a message to this Labour government and that's by electing Conservative councillors. Everybody knows the Lib Dems back Labour in Norfolk and can't win on their own - the Conservatives are the only serious alternative."

The Conservatives will be announcing their manifesto in stages starting next week.

Full list of Conservative Candidates for Norwich City Council:

Bowthorpe Ward:
Antony Little, Louise Little, Roger Wills

Catton Grove:
Colin Barker, Eve Collishaw, Trevor Ivory

Crome:
John Fisher,Angus Mackay, Edwin Williams

Eaton:
Ian Mackie, Judith Virgo, Bernard Wells

Lakenham:
Tom Holland, George Richards, Eileen Wyatt

Mancroft:
Nathan Bennett, Nick Stimpson, Richard Wells

Mile Cross:
David Mackie, Clive Smith, Joanne Williams

Nelson:
Vic Hopes, Lisa Ivory, Rachel McGurk

Sewell:
Jeremy Carver, Ernie Horth, Diane Roberts

Thorpe Hamlet:
Christopher Coupland, Barbara Kettel, Mary Le Winton

Town Close:
Thomas Jarrett, Christine Munroe, John Wyatt

University
Simon Down, Christine Page, Dipesh Palana

Wensum:
Christine Mackie, Phillip Saunders, Christopher Taylor

Is there any elected position Adrian Ramsay won't stand for? The lad who's always telling us he has the time to do the job may find it a pretty tough prospected doing his degree, being a Norwich Councillor and an MEP at the same time...

I have always considered the three Lib Dem Councillors for University Ward to be the most arrogant of a pretty arrogant bunch. This article in the Evening News just goes to show why local people think Labour will take the seat this June.

Jane Rooza and Ian Couzens have a habit of blaming everything on everyone but themselves. We'll not let the Lib Dems forget about their role in the disastrous snowday between now and polling day - and particularly we won't let the people of Norwich forget it's the Lib Dems who blame them for the problems.

Is that a starting gun I hear?

Well, their off! Norwich City Council elections candidates were announced yesterday, with both major parties – Conservative and Labour – plus minor ones such as the Lib Dems and Greens putting up all 39 candidates for 39 seats. There is also an Independent in Nelson (ex-Green Councillor Steve Land), a Cannabis Alliance in every ward and (wait for it) a full three Norwich-over-the-Water Party (slogan: give ‘em hell) in Sewell Ward. With the boundary changes this will be a very interesting election.

The question is not who’ll win – but who’ll be on the Lib Dem frontbench after the next election? During a hazy moment in class (or should I say, one of the frequent hazy moments in class) I had a thought. Who’ll be left on the sinking ship HMS Couzens after June 10th? Well, poor old April Pond is having her safe birth pulled from under her and – with no places left in the Lib Dem held Town Close Ward – she’s off to Nelson. So combined with fellow Exec member Gordon Dean it looks like the pair of them are committing political suicide. Who’s going to bet against self-publicist and Euro candidate Adrian Ramsay and his Greenies taking the ward? It may be close – Steve Land and the Cannabis people will almost certainly stick their oar in – but I think even the LibDems know that one is ripe for the taking. Same is also true for University Ward, where my moles on the ground say Labour are on the verge of re-taking. Imagine if Rooza, Williams and Hume went too? Plus both Labour and the Greens are talking up their chances of winning the new Wensum Ward (cheerio, Andrew Aalders-Dunthorn). So who does that leave in Couzen’s cabinet? Erm, Hereward Cooke, who according to two sources of mine wanted out of Lakenham because he thinks Labour are back on winning ways now the ward contains Tuckswood.

My bet for June 10th? I have a feeling Labour will do it in University – but not Lakenham. The Greens will take Nelson, and be just short in Wensum. The Conservatives to take Catton, and who knows? Bowthorpe and Town Close won’t be far behind…

I have been very excited all day about the Norwich City parade tonight – in fact, half the world seems to be going! It was a Norwich City day at school so everybody was in Yellow and Green! Ended up talking about football all day - taught next to nothing but it is a very special day here I suppose! Just a quick blog before the off – tell you all about the glorious return to the Premiership later!

A great night out canvassing with a big team of helpers, from here in Norwich and also our neighbouring parliamentary seats. Lots of Bowthorpe covered – darting all over the place and addressing a huge number of issues! I collected another group of interesting ways to open a door – one lady gripping onto a dog larger than she was and another lady covered head to foot in paint. Opening line of the night goes to one teacher in Three Score: “If you’re Labour then I’m going to hit you.” I was quite safe! Great feeling – I think the slogan “let down by Labour” really goes to the heart of how people are feeling at the moment.

School today was really interesting (if not, as always, tiring). I designed (are you waiting for this?) my very first exam timetable – and (even better) it actually worked out! Hurrah! Nearly five hours later and it is a work of art. If it weren’t highly top secret (pupils don’t get to know until Monday) I would post it here for you all to admire. Am so proud.

This afternoon I met a representative from one of the Norfolk Pupil Referral Units to talk about methods of behaviour management and policy across education. We had a really good talk about consistency across schools and across departments within schools. Most interestingly he cited research from his PRU about the use of positive praise, body language and tone to help potentially tricky situations. I know it can be hard to deal with “flashpoints”, but he suggested something like the following. Say Little Johnny won’t sit with all chair legs on the floor. Ask him to do it, and before he gets a chance to reply, say “thanks” and walk away. The fact that he will comply becomes implicit in your tone and the fact you walked away. Instead of standing over him ready for the row, you show confidence that he will do as he is told. Makes you think if nothing else.

I went from that over to the UEA to meet the Conservative society there and have a few drinks in the bar and think back to the good old days when I went there … ain’t what it used to be!

I have a meeting at another local pub tomorrow (no pattern forming there then, surely no major political figure would be drawn by such activities…) and then Campaign Management in the Evening so much more fun to come!

I think (yes, just checking...) that I managed to spend the entire Bank Holiday Weekend without doing anything remotely political. And come to think of it, apart from a small smattering of marking, I also managed to avoid anything remotely to do with school. Hurrah! Complete relaxation. Sunday was a heady mixture of lunch chez friends and extensive drinks chez Garden House. Monday was a day spent watching the rain, albeit from Bury St. Edmunds, which I found to be a most charming (if wet) town. Sunday night was the remarkable feat of simultaneously watching Pearl Harbour and Mission Impossible (why do the BEEB and ITV always do it?!?). Anyway, state of true relaxation coming to an end today, as have full day of teaching, then a meeting with the Town Close Conservatives and onto Catton for canvassing in the evening. Ho-hum, no rest for the Tory candidate...

Saturday's seem to get busier and busier. I had the great pleasure in attending the King Street Festival today - the usual excellent mix of music and street stalls. I had a fascinating chat with a group of Senior Citizens, all of whom were switching from Labour to Conservative because of our pledge to link pensions to earnings again, not inflation. After we managed to stay rain free for the morning, I was dragged away from the direction of Carrow Road, but instead had the delight of canvassing door-to-door in Bowthorpe. A warm reception from Cloverhill, and most of the talk is still of the bus lane. What was rather odd is that another team is telephone canvassing at the moment - and one poor confused lady had to deal with a Tory on the phone and a Tory at her door simultaneously. Not easy, but as a Conservative voter, she just about managed it!

Open class snobbery in my class! Cannot believe it, but apparently having an "o" in your name is common, according to a certain year ten pupil...

Today I had the pleasure of meeting Malcolm Moss MP, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture. He greatly enjoyed a tour of "The Garage", a local youth arts project funded by the New Deal. The facilities were excellent and the organiser should be so proud of what they have achieved, but the real task is making this valuable resource more used. It is a pity to see it empty so Malcolm and I worked on ways of increasing usage. We then quickly went around The Forum, to see the BBC Studios and the new library facilities. He was very impressed with the way Norfolk is handling itself on that front - so well done Norfolk County Council!

Looks like the Euro campaign has started in earnest:

The election battle for June’s European Parliamentary elections began (today/this week) with the publication by Conservatives of their election manifesto. Antony Little, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich, welcomed the manifesto pledges of cutting red-tape on businesses in Norwich, restoring national control of Britain’s fisheries, and guaranteeing local voters a say via a referendum on any future laws which would transfer power away from Britain.

Antony explained to a group of local residents:
“The election gun has been fired in the race for the European elections in June. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to have their say on the way they are governed rather than letting apathy rule.

“Conservatives want a new deal to create a flexible, competitive Europe. I am particularly concerned about the unnecessary and excessive Brussels red tape that is hindering enterprise and job creation in Norwich. This is why I welcome Conservatives’ proposals that all future European regulations should have time-limiting ‘sunset clauses’, making European officials work out how much regulations will cost business before introducing them, and allowing MEPs to repeal laws rather than just create them.

“By contrast, Labour want to sign up to a European Constitution and scrap the Pound. Liberal Democrats would go even further – abolishing Britain’s veto on tax harmonisation, despite the huge damage this could do to our competitiveness, and creating new taxes levied directly by Europe on people across Norwich. ”

A well spent evening tonight I would say - spent a few hours in the office writing letters to all the people and organisations that have allowed me to visit and speak to them in the last fortnight. It's only when you come to pen the letters that you realise how many it is! Then we hit the phones to canvass around Three Score about the lack of facilities - a real good response and some useful feedback. Also got time to speak to a few residents in Cloverhill about the shopping trolley issue that is hitting the area. Rounded off a useful political evening with some extensive ironing and marking year 8's newspapers about the Plague. Nice and gory!

My week ahead includes going to a dinner with Prof. John Charmley, Dean of the School of History at UEA, tomorrow. He will be giving a speech about the new rise of the Conservative Party. Thursday I am meeting Malcolm Moss MP to discuss bringing the arts alive and we'll be announcing new local Conservative policies on tourism and culture. Saturday I am helping the Fairtrade stall at the King Street Festival and meeting some of the organisers and stall holders to discuss various issues. All good fun!

An apology: I am afriad that in recent weeks (nay, months) I have neglected to pay tribute to some of the finest minds put on God's green earth. It seems that, on this very site, I have praised the work and courage of nearly every other class I teach, I have missed the sanguine hard work and dedication that is my year 10 history class. I am truly blessed in having such a class full of teenagers so passionate about the study of chloroform and various devious medical disorders. Their essays entertain, their source analysis questions wonder and their gossip (to be fair) amazes. Where would I be without (in seating plan order): Beth, Rosa, James, Calam, Fran J, Amelia, Abi, Katy, Danielle, Sophie, Fran H, Jo, Jonathan (Stoggers!), Naomi & Charlotte. I owe them all a huge debt of thanks for their positive attitude and work (so I am told). And now, kiddies, you're famous.

It's been a busy old weekend (but then aren't they all?). Saturday morning I went to the Bradecroft homes in Cloverhill to meet residents and talk about the many issues concerning them - I'm afraid that too many people like to categorize senior citizens. Subjects covered included education, wonky paving stones, Iraq and the need for a Norwich concert hall. The afternoon was spent in the lofty heights of Thorpe Hamlet, survey canvassing about the situation with parking. Now that Norwich are in the Premiership it can only get worse, say local people. Great reception on the doorsteps!

Sunday morning I visited a different church - the Norwich Reform Church - which meets on South Park Avenue. Then onto a wonderful Sunday lunch at the home of Mr & Mrs Quinton of Le Strange Close. It was good to meet and talk to such a dedicated group of Christian and community minded people. This afternoon? Well, a DVD copy of "The Longest Day" has kept me occupied.

p.s. Received a Labour leaflet today - the first since last August - taking credit for getting play equipment upgraded which had nothing to do with them. Apart from anything else the leaflet looked awful, but the cheek to say that Section 106 money was spent on the insistence of Labour councillors is scrapping the barrel for news.

Perhaps its just me but these last four days teaching may well qualify as the hardest ones in my career yet. Don’t ask me why – the silly season has started (water fights etc) but nothing out of the ordinary. Got to teach my favourite year 9s today – normally my student teacher has them – which was good fun. We answered the “what-if” style question – which year should Britain have gone to war with Germany in. Most of them argued for 1936! Year 8 have started the Romans so lots of pretty maps of Europe being conquered was the order of the day – plus, oddly, a rendition of “under the sea” from the Little Mermaid. As for year 7, well, the Peasants Revolt – plus, oddly, a rendition of the chicken dance. Cannot believe year 12 leave in two weeks. Aaaarrrgghh! Will have the course sorted by next week and I am pushing revision, revision, revision, but am not sure who’s listening.

This week in Norwich politics has been slow, because we’ve all shut off due to heady glory of returning to the Premiership! Hurrah! Busy night on Wednesday watching teletext! Canvassing continues and we launched a direct mail survey to the good people of Cloverhill asking their views on the oft-discussed issue of the bus lane. Tomorrow I am stepping up the Three Score Services debate and meeting other members of the City Conservative Group to discuss the North Earlham and West Earlham Projects.

As for the national picture, it is great to see the Express back on board having seen through this shameless Labour government. Watch how Mr Blair will try to get out of his referendum dilemma – if Britain votes NO, will Blair accept the result (as Michael Howard) will or will he keep going until he gets a YES? Either way we need an answer now!

p.s. Has anybody noticed in the last week how completely irrelevant the Lib Dems are? So have I.

Sorry I haven’t blogged for a while but Easter was a bit hectic, so too getting ready for school next week. Other than over-indulging on chocolate and various other legal substances (in fact, you should see my stash – eggs still all over the house. I deeply believe you don’t put on as much weight by eating them slower.)

The campaign got back into the swing of things this week, with the Lib Dems launching their first (and most obvious) attack on me, claiming that I am used to coming third in elections. Only problem is that the new Lib Dem agent came third in Ipswich last time and Andrew Aalders-Dunthorne has come third in Norwich twice before! At least I go for election where I live – where I know the people and problems and stand up for my area and my neighbours.

Today I launched a new survey of homes in Cloverhill to ask about their views on opening up the bus lane. I hope to take the answers to the council within the next two weeks. The arguments are quite complex to follow so it will be very interesting to follow the views of people according to where they live. People near the bus lane want it open for easy access to the Earlham Road. Those slightly further our fear rat runners’ll blight them. Those on the Earlham Green Lane side are split on the issue of traffic calming. We’ll see, it’ll be most interesting to get the results!

Today is so sunny and bright, I feel a night of pure pleasure ahead, so where was that chocolate…

I'm off for the Easter weekend at the in-laws and then onto see my parents. Have a fantastic Easter all - eat, drink and don't do anything I wouldn't do!

The only thing funnier that the thought of the Lib Dems delighting themselves with laughter over the surname of Conservative MP Richard Bacon - as reported in today's EDP - was the mere assertion that they were in with a hope of winning his constituency of South Norfolk.

On the whole funny-surname-of-MP bit, I think Iain Dale would have a thing or two to say about his opponent and I don't think I'll ever get off scot-free (the huge possibilities / cruel jokes of having a candidate called "A Little..." goes without saying).

However, the mere thought of the Lib Dems - who were utterly crushed last time after it was revealed that their "local" candidate was a Surrey councillor - even touching Richard Bacon is nonsense. They simply cannot turn limited local government success into parliamentary triumphs (for evidence, see Norwich South!) Too far behind and - it must be said - not trying hard enough to win. Norfolk South? It' s a one-horse race and I'm betting on .Bacon!

Those might folks at Lib Dem Watch are reporting on the same litter-related disaster for the Lib Dems as I did below. I also had a letter in the Evening News yesterday pointing that out. On the very same letters page was another writer saying he was going to vote for me because I only I can defeat Charles Clarke!

After a lovely lunch in the City I spent much of the afternoon in the office answering various letters and e-mails from people seeking my views on a number if issues. Amazing where people's different priorities lie - questions ranging from immigration and the EU through to globalisation and pot holes in roads. That's the life of a parliamentary candidate - juggling all issues for all people!

Also today I got a letter from my former MP John Randall - great to hear from him John and a no-doubt avid reader of this site!

In between the rather erratic weather today, I went for a walk around Colney - by far the constituencies smallest community. It is amazing that Colney is by far better known for the BUPA Hospital or football training ground than it is for the people who live there. Small community but very big hearts. Colney is literally a stone's throw from Bowthorpe (I can, in fact, see it from my front room) and will certainly have a champion in me.

Just issued this press release:

Following on from the success of Yarmouth Borough Council in moving dumped cars from the streets, the Norwich Conservatives have said that a new Conservative government would crackdown hard on another blight on our roads- uninsured drivers, who could see their vehicles confiscated for repeat offences.

A six-point plan to curb some of the most dangerous drivers in the UK - those who drive without insurance – will be the cornerstone of the new Conservative transport policies, says Antony Little, Conservative Spokesman for Norwich South. Antony said:

”Proposals include linking the motor insurance database, which holds details of all policyholders, with the DVLA database, holding details of drivers - enabling the identification of most offenders; launching a national campaign against uninsured drivers, starting with a written request for insurance details; teaching the importance of insurance as part of the driving test; encouraging lower premiums for drivers who take extra training; increasing fines for first offenders; and confiscating vehicles used by repeat offenders.”

“Conservatives want to make Britain’s road safer and that means getting tough with those who pose a serious risk to other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Our plans deal with both detection and deterrence. We want to see stiffer penalties, including the confiscation of vehicles of repeat offenders. We will also cross check the computer records of insurers and the DVLA, to establish the full extent of the problem.”

With one in 20 drivers using vehicles without insurance, and the costs of uninsured crashes costing over £500 million a year - adding to insurance premiums - Mr Little declared: “Uninsured drivers are a menace who make every road in this country less safe. We need to educate them to take out insurance, or they will have their vehicles taken away. We need zero tolerance of those who knowingly put other road users at risk.”

Antony also linked new statistics revealing that speeding is not the main - but the seventh cause of road accidents, with the news that many speed cameras in Norfolk are not sited on safety grounds: “Concentrating too much on speed instead of the whole range of dangers has led Labour to an over reliance on speed cameras. To make our roads safer, we need to crack down on dangerous drivers and look at other measures like junction design and improving driver awareness.

“Conservatives do not believe in using speed cameras to raise money. If a camera is not contributing to road safety, we would take it down.”

Yesterday's meeting with Eaton residents went extremely well. Several concerns were raised about a new housing development in Sunningdale, off the Newmarket Road. Apparently the first estimate was for 24 homes, and now that has grown to 70+ and no access road except a currently quiet suburban cul-de-sac. Looks like planning is going ahead with not much thought to how that number of families are going to be accommodated with the existing infra-structure. Also some families claimed not to have had written notice - despite living opposite the site! Planning is a terminal minefield, but I fear very little strategic thought has been put into this.

Have just done an interview on education for Archant - the company which owns the EDP and Evening News. Spoke to the Deputy Editor who is a former education correspondent about why "New" Labour was such a let down. Education now seems well down the agenda of many in the government. We spoke at length about why Charlie Clarke is simply not liked by the profession because he won't listen to the profession. A colleague told me today that Clarke would not attend the NUT conference (biggest teaching union) because he had something better to do, but didn't quite know what that was yet. I made the point about giving freedom to professionals to do their jobs, opening up the straightjacket of education to allow schools to focus in different areas and getting money to the frontline quicker. If OFSTED found me giving one piece of work to all my student, they'd go mad - not all pupils learn the same way. So why should all schools teach the same way?

Surprise, surprise ... the Evening News today reports that the streets in Norwich are getting dirtier despite spending close to £1m of tax payers money on their campaign. The percentage of roads cleaned to a certain standard has fallen from 99% to 93%. Perhaps if a full third of the expenditure wasn't spent on council propaganda advertising the fact that they were cleaning streets, and was spent on actually cleaning the streets, it might not be so bad. I recently spoke to a council spokesman who was gushing about the council's achievements with the "Norwich belongs to all of us" campaign. Yes, the achievement is c.£1,000,000 spent producing 6% more dirty streets. A true achievement for the Norwich Lib Dems.

Canvassing tonight in my home village of Three Score, Bowthorpe. Nice to know that so many people know me in the area (and will vote for me!). Lots of issues arising from the building yard that Three Score in becoming and lots of curiosity about what will become of the communal land. Also you really get to understand the pace at which properties change hands around here – people whom I spoke to a few weeks ago have moved! Great to have a big team out because it makes it so much quicker and more fun. Had my first parent promise to vote for me today, which was very embarrassing – almost forget about those sort of things at work. She said how good I looked on Anglia TV last week! Ah, fame, at last (at least in Lakenham.) A colleague at work said to me today how well I had done in the media but was I really meeting people. Let’s check the diary for this week…
Saturday: On the doorsteps in Cloverhill, Bowthorpe
Monday: City Conservatives Meeting discussing the local election manifesto
Tuesday: Conservative Future Party at Owens, Norwich, was meeting UEA Students to discuss Top Up Fees
Wednesday: Out canvassing in Three Score, Bowthorpe
Thursday: Addressing meeting of Eaton residents about the future of transport in Norwich
Friday: Launching Conservative “GP Out of Hours” campaign (see below)
That’s a lot of people to meet – and I’m having great fun doing it!

Michael Howard's visit to Norwich was extremely well received yesterday. We met at The Forum where Michael did interviews about Libya. We then walked passed the war memorial, where I told Michael about recent plans to move and change it. We then walked through the market. It is a c-change from last time a major figure did this. Everybody - including traders and shoppers were so supportive. Many slapped Michael on the back and just pleaded with him to get rid of this discredited Labour government. We took time to sign the petition against the Lib Dem councils mad plans to re-brand our market and offer support to traders. Several of my pupils made an impromptu appearance, much to Michael's delight! I am so pleased with the reception, and Michael wholeheartedly endorsed my campaign as the EDP reports today. Michael says only we can win in Norwich South and that is becoming clearer by the day. A vote for the Lib Dems is a vote to leave Labour in power. Only a Conservative MP will remove this dreadful government and I am more sure that it what I can deliver for Norwich South.

Great news - the next Prime Minister, Michael Howard, will be visiting Norwich market tomorrow to add his weight to the campaign against City Hall's crazy ideas to rebrand it. It is great to have such heavy weight support. I am going to show him around and talk to a few of the traders. No doubt Mr Howard will be as shocked as I was about the Lib Dem plans to tear up our historic market and replace it with "waves" or "pods". Let's hope that City Hall Councillors finally wake up and take note. 90% of Evening News readers AND the Norwich Conservatives can't be wrong!

My blogging potential has at last been realised (!) at least within the blogging community - thanks to Phillip and Iain for the plugs!

I went out canvassing in Bowthorpe tonight – very-interesting results. Why do opinion pollsters not include “labour waiverer” in their results? Very, very few people admit to voting Labour at the moment – although one very, very brave person admitted to being a Labour member. However they fall into two categories. The first is those who have switched directly to the Conservatives. One lady, on the verge of retirement and with a serious disability, said she had voted Labour all her life but no more thanks to Mr Blair. She said that she was voting Conservative because we are the only party locally to show her that we are working hard on the side of the community. Another, a middle aged man, said he was considering voting Tory for the first time since 1992 because Mr Howard was a PM in the making.

However, there are still a lot of ex-Labour voters not going to vote. Now I have 18 months to convince them that I am worth trusting with their vote. I simply don’t believe the media that they are all switching to the Lib Dems. Or at least it isn’t bearing out on the doorsteps of Norwich. It can be done, but we (as a party) need to prove that we are ready to govern again.

This report in the Evening News hit such a cord I got a phone call at home yesterday from one outraged council tax payer in full agreement and threatening to without her tax too.

Another day, another register cover... The rigour of everyday life not as bad today because I managed to sneak out for lunch with a friend at The Forum in Norwich and a quick look around the market. Also on the good new front is that an old UEA friend is moving back to Norwich. He saw me on the Conservatives Web Site and e-mailed offering me help at the election. Similar thing happened on Sunday - you have no idea how great it is as a Tory for somebody to come out of their house and congratulate you after receiving a leaflet. Support still coming in thick and fast!

I have enjoyed reading about the trouble in the Lib Dem Party today. Poor Charlie Kennedy never looked like much of a leader, and with Michael Howard stealing his thunder (and votes) he needs to try a lot harder. Far be it for me to offer another party advice but I have no idea why they are sticking with Charlie Kennedy when they do have other people (e.g. Mark Oaten, Vince Cable) ready in the background. A lot of commentators are talking up Ming Campbell but he simply doesn't have the authority in my view. Simon Hughes will be damaged goods by then (you cannot talk yourself come third in the London mayoral election and come out as anything less than a lame duck), Evan Harris is apparently quitting parliament and a lot of other Lib Dems are too busy trying to hold onto their parliamentary seats. It must be tricky when you only have 54 MPs, so I think old CK might just hold on due to lack of competition! Still, nice to see another party beset by a leadership crisis for once.

It may even be that Michael Howard is the only current party leader to go into the election still in charge of his band...

I recently had the chance to visit Brakendon Close, sheltered housing just off Bracondale, and chat to the residents. There is a fierce determination amongst these folk that they will use their votes at the next election – just as determined as the ‘A’ Level pupils I teach who claim they’ll also vote. So why is turnout so low? The government believes that lowering the voting age to 16 will help, I’m not so sure. They could equalise the age of candidature (to allow 18 year olds to stand for council), which would do a lot more. I’m pretty sure all that would do is to serve to decrease turnout (as proportionally less of the 16-18 age group would vote). We have a citizenship lesson here on Wednesday – may be worth a straw poll to find out! Anyhow, the government has to do something, only for its own electoral chances. It’s a fact that Tories and the over 55’s (i.e. the Tories’ strongest supporters) are more likely to vote than any other. Just look at the number of majorities that fell in 2001 because the Labour vote collapsed rather than the Conservative vote surging. I see where all the polls are coming from now – if, say to choose a random Labour MP, Charles Clarke were to see his vote fall by 3,000 (current estimate at decrease in turnout) then his majority is just 6,000. If I can persuade a couple of Lib Dems to support me (as the response on the doorstep says I can) then his seat would fall on a swing of just 5% - i.e. exactly what the Tories are currently getting in the polls. The Lib Dems may be contented to think Charlie Clarke’s got it in the bag, but I think it’s all to play for!

I’m afraid that life hasn’t got any less hectic the last couple of days. Friday I took my year 10 pupils to the European Conference organised by Norfolk County Council at Carrow Road. Lovely lunch but a few rather dubious speakers I felt. Mr Clarke was his normal bullish self, Tory Euro MP Bashir Khanbhai spent his slot advocating foreign language lessons for 5 year olds and Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb said what he thought people wanted to hear. Still, nice lunch.

Afterwards it was a leafleting session on Riverside. Got a call halfway through from the press about a complaint I had made to Norwich City Council. See press release:

LITTLE: “Lib Dems Council Tax insult to Norwich”

Norwich Conservatives have claimed that the 24-side glossy booklet put into all council tax bills by the Lib Dem run Norwich City Council was a “gross insult” to all those who had been hit by steep tax rises.

The massive document – full of photos and quotes from Lib Dem Councillors – is in stark contrast to the much smaller and cheaper version inserted by Norfolk County Council.

Norwich South’s Parliamentary Spokesman, Antony Little, was outraged when he opened his council tax bill to find the expensive City insert.

“The document from the City is so much larger and more expensive than that from the County, yet contains no more information. I even doubt how many people would study such a long document. When more and more pressure is being put on Norwich taxpayers, I have to ask: how much are we being asked to pay for this Lib Dem propaganda and spin? Could they not have produced something cheaper like the County Council? How much lower would our bills have been without this document?”

“I agree an explanation is required regarding the bills but this document is a gross insult to every council taxpayer in Norwich. I hope the Lib Dems have the decency to apologise for this error and accept that at this point in time in our City such an expensive waste of our money is at best unfortunate but at worst entirely disgraceful.”

It made it into today’s Evening News, which was good! Afterwards I met a large canvassing team to start our campaign in Town Close. It was generally a very good reception (where people were in). A few switchers from Labour, Tories in good spirits. Found a new member and a new poster site. Plus the bonus of one voter saying she was going to vote for me because the Lib Dems couldn’t win in Norwich! Very true, I told her!

Saturday morning was spent on correspondence (five new members in the week that I have been Parliamentary spokesman for) and then out canvassing in my home ward of Bowthorpe. Again, really strong name recognition – which is good news at this early stage of the campaign. So many Labour voters coming over to us because they see Clarke as a stay-away MP.

Bought back down to earth today at school – very tiring!

The media frenzy (?) in Norwich South continues - gave an interview to Broadland Radio and the TES yesterday. Funny thing only the Evening News is yet to report my selection. You know you've made it when you're on teletext!

Campaign kicks off in earnest tomorrow!

Thanks again to Lib Dem Watch for exposing the rather dodgy face of the Norwich Lib Dems - we await the verdict of the Standards Board with Interest. Lib Dem Watch continues to provide a valuable service for us all!

That grin is still firmly plastered to my face! Day began with excellent news that my selection was all over the billboards for the EDP City-wide. Had a really good article on page two, once again confirming that I am in second place with the Lib Dems a poor third. My interview with BBC Radio Norfolk was played for a second day running and got a good slot on the hourly bulletin for Radio Broadland. The phone calls and e-mails of support are coming in thick and fast. Two ex-uni mates who live in the country phoned to say they'd heard me on the radio. That really shows the advantage of being a local candidate. Pupils very supportive also - gave me a chance to do a bit of citizenship teaching about the role of an MP, but most were more concerned that I might not teach them anymore. Luckily my year group will be just about leaving at the time of the election (I can hear year 10 pupils heaving a sigh of relief all over the county!) Gave another interview to the Evening News this afternoon. Phew! History Office at school feels more like CCO at the moment!

First leaflets in for printing and distribution - am arranging a canvassing night on Friday to kick start the campaign. It's all go!

Have just heard my interview on BBC Radio Norfolk - have also headed the bulletin on the hour all day. The EDP phoned for an interview about why teachers hate Charles Clarke so much that their prepared to stand for parliament to get rid of him. So many reasons, so little time!

It was good that all the news coverage is focusing on the fact that I am second place and only I can beat Charles Clarke. Hopefully that message will get across because no doubt the Lib Dems will try and pinch votes by claiming to be something that they're not. That's politics for you!

OPINION POLL LATEST: According to the poll in the Evening News on Thursday, I'm just c.4,000 votes behind Charles Clarke with the Lib Dems a distant third. We can win Norwich South!

It's been a whirlwind couple of days! School on Friday was a bit of a haze - one child said to me that it was irrespective who won Norwich South because the MP would still be a fat, jug eared fool. I don't know if Charlie Clarke or I should be more offended! Just walked around with a big grin on my face. My colleagues were so supportive, as were the vast majority of the pupils who got to know. My happiness even spilt over into class - kids didn't know what was wrong with me, smiling and singing! Funny thing schools, everybody thinks that teachers cannot be Tories but you'd be surprised at the number of staff who whispered to me that they vote Conservative! It's like being in a top secret club or something!

Friday night Louise and I went for a celebration meal at the Adam & Eve on Bishopgate - highly recommended for those who live locally!

Saturday was my first campaign meeting. Knocked off all the press releases - gave interviews to the Evening News and Radio Norfolk. Even did the nationals - it took so long in the office because I had so many calls and e-mails from people congratulating me and offering to help. I cannot remember the last time that a Conservative campaign felt like this - felt like we can win!

All those I wanted on my campaign team have agreed (excellent news). We're on a roll...

Last night the Norwich South Conservatives gave me the great honour of making me their prospective parliamentary candidate for the Norwich South Constituency. It really is an honour to be selected for the City in which I live, work and call my home. And it will give me great pleasure to take on our out-of-touch Lib Dem Council and never-been-in-touch Labour MP. Norwich needs an MP who is part of our community – who knows the people and the problems.

Am really looking forward to the campaign, as a teacher I look forward to really taking on Mr Clarke over education! Roll on the general election…

Now call me an ultra-loyalist if you want but I think that Michael Howard's performence in Harrogate this weekend was fantastic - just what the activists wanted to hear and, to be honest, Labour have got a long way to go to beat him.

Their original plan was to sell him as some kind of un-re-constructed Thatcherite vampire, but that hasn't worked. Next was the charge of being "Mr Poll Tax", but with the current Council Tax outrages that didn't go down too well either. Now comes the whole opportunism attack, which I believe will also fail. All this name calling from a so-called grown up political party. So dirty I don't believe it doesn't come straight from the Lib Dems!

The Parents and Patients Passports, plus the pledge to reverse cannabis laws, plus the tax efforts are really going down well on the doorsteps - people are looking at Michael Howard as the next PM.

Nobody denies that the maths makes it difficult for the Conservatives - they'd be mad not to target enough seats to have a working parliamentary majority, but I think they should also target enough Lib Dem MPs to put them back to the rump they deserve to be. I believe that the Conservatives can win back seats like Ludlow and North Norfolk in the same way they did the Isle of Wight and Taunton last time.

These Euro elections will be vital. I'm very disappointed that Mr Bandwagon himself - Martin Bell - is choosing to fight the Eastern Region. Didn't the voters of Brentwood give him the message last time? He doesn't even live in the region - and only pledges to move to either Norfolk or Suffolk if he wins. Like him, I hate this system of election, but there is no way he'll get my vote. Interestingly my neighbour said the same thing this morning - his desire to be elected is greater than his desire to serve. Not good enough, Mr Bell.

Bit of a knackering day at school, but some excellent news when I got home. Top secret - my tell you soon!