You have to hand it to Labour they always manage to pull it off - and the stream of Tory defectors (9 in 10 years) continues to swell their ranks and boost their PR. However they always manage to do this because of the line of Tory dimwits willing to aid Blair and Labour in their quest to bugger up Britain.
Quentin Davies is the latest MP to do this and the defection will give Brown a much needed boost on the day that he becomes Prime Minister. It is certainly bad news for the Cameron Big Tent and it does raise the issue of how many other MPs are so-discontented with his leadership. But...
I believe this whoe sorry affair says more about the judgement and character of Quentin Davies than it does about the Cameron leadership. Davies is one of the few people in politics that doesn't see how Brown will chew him up and spit him out - being used by a party that he has fought against for 20 years and a politican he referred to as "losing control", "imprudent" whom he hoped "something nasty" would happen to. Now Davies suddenly changes his mind. Do we really want this man on our benches specifically or even as a British member of parliament generally?
And this is before we come to his voting record. Quite frankly I hadn't realised what a throw-back he was before looking into this in detail. He voted against gay rights, against the fox hunting ban, against anti-terrorism law and for the war on Iraq. If that is the person that the Labour Party want on their side then they are welcome to him. How Labour can accept Davies or how Davies can accept Labour is beyond me.
The truth is that this defection isn't about policy, or leadership or even principle. It is about one rather tragic figure who will now find himself isolated on both side of the House of Commons. Judging by the mauling Davies got on Newsnight he has got some rough days ahead of him. I won't shed any tears and look forward to the phrase "Con gain Grantham & Stamford" at the next election ... because he won't have the guts to fight a by-election.
I will leave this post with a true story. I spoke to a fellow Tory Councillor on the phone this afternoon. He said: "I was thinking about defecting to Labour until I heard they'd accepted Quentin Davies. Now I don't think I'll bother - I don't want to be associated with people like him." Well said, Councillor!
UPDATE: It should be pointed out that Mr Davies was a shadow cabinet member under IDS and now feels at home with Mr Brown. Who should be worried more by this - Iain or Gordon?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
LibDems down to just 12 % in new poll
On the eve of the Brown premiership, a new YouGov poll puts the Conservatives ahead again, but the sensational result is the LibDem share sinking to just 12%.
I have said time and time again that you cannot tell anything specific from individual polls, only the general trend of the polls over a few months. However if the LibDems continue to struggle in the 12-15 box, as several polls over a few weeks have had them, then questions are going to have to be asked about Campbell's leadership.
I have said time and time again that you cannot tell anything specific from individual polls, only the general trend of the polls over a few months. However if the LibDems continue to struggle in the 12-15 box, as several polls over a few weeks have had them, then questions are going to have to be asked about Campbell's leadership.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Cameron's First Question
Brown's First PMQs:
Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP (Con, Witney): "Does the Prime Minister agree with his new Party Chairman and Party Deputy Leader when she says that if she knew then what she knew now, she wouldn't vote voted for the war?"
Or maybe he'll go for Trident, or tax, or any one of the other desperate gaffes she used to win in the first place!
As somebody once said, "I'm enjoying this..!"
Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP (Con, Witney): "Does the Prime Minister agree with his new Party Chairman and Party Deputy Leader when she says that if she knew then what she knew now, she wouldn't vote voted for the war?"
Or maybe he'll go for Trident, or tax, or any one of the other desperate gaffes she used to win in the first place!
As somebody once said, "I'm enjoying this..!"
Ha Ha Ha Harman
I am absolutely thrilled that the person Blair sacked for incompetence has been ressurected as Labour's new Deputy Leader. Who on earth voted for her? I'm stunned.
Apart from being totally useless and institutionally sexist herself, she is one of the few politicans who causes people to switch off after less than 5 milliseconds. Labour think that because she's a woman and because she represents a London seat (I think she's Del Boy's MP) that she'll connect with key swing voters in those all-important South East marginals. I think differently - she is exactly the kind of hauty left-wing nanny that makes people vote Tory. Her personal majority may rise but I can see a swath of marginals in Kent falling one-by-one.
So as far as I can see, Labour have made the perfect choice! And Brown's first stupid mistake is to put this woman in the public eye as Party Chairman.
Apart from being totally useless and institutionally sexist herself, she is one of the few politicans who causes people to switch off after less than 5 milliseconds. Labour think that because she's a woman and because she represents a London seat (I think she's Del Boy's MP) that she'll connect with key swing voters in those all-important South East marginals. I think differently - she is exactly the kind of hauty left-wing nanny that makes people vote Tory. Her personal majority may rise but I can see a swath of marginals in Kent falling one-by-one.
So as far as I can see, Labour have made the perfect choice! And Brown's first stupid mistake is to put this woman in the public eye as Party Chairman.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Labour MP Ian Gibson's Unitary bid hypocrisy
What do you make of these two quotes from Ian Gibson regarding the Norwich Unitary bid?
“They probably think for some reason I am seen to be on the city's side. I am not. I am listening to my constituents and what they want.” (EDP, 18th June 2007)
“I both welcome and support the bid for a Unitary Norwich.” Dr Ian Gibson MP quoted in the City Council’s Unitary bid (p.76)
There are two explanations for this. Either this is a cynical U-turn by Dr Gibson or the City Council have lied in their Unitary bid.
I would be horrified if the unitary bid sought to misrepresent the views of a local politician. If it did, then the Leader of the Council would have to seriously consider his position after a blunder like that.
However, what I think is more likely is that Dr Gibson has cynically changed his mind when he realized that local people were dead against Labour’s expensive and dangerous local government reorganization.
He rushed to back Labour but didn’t stop to think what the people he represented might think. In Thorpe St Andrew, Sprowston and Hellesdon – as well as large numbers of people in the City – have seen straight through Labour’s power grab.
I, of course, welcome Dr Gibson’s conversion to the anti-unitary cause. But people will conclude this is a cynical and hypocritical vote grab. The Conservatives opposed this from the start – Dr Gibson is bandwagon jumping again.
I note that people can now electronically tag where Dr Gibson is in the UK – it’s a pity we cannot track his ever-changing views.
“They probably think for some reason I am seen to be on the city's side. I am not. I am listening to my constituents and what they want.” (EDP, 18th June 2007)
“I both welcome and support the bid for a Unitary Norwich.” Dr Ian Gibson MP quoted in the City Council’s Unitary bid (p.76)
There are two explanations for this. Either this is a cynical U-turn by Dr Gibson or the City Council have lied in their Unitary bid.
I would be horrified if the unitary bid sought to misrepresent the views of a local politician. If it did, then the Leader of the Council would have to seriously consider his position after a blunder like that.
However, what I think is more likely is that Dr Gibson has cynically changed his mind when he realized that local people were dead against Labour’s expensive and dangerous local government reorganization.
He rushed to back Labour but didn’t stop to think what the people he represented might think. In Thorpe St Andrew, Sprowston and Hellesdon – as well as large numbers of people in the City – have seen straight through Labour’s power grab.
I, of course, welcome Dr Gibson’s conversion to the anti-unitary cause. But people will conclude this is a cynical and hypocritical vote grab. The Conservatives opposed this from the start – Dr Gibson is bandwagon jumping again.
I note that people can now electronically tag where Dr Gibson is in the UK – it’s a pity we cannot track his ever-changing views.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Eight Days
Labour's Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly and the Norwich Conservatives do agree on one thing - that the City Council's Unitary Bid is financially risky and could do damage to services such as education and social services, which are currently provided by the 4-star rated Norfolk County Council.
Well, we did last March anyway.
Just eight days after Ms Kelly wrote to DPM Prescott warning about the dangers of these City unitary bids, she then put the Norwich bid straight onto the Unitary bid shortlist - despite the misgivings she held just a week previously.
The question this leaves everyone involved is ... why?
Well if you ask me there is something seriously dodgy going on here. Labour Ms Kelly has been heavily lobbied by the Labour City Council and you have to wonder how she dealt with this.
Did Norwich Labour manage to persuade their Labour colleague to put the bid, no matter how weak (it was, remember 16th out of 17 according to the league table) on the shortlist because they knew they would be politically savaged if it fell at the first hurdle?
Kelly, probably annoyed by this political stalking, may well have thrown her hands in the air, stuck the City on the list and done so in the sure and certain knowledge it would fail anyway. Why break Steve's heart at the outset?
Whatever the truth, and we may never know, the fact is that in just eight short days the Secretary of State did a 180-degree turn.
Well, we did last March anyway.
Just eight days after Ms Kelly wrote to DPM Prescott warning about the dangers of these City unitary bids, she then put the Norwich bid straight onto the Unitary bid shortlist - despite the misgivings she held just a week previously.
The question this leaves everyone involved is ... why?
Well if you ask me there is something seriously dodgy going on here. Labour Ms Kelly has been heavily lobbied by the Labour City Council and you have to wonder how she dealt with this.
Did Norwich Labour manage to persuade their Labour colleague to put the bid, no matter how weak (it was, remember 16th out of 17 according to the league table) on the shortlist because they knew they would be politically savaged if it fell at the first hurdle?
Kelly, probably annoyed by this political stalking, may well have thrown her hands in the air, stuck the City on the list and done so in the sure and certain knowledge it would fail anyway. Why break Steve's heart at the outset?
Whatever the truth, and we may never know, the fact is that in just eight short days the Secretary of State did a 180-degree turn.
Sunday Express: Now Labour Ministers say that the Norwich Unitary Bid is financially risky and will damage education and social services
I will comment at length later, but before I go out for my Father's Day dinner, I thought I would add the press release which went out today in response to the Sunday Express story regarding Norwich Unitary. A couple of radio stations have done interviews and all the newspapers have been onto me today so I think this may cause a stir tomorrow - and yet more damage to what remains of the fragile credibility of the LibDems and Labour's political white elephant:
Commenting on the Sunday Express story regarding the Norwich Unitary Bid, in which it is claimed that a leaked letetr between Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly and Deputy Prime Minister John prescott reveal the weakness of the case for Norwich Unitary, Conservative Group Leader and Bowthorpe Councillor Antony Little said:"It is good to know that Ministers and Civil Servants see all the same faults with the bid that we do - a costly re-organisation that can only put up tax and make services worse. The fears expressed by the Minister regarding the impact on Education and Social Services are well founded. City Hall is an "inadequate" authoritiy sekeing more powers from one that is 4 star rated, so they are right to be worried."
"Also, as we expressed at the time, there are concerns that it is not financially stable and the Ministers warn against the risk to taxpayers of having a Unitary Norwich."
"The fact is that Norwich should never have made the shortlist. If Norwich now gets through it is clear that it will be Ministerial plotting rather than the strenght of the bid that does it."
"This is a massive blow to Labour and their LibDems allies on the council. Only the Conservatives warned against Unitary and voted against Unitary. The next time a resident can't get bushes cut back, or street signs repaired, or community centres refurbished because of council cutbacks, they ought to remember the vast amount of money wasted on Labour's political Unitary project."
"Norwich should never have put this bid in - we know it, the County Council know it, the civil servants know it, the Minister knows it. Will they have the guts to back up their instincts and reject the Unitary bid or will Labour do a dodgy-deal with their pals in Westminster to get this expensive, dangerous and flawed project through?"
Commenting on the Sunday Express story regarding the Norwich Unitary Bid, in which it is claimed that a leaked letetr between Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly and Deputy Prime Minister John prescott reveal the weakness of the case for Norwich Unitary, Conservative Group Leader and Bowthorpe Councillor Antony Little said:"It is good to know that Ministers and Civil Servants see all the same faults with the bid that we do - a costly re-organisation that can only put up tax and make services worse. The fears expressed by the Minister regarding the impact on Education and Social Services are well founded. City Hall is an "inadequate" authoritiy sekeing more powers from one that is 4 star rated, so they are right to be worried."
"Also, as we expressed at the time, there are concerns that it is not financially stable and the Ministers warn against the risk to taxpayers of having a Unitary Norwich."
"The fact is that Norwich should never have made the shortlist. If Norwich now gets through it is clear that it will be Ministerial plotting rather than the strenght of the bid that does it."
"This is a massive blow to Labour and their LibDems allies on the council. Only the Conservatives warned against Unitary and voted against Unitary. The next time a resident can't get bushes cut back, or street signs repaired, or community centres refurbished because of council cutbacks, they ought to remember the vast amount of money wasted on Labour's political Unitary project."
"Norwich should never have put this bid in - we know it, the County Council know it, the civil servants know it, the Minister knows it. Will they have the guts to back up their instincts and reject the Unitary bid or will Labour do a dodgy-deal with their pals in Westminster to get this expensive, dangerous and flawed project through?"
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Ming Campbell is "completely divorced from reality"
Of all the stupid policies currently hanging around the necks of LibDem candidates and councillors around the country there can be nothing more stupid than today's so-called radical plan to build 1,000,000 new homes over 10 years.
Apparently this will be done by getting council's to buy land from farmers at a knock down price, give it planning permission and then sell it onto developers (at a profit). Can anyone see the problem with this cunning plan? Which farmer is actually going to do it?
The Country Land and Business Association has described Sir Ming's scheme as "completely divorced from reality". President David Fursdon said the system was "open to so much abuse" as councils would be deciding whether to grant permission for schemes that would make them huge sums of money. "And why is it that it's OK for the local authority to do something on the land when it's not for the private landowner?"
So now everyone who lives near farm land better ask their local LibDems if they plan to plonk houses on them. A bad idea from an increasingly desperate leader of an increasingly desperate party.
Apparently this will be done by getting council's to buy land from farmers at a knock down price, give it planning permission and then sell it onto developers (at a profit). Can anyone see the problem with this cunning plan? Which farmer is actually going to do it?
The Country Land and Business Association has described Sir Ming's scheme as "completely divorced from reality". President David Fursdon said the system was "open to so much abuse" as councils would be deciding whether to grant permission for schemes that would make them huge sums of money. "And why is it that it's OK for the local authority to do something on the land when it's not for the private landowner?"
So now everyone who lives near farm land better ask their local LibDems if they plan to plonk houses on them. A bad idea from an increasingly desperate leader of an increasingly desperate party.
What are we scrutinising?
I have said before that Scrutiny is one of the most important functions of the council, keeping track of the actions of the all-powerful Executive Committee.
Having attended some scrutiny training tonight, I'm not quite sure.
Apparently there are such restrictions about what we can scrutinise, when we can scrutinise, what we should scrutinise ... it hardly seems worth it. If the Executive makes a stupid decision we can't call it in for scrutiny unless they break the policy guidelines (which they or the government set!) and everything must be justified in terms of achievement. Scrutiny should be there for detailed work but I also think that just stopping to think twice is a good function in itself is important. But, no...
So what can we actually do - are we checks and balances or are we there simply to help further the work of the executive?
We then had one of the longest meetings I have ever known, bickering amongst ourselves over which of several rather sidelined topics we should scrutinise.
I hope whichever we end up picking (decision still not made) good ones and making the best of what the government gives us. One thing is for sure, I have an interest in making bad policy work for the people of Norwich, but I sure won't try and make it work for the Norwich Labour Party!
Having attended some scrutiny training tonight, I'm not quite sure.
Apparently there are such restrictions about what we can scrutinise, when we can scrutinise, what we should scrutinise ... it hardly seems worth it. If the Executive makes a stupid decision we can't call it in for scrutiny unless they break the policy guidelines (which they or the government set!) and everything must be justified in terms of achievement. Scrutiny should be there for detailed work but I also think that just stopping to think twice is a good function in itself is important. But, no...
So what can we actually do - are we checks and balances or are we there simply to help further the work of the executive?
We then had one of the longest meetings I have ever known, bickering amongst ourselves over which of several rather sidelined topics we should scrutinise.
I hope whichever we end up picking (decision still not made) good ones and making the best of what the government gives us. One thing is for sure, I have an interest in making bad policy work for the people of Norwich, but I sure won't try and make it work for the Norwich Labour Party!
Jim Cushing - Rest in Peace
Nobody can fail to have been shocked and saddened by the news of Jim Cushings death - stabbed in a quiet residential street in Clover Hill, Bowthorpe. Harris Mews and Yaxley Way are amongst the nicest streets in the area and I have always felt that it has a nice community feel to it. It is certainly one of the places where kids are always playing on the street and people will cross the road to speak to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim Cushing's family tonight and also to another resident who was injured in the attack.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Britain's got something...
I am loving ITV's Britain's Got Talent programmes at the moment - it is just pleasing to know that so many people can do so much that is good and talented, and that so many people believe they can do something good and talented. Who can fail to have been moved by the mobile phone salesman turned opera singer? Or laugh at the dog who sings to Crazy Frog? Or fall off the sofa at the magician with two ducks...
This programme is from the stable of Simon Cowell and is brilliant television. A form of reality TV that doesn't involve humiliation, swearing, indecent behaviour or a blatant quest for fame.
The contestants and judges deserve much praise - and also well done to ITV for finally producing something worth watching!
This programme is from the stable of Simon Cowell and is brilliant television. A form of reality TV that doesn't involve humiliation, swearing, indecent behaviour or a blatant quest for fame.
The contestants and judges deserve much praise - and also well done to ITV for finally producing something worth watching!
Rats and Sinking Ship spring to mind
Cabinet Office Minister Hilary Armstrong, the former Chief Whip, is the latest senior minister to announce that they are quitting the frontline to return to the relative safety of the backbenches.
Like Home Secretary John Reid, she has said that she wants to quit in order to give Brown some wriggle-room with the post-coronation reshuffle. How much room does Brown need? He'll sack a few - hopefully starting with Hewitt - and that will give him the room he needs, especially given two top jobs (Chancellor and DPM) will already be available.
I think there is a little bit of jumping going on here, maybe before Mr Brown has to start pushing!
Like Home Secretary John Reid, she has said that she wants to quit in order to give Brown some wriggle-room with the post-coronation reshuffle. How much room does Brown need? He'll sack a few - hopefully starting with Hewitt - and that will give him the room he needs, especially given two top jobs (Chancellor and DPM) will already be available.
I think there is a little bit of jumping going on here, maybe before Mr Brown has to start pushing!
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Is the Council's Communication Department now directly supporting the campaigning work of Labour Councillors?
Councillor's were surprised yesterday to recieve two copies of the same Norwich City Council press release regarding the environmental standards of new homes in Three Score, Bowthorpe.
The first was the standard press release copy sent to the media, councillors, senior council officers and others.
The second was a carbon copy of the first, with the exception of one thing ... the addition of this line:
Further to the below email, Bowthorpe councillor Brenda Ferris is available for comment on XXXXX XXX XXX. Thanks
This is a bizarre move - normally all the material the council wishes to give is in the press release and no further comment is made. On Norfolk County Council Press Releases the contact details for all 4 party spokesman are given in order to be fair. Normally Norwich give contact details of nobody to be fair.
Yet on this important story regarding Bowthorpe, a decision was made to encourage the press to contact a specific councillor for more comment - and it just happens that this specific councillor is the sole Labour member for the area. The majority Conservative Councillors were ignored. Neither Cllr Wyatt nor I were contacted.
Was it because of Cllr Ferris being Deputy Leader of the Council? Nope. Look at the wording - it's very clear. Not Deputy Leader Councillor Brenda Ferris, but Bowthorpe Councillor Brenda Ferris.
John and I have now had to ask why this was the case and also for assurances that the Communications Department at City Hall were not "leaned on" over this story. We need to know that press officer were not asked to put in the line in order to get publicity for a Labour councillor in a marginal seat up for election next May. We also want to know how many press releases are followed up with Labour Councillor contact details.
This unfortunately looks very suspicious. The extra e-mail, the inclusion of the local member details and the fact it was only Cllr Ferris should make us think again. We need assurances on this - and fast. Our Communications Department must be, and must be seen to be, pushing the message of the authority not of a political party. The impartiality of local government depends on it.
Of course, the irony is that the EDP who followed the story up today took the quotes from the press release from Cllr Morphew and also those from my own press release which I did off my own back and without the aid of a local government bureaucracy.
The first was the standard press release copy sent to the media, councillors, senior council officers and others.
The second was a carbon copy of the first, with the exception of one thing ... the addition of this line:
Further to the below email, Bowthorpe councillor Brenda Ferris is available for comment on XXXXX XXX XXX. Thanks
This is a bizarre move - normally all the material the council wishes to give is in the press release and no further comment is made. On Norfolk County Council Press Releases the contact details for all 4 party spokesman are given in order to be fair. Normally Norwich give contact details of nobody to be fair.
Yet on this important story regarding Bowthorpe, a decision was made to encourage the press to contact a specific councillor for more comment - and it just happens that this specific councillor is the sole Labour member for the area. The majority Conservative Councillors were ignored. Neither Cllr Wyatt nor I were contacted.
Was it because of Cllr Ferris being Deputy Leader of the Council? Nope. Look at the wording - it's very clear. Not Deputy Leader Councillor Brenda Ferris, but Bowthorpe Councillor Brenda Ferris.
John and I have now had to ask why this was the case and also for assurances that the Communications Department at City Hall were not "leaned on" over this story. We need to know that press officer were not asked to put in the line in order to get publicity for a Labour councillor in a marginal seat up for election next May. We also want to know how many press releases are followed up with Labour Councillor contact details.
This unfortunately looks very suspicious. The extra e-mail, the inclusion of the local member details and the fact it was only Cllr Ferris should make us think again. We need assurances on this - and fast. Our Communications Department must be, and must be seen to be, pushing the message of the authority not of a political party. The impartiality of local government depends on it.
Of course, the irony is that the EDP who followed the story up today took the quotes from the press release from Cllr Morphew and also those from my own press release which I did off my own back and without the aid of a local government bureaucracy.
The Caretaker's Caretaker
One top Norwich LibDem seems to have put his finger on their troubles at the moment. Cllr Cooke was only ever meant to be a caretaker leader until the new talent emerges. Now, I understand, that talent has come forward - with all sides in praise of newly-elected Cllr Wright's first council speech it seems that she is the chosen one.
When I pointed out that she made one good set piece speech and we had yet to see her under fire, thinking on her feet or even proposing a motion that was opposed by any other party, I was told that she would develop and after Cooke goes the LibDems may need another caretaker until she is ready.
So Hereward Cooke was the caretaker's caretaker. It isn't clear who the caretaker is - although Cllr Watkins fits the bill - but it seems that Mr & Mrs Simon Wright may have the whole constituency sown up soon.
It will be interesting to see how those LibDem Councillors, former Councillors and activists who have criticised Mr Wright to me will take the new Cllr Mrs Wright in the future!
When I pointed out that she made one good set piece speech and we had yet to see her under fire, thinking on her feet or even proposing a motion that was opposed by any other party, I was told that she would develop and after Cooke goes the LibDems may need another caretaker until she is ready.
So Hereward Cooke was the caretaker's caretaker. It isn't clear who the caretaker is - although Cllr Watkins fits the bill - but it seems that Mr & Mrs Simon Wright may have the whole constituency sown up soon.
It will be interesting to see how those LibDem Councillors, former Councillors and activists who have criticised Mr Wright to me will take the new Cllr Mrs Wright in the future!
With friends like Judith Lubbock...
It seems that Hereward Cooke's fulsome apology for LibDem lies in the local elections isn't quite what it seems.
For now fellow frontbencher Cllr Judith Lubbock appears to have stabbed him in the front - and said she won't apologise for the LibDem fibs.
She said in the EDP:
“The buck stops with me, and I don't apologise. We can back up what's been put in the literature. If he had [told her he would say sorry], I would have said 'hang on a minute what are you apologising for? I do not want to undermine his position. Hereward, bless him, just thinks you can draw a line under these things. I was responsible for those leaflets and I certainly stand by them. We certainly won't be having any review of our literature.”
So, what do we make of that? Two things really. Firstly that the vicious lies that make up most of the LibDem Focus leaflets will continue with Lubbock in charge. And secondly Cooke's leadership is now pretty much untenable. He lost the trust of his backbenchers ages ago and now it seems that he has lost the trust of his frontbench.
Hereward will, of course, hang on until he can say that he went when he wanted to. But the pressure is on and the LibDems won't have real, clear leadership until he has gone.
For now fellow frontbencher Cllr Judith Lubbock appears to have stabbed him in the front - and said she won't apologise for the LibDem fibs.
She said in the EDP:
“The buck stops with me, and I don't apologise. We can back up what's been put in the literature. If he had [told her he would say sorry], I would have said 'hang on a minute what are you apologising for? I do not want to undermine his position. Hereward, bless him, just thinks you can draw a line under these things. I was responsible for those leaflets and I certainly stand by them. We certainly won't be having any review of our literature.”
So, what do we make of that? Two things really. Firstly that the vicious lies that make up most of the LibDem Focus leaflets will continue with Lubbock in charge. And secondly Cooke's leadership is now pretty much untenable. He lost the trust of his backbenchers ages ago and now it seems that he has lost the trust of his frontbench.
Hereward will, of course, hang on until he can say that he went when he wanted to. But the pressure is on and the LibDems won't have real, clear leadership until he has gone.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Quiz Question
Of a LibDem election leaflet, who said:
"I do apologise"
"It was an embarrassment"
"I am ashamed"
"I had no idea what was going out"
"It should not have been put out in our name"
"I've not heard so much rubbish in all my life"
"If there is anything I have left out I apologise for that as well"
The answer?
Norwich LibDem Leader Cllr Hereward Cooke.
At least he's now said what the rest of us knew all along - the LibDem Focus leaflets are fiction at best and downright lies at worse. You can't just trust a word they say - or write.
"I do apologise"
"It was an embarrassment"
"I am ashamed"
"I had no idea what was going out"
"It should not have been put out in our name"
"I've not heard so much rubbish in all my life"
"If there is anything I have left out I apologise for that as well"
The answer?
Norwich LibDem Leader Cllr Hereward Cooke.
At least he's now said what the rest of us knew all along - the LibDem Focus leaflets are fiction at best and downright lies at worse. You can't just trust a word they say - or write.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Scrutiny Committee Tomorrow
4.30 in the Committee Rooms at City Hall the Scrutiny Committee is meeting to discuss the Draft Best Value Performance Plan.
Greens vote LibDem, Tory votes Labour, Labour won't vote for anyone ... a strange night at the council!
Last night's Full Council meeting was probably the most bizarre - and badly attended - I have ever known.
Labour were short of 5 members, Tories 1 down and the LibDems 1 down. Only the Greens fielded a full team - but in a bizarre twist all of the three big groups had 10 members each.
It was John's first council meeting and his reaction was quite telling. He thought that it addressed some of the big issues that face Norwich but also has the ability to drift off into complete obscurity.
And then the really odd stuff started.
Labour's in-house attack dog Cllr Sands took up a whole speech telling us how 10 years of Labour government had made education worse in Norwich.
Executive Members Cllr Alan Waters and Cllr Steve Morphew agreed that their own government had made a balls up of the NHS and planning.
The Green Party voted for LibDem Chief Cllr Hereward Cooke to be Chair of the Audit Committee ... but only after Cllr Cooke grovelled to council and had to admit his party lied and cheated during the election.
Then I voted for Labour Cllr Keith Driver ... only his own side didn't. It was left with a Conservative councillor being the only person to vote for a Labour committee chair.
Then the LibDems and Greens stitched up a bizarre amendment to a motion that stopped us voting against it.
I'll post my thoughts during the week!
Labour were short of 5 members, Tories 1 down and the LibDems 1 down. Only the Greens fielded a full team - but in a bizarre twist all of the three big groups had 10 members each.
It was John's first council meeting and his reaction was quite telling. He thought that it addressed some of the big issues that face Norwich but also has the ability to drift off into complete obscurity.
And then the really odd stuff started.
Labour's in-house attack dog Cllr Sands took up a whole speech telling us how 10 years of Labour government had made education worse in Norwich.
Executive Members Cllr Alan Waters and Cllr Steve Morphew agreed that their own government had made a balls up of the NHS and planning.
The Green Party voted for LibDem Chief Cllr Hereward Cooke to be Chair of the Audit Committee ... but only after Cllr Cooke grovelled to council and had to admit his party lied and cheated during the election.
Then I voted for Labour Cllr Keith Driver ... only his own side didn't. It was left with a Conservative councillor being the only person to vote for a Labour committee chair.
Then the LibDems and Greens stitched up a bizarre amendment to a motion that stopped us voting against it.
I'll post my thoughts during the week!
Three Score - the Masterplan
Tonight I went to a really useful meeting of the Bowthorpe Community Partnership where the outline plans for the 1200 house Three Score development was debated. There was a lot of good questioning of the planning officers and I have come out quite comfortable with the plan ... remember that this is just the outline plan rather than the details.
I am glad that the roads are wider than in the "old" Three Score development, where there is clear room for parking and also for manoevering cars.
I am glad there ther is a distinction between neighbourhood roads and home zone roads.
I am slightly worried about the lack of play space and the lack of development of the two 0.1acre play space areas.
I am worried that the proposed sheltered housing and small shop plots may get mangled in the development process and may fail to materialise.
I am pleased that the environmental standards are going to be very high.
Comments appreciated - you can view the Masterplan at the Planning Reception, Level 2 at City Hall
I am glad that the roads are wider than in the "old" Three Score development, where there is clear room for parking and also for manoevering cars.
I am glad there ther is a distinction between neighbourhood roads and home zone roads.
I am slightly worried about the lack of play space and the lack of development of the two 0.1acre play space areas.
I am worried that the proposed sheltered housing and small shop plots may get mangled in the development process and may fail to materialise.
I am pleased that the environmental standards are going to be very high.
Comments appreciated - you can view the Masterplan at the Planning Reception, Level 2 at City Hall
Sunday, June 03, 2007
What if Steen is right?
There has been a predictable backlash by a combination of disability rights campaigners, LibDems and the intellectual-left over comments by Tory MP Anthony Steen regarding disabled parking places.
Devon MP Steen was, quite rightly, nicked for parking for 2 days in a disabled space. I am a great believer in the law and it is right that he was fined.
But his so-called defence of his actions was saying that there are too many disabled spaces and not enough for the abled bodies. This looked liked sour grapes and that Mr Steen was trying to get out of trouble. That is sad because it has masked a subject that was discussed recently on Scrutiny Committee at Norwich City Council - are there too many disabled spaces?
From my totally unscientific sample I'd say so - whilst at the same time there being far too few parent spaces (that should be "parent & toddler" spaces - I'm fed up of people with 11 year olds parking next to the door at Sainsbury's whilst Emily and I struggle across the length of the car park).
There was much discussion about St. Giles Car Park where large numbers of disabled spaces stand empty whilst able bodies drivers go round and round looking for gaps. Could the disabled give up a few spaces (not all, but a few) to ease pressure for other people? Or could a few disabled spaces become parents spaces?
In the end, we decided we didn't have enough information to judge but that the council should look into this at some point in the future.
Jumping up and down and shouting at Steen won't make the substantive point go away - we need to ask if there are too many disabled spaces and the disabled lobby won't be taken seriously until they partake in this debate themselves.
Devon MP Steen was, quite rightly, nicked for parking for 2 days in a disabled space. I am a great believer in the law and it is right that he was fined.
But his so-called defence of his actions was saying that there are too many disabled spaces and not enough for the abled bodies. This looked liked sour grapes and that Mr Steen was trying to get out of trouble. That is sad because it has masked a subject that was discussed recently on Scrutiny Committee at Norwich City Council - are there too many disabled spaces?
From my totally unscientific sample I'd say so - whilst at the same time there being far too few parent spaces (that should be "parent & toddler" spaces - I'm fed up of people with 11 year olds parking next to the door at Sainsbury's whilst Emily and I struggle across the length of the car park).
There was much discussion about St. Giles Car Park where large numbers of disabled spaces stand empty whilst able bodies drivers go round and round looking for gaps. Could the disabled give up a few spaces (not all, but a few) to ease pressure for other people? Or could a few disabled spaces become parents spaces?
In the end, we decided we didn't have enough information to judge but that the council should look into this at some point in the future.
Jumping up and down and shouting at Steen won't make the substantive point go away - we need to ask if there are too many disabled spaces and the disabled lobby won't be taken seriously until they partake in this debate themselves.
Church, Lunch, Beach, Garden
Apologies for the lack of posts - I am rather enjoying the post-election period at the moment and we found ourselves drawn along by the weather today. After going to mass at St. George's this morning, we then headed down to the Recruiting Sergeant for one of the best Sunday lunches we've had in a long time! After this we went to Mundesley for a trip to the beach. It was much colder on the North Norfolk coast than in the City so within hours we were back in the garden and finally enjoying the summer.
It's been a very sociable weekend all-in-all - yesterday, following a strategy meeting with the Town Close Conservatives, we had a get together at Dunstan Hall. Beautiful location and great food - although my pint of beer did manage to nearly blow up the bar when the tap went wrong and backfired! In the evening I stepped out with UEA Conservatives past and present - a social to launch their new blog, which can be found here. It is great to have a large and active Tory group at UEA and even better when they are fired up for the elections!
In fact, wherever have I found the time to facebook this weekend???
It's been a very sociable weekend all-in-all - yesterday, following a strategy meeting with the Town Close Conservatives, we had a get together at Dunstan Hall. Beautiful location and great food - although my pint of beer did manage to nearly blow up the bar when the tap went wrong and backfired! In the evening I stepped out with UEA Conservatives past and present - a social to launch their new blog, which can be found here. It is great to have a large and active Tory group at UEA and even better when they are fired up for the elections!
In fact, wherever have I found the time to facebook this weekend???
Thursday, May 31, 2007
News of the World Man to be Tory Communications Chief
I was amused by the triumphant fanfare with which we announced that former NOTW Editor Andy Coulson has been signed up to project Cameron as Communications Director - with a massive salery and open season on Tory strategy (read more here).
Great work - another man in the Cameron big tent, although I do hope he has more success in this job than he did in the last!
Great work - another man in the Cameron big tent, although I do hope he has more success in this job than he did in the last!
Realities of the Bus Service
Today we had a meeting with the new Managing Director of First Bus and had an interesting conversation about the state of the service in Norwich. The buses are a hot political topic and I defy any councillors (probably nationwide!) not to have complained about the service in their community. Certainly there are lots of problems in Bowthorpe and Earlham - frequency has improved but the 40 min trip to the City and the lack of punctuality are big issues.
However, the first thing that the MD pointed out, quite rightly, is that the bus service is a business not a public service. He said that many routes are not profitable and gave us some stark statistics on the costs of running a service. It was a frank exchange of views and I think the best thing to come from this is a much clearer understanding of each other's positions.
He also let us know about First's customer contract and said that people should complain if they recieve sub-standard service ... and will be compensated.
I was pleased to learn more about the truth behind the bus service and will put the First customer contract on here when I get it to help people out. The MD has also promised to make himself available to local people more. He was clearly a committed and very competent man and I look forward to working with him in the future, as a member of the council bus scrutiny committee.
However, the first thing that the MD pointed out, quite rightly, is that the bus service is a business not a public service. He said that many routes are not profitable and gave us some stark statistics on the costs of running a service. It was a frank exchange of views and I think the best thing to come from this is a much clearer understanding of each other's positions.
He also let us know about First's customer contract and said that people should complain if they recieve sub-standard service ... and will be compensated.
I was pleased to learn more about the truth behind the bus service and will put the First customer contract on here when I get it to help people out. The MD has also promised to make himself available to local people more. He was clearly a committed and very competent man and I look forward to working with him in the future, as a member of the council bus scrutiny committee.
Norwich LibDems: On strike?
News from one committee today is that of fuming LibDem Councillors fed up with Labour and the Greens voting for each other to be the Chair and/or Vice-Chairs of those groups. I'm sure this will fuel the LibDem suspicion of a secret pact between Morphew and Ramsay.
However it is worth noting that the LibDem Councillors didn't propose or second each other and they sat on their hands when it came to voting. A childish act of spiting oneself or are the LibDems now on strike? A little birdie tells me they cannot fill all of their committee places either. Hmmmm.
However it is worth noting that the LibDem Councillors didn't propose or second each other and they sat on their hands when it came to voting. A childish act of spiting oneself or are the LibDems now on strike? A little birdie tells me they cannot fill all of their committee places either. Hmmmm.
Our New Hobbies
The reason for my lack of posts is that I cannot grapple the laptop away from my wife - well, I say wife but I really mean a woman who inhabits the house and surfs on facebook all day.
This cannot come at a worse time, because now I am spending all day and night thinking about Big Brother. Oh, the shame.
This cannot come at a worse time, because now I am spending all day and night thinking about Big Brother. Oh, the shame.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Political Scrutiny
Scrutiny Committee is one of the most powerful tools in the checks and balances on the executive in councils. It gives a wide range of councillors the chance to inspect policy at close detail, to question key officers and to analyse and probe the workings of the authority. I have been very impressed by the work of the scrutiny committee (on which I serve) and think it has a big role especially in a hung council. Scrutiny matters and, thus, the Chair of Scrutiny matters.
Last year it was held by now-former Councillor Ian Couzens who took on the role as he was then Leader of the Opposition. (It, in my view, really needs to be an opposition councillor doing the job because as Chair of Scrutiny you set the agenda and if the Chair was the same colour as the administration they may not be as vigerous in keeping tabs on their work). Even after the new leadership of Hereward Cooke took over, Ian kept his position and did a good job.
So you might image that this year Hereward would step into the role as Leader of the Opposition. Not so. Apparently the Opposition Leader has no right to the job.
On Tory run authorities in Norfolk they are changing the rules so that Conservatives Chair scrutiny and sideline our opponents - so in Broadland an Independent Councillor will do it instead of the LibDems. I will be honest and say that I do not favour this as I don't think it aids democracy and accountability very well.
Anyway, here in Norwich the LibDems have lost the Chairmanship of Scrutiny and it has been given to the Greens, whom Steve Morphew described in today's EDP as being "more honest".
Now the LibDems can't seem to walk anywhere in Norwich without getting a smack in the mouth by a garden rake. A few years back they gained control with a massive swing and controlled the council with a big majority and a lot of goodwill. They seemed odds-on to oust Clarke and seemed to be motoring.
Now they are reduced to a rump of councillors, with many of them predicted to lose their seats next time around. They are split from top to bottom over their Council Leadership as well as their controversial choice of PPC for Norwich South. Their campaigning has gone into meltdown and they seem to pose no threat to anyone at the moment. So losing the Chair of Scrutiny must seem like being slapped with a wet fish, whilst you're down.
Instead, bright eyed Green Councillor Claire Stephenson steps in the ring - apparently saying that Scrutiny will look at things through Green eyes now. I do hope that isn't the start of the party politics on Scrutiny. We have enough of that on council without it dripping into committee too. Claire is intelligent, hard working and popular - I'm sure she'll do a good job and the mark of that is keeping her own side under control too! So watch out, Cllr Ramsay.
Now Labour justify this decision by saying that the LibDems are two-faced, lied in their election material (when don't they???) and cannot be trusted to Chair such an important committee.
According to the EDP battle lines are now drawn between Labour and the LibDems. My advice would be thus. To Cooke, the LibDems squaring up to Labour is like a 4 year old taking on a nightclub bouncer at the moment. Don't bother, bide your time. To Ramsay, make sure your party is being politically plundered by Labour ... sometimes power isn't worth selling yourself out for. To Morphew, let's keep a good natured co-operation good for a while longer.
NOC is going to be even more interesting this year...
Last year it was held by now-former Councillor Ian Couzens who took on the role as he was then Leader of the Opposition. (It, in my view, really needs to be an opposition councillor doing the job because as Chair of Scrutiny you set the agenda and if the Chair was the same colour as the administration they may not be as vigerous in keeping tabs on their work). Even after the new leadership of Hereward Cooke took over, Ian kept his position and did a good job.
So you might image that this year Hereward would step into the role as Leader of the Opposition. Not so. Apparently the Opposition Leader has no right to the job.
On Tory run authorities in Norfolk they are changing the rules so that Conservatives Chair scrutiny and sideline our opponents - so in Broadland an Independent Councillor will do it instead of the LibDems. I will be honest and say that I do not favour this as I don't think it aids democracy and accountability very well.
Anyway, here in Norwich the LibDems have lost the Chairmanship of Scrutiny and it has been given to the Greens, whom Steve Morphew described in today's EDP as being "more honest".
Now the LibDems can't seem to walk anywhere in Norwich without getting a smack in the mouth by a garden rake. A few years back they gained control with a massive swing and controlled the council with a big majority and a lot of goodwill. They seemed odds-on to oust Clarke and seemed to be motoring.
Now they are reduced to a rump of councillors, with many of them predicted to lose their seats next time around. They are split from top to bottom over their Council Leadership as well as their controversial choice of PPC for Norwich South. Their campaigning has gone into meltdown and they seem to pose no threat to anyone at the moment. So losing the Chair of Scrutiny must seem like being slapped with a wet fish, whilst you're down.
Instead, bright eyed Green Councillor Claire Stephenson steps in the ring - apparently saying that Scrutiny will look at things through Green eyes now. I do hope that isn't the start of the party politics on Scrutiny. We have enough of that on council without it dripping into committee too. Claire is intelligent, hard working and popular - I'm sure she'll do a good job and the mark of that is keeping her own side under control too! So watch out, Cllr Ramsay.
Now Labour justify this decision by saying that the LibDems are two-faced, lied in their election material (when don't they???) and cannot be trusted to Chair such an important committee.
According to the EDP battle lines are now drawn between Labour and the LibDems. My advice would be thus. To Cooke, the LibDems squaring up to Labour is like a 4 year old taking on a nightclub bouncer at the moment. Don't bother, bide your time. To Ramsay, make sure your party is being politically plundered by Labour ... sometimes power isn't worth selling yourself out for. To Morphew, let's keep a good natured co-operation good for a while longer.
NOC is going to be even more interesting this year...
The minutes will never really show this moment of absolute LibDem stupidity
The keen eyed amongst you will have spotted a moment of absolute political stupidity amongst the pomp and ceremony of last Tuesday's "Mayoral Making" at City Hall.
In amongst the hats, tights, men in wigs and newly elected Tory Councillors (a-hem!) there is a nasty bit of politics during which the council votes for a new Leader of the Council and then his (or her) Executive.
Who wasn't paying attention at a key moment, then? For just as Cllr Morph is up for a second year in the tob job, the Labour Councillors all duly vote the right way. The Greens and Tories sit firmly on their hands and then suddenly ... up pops the hand of one Cllr Hereward Cooke, the LibDem Leader.
The councillors suddenly double-take - was Cooke voting for Morphew to be Council Leader? In either a daze or too embarrassed to rectify the mistake, Cooke keeps his hand up and a handful of his backbenchers (who either aren't paying attention or resemble sheep) also vote for Morph. There were at least 5 - and maybe more.
Are the LibDems split over the future Council Leadership or did their Leader take his eye off the ball at what can be considered one of the more important moments of the civic year?
At best this will be remembered fondly as an error of judgement, but at worst every time his criticises Labour at a Council meeting I am sure some kindly soul will remind Cllr Cooke that he put Morph into power.
Moments after this incident, the LibDems then en masse abstained over the executive. Or maybe Cllr Cooke wanted Morph but not the rest of the Labour crew!
The mumblings over Cooke's leadership continue and this will not have helped. One LibDem Councillor fumed after the meeting that Norwich now had its very own Sir Ming Campbell.
Oh dear.
In amongst the hats, tights, men in wigs and newly elected Tory Councillors (a-hem!) there is a nasty bit of politics during which the council votes for a new Leader of the Council and then his (or her) Executive.
Who wasn't paying attention at a key moment, then? For just as Cllr Morph is up for a second year in the tob job, the Labour Councillors all duly vote the right way. The Greens and Tories sit firmly on their hands and then suddenly ... up pops the hand of one Cllr Hereward Cooke, the LibDem Leader.
The councillors suddenly double-take - was Cooke voting for Morphew to be Council Leader? In either a daze or too embarrassed to rectify the mistake, Cooke keeps his hand up and a handful of his backbenchers (who either aren't paying attention or resemble sheep) also vote for Morph. There were at least 5 - and maybe more.
Are the LibDems split over the future Council Leadership or did their Leader take his eye off the ball at what can be considered one of the more important moments of the civic year?
At best this will be remembered fondly as an error of judgement, but at worst every time his criticises Labour at a Council meeting I am sure some kindly soul will remind Cllr Cooke that he put Morph into power.
Moments after this incident, the LibDems then en masse abstained over the executive. Or maybe Cllr Cooke wanted Morph but not the rest of the Labour crew!
The mumblings over Cooke's leadership continue and this will not have helped. One LibDem Councillor fumed after the meeting that Norwich now had its very own Sir Ming Campbell.
Oh dear.
The secret of a successful blog is to update it regularly
... which I haven't been able to manage myself. Anyway, after last week's sheer amadness and a brief but very enjoyable holiday in North Norfolk I am back into the blog.
I learnt with some sadness of the demise of LibDem Voice today - a kind of poor man's ConservativeHome. I think all parties need these sort of sites but I have said before that LDV was too-loyal and spouted a lot of the cheery LibDem optimism that the rest of us hate - we're the real opposition, blah, blah, we actually won the 2007 election but nobody noticed, blah, blah, we're not sinking in the polls at all, blah, blah ... I advised that it started to really debate the issues in their party and people would accept a broad church at work rather than try to exploit divisions (rather like CH.com does rather well). Anyway, whatever its merits it will be missed even by rampant Tories like me!
I learnt with some sadness of the demise of LibDem Voice today - a kind of poor man's ConservativeHome. I think all parties need these sort of sites but I have said before that LDV was too-loyal and spouted a lot of the cheery LibDem optimism that the rest of us hate - we're the real opposition, blah, blah, we actually won the 2007 election but nobody noticed, blah, blah, we're not sinking in the polls at all, blah, blah ... I advised that it started to really debate the issues in their party and people would accept a broad church at work rather than try to exploit divisions (rather like CH.com does rather well). Anyway, whatever its merits it will be missed even by rampant Tories like me!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Cameron's Grammar Fightback
I have just recieved this e-mail from David Cameron trying to put thr Grammar School issue to bed. You might see this as desperate, you might see it as bold ... but I think what the general tone says about Cameron is what counts. I like what he has to say and I like how he says it. Bravo.
Last week, the newspapers were convulsed by a debate about something that the Conservative Party did not do when it was last in office; will not do when it is next in office, and even if it did do it - would almost certainly see it reversed. That's why I described the debate about bringing back grammar schools as pointless.
National selection was abolished because it was deeply unpopular with parents, who didn't want their children to be divided into successes and failures at the age of eleven. That's why in eighteen years of Conservative Government, neither Margaret Thatcher nor John Major created grammar schools. That's why Conservative MPs and candidates in areas without grammar schools do not campaign for them to be brought back.
If they did, parents would be left asking what happens to the large majority of children who don't make the grade - and those parents would be right. Far from being some winning slogan, a pledge to build more grammar schools would be an electoral albatross. That's why Labour want to hang it round our neck. They know it keeps us from joining and leading the real debate over their failure on standards, discipline and opportunity for all.
There is a kind of hopelessness about the demand to 'bring back' grammars, an assumption that this country will only ever be able to offer a decent education to a select few. I want the Conservative Party to rise above that attitude. It cannot be the limit of our ambition for some children to get a decent education; any party aspiring to government must aim to ensure a decent education for every single child. We will never be taken seriously by parents - never convince them that we're on their side and share their aspirations for their children - if we splash around in the shallow end of the educational debate, clinging on to outdated mantras that bear no relation to the reality of life today.
Parents want us to do something about the shocking standards in many of our three thousand secondary schools, not tie ourselves in knots over a grammar schools policy. This is a key test for our Party. Does it want to be a serious force for government and change, or does it want to be a right-wing debating society muttering about what might have been?
A serious party must understand the widespread crisis in education today and respond with a scale of ambition that is appropriate to the challenge. Behind the government's propaganda, it is clear that on literacy, numeracy, discipline, behaviour, we're falling way short of what we need. The challenge for our Party is to tackle educational under-achievement across the board.
When it comes to encouraging excellence, of course it's true that grammar schools can provide a ladder of opportunity for some - but far too few. We need to be the party of aspiration and opportunity for all. With Gordon Brown as our opponent, we can claim that vital territory. He still believes in a know-your-place society where state largesse, not personal responsibility, determine your future. That's not the Conservative approach, and that's why we're doing the serious thinking about how we produce an education reform plan that actually works.
That means no more confusion of ends and means. Every true Conservative believes in aspiration and opportunity for all. But that belief has been obscured by an outdated attachment to a few schools which deliver aspiration and opportunity to some.
I couldn't have put it better myself!
Last week, the newspapers were convulsed by a debate about something that the Conservative Party did not do when it was last in office; will not do when it is next in office, and even if it did do it - would almost certainly see it reversed. That's why I described the debate about bringing back grammar schools as pointless.
National selection was abolished because it was deeply unpopular with parents, who didn't want their children to be divided into successes and failures at the age of eleven. That's why in eighteen years of Conservative Government, neither Margaret Thatcher nor John Major created grammar schools. That's why Conservative MPs and candidates in areas without grammar schools do not campaign for them to be brought back.
If they did, parents would be left asking what happens to the large majority of children who don't make the grade - and those parents would be right. Far from being some winning slogan, a pledge to build more grammar schools would be an electoral albatross. That's why Labour want to hang it round our neck. They know it keeps us from joining and leading the real debate over their failure on standards, discipline and opportunity for all.
There is a kind of hopelessness about the demand to 'bring back' grammars, an assumption that this country will only ever be able to offer a decent education to a select few. I want the Conservative Party to rise above that attitude. It cannot be the limit of our ambition for some children to get a decent education; any party aspiring to government must aim to ensure a decent education for every single child. We will never be taken seriously by parents - never convince them that we're on their side and share their aspirations for their children - if we splash around in the shallow end of the educational debate, clinging on to outdated mantras that bear no relation to the reality of life today.
Parents want us to do something about the shocking standards in many of our three thousand secondary schools, not tie ourselves in knots over a grammar schools policy. This is a key test for our Party. Does it want to be a serious force for government and change, or does it want to be a right-wing debating society muttering about what might have been?
A serious party must understand the widespread crisis in education today and respond with a scale of ambition that is appropriate to the challenge. Behind the government's propaganda, it is clear that on literacy, numeracy, discipline, behaviour, we're falling way short of what we need. The challenge for our Party is to tackle educational under-achievement across the board.
When it comes to encouraging excellence, of course it's true that grammar schools can provide a ladder of opportunity for some - but far too few. We need to be the party of aspiration and opportunity for all. With Gordon Brown as our opponent, we can claim that vital territory. He still believes in a know-your-place society where state largesse, not personal responsibility, determine your future. That's not the Conservative approach, and that's why we're doing the serious thinking about how we produce an education reform plan that actually works.
That means no more confusion of ends and means. Every true Conservative believes in aspiration and opportunity for all. But that belief has been obscured by an outdated attachment to a few schools which deliver aspiration and opportunity to some.
I couldn't have put it better myself!
City and County
After last night's excitement, and with Emily safely tucked away at Nanny and Grandad's house, Louise and I decided to enjoy some time together and go out for breakfast. Norwich at 10am on a Sunday is a strange but pleasant experience. I am a city-boy ... I need the buzz of City life and love the fact that Norwich is always busy. But this morning it was so quiet - almost disturbing but actually quite relaxing. We managed time round the shops, bumped into friends around the book shops (how did we manage without coffee shops inside book shops?!?) and ate breakfast without having cereal pinged at either of us.
After lunch, we picked up Emily (and of course, the ever-ready Auntie Katie) and headed out to the contrasting quiet of the county to travel in style, via firstly a small wooden motorised boat (yes... it did just cope with my weight) and then miniture steam railways. Emily, of course, loved it and thought it was Thomas the Tank Engine. Olivia ... well, just slept.
We are very lucky to live in a county like Norfolk with so much to do ... who ever said I'd be bored after the election finished? Last weekend we went to little Chloe's christening down in Kent and next weekend Lousie and I are away again! This week is the AGM of the Council, first meeting of Scrutiny, post-OFSTED party and the Notre Dame VI Form Leavers Dinner. Don't expect much blogging...
After lunch, we picked up Emily (and of course, the ever-ready Auntie Katie) and headed out to the contrasting quiet of the county to travel in style, via firstly a small wooden motorised boat (yes... it did just cope with my weight) and then miniture steam railways. Emily, of course, loved it and thought it was Thomas the Tank Engine. Olivia ... well, just slept.
We are very lucky to live in a county like Norfolk with so much to do ... who ever said I'd be bored after the election finished? Last weekend we went to little Chloe's christening down in Kent and next weekend Lousie and I are away again! This week is the AGM of the Council, first meeting of Scrutiny, post-OFSTED party and the Notre Dame VI Form Leavers Dinner. Don't expect much blogging...
Now that's what I call a Tory Party!
Conservative Party get-together's seemed to enter into a strange new world this week, with the Norwich Conservatives "Thank You" Party taking place. Normal levels of decorum and sipping of sherry was shelved, to be replaced with the sound of heavy-duty boozing, raucous laughter and kebabs setting on fire.
It was great that so many of the team could make the party - I have to say I did a mean BBQ, although I was shocked that wooden kebab sticks can so easily set on fire if you leave them on top of a flame! Equally shocking was how often the high winds put out my gorgeous BBQ ... still, that's what an oven is for. The food was fantastic and, depsite my efforts to poision Norwich's fastest growing political party, we seem to have survived.
We were very pleased that special guest David Tenant (i.e. Eaton ward's very own Niall Baxter) could pop in and delight so many people ... if that's what Niall is like sober, it's probably best he doesn't drink! Gone midnight, we still lay around putting the world to rights - although we never managed to come to a conclusion regarding certain potential bikini models ;-)
My house was only just big enough (with the garden) to hold in the enthusiasm and everyone is looking forward to next year with great promise. The canvassing starts again on Monday (hint to other Tory organisers: don't try to print canvass cards late at night and after that much wine).
Amazingly the damage didn't seem too bad - just one massive stain and maybe, in time, that will fade!
One thing I would urge Cameron to remember is that the best thing about the Conservative Party are the people that make it up. I'm really proud to be leading the Norwich association at this time, and last night may just have been the start of the '09 springboard...
It was great that so many of the team could make the party - I have to say I did a mean BBQ, although I was shocked that wooden kebab sticks can so easily set on fire if you leave them on top of a flame! Equally shocking was how often the high winds put out my gorgeous BBQ ... still, that's what an oven is for. The food was fantastic and, depsite my efforts to poision Norwich's fastest growing political party, we seem to have survived.
We were very pleased that special guest David Tenant (i.e. Eaton ward's very own Niall Baxter) could pop in and delight so many people ... if that's what Niall is like sober, it's probably best he doesn't drink! Gone midnight, we still lay around putting the world to rights - although we never managed to come to a conclusion regarding certain potential bikini models ;-)
My house was only just big enough (with the garden) to hold in the enthusiasm and everyone is looking forward to next year with great promise. The canvassing starts again on Monday (hint to other Tory organisers: don't try to print canvass cards late at night and after that much wine).
Amazingly the damage didn't seem too bad - just one massive stain and maybe, in time, that will fade!
One thing I would urge Cameron to remember is that the best thing about the Conservative Party are the people that make it up. I'm really proud to be leading the Norwich association at this time, and last night may just have been the start of the '09 springboard...
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The Real Face of Unitary: Cuts, Layoffs and Fewer Services
Norfolk County Council has apparently gone over the Norwich City Council Business Case for the Unitary bid. They say that the figures do add up - but only if social services jobs are cut, library hours will be slashed and certain services will not survive after the reorganisation.
Interetingly enough, Labour Leader Steve Morphew says staff would not be sacked but would go through natural wasteage.
Hang on - he doesn't deny that the Unitary Council would need less staff and would need to scale down services. He just says we'd wait for people to quit or retire rather than being sacked.
Unitary status will mean job losses and fewer services - be assured of it.
Interetingly enough, Labour Leader Steve Morphew says staff would not be sacked but would go through natural wasteage.
Hang on - he doesn't deny that the Unitary Council would need less staff and would need to scale down services. He just says we'd wait for people to quit or retire rather than being sacked.
Unitary status will mean job losses and fewer services - be assured of it.
Councillors Allowances
The press has been all over the hikes in Councillors Allowances and Council Leader Cllr Steve Morphew has a piece in the paper today defending the decision (at least, I think it was a defence...)
I have raised this issue before. Councillors get paid a pittance for the amount of work we actually do. If we continue to pay so little then I am not surprised that people are unwilling to shelve the rest of the their lives and take time off work to do it. I know that the vast majority of councillors do it for their communities, but we need to make sure that nobody is out of pocket by being a Councillor.
However ... allowances are one of those difficult issues to square with the public. How can the council even think about paying ourselves more when cuts are being made across the board and budgets are being squeezed? How can we accept more cash and then tell taxpayers there is no money for them?
Allowances are difficult to juggle and I would be interested in views on what to do about them. How about this - they are set and paid for by an Independent Body, using central government funding, and outside of the control of the council whilst not impacting on local services?
I have raised this issue before. Councillors get paid a pittance for the amount of work we actually do. If we continue to pay so little then I am not surprised that people are unwilling to shelve the rest of the their lives and take time off work to do it. I know that the vast majority of councillors do it for their communities, but we need to make sure that nobody is out of pocket by being a Councillor.
However ... allowances are one of those difficult issues to square with the public. How can the council even think about paying ourselves more when cuts are being made across the board and budgets are being squeezed? How can we accept more cash and then tell taxpayers there is no money for them?
Allowances are difficult to juggle and I would be interested in views on what to do about them. How about this - they are set and paid for by an Independent Body, using central government funding, and outside of the control of the council whilst not impacting on local services?
Thank God! It's Prime Minister Brown...
I must admit I was never seriously worried about Brown losing his 13-year long bid to be Labour Leader until I had drinks with a group of Norwich Labour Councillors the other day. They pretty much backed the anyone-but-Brown candidate ... but now it doesn't look like they'll have one! And thank God for that!
The Conservatives need Gordon Brown ... he'll keep the keys to No.10 warm for Mr Cameron!
The Conservatives need Gordon Brown ... he'll keep the keys to No.10 warm for Mr Cameron!
West Earlham Traffic Calming: Your Views?
At a residents meeting tonight, in Bowthorpe, there was loud criticism of the new road traffic calming in West Earlham. I was told that it damaged cars, didn't slow down traffic and disturbed the journey for disabled people.
During the recent campaign, the people I spoke to were very pleased with the result of the traffic calming and the only complaints were that certain streets were not included (like Enfield Road).
Let me say this clearly - I am not necessarily in favour of road humps as a method of traffic calming. They are often bad for the environment and can often be bad for people who are disabled or have back problems. I am usually more keen on changing road shapes and layout as a method of traffic calming. However if local people want something and there is clearly a majority in favour then it should go ahead.
So, has this traffic calming worked or is it a failure?
I'd love to hear your views.
During the recent campaign, the people I spoke to were very pleased with the result of the traffic calming and the only complaints were that certain streets were not included (like Enfield Road).
Let me say this clearly - I am not necessarily in favour of road humps as a method of traffic calming. They are often bad for the environment and can often be bad for people who are disabled or have back problems. I am usually more keen on changing road shapes and layout as a method of traffic calming. However if local people want something and there is clearly a majority in favour then it should go ahead.
So, has this traffic calming worked or is it a failure?
I'd love to hear your views.
Democracy works ... so accept the result
In 2004 I lost Bowthorpe by 14 votes to the sitting Labour member Ron Borrett. I remember feeling absolutely devasted - as anybody who puts the time, energy and feeling into something would. However, like I did, you have to get back up, dust yourself down and get on with the job of campainging for a better community.
I am genuinely saddened by the reaction of the Labour Party to losing Bowthorpe (by 9 votes). They have been very loudly attacking our new Councillor, John Wyatt, and making various empty threats - including changing the boundaries to ensure Labour have a better chance of winning and making legal challenges.
My advise is that Labour should shut up, accept democracy and start talking to people in order to work out why they lost. Sour grapes win no friends.
UPDATE: One of Labour's claims is that John doesn't have anything to do with the ward and nobody knows him. John was standing and campaigning in the area long before any of the current Councillors were even interested in politics! John was the Tory candidate for the area on and off since the 1960s and has ran and organised the ward campaign team since 2002. Enough interest for you?
I am genuinely saddened by the reaction of the Labour Party to losing Bowthorpe (by 9 votes). They have been very loudly attacking our new Councillor, John Wyatt, and making various empty threats - including changing the boundaries to ensure Labour have a better chance of winning and making legal challenges.
My advise is that Labour should shut up, accept democracy and start talking to people in order to work out why they lost. Sour grapes win no friends.
UPDATE: One of Labour's claims is that John doesn't have anything to do with the ward and nobody knows him. John was standing and campaigning in the area long before any of the current Councillors were even interested in politics! John was the Tory candidate for the area on and off since the 1960s and has ran and organised the ward campaign team since 2002. Enough interest for you?
New Obsession Watch: Facebook
A certain young lady (who shall remain anonymous) had led me onto Facebook. She, who unlike my poor long suffering wife doesn't have to stay around to see the consequences, should have known better.
I can't work out what it is for, what use it has or why I love it ... but I do.
I have 12 friends in 24 hours and have spent much of that time stalking people I went to school with.
Ask not what it does for me, but how I coped without it!
I am thinking about starting up a "Bowthorpe Group" on it - but I don't know why.
I can't work out what it is for, what use it has or why I love it ... but I do.
I have 12 friends in 24 hours and have spent much of that time stalking people I went to school with.
Ask not what it does for me, but how I coped without it!
I am thinking about starting up a "Bowthorpe Group" on it - but I don't know why.
Monday, May 14, 2007
How one vote for Eileen Wyatt changed politics in Norwich
We had a friend round for dinner tonight and after a little discussion about the local election results it soon became clear that she may well have swung the whole poll in Norwich - and altered political history too.
You see, she did live in Thorpe Hamlet but very recently moved to Town Close. On the last day that it was legally possible to do so, she changed the electoral roll and did so in order to vote for Conservative candidate Eileen Wyatt, whom she had met and liked, despite normally being a Green Party voter.
Eileen came third and polled 620 votes - a historic high for the Tories in Town Close but a little away from winning. However, in Thorpe Hamlet the Greens lost by one vote and thus failed to become the country's first Green opposition party and thus Ramsay failed to become the first Green Leader of the Opposition.
When this dawned upon us both tonight it really made us think about the importance of a single vote in our democracy. Such tiny and insignificant acts have a huge part to play in shaping our democracy.
So as Cllr Ramsay settles back into the job of not being Leader of the Opposition, he might well curse Eileen Wyatt - a Tory candidate in another ward - who robbed him of the job he wanted!
(*** ps. I know everyone can find a case like this when it goes to a single vote - the EDP recently carried the story of a voter who was planning to vote Green but switched to the LibDems after being bombarded with Green leaflets which he thought was wasteful. But it's still good fun!)
(*** pps. My favourite random vote of the year goes to a lady whom I met when she was on Initial Teacher Training. She spent just a few hours in my company about three years ago - and rewarded the Conservative Party (in this case, Eve Collishaw) with her vote because I was kind to her.)
You see, she did live in Thorpe Hamlet but very recently moved to Town Close. On the last day that it was legally possible to do so, she changed the electoral roll and did so in order to vote for Conservative candidate Eileen Wyatt, whom she had met and liked, despite normally being a Green Party voter.
Eileen came third and polled 620 votes - a historic high for the Tories in Town Close but a little away from winning. However, in Thorpe Hamlet the Greens lost by one vote and thus failed to become the country's first Green opposition party and thus Ramsay failed to become the first Green Leader of the Opposition.
When this dawned upon us both tonight it really made us think about the importance of a single vote in our democracy. Such tiny and insignificant acts have a huge part to play in shaping our democracy.
So as Cllr Ramsay settles back into the job of not being Leader of the Opposition, he might well curse Eileen Wyatt - a Tory candidate in another ward - who robbed him of the job he wanted!
(*** ps. I know everyone can find a case like this when it goes to a single vote - the EDP recently carried the story of a voter who was planning to vote Green but switched to the LibDems after being bombarded with Green leaflets which he thought was wasteful. But it's still good fun!)
(*** pps. My favourite random vote of the year goes to a lady whom I met when she was on Initial Teacher Training. She spent just a few hours in my company about three years ago - and rewarded the Conservative Party (in this case, Eve Collishaw) with her vote because I was kind to her.)
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Compare and Contrast
Compare this thoughful and considered piece from David Cameron to the utterly meaningless pap spouted by Blair today. I know which one I'd rather be in the position of being our Prime Minister.
The "shock" of the Prime Minister's resignation has led to reels of reflective pieces on the last 10 years. Here's mine...
Tax, spend, tax, balme the tories, waste, spend, tax, spin, waste, tax, tax, spin, tax, waste, spend, blame absolutely everyone else but us, tax, waste, tax, spend, waste (continues for 10 long, long, hard years...)
The "shock" of the Prime Minister's resignation has led to reels of reflective pieces on the last 10 years. Here's mine...
Tax, spend, tax, balme the tories, waste, spend, tax, spin, waste, tax, tax, spin, tax, waste, spend, blame absolutely everyone else but us, tax, waste, tax, spend, waste (continues for 10 long, long, hard years...)
Monday, May 07, 2007
The 1997 General Election
I am ashamed to say that I have had the BBC Parliament replay of the 1997 election result on as background noise for most of the day. Well, 14 hours of it, actually. And in between council work, school marking, playing with Emily and feeding Olivia I have caught up on the results from 10 years ago. This was my first election where not only could I vote (and, yes, I voted for Uxbridge's Tory candidate Sir Michael Shersby) but also the first where I showed an interest in campaigning. I remember sitting at home, as an 18 year old, wondering what ever happened to the goold old days.
I look back now and think how totally unexpected that landslide was. After voting, I spent polling day in Hayes & Harlington where the Tories were defending a 56 vote majority (yes, fifty six). That seat went Labour by 13,000 votes (Leadership challenger John McDonnell won it) whilst my own seat of Uxbridge was only just held by 748 votes. Phew! If only I had known, I might have been a few miles north!
A few things have made me think today. First of all, how little has changed with the BBC coverage (Paxo, Dimbleby exactly the same!) but how dated it all looks. The hairstyles, the clothes and the standard of political debate. The Tories spoke in English, rather than soundbite, which was refreshing.
The second thing was knowing the outcomes - knowing what happened to people. Knowing how few of Labour's warm words were to delivered upon.
I wonder how those people jumping up at down at the Royal Albert Hall to repeated versions of "Things Can Only Get Better" feel now?
Surprisingly I felt the Tories took their pounded with good grace and humour. Watching Defence Secretary Michael Portillo, Education Secretary Gillian Shepherd and Trade Secretary Iain Laing being open and honest with interviwers felt good ... "I'm not in government," said Portillo to Paxo, "so the good thing is I don't have to answer questions like that!" Most Tories thought that our length of time in office was the big factor behind the 14% swing against us. How simple it seemed then, and how different now.
Interesting that Dimbleby picked out Hague for leader on the night - and how little interest was played in Clarke, Lilley and Shepherd (all of whom stood).
But most of all, I got the warm sense of somebody who was right all along. I knew, even at aged 18, that this government would turn into the mess it is today. As all those people cheered out John Major, they really thought Blair would save the nation. When they look at the NHS, schools, crime, immigration, levels of tax or pensions I wonder what they think now?
How wrong they were. But why did the nation have to go through 10 years of Blairism to find out? Easy - because we, as a party, drove them to it. We are to blame and we must never drive people into voting Labour again. Cameron, take note.
I look back now and think how totally unexpected that landslide was. After voting, I spent polling day in Hayes & Harlington where the Tories were defending a 56 vote majority (yes, fifty six). That seat went Labour by 13,000 votes (Leadership challenger John McDonnell won it) whilst my own seat of Uxbridge was only just held by 748 votes. Phew! If only I had known, I might have been a few miles north!
A few things have made me think today. First of all, how little has changed with the BBC coverage (Paxo, Dimbleby exactly the same!) but how dated it all looks. The hairstyles, the clothes and the standard of political debate. The Tories spoke in English, rather than soundbite, which was refreshing.
The second thing was knowing the outcomes - knowing what happened to people. Knowing how few of Labour's warm words were to delivered upon.
I wonder how those people jumping up at down at the Royal Albert Hall to repeated versions of "Things Can Only Get Better" feel now?
Surprisingly I felt the Tories took their pounded with good grace and humour. Watching Defence Secretary Michael Portillo, Education Secretary Gillian Shepherd and Trade Secretary Iain Laing being open and honest with interviwers felt good ... "I'm not in government," said Portillo to Paxo, "so the good thing is I don't have to answer questions like that!" Most Tories thought that our length of time in office was the big factor behind the 14% swing against us. How simple it seemed then, and how different now.
Interesting that Dimbleby picked out Hague for leader on the night - and how little interest was played in Clarke, Lilley and Shepherd (all of whom stood).
But most of all, I got the warm sense of somebody who was right all along. I knew, even at aged 18, that this government would turn into the mess it is today. As all those people cheered out John Major, they really thought Blair would save the nation. When they look at the NHS, schools, crime, immigration, levels of tax or pensions I wonder what they think now?
How wrong they were. But why did the nation have to go through 10 years of Blairism to find out? Easy - because we, as a party, drove them to it. We are to blame and we must never drive people into voting Labour again. Cameron, take note.
How can the LibDems stop the wipeout?
As Comrade points out in a comment on a previous thread, if the Council doesn't get Unitary (and thus will elect all-out in 2008) then the Norwich LibDems could well face wipe-out next year because of the electoral cycle they face.
This year cushioned the LibDem collapse because so few of their councillors were facing re-election. However next year is different.
I am unsure if Diane Hume, Felicity Hartley or Diana Lowe will stay on to face their assured electoral crushing in University, Town Close and Mancroft respectivly. They may all stand down and leave new candidates to take the black eye.
There is nobody left who thinks that Thorpe Hamlet can be won next year by the LibDems - the Greens will be working hard on this one by now and the narrow defeat will bring out their support in 2008.
Hereward Cooke is, again, a canny politican and will stand down if he knows the writing is on the wall in Lakenham. This seat is still very, very close and if there is one man who can win it for the yellows then it is Hereward. If he stands down it is lost - if he stays then the quality of the Labour candidate and campaign is vital. However at this moment you have to bet on the LibDems losing this one.
Mile Cross was the biggest LibDem disappointment this year - they lobbed the kitchen sink and nearly all household appliances and still lost by over 300 votes! Carl Mayhew is a much better candidate and campaigner and will stand his ground next year. But again, if Labour get it right then this seat is bound to be lost.
And that leaves Eaton ... a seat where the LibDem majority has been savaged by the Tories. It is their best bet next year but relying on Eaton isn't sensible!
So how can the LibDems change all this? What can they do? I have my own ideas and will write about them in the future. Until then, answers on a postcard (or in the comments section) please!
Worst Case LibDem scenario:
Labour 16 (+1, gains University, Mile Cross, Lakenham)
Green 13 (+3, gains Town Close, Thorpe Hamlet, Mancroft)
LibDem 5 (-6, loses Town Close, Thorpe Hamlet, Mancroft, Uni, Lakenham, Mile Cross)
Cons 5 (+2, Bowthorpe & Catton)
... and that's without Eaton and/or Crome!
This year cushioned the LibDem collapse because so few of their councillors were facing re-election. However next year is different.
I am unsure if Diane Hume, Felicity Hartley or Diana Lowe will stay on to face their assured electoral crushing in University, Town Close and Mancroft respectivly. They may all stand down and leave new candidates to take the black eye.
There is nobody left who thinks that Thorpe Hamlet can be won next year by the LibDems - the Greens will be working hard on this one by now and the narrow defeat will bring out their support in 2008.
Hereward Cooke is, again, a canny politican and will stand down if he knows the writing is on the wall in Lakenham. This seat is still very, very close and if there is one man who can win it for the yellows then it is Hereward. If he stands down it is lost - if he stays then the quality of the Labour candidate and campaign is vital. However at this moment you have to bet on the LibDems losing this one.
Mile Cross was the biggest LibDem disappointment this year - they lobbed the kitchen sink and nearly all household appliances and still lost by over 300 votes! Carl Mayhew is a much better candidate and campaigner and will stand his ground next year. But again, if Labour get it right then this seat is bound to be lost.
And that leaves Eaton ... a seat where the LibDem majority has been savaged by the Tories. It is their best bet next year but relying on Eaton isn't sensible!
So how can the LibDems change all this? What can they do? I have my own ideas and will write about them in the future. Until then, answers on a postcard (or in the comments section) please!
Worst Case LibDem scenario:
Labour 16 (+1, gains University, Mile Cross, Lakenham)
Green 13 (+3, gains Town Close, Thorpe Hamlet, Mancroft)
LibDem 5 (-6, loses Town Close, Thorpe Hamlet, Mancroft, Uni, Lakenham, Mile Cross)
Cons 5 (+2, Bowthorpe & Catton)
... and that's without Eaton and/or Crome!
The Low Expectations of the Norwich LibDems
The Norwich LibDems are celebrating still being the opposition party on the council here and their PPC is looking on the bright side here.
The Council Group seems to have very low expectations of themselves whilst at least the PPC has the ability to (badly) spin the result. I shall post more on this later.
The Council Group seems to have very low expectations of themselves whilst at least the PPC has the ability to (badly) spin the result. I shall post more on this later.
Handbags at Dawn
I am saddened by Steve Morphew’s bad tempered reaction to his party’s defeat at the hands of the Conservatives.
He thinks this is a due to a leaflet put out by Norfolk County Council regarding Unitary status – I am sorry to disappoint Cllr Morphew but Unitary was barely mentioned on the doorstep at all.
However, if he is wondering how Labour has managed to lose what was their safest council seat to the Conservatives two years running, let me offer him the words of a former Labour voter from Bowthorpe who left this comment on this blog:
“Labour did not put any leaflets through doors, so voters didn't really know what the detailed manifesto was. The Conservative leaflet came through most doors setting out the bread and butter issues, unitary was not mentioned.Bowthorpe and Earlham is still riddled by litter, vandalism and graffiti. Labour hasn't done much on the ground to clear this before the election.Bowthorpe and Earlham have been ignored with funding compared to NELM areas.The Labour Candidate hadn't done the groundwork and was relying on the central Labour spin machine. John Wyatt came across as the better candidate who could put the time in, and connected with voters with green issues and being down to earth as an allotment holder.Council Tax was increased by 4.7% by City Labour. Big issue. Too much for pensioners like myself, and double inflation rates. We are not even getting the basic good services like prompt litter cleanups. It takes ages and doesn't always get properly reported by City Halls centralised contact numbers. We are not getting value for money under City Labour, at the moment.I can't see where Steve Morphew wants to go with this, and there is a risk it might backfire on City Labour as a sour grapes party, who sat on their laurels in Bowthorpe, like last year. I think it will further alienate City Labour.”
Perhaps Cllr Morphew should be looking at the performance of his council and his candidates before blaming everyone else for his party’s defeats.
People in Bowthorpe voted for a better candidate who was offering solutions to the problems faced in our community.
He may be happy to spend the next few weeks locked in rooms with lawyers and spin doctors – myself and John Wyatt will on the streets making Bowthorpe a better place to live and work.
UPDATE: I have just recieved a message from Steve saying he wasn't aiming fire at me, or persumably John, personally. Nice to know and I thought I would make that clear - although I feel the advice offered from the former Labour voter above is still valid.
He thinks this is a due to a leaflet put out by Norfolk County Council regarding Unitary status – I am sorry to disappoint Cllr Morphew but Unitary was barely mentioned on the doorstep at all.
However, if he is wondering how Labour has managed to lose what was their safest council seat to the Conservatives two years running, let me offer him the words of a former Labour voter from Bowthorpe who left this comment on this blog:
“Labour did not put any leaflets through doors, so voters didn't really know what the detailed manifesto was. The Conservative leaflet came through most doors setting out the bread and butter issues, unitary was not mentioned.Bowthorpe and Earlham is still riddled by litter, vandalism and graffiti. Labour hasn't done much on the ground to clear this before the election.Bowthorpe and Earlham have been ignored with funding compared to NELM areas.The Labour Candidate hadn't done the groundwork and was relying on the central Labour spin machine. John Wyatt came across as the better candidate who could put the time in, and connected with voters with green issues and being down to earth as an allotment holder.Council Tax was increased by 4.7% by City Labour. Big issue. Too much for pensioners like myself, and double inflation rates. We are not even getting the basic good services like prompt litter cleanups. It takes ages and doesn't always get properly reported by City Halls centralised contact numbers. We are not getting value for money under City Labour, at the moment.I can't see where Steve Morphew wants to go with this, and there is a risk it might backfire on City Labour as a sour grapes party, who sat on their laurels in Bowthorpe, like last year. I think it will further alienate City Labour.”
Perhaps Cllr Morphew should be looking at the performance of his council and his candidates before blaming everyone else for his party’s defeats.
People in Bowthorpe voted for a better candidate who was offering solutions to the problems faced in our community.
He may be happy to spend the next few weeks locked in rooms with lawyers and spin doctors – myself and John Wyatt will on the streets making Bowthorpe a better place to live and work.
UPDATE: I have just recieved a message from Steve saying he wasn't aiming fire at me, or persumably John, personally. Nice to know and I thought I would make that clear - although I feel the advice offered from the former Labour voter above is still valid.
Friday, May 04, 2007
The Result
I'm too tired to set out all my thoughts on this, but here are the results ... Jeremy Hooke, the LibDem who won Thorpe Hamlet by 1 vote last night, stood between me and correctly predicting the whole election!
Bowthorpe - Con GAIN from Labour - Tory John Wyatt takes this traditionally safe Labour seat from backbencher Chrissie Rumsby
Catton Grove - Con hold - Eve Collishaw extends her majority following Labour's negative campaign
Crome - Lab hold - Alan Waters hold off a late challenge from the Tories and does so by some margin
Lakenham - Lab hold - Keith Driver demonstrates his popularity in the ward by stopping a LibDem campaign which looked unstopable
Mancroft - Green hold - An easy win for new boy Tom Dylan, replacing one-year-wonder Steve Altman.
Mile Cross - Lab hold - The rumours of Steve Morphew's political death were rather over-exaggerated ... an easy 300 vote win that will make the LibDems wonder why they bothered.
Nelson - Green hold - Adrian Ramsay just takes the piss with the size of his majority.
Sewell - Lab hold - Julie B-C wins again, helped by the lack of a Norwich-over-the-water candidate. Is this a future Green target?
Thorpe Hamlet - LibDem hold - Thank god Jeremy voted for himself.
Town Close - Green GAIN from LibDem - Long serving Councillor Chris Thomas was left by his party to be slaughtered here - and slaughtered he was.
University - Lab hold - Lord Mayor designate Roy Blower puts this ward as Labour's safest. My word how things have changed in just a few years!
Wensum - Green hold - I just wonder if Rupert gets annoyed that Adrian's is bigger than his (talking majorities, of course...)
Norwich City Council:
Labour 15 (-1)
LibDems 11 (-1)
Greens 10 (+1)
Cons 3 (+1)
More over the weekend!
Bowthorpe - Con GAIN from Labour - Tory John Wyatt takes this traditionally safe Labour seat from backbencher Chrissie Rumsby
Catton Grove - Con hold - Eve Collishaw extends her majority following Labour's negative campaign
Crome - Lab hold - Alan Waters hold off a late challenge from the Tories and does so by some margin
Lakenham - Lab hold - Keith Driver demonstrates his popularity in the ward by stopping a LibDem campaign which looked unstopable
Mancroft - Green hold - An easy win for new boy Tom Dylan, replacing one-year-wonder Steve Altman.
Mile Cross - Lab hold - The rumours of Steve Morphew's political death were rather over-exaggerated ... an easy 300 vote win that will make the LibDems wonder why they bothered.
Nelson - Green hold - Adrian Ramsay just takes the piss with the size of his majority.
Sewell - Lab hold - Julie B-C wins again, helped by the lack of a Norwich-over-the-water candidate. Is this a future Green target?
Thorpe Hamlet - LibDem hold - Thank god Jeremy voted for himself.
Town Close - Green GAIN from LibDem - Long serving Councillor Chris Thomas was left by his party to be slaughtered here - and slaughtered he was.
University - Lab hold - Lord Mayor designate Roy Blower puts this ward as Labour's safest. My word how things have changed in just a few years!
Wensum - Green hold - I just wonder if Rupert gets annoyed that Adrian's is bigger than his (talking majorities, of course...)
Norwich City Council:
Labour 15 (-1)
LibDems 11 (-1)
Greens 10 (+1)
Cons 3 (+1)
More over the weekend!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Vote Conservative today
Norwich has a chance to vote for something completely different today. A chance to reject Labour's negative campaign attacks, the LibDems fiscal incompetence and the Green's fantasy world politics.
A chance to vote for a party that believes in good quality public services at a vlaue-for-money cost.
A chance to vote for a party that is environmental in outlook.
A chance to vote for a party that is serious about cleaning up our neighbourhoods.
A chance to vote for a party that really will tackle anti-social behaviour.
So don't leave the act of participation in our democracy to somebody else - there is a difference between the parties and your vote will count!
Labour, LibDems and the Greens want to raise your tax, the Conservatives will cut it.
Labour, LibDems and the Greens want to shut off the City Centre, the Conservatives will free up our roads and support public transport.
Labour, LibDems and the Greens would waste millions on local government reorganisation, the Conservatives would put that money straight into local services.
Don't say your vote doesn't matter - it does.
Norwich matters to you, and it matters to us.
So take a few moments today ... and vote Conservative.
A chance to vote for a party that believes in good quality public services at a vlaue-for-money cost.
A chance to vote for a party that is environmental in outlook.
A chance to vote for a party that is serious about cleaning up our neighbourhoods.
A chance to vote for a party that really will tackle anti-social behaviour.
So don't leave the act of participation in our democracy to somebody else - there is a difference between the parties and your vote will count!
Labour, LibDems and the Greens want to raise your tax, the Conservatives will cut it.
Labour, LibDems and the Greens want to shut off the City Centre, the Conservatives will free up our roads and support public transport.
Labour, LibDems and the Greens would waste millions on local government reorganisation, the Conservatives would put that money straight into local services.
Don't say your vote doesn't matter - it does.
Norwich matters to you, and it matters to us.
So take a few moments today ... and vote Conservative.
Friday, April 27, 2007
The task for the Norwich LibDems
Charles Clarke will be the man to watch come the next General Election. The odds of him holging onto marginal Norwich South must be evens but there is a long wya to go between then and now. The LibDems are salivating at the chance of winning the seat, but as I canvassed this afternoon and evening in Eaton, the doorstep responses I got clearly demonstrated the 3 great obstacles blocking the LibDem path.
Firstly is that the former Labour vote isn't going en bloc to the LibDems - it seems to be splitting between the two other main parties, and in Eaton village at least mainly to the Conservatives. People still realise that next time the PM will either be Cameron or Brown. The LibDems, despite the rise in bar charts, are still not seem as the natural challengers in the seat.
Secondly the stubborn nature of the Tory vote. The LibDems are ruthlessly targeting the big Tory vote in Norwich South to encourage them to vote tactically. However it seems the Norwich Tory vote isn't in any mood to put a LibDem MP into parliament any more than a Labour one. I cannot image a single Conservative voter I spoke to today voting LibDem, even tactically. In fact, there was much venom saved for the LibDems, particularly because of their disasterous tenure in charge at City Hall.
Thirdly is the creeping Green vote. I used to think the Green vote only existed where their party worked hard. But Ramsay's media strategy must be paying off - they have a healthy vote, even in the bastion of Eaton village. Most of note was the fact that nearlly all the Green voters were ex-LibDem ones.
All this spells trouble for the LibDems and their ill-fated campaign. The Greens and the Tories will rain on their parade and I fear that whilst Ian Couzens may be gone, his shadow looms large over their efforts.
By now the LibDems should have a set place as the clear challengers and a lock down on the tactical vote against Labour. They haven't - and this makes me thik that something is wrong. Is it their party, their record, their campaign or their candidate? I understand some senior LibDems think it may just be all four.
Firstly is that the former Labour vote isn't going en bloc to the LibDems - it seems to be splitting between the two other main parties, and in Eaton village at least mainly to the Conservatives. People still realise that next time the PM will either be Cameron or Brown. The LibDems, despite the rise in bar charts, are still not seem as the natural challengers in the seat.
Secondly the stubborn nature of the Tory vote. The LibDems are ruthlessly targeting the big Tory vote in Norwich South to encourage them to vote tactically. However it seems the Norwich Tory vote isn't in any mood to put a LibDem MP into parliament any more than a Labour one. I cannot image a single Conservative voter I spoke to today voting LibDem, even tactically. In fact, there was much venom saved for the LibDems, particularly because of their disasterous tenure in charge at City Hall.
Thirdly is the creeping Green vote. I used to think the Green vote only existed where their party worked hard. But Ramsay's media strategy must be paying off - they have a healthy vote, even in the bastion of Eaton village. Most of note was the fact that nearlly all the Green voters were ex-LibDem ones.
All this spells trouble for the LibDems and their ill-fated campaign. The Greens and the Tories will rain on their parade and I fear that whilst Ian Couzens may be gone, his shadow looms large over their efforts.
By now the LibDems should have a set place as the clear challengers and a lock down on the tactical vote against Labour. They haven't - and this makes me thik that something is wrong. Is it their party, their record, their campaign or their candidate? I understand some senior LibDems think it may just be all four.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Planning Committee makes the right verdict over Hay Hill
I am pleased that the committee are not just putting this through on the nod and have decided to visit the site and look at all the objections.
This decision has been shrouded with secrecy from its beginnings under the LibDems and it is right that future actions should be taken in the open and with full consultation.
More and more people are casting doubt on the suitability of Hay Hill for this art work. If we must have the art then there are more suitable sites in the City.
I have a few thoughts but suggests would be appreciated!
This decision has been shrouded with secrecy from its beginnings under the LibDems and it is right that future actions should be taken in the open and with full consultation.
More and more people are casting doubt on the suitability of Hay Hill for this art work. If we must have the art then there are more suitable sites in the City.
I have a few thoughts but suggests would be appreciated!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Goldie is the real star of the campaign
Annabel Goldie was the seemingly safe pair of hands chosen by the Scottish Conservatives after the resignation of former leader David McLetchie. Ms Goldie was seen by many to be rather dull and uninspiring - and her leadership had a rocky start. A LibDem friend of mine in Scotland even told me that Goldie was our Ming Campbell!
However, now the campaign in Scotland is almost over many people think that the only person to have come out of this enhanced is the Tory Leader. She has shone on TV debates, won over the anti-Tory media and recieved plaudits for her "bread and butter" election pledges. The Scottish campaign seems to have been run very well this time and I hope the campaigners there feel this on the ground.
Whilst McConnell (Labour's First Minister) and SNP Chief Alex Salmond slug it out, and poor LibDem Thingy Nicol delves further into obscurity, Annabel Goldie has made a name for herself. The media say it, the pundits say it and I hope the voters do. Certainly my friends in Scotland are impressed with her - but are saying they are still undecided. I hope Goldie's honesty and integrity give them cause to vote Conservative on 3rd May.
UPDATE: A text puts me right. They are happy to vote Conservative on the top-up, but as the Conservatives apparently cannot win in their local constituency they are still looking for somebody to vote for! A hand slapping for me, there!
However, now the campaign in Scotland is almost over many people think that the only person to have come out of this enhanced is the Tory Leader. She has shone on TV debates, won over the anti-Tory media and recieved plaudits for her "bread and butter" election pledges. The Scottish campaign seems to have been run very well this time and I hope the campaigners there feel this on the ground.
Whilst McConnell (Labour's First Minister) and SNP Chief Alex Salmond slug it out, and poor LibDem Thingy Nicol delves further into obscurity, Annabel Goldie has made a name for herself. The media say it, the pundits say it and I hope the voters do. Certainly my friends in Scotland are impressed with her - but are saying they are still undecided. I hope Goldie's honesty and integrity give them cause to vote Conservative on 3rd May.
UPDATE: A text puts me right. They are happy to vote Conservative on the top-up, but as the Conservatives apparently cannot win in their local constituency they are still looking for somebody to vote for! A hand slapping for me, there!
A one-horse race?
My thanks to one eagle-eyed resident from Earlham for this gem, which I have reproduced with his permission:
"The article on your blog asked how many horses were in the race to be our Councillor. Only one horse has knocked on my door, only one horse have delivered any leaflets and only one horse has written. That horse is John Wyatt, your candidate! If Labour, the LibDems or the Greens want to win here they don't show it - maybe they are still in the stalls??? As they approach the final furlong, there seems to be a runaway winner. I know Bowthorpe is normally a photo-finish but as far as I am concerned there is only one runner and rider. I say this after years of Labour, but John Wyatt will get my vote next week. Good luck."
"The article on your blog asked how many horses were in the race to be our Councillor. Only one horse has knocked on my door, only one horse have delivered any leaflets and only one horse has written. That horse is John Wyatt, your candidate! If Labour, the LibDems or the Greens want to win here they don't show it - maybe they are still in the stalls??? As they approach the final furlong, there seems to be a runaway winner. I know Bowthorpe is normally a photo-finish but as far as I am concerned there is only one runner and rider. I say this after years of Labour, but John Wyatt will get my vote next week. Good luck."
Manifesto Launch
Just in case you didn't see the excellent coverage of our City Manifesto in the Evening News (who are, for the record, handling these elections quite well) then please do take a look on our Norwich Conservatives site where it can be downloaded in full, or you can read part of my speech to the party.
One elector - from Lakenham - rang to say that having read three manifesto documents (apparently he couldn't find Labour's!) he was voting Tory because ours made most sense. *Blush*
One elector - from Lakenham - rang to say that having read three manifesto documents (apparently he couldn't find Labour's!) he was voting Tory because ours made most sense. *Blush*
The Glamerous Life of the Election Agent
Apart from holidng down a full time job, I have in the last 3 nights spent my time putting up posters, delivering leaflets, bundling up for deliverers, canvassing, printing leaflets, writing to electors and sending e-mails.
But, In the words of a certain former PM, "I'm enjoying this!"
But, In the words of a certain former PM, "I'm enjoying this!"
Friday, April 20, 2007
Candidates - Part II
Catton Grove could prove to be the result of the night. Depsite being a safe-ish Labour seat (the party won it quite easily in 2006), one seat went to Tory Eve Collishaw in 2004 who seeks re-election this year. Miss Collishaw is something of a novelty - a proper Tory in Norwich. She like the incincerator, wants to cut tax and build the NDR. However, few people doubt her dedication and she has added to the life of the council. The ward is an odd shape and nobody really thinks they live in "Catton Grove". Cllr Collishaw is - as I understand from Antony - campaigning hard to win. She is up again Nesar Ahmed - the LibDem candidate who could have done better if his party had taken this seriously a few years back. Green lady Penny Edwards looks to be one of the party's few fourth placed candidates. Labour's candidate this time is Martin Booth. After a bit of research I found out he was Labour's former County Councillor for North Walsham and was on the frontbench during their recent spell in power. Mr Booth's campaign doesn't seem to have taken off, so I predicted a very close Conservative hold.
Crome Ward - Despite being the home of the 2000 Tory gain shock of the night, Crome has since reverted to being as safe a seat for Labour as they have in Norwich. Alan Waters, the man who lost by 4 votes 7 years ago, is the candidate again this year and will be hoping that history doesn't repeat itself as he will have hopes of being Council Leader if Steve Morphew falls in Mile Cross. Green candidate Chris Webb and LibDem Irene Bowling won't be making too much of an effort. But then, you have to question if Tory Kay Mason is either. Current Norwich North Association Chairman Ms Mason was Dr Gibson's challenger in 2001. If this is her reaunch for the next election she may have to wait. Prediction: Labour hold with a slightly reduced majority.
Mile Cross: By far the most exciting ward to follow. Perenial Tory candidate David Mackie and Green Christine Way will be just onlookers in this contest. This seat went LibDem under Vic Elvin (RIP) and Labour has to wrest it back. When Vic passed away, young gun Carl Mayhew disproved the theory that "only Vic can win here". The LibDems are throwing the kitchen sink at this whilst Labour are pulling in activists to try and save their Leader. Leaflets and canvassers are everywhere ... Former LibDem Councillor Simon Nobbs - not the most popular guy but hard working - is setting the pace here but don't write off Cllr Morphew's campaignin and personal vote. If Labour lose this seat they are in real trouble - only because they'll lose the most obvious and best leader they've had in years. Prediction: Too close to call, but at this moment I'd go for a LibDem gain from Labour with a very small majority.
Eaton: This last bastion of a safe LibDem seat is under heavy attack from the Tories this year. With former Leader Ian Couzens standing down, the wife of PPC Simon Wright - Ros Wright - is standing and the Conservatives have the bit between their teeth. They are contrasting Mrs Wright's "parachute" jump into Eaton with their own - Vic Hopes - and his 400 years of service to the area. The Conservatives are certainly delivering more leaflets but you just don't gte the feeling this majority can be overcome in one poll. Labour have former Bowthorpe man Ron Borrett, the Greens have Cllr Janet Bearman's husband Richard and UKIP have South Park man John Wilder standing. LibDems to hold but Tories to cut the majority again. A much better fight to watch in 2007.
Mancroft - Whilst some may right Mancroft off as an easy Green hold, for some reason both Labour and the Tories have chosen to make a fight of it here. Labour's David Fullman (who fought the Town Close by-election in 2005) has been heavily leafletting in the ward whilst Tory new boy Niki George is putitng himself about a bit. Odd thing is that Mr George's leaflets seem not to admit to him being a Conservative ... how well this tactic does is yet to be seen. The LibDems hope that Alan Oliver will win their once safe berth but the general consensus is not. The new Green candidate - Cllr Steve Altman quit after just a year - is Tom Dylan. Mr Dylan is by far the scariest man on a leaflet I have ever seen! But he is odds on the take the seat. Prediction: Green hold
Antony's thoughts... I wouldn't agree with everything here - but I did say I would publish them in full. My personal thought is Morph will hold Mile Cross and that the Tories will come a lot closer in Crome. Tory hold in Catton, Green hold in Mancroft and too-close-to-call in Eaton.
Crome Ward - Despite being the home of the 2000 Tory gain shock of the night, Crome has since reverted to being as safe a seat for Labour as they have in Norwich. Alan Waters, the man who lost by 4 votes 7 years ago, is the candidate again this year and will be hoping that history doesn't repeat itself as he will have hopes of being Council Leader if Steve Morphew falls in Mile Cross. Green candidate Chris Webb and LibDem Irene Bowling won't be making too much of an effort. But then, you have to question if Tory Kay Mason is either. Current Norwich North Association Chairman Ms Mason was Dr Gibson's challenger in 2001. If this is her reaunch for the next election she may have to wait. Prediction: Labour hold with a slightly reduced majority.
Mile Cross: By far the most exciting ward to follow. Perenial Tory candidate David Mackie and Green Christine Way will be just onlookers in this contest. This seat went LibDem under Vic Elvin (RIP) and Labour has to wrest it back. When Vic passed away, young gun Carl Mayhew disproved the theory that "only Vic can win here". The LibDems are throwing the kitchen sink at this whilst Labour are pulling in activists to try and save their Leader. Leaflets and canvassers are everywhere ... Former LibDem Councillor Simon Nobbs - not the most popular guy but hard working - is setting the pace here but don't write off Cllr Morphew's campaignin and personal vote. If Labour lose this seat they are in real trouble - only because they'll lose the most obvious and best leader they've had in years. Prediction: Too close to call, but at this moment I'd go for a LibDem gain from Labour with a very small majority.
Eaton: This last bastion of a safe LibDem seat is under heavy attack from the Tories this year. With former Leader Ian Couzens standing down, the wife of PPC Simon Wright - Ros Wright - is standing and the Conservatives have the bit between their teeth. They are contrasting Mrs Wright's "parachute" jump into Eaton with their own - Vic Hopes - and his 400 years of service to the area. The Conservatives are certainly delivering more leaflets but you just don't gte the feeling this majority can be overcome in one poll. Labour have former Bowthorpe man Ron Borrett, the Greens have Cllr Janet Bearman's husband Richard and UKIP have South Park man John Wilder standing. LibDems to hold but Tories to cut the majority again. A much better fight to watch in 2007.
Mancroft - Whilst some may right Mancroft off as an easy Green hold, for some reason both Labour and the Tories have chosen to make a fight of it here. Labour's David Fullman (who fought the Town Close by-election in 2005) has been heavily leafletting in the ward whilst Tory new boy Niki George is putitng himself about a bit. Odd thing is that Mr George's leaflets seem not to admit to him being a Conservative ... how well this tactic does is yet to be seen. The LibDems hope that Alan Oliver will win their once safe berth but the general consensus is not. The new Green candidate - Cllr Steve Altman quit after just a year - is Tom Dylan. Mr Dylan is by far the scariest man on a leaflet I have ever seen! But he is odds on the take the seat. Prediction: Green hold
Antony's thoughts... I wouldn't agree with everything here - but I did say I would publish them in full. My personal thought is Morph will hold Mile Cross and that the Tories will come a lot closer in Crome. Tory hold in Catton, Green hold in Mancroft and too-close-to-call in Eaton.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
An arrogance that must come to an end
I cannot stand people who arrogantly take the electorate for granted, throughout the year but especially at election time. Maybe I am bias because I spend my life fighting big Labour and LibDem majorities and am used to working hard to get Conservatives elected.
But today I have spoken to three Conservative colleagues, all of whom are up for election this year in various parts of the country. One is going on holiday, one will only deliver a single leaflet and the other only canvasses on Saturday mornings.
Compare that to work that John Wyatt puts in Bowthorpe, Eve Collishaw in Catton Grove or Vic Hopes in Eaton!
Yet all three men will be re-elected with massive majorities - they hold very, very safe seats.
I am sure that all parties have such characters and such arrogance in their ranks.
And who do I blame for this? The opposition. The reason my Tory chums will win again is because in each of their wards the other parties either don't campaign themselves or even don't stand candidates. If Labour or the LibDems made more an an effort, these arrogant Tories may find themselves suddenly a bit more keen to engage with people.
And in Labour heartlands, and safe LibDem seats, where no doubt the same attitude exists amongst their councillors I think the Tories should be taking advantage in the same way.
When one party takes a ward or community for granted, there should always be another campaigner or party ready to take up the challenge of representing people.
But today I have spoken to three Conservative colleagues, all of whom are up for election this year in various parts of the country. One is going on holiday, one will only deliver a single leaflet and the other only canvasses on Saturday mornings.
Compare that to work that John Wyatt puts in Bowthorpe, Eve Collishaw in Catton Grove or Vic Hopes in Eaton!
Yet all three men will be re-elected with massive majorities - they hold very, very safe seats.
I am sure that all parties have such characters and such arrogance in their ranks.
And who do I blame for this? The opposition. The reason my Tory chums will win again is because in each of their wards the other parties either don't campaign themselves or even don't stand candidates. If Labour or the LibDems made more an an effort, these arrogant Tories may find themselves suddenly a bit more keen to engage with people.
And in Labour heartlands, and safe LibDem seats, where no doubt the same attitude exists amongst their councillors I think the Tories should be taking advantage in the same way.
When one party takes a ward or community for granted, there should always be another campaigner or party ready to take up the challenge of representing people.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Judge somebody by their friends
The Conservatives have been looking for a big name defection since Cameron became party leader. So far, certain LibDems have resisted the lure and even the Prince of Darkness Peter Mandelson has been touted (but refused by most sane Tory members).
I am pleased that tomorrow the defection will come in the shape of former Ulster Unionist Leader and peer (Lord) David Trimble. Trimble is the one of the most measured and intelligent politicians of his generation - a nobel prize winner and a man of principle. He is welcome into our party with open arms.
This defection may not surprise those who know Trimble closest nor will it send out that many shockwaves, but I alsways think you know somebody by who their friends are.
And if Cameron is bringing people like David Trimble into the party then that is very good news for us indeed.
I am pleased that tomorrow the defection will come in the shape of former Ulster Unionist Leader and peer (Lord) David Trimble. Trimble is the one of the most measured and intelligent politicians of his generation - a nobel prize winner and a man of principle. He is welcome into our party with open arms.
This defection may not surprise those who know Trimble closest nor will it send out that many shockwaves, but I alsways think you know somebody by who their friends are.
And if Cameron is bringing people like David Trimble into the party then that is very good news for us indeed.
People the Greens are welcome to (but should treat with caution) - No. 112
Following the news that political dynamo Dawn Castle-Green has jumped ship from the LibDems to the Greens, it turns out another former Councillor has also done the dirty on the yellow party.
Simon Richardson was the Mousehold Councillor from 2000-2004 and made virtually no impact at all. He is most famous for standing in Bowthorpe in 2006 and having the cheek to put out a leaflet claiming that the Tories were out of the race and that only the LibDems could beat Labour (fact check, Con Gain). Even at the count, the poor deluded Mr Richardson still believed he may yet pull off victory. Only when the returning officer showed us the result did his conceed. Amazing.
I am sure SImon worked hard for the people of Mousehold during his tenure, but the Greens has better watch out because methinks his political radar may need some fine tuning!
Simon Richardson was the Mousehold Councillor from 2000-2004 and made virtually no impact at all. He is most famous for standing in Bowthorpe in 2006 and having the cheek to put out a leaflet claiming that the Tories were out of the race and that only the LibDems could beat Labour (fact check, Con Gain). Even at the count, the poor deluded Mr Richardson still believed he may yet pull off victory. Only when the returning officer showed us the result did his conceed. Amazing.
I am sure SImon worked hard for the people of Mousehold during his tenure, but the Greens has better watch out because methinks his political radar may need some fine tuning!
How many horses are in the Bowthorpe race?
A few comments on the blog (which could, of course, be from one person) have said that Bowthorpe is a three horse race and that the Greens have lots of posters in the ward and are leafletting like mad.
Excuse me?
Having walked from one end of the ward to the other in the past 3 days, I have to ask where these posters are and who recieved these leaflets - because our members from Larkman to Three Score don't seem to have them. I don't see this as anything more than the usual Con-Lab tussle but I'd be interested in more information. The Greens will come a more solid third this time but that's it.
Oh and an A* to the witty resident, who shall remain nameless, who wrote to me asking if Green candidate Blair Campbell was a hybrid of Tony and Alastair!
Excuse me?
Having walked from one end of the ward to the other in the past 3 days, I have to ask where these posters are and who recieved these leaflets - because our members from Larkman to Three Score don't seem to have them. I don't see this as anything more than the usual Con-Lab tussle but I'd be interested in more information. The Greens will come a more solid third this time but that's it.
Oh and an A* to the witty resident, who shall remain nameless, who wrote to me asking if Green candidate Blair Campbell was a hybrid of Tony and Alastair!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
What's the point of a poster?
Local bloggers - here and here - have today been debating the role of posters in a party political campaign. I thought I'd add my own musings.
Posters take a lot of effort to put together and then display around the constituency. They cost a lot of money but they also take a lot of time to maintain. They get ripped down, fall down and (sometimes) stolen. So why do we do it then?
In my ten years of being involved in politics I've never met a single person who was convinced to vote by a poster or who had switched their vote because of a poster. Not a single time have I heard, "I was going to vote Labour until I saw your Tory posters so now I'm switching."
Do they create the "big mo'" then? Well, no. A lot of posters can equal a lot of support but for every house with a poster there are a hundred that do not - and those hundred have votes too. There is one house in Norwich with 4 LibDem posters on it - which represent a single elector. Similarly there are giant posters in fields in Norfolk that do not represent a single Tory voter! People are not stupid - parties even sometimes run poster campaigns to hide the lack of a real campaign! Reading Martin Bell's biography recently there was an interesting story. Put off bv vast numbers of "Hamilton" posters around Tatton, Bell was told by one aid: "Yes, but trees and fields cannot vote." There are lots of LibDem posters in University Ward - they still ain't gonna win it!
Posters have the ability to make a party look stupid. If they get damaged or grafittied then it is a very public attack on that party. What's more those silly "Winning Here" ones - in areas where that party doesn't win - makes politicans look slightly deceitful.
And yes, I do display a poster. Why? Because it makes me feel good - and vaguely annoys my neighbours. It won't win me any votes, it'll be stolen or torn down a few times. But I'll keep it up because it is a public statement about my politics and who I am. It is a great part of the British electoral tradition. Silly, but I'll still do it ... for no decent reason either.
Posters take a lot of effort to put together and then display around the constituency. They cost a lot of money but they also take a lot of time to maintain. They get ripped down, fall down and (sometimes) stolen. So why do we do it then?
In my ten years of being involved in politics I've never met a single person who was convinced to vote by a poster or who had switched their vote because of a poster. Not a single time have I heard, "I was going to vote Labour until I saw your Tory posters so now I'm switching."
Do they create the "big mo'" then? Well, no. A lot of posters can equal a lot of support but for every house with a poster there are a hundred that do not - and those hundred have votes too. There is one house in Norwich with 4 LibDem posters on it - which represent a single elector. Similarly there are giant posters in fields in Norfolk that do not represent a single Tory voter! People are not stupid - parties even sometimes run poster campaigns to hide the lack of a real campaign! Reading Martin Bell's biography recently there was an interesting story. Put off bv vast numbers of "Hamilton" posters around Tatton, Bell was told by one aid: "Yes, but trees and fields cannot vote." There are lots of LibDem posters in University Ward - they still ain't gonna win it!
Posters have the ability to make a party look stupid. If they get damaged or grafittied then it is a very public attack on that party. What's more those silly "Winning Here" ones - in areas where that party doesn't win - makes politicans look slightly deceitful.
And yes, I do display a poster. Why? Because it makes me feel good - and vaguely annoys my neighbours. It won't win me any votes, it'll be stolen or torn down a few times. But I'll keep it up because it is a public statement about my politics and who I am. It is a great part of the British electoral tradition. Silly, but I'll still do it ... for no decent reason either.
A successful day then...
As I made my way around this morning, leafletting from house to house, a thought struck me. Who is going to read this leaflet today? The sun is shining, the lawns are being mown and families are getting together.
I took the most sensible decision of the whole campaign so far, which put me more in touch with the public than a thousand leaflets ever could.
I went home, collected my wife and kids ... and we all went to the beach.
I took the most sensible decision of the whole campaign so far, which put me more in touch with the public than a thousand leaflets ever could.
I went home, collected my wife and kids ... and we all went to the beach.
Friday, April 13, 2007
A burning issue?
According to today's EEN, the Green Party are plotting to ban the use of goldfish as prizes at funfairs et al held on council property.
What a shame that the Greens, who have worked so hard to make themselves seem like an alternative council leadership, now choose to go down the route of bonkers politics - a roadmap normally held by the LibDems.
Or have I got this totally wrong? Please help me out here.
Is the sale or use of goldfish a major political issue? Nobody has mentioned it on the doorsteps yet the Greens are making headlines about it.
Forget the Quality Bus Partnership, the Unitary Bid, affordable housing, council tax levels, combating anti-social behaviour or improving recycling - we know what will be crossing the Chief Executive's desk on the first day of a Green-led City Council.
I can only assume that this was a silly publicity stunt by the Greens ... unless blog readers put me right on this.
What a shame that the Greens, who have worked so hard to make themselves seem like an alternative council leadership, now choose to go down the route of bonkers politics - a roadmap normally held by the LibDems.
Or have I got this totally wrong? Please help me out here.
Is the sale or use of goldfish a major political issue? Nobody has mentioned it on the doorsteps yet the Greens are making headlines about it.
Forget the Quality Bus Partnership, the Unitary Bid, affordable housing, council tax levels, combating anti-social behaviour or improving recycling - we know what will be crossing the Chief Executive's desk on the first day of a Green-led City Council.
I can only assume that this was a silly publicity stunt by the Greens ... unless blog readers put me right on this.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
LibDem faux outrage at UEA votes issue
I think that it is crazy that the UEA has nowhere on campus for the voters of that polling district to vote on 3rd May. However, given the reaction of the LibDems you might believe that this was the greatest attack on democracy for a generation.Hardly.
We should encourage people to vote but we cannot hold their hand whilst they do it. It must be easy to vote but people must also want to do it.
I live around 6 minutes walk from my polling station.
When I lived in Mardle Street, Bowthorpe, I lived a good 15 minutes walk from my polling station.
In Norwich, as in Norfolk and around the country, you have to make an effort to vote.
If students want to vote they will walk, cycle or even drive to the schoiol next to UEA to do it. If they care about voting they will make the effort and give up the few extra minutes to cast their votes. Maybe they will be so angry by this decision turnout may even rise?
If they say that they won't vote because there isn't a polling station under their noses then that is in itself contempt for democracy and on that principle vast swathes of the country, and the City, would never vote.
And, of course, there is still time for a postal vote to be arranged.
So how do we explain the LibDem outrage? Pure politics. They believe their only hope of not being totally humiliated in this ward is the student vote. They care about their campaign, not about democracy.
However, given the fact that the UEA LibDems have almost ceased to function and that the Conservatives are now by far the biggest party on campus, I wouldn't be too sure that student votes will save them.
So be assured, LibDems. Democracy carries on. At least University Tory candidate Niall Baxter (pictured) has remained calm throughout this "crisis".
The SNP leopard can't change its spots
The greatest strenght, and greatest weakness, of the SNP is the central policy of independence. In years gone by the overwhelming majority of Scots who don't want to break way from the UK have moved away from the SNP because of that.
Now, with Labour in the political gutter, many left-leaning voters are looking for a new home. If you wanted an alternative reforming left wing government you would look to the SNP rather than Labour. But that whole independence thing still puts you off, doesn't it?
So that's why the SNP are promising a referendum (something they never did in 2003 - saying that a vote for the SNP was a vote for Independence!) and have moved the issue to the backburner. To gather up all those disgruntled ex-Labour voters who need a home.
But if you do put the destruction of our nation at the back of your mind, the SNP aren't so bad are they?
Well, if you do vote for the SNP don't be surprised if the kitten you thought you voted for turns out to be a leopard. And believe me, those spots don't change.
Alex Salmond has worked his whole political life for an Independent Scotland - it will pre-occupy every moment of his time as First Minister. He is single-minded - almost a one-policy man. From the moment his feets go under the desk, you know what he'll be plotting. And it ain't cutting crime or improving the NHS.
So before you think the SNP are a viable alternative for Scotland, think about what spots they might be hiding.
Now, with Labour in the political gutter, many left-leaning voters are looking for a new home. If you wanted an alternative reforming left wing government you would look to the SNP rather than Labour. But that whole independence thing still puts you off, doesn't it?
So that's why the SNP are promising a referendum (something they never did in 2003 - saying that a vote for the SNP was a vote for Independence!) and have moved the issue to the backburner. To gather up all those disgruntled ex-Labour voters who need a home.
But if you do put the destruction of our nation at the back of your mind, the SNP aren't so bad are they?
Well, if you do vote for the SNP don't be surprised if the kitten you thought you voted for turns out to be a leopard. And believe me, those spots don't change.
Alex Salmond has worked his whole political life for an Independent Scotland - it will pre-occupy every moment of his time as First Minister. He is single-minded - almost a one-policy man. From the moment his feets go under the desk, you know what he'll be plotting. And it ain't cutting crime or improving the NHS.
So before you think the SNP are a viable alternative for Scotland, think about what spots they might be hiding.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
New Blogger in the City
Just a link for Maltheus who has a new blog - and judging by his first post the politico's in the City just better look out!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Are UKIP fibbing again?
UKIP Leader Nigel Farage has claimed that the party is fielding "one thousand councillors plus" - but a party source has been forced to admit that this includes parish councillors (the smallest electoral unit and there are, therefore, far more up to be elected).
Why do they make these claims when they know people will check? How many district councillors are UKIP standing? They have only managed 3 out of 13 here in Norwich. Similarly I understand that claims to have 20 councillors have also turned out to be false - they have less than 10 and most of those are defections rather than elected councillors!
Why do they make these claims when they know people will check? How many district councillors are UKIP standing? They have only managed 3 out of 13 here in Norwich. Similarly I understand that claims to have 20 councillors have also turned out to be false - they have less than 10 and most of those are defections rather than elected councillors!
Candidates 2007 - Part I
Following last year's report, which caused some ripples in political circles, I have asked a friend to pen a few thoughts on the candidates standing this year. This is not my work, not my views and not written by a Conservative supporter. If you are easily offended, turn away now - and I promise this is totally unedited (apart from spelling, tut tut)! All comments welcome.
Bowthorpe:
Blair Campbell (Green) is the surprise nomination this year, hailing from the trendy new part of Three Score. His nomination is likely to annoy the Tories who are now treating Three Score like some kind of heartland. The Greens are likely to move well in front of the LibDems this year. Backbench Labour Councillor Chrissie Rumsby is seeking re-election but is a fairly mute and useless political operator. Not particularly well liked in the area and not very active either - she'll be relying on votes in Earlham and not standing against Antony Little. Tory candidate John Wyatt is Little's right-hand man and has certainly earnt his spurs in the ward but lacks his colleagues popular appeal. However the Tory "Leader" has been active enough locally to pass his support on. LibDem Francis McIvor won't make much of an impact. I predict a Conservative Gain, but with a smaller majority than last year.
Lakenham:
An interesting fight this year with the 4 main parties and UKIP standing for election. Popular Labour Councillor Keith Driver is standing for re-election, but with the Labour majority cut to 15 votes last year this is a seat on a knife-edge. Will Driver's work be enough to balance out his party's disasterous standing in the opinion polls. The reason to be worried is that last year's LibDem candidate has been re-deployed elsewhere and now Gordon Dean is the man on the frontline - Dean was a City Councillor for many years and a frontbench Transport spokesman. He is considered to be one of the LibDems best campaigners and shows they are serious about winning the seat. There are new candidates for the Greens, Jacqui McCarney, and for the Tories, Carrie Chandler. But they will be as out of the race as UKIP man Steve Emmins. This is a LibDem-Labour blood fight to the finish. Prediction: Too close to call, but if forced to say I'd go for a narrow Labour hold.
Nelson:
This ward is becoming predictably boring at the moment with the Green majority stretching further out at each new poll. The only change here - LibDem Fairbairn, Labour Bartram and Green Ramsay are standing again - is with the Tory candidate Malcolm Chamberlin, who claims that have coined the phrase "golden triangle" whilst working as an archant media man. All three opposition parties here are putting in the footwork but you would be insane to bet against Ramsay getting a four figure majority. LibDems to hold onto second place - just - but all three loser parties getting bunched up this time.
Sewell:
I had to comment on this is the first round of reviews because of the lack of a Norwich-over-the-Water candidate. What does this mean for the big vote they got in 2006? If the Greens had done more work here earlier they could have benefited from the voter fall-out, but I fear Penny Killingbeck may have to settle for second. The LibDems are standing former University councillor and media hate figure Ian Williams. Mr Williams is used to having dust-ups with other parties in the letters page of the Evening News but that combative spirit often makes him a good candidate. The Tories are standing Tony Landamore and it is surprising they don't do better here. Prediction: Labour hold, increased majority due to no NOTWP candidate.
Bowthorpe:
Blair Campbell (Green) is the surprise nomination this year, hailing from the trendy new part of Three Score. His nomination is likely to annoy the Tories who are now treating Three Score like some kind of heartland. The Greens are likely to move well in front of the LibDems this year. Backbench Labour Councillor Chrissie Rumsby is seeking re-election but is a fairly mute and useless political operator. Not particularly well liked in the area and not very active either - she'll be relying on votes in Earlham and not standing against Antony Little. Tory candidate John Wyatt is Little's right-hand man and has certainly earnt his spurs in the ward but lacks his colleagues popular appeal. However the Tory "Leader" has been active enough locally to pass his support on. LibDem Francis McIvor won't make much of an impact. I predict a Conservative Gain, but with a smaller majority than last year.
Lakenham:
An interesting fight this year with the 4 main parties and UKIP standing for election. Popular Labour Councillor Keith Driver is standing for re-election, but with the Labour majority cut to 15 votes last year this is a seat on a knife-edge. Will Driver's work be enough to balance out his party's disasterous standing in the opinion polls. The reason to be worried is that last year's LibDem candidate has been re-deployed elsewhere and now Gordon Dean is the man on the frontline - Dean was a City Councillor for many years and a frontbench Transport spokesman. He is considered to be one of the LibDems best campaigners and shows they are serious about winning the seat. There are new candidates for the Greens, Jacqui McCarney, and for the Tories, Carrie Chandler. But they will be as out of the race as UKIP man Steve Emmins. This is a LibDem-Labour blood fight to the finish. Prediction: Too close to call, but if forced to say I'd go for a narrow Labour hold.
Nelson:
This ward is becoming predictably boring at the moment with the Green majority stretching further out at each new poll. The only change here - LibDem Fairbairn, Labour Bartram and Green Ramsay are standing again - is with the Tory candidate Malcolm Chamberlin, who claims that have coined the phrase "golden triangle" whilst working as an archant media man. All three opposition parties here are putting in the footwork but you would be insane to bet against Ramsay getting a four figure majority. LibDems to hold onto second place - just - but all three loser parties getting bunched up this time.
Sewell:
I had to comment on this is the first round of reviews because of the lack of a Norwich-over-the-Water candidate. What does this mean for the big vote they got in 2006? If the Greens had done more work here earlier they could have benefited from the voter fall-out, but I fear Penny Killingbeck may have to settle for second. The LibDems are standing former University councillor and media hate figure Ian Williams. Mr Williams is used to having dust-ups with other parties in the letters page of the Evening News but that combative spirit often makes him a good candidate. The Tories are standing Tony Landamore and it is surprising they don't do better here. Prediction: Labour hold, increased majority due to no NOTWP candidate.
A Full Day's Campaigning
Phew! I have been on the streets since 9am this morning and my feet need some TLC tonight! This morning I was out with a team on the streets of Eaton, delivering leaflets and talking to local people about the issues that are concerning them. Then, after a rather pleasant family lunch, we went back out onto the streets where there seemed to be fewer people to talk to. This evening it was a canvassing session in Catton Grove. It seems to be going really well there - the surprise is person after person saying that we are the only party campaigning and certainly the only party to call. Are Labour doing anything or are they just doing it quietly? If so, it is so quiet the voters aren't hearing it either! Off for a bath now...
UKIP - hypocrites or just not very bright?
UKIP in Norwich may be celebrating their launch of three candidates for the 3rd May poll (out of a total possible thirteen), but they don't seem to have thought through their campaign very well.
There is a lovely glossy UKIP leaflet doing the rounds at the moment ... the problem? It is printed in Germany.
Not very patriotic - and persumably access to cheap German printers is something UKIP would want to deny other people.
UKIP are something of a joke and if this is the standard of their campaign, I don't think any party has too much to fear!
There is a lovely glossy UKIP leaflet doing the rounds at the moment ... the problem? It is printed in Germany.
Not very patriotic - and persumably access to cheap German printers is something UKIP would want to deny other people.
UKIP are something of a joke and if this is the standard of their campaign, I don't think any party has too much to fear!
A Family Easter
I can't remember the last time I had the whole of Easter (well, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday) off but it certainly was fun. We are well advnaced with the election so I stood the troops down this year for a bit of R&R - which I understand was both well earned and well enjoyed in all quaters!
Friday morning Emily was off on an Easter Egg Hunt - and loved every minute of it! She is turning into quite a chatterbox (god knows where she gets that from!) and replayed her finds all day. We were surprised she could do it - the hunt was clearly too easy! In the afternoon we were with family for a big get-together - great fun.
Saturday was a very relaxed campainging day - more of a saunter round than hard core campaigning I feel! In the morning I joined Eve Collishaw's campaign team in Catton Grove to visit some of the many new build properties in the ward - an amazing array of teething problem queries were raised, and Eve is getting to grips with those today. In the afternoon we canvassed in Chapel Break. I am still surprised that, given that Labour polled over 900 votes last year, we meet so few people who are out-and-out Labour voters. Are they lying, hiding or just totally unsure?
Easter Sunday was spent at my parents place in London and at a quite fantastic BBQ at my brother's house. It made a great change from the normal turkey fare and the weather was superb. Emily, of course, ended up soaked playing with cousin Francis and I have to say that the pimms punch wasn't bad either ;-)
I hope you all had a great Eastertime too!
Friday morning Emily was off on an Easter Egg Hunt - and loved every minute of it! She is turning into quite a chatterbox (god knows where she gets that from!) and replayed her finds all day. We were surprised she could do it - the hunt was clearly too easy! In the afternoon we were with family for a big get-together - great fun.
Saturday was a very relaxed campainging day - more of a saunter round than hard core campaigning I feel! In the morning I joined Eve Collishaw's campaign team in Catton Grove to visit some of the many new build properties in the ward - an amazing array of teething problem queries were raised, and Eve is getting to grips with those today. In the afternoon we canvassed in Chapel Break. I am still surprised that, given that Labour polled over 900 votes last year, we meet so few people who are out-and-out Labour voters. Are they lying, hiding or just totally unsure?
Easter Sunday was spent at my parents place in London and at a quite fantastic BBQ at my brother's house. It made a great change from the normal turkey fare and the weather was superb. Emily, of course, ended up soaked playing with cousin Francis and I have to say that the pimms punch wasn't bad either ;-)
I hope you all had a great Eastertime too!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
A National Party
Thanks to Iain Dale for this important post ... the LibDems love to spread it around that the Conservatives are a southern and rural party whilst they represent the whole nation. These figures suggets otherwise, and most interesting is the results for the North of England - where there are more LibDem free zones than Tory ones! Another LibDem fib nailed there then!
Thanks Iain.
Thanks Iain.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Now that's how you launch a campaign!
Following on from the disasterous LibDem manifesto launch, I am pleased to say that the South Norfolk Conservatives seem to have got it right.
Their Leader, John Fuller, will today pulish an incredible detailed manifesto and campaign web site which is amongst the best I have seen. The party has a full slate of 46 candidates, including my friend Margaret Eastham and former UEA Chairman Will Kemp.
They also have a YouTube video to go with the manifesto launch - an excellent initiative which I believe should be "as standard", especially in council's where we hope to gain control. The time and effort that has gone into this is phenominal.
The South Norfolk Tories have a real chance this year to (finally) win back the Council and the LibDem blunders should make it easier - but shouldn't make us complacent. This council is for the taking - if we work hard enough.
Well done John - you've got a great team and you deserve success. Keep up to date with the campaign on John's blog here.
Their Leader, John Fuller, will today pulish an incredible detailed manifesto and campaign web site which is amongst the best I have seen. The party has a full slate of 46 candidates, including my friend Margaret Eastham and former UEA Chairman Will Kemp.
They also have a YouTube video to go with the manifesto launch - an excellent initiative which I believe should be "as standard", especially in council's where we hope to gain control. The time and effort that has gone into this is phenominal.
The South Norfolk Tories have a real chance this year to (finally) win back the Council and the LibDem blunders should make it easier - but shouldn't make us complacent. This council is for the taking - if we work hard enough.
Well done John - you've got a great team and you deserve success. Keep up to date with the campaign on John's blog here.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Residents matter more than targets, says new County Leader
I am very pleased that our new County Council Leader Daniel Cox wrote a comment on this blog a few days ago and, as a Conservative, I am very impressed with what he had to say. I thought it deserved a wider audience so re-print it in full here. If this is the route we are going down, then the '09 poll can't come soon enough for us...
I am honoured to be leading Norfolk County Council at such an exciting time in local government. Whether or not Brown takes over from Blair, or Cameron takes over from either of them, I believe that the pendulum is firmly swinging away from central government’s command and control.
I will be looking to build upon the work of my predecessor, Shaun Murphy who, ably assisted by the cabinet and officers, has taken Norfolk County Council to be recognised as a 4 star, excellent authority, achieving Beacon status for our services and delivering improved value for money. Our services must continue to improve.
Not just to shoot for the Audit Commission’s stars or to tick the right boxes for the DCLG, but because our residents deserve the best. We do face many challenges. Not least the Comprehensive Spending Review this year, we are likely to have an estimated funding deficit of £25million and although our efficiency project continues to make good progress, we will all be faced with difficult decisions and choices.
I am honoured to be leading Norfolk County Council at such an exciting time in local government. Whether or not Brown takes over from Blair, or Cameron takes over from either of them, I believe that the pendulum is firmly swinging away from central government’s command and control.
I will be looking to build upon the work of my predecessor, Shaun Murphy who, ably assisted by the cabinet and officers, has taken Norfolk County Council to be recognised as a 4 star, excellent authority, achieving Beacon status for our services and delivering improved value for money. Our services must continue to improve.
Not just to shoot for the Audit Commission’s stars or to tick the right boxes for the DCLG, but because our residents deserve the best. We do face many challenges. Not least the Comprehensive Spending Review this year, we are likely to have an estimated funding deficit of £25million and although our efficiency project continues to make good progress, we will all be faced with difficult decisions and choices.
Fury of Earlham
In the last two days a big team of us have been out and about canvassing in North Earlham and West Earlham. Clearly these people have been ignored for a number of years because we got the full on wrath of some very irrate residents - on the plus side, if you want evidence that politics is alive and well, please do knock on some doors in the area!
The main gripe goes back to Labour - they've relied heavily on this area for generations and used to capture a big majority of the votes. Now a lot of Labour voters are too irrate to vote and a larger number are looking elsewhere - some at the LibDems, a surprising number at the Greens but mostly at the Conservatives.
Labour are arrogant, out of touch and take these people for granted - and that is just what the residents told me! Streets that aren't clean, dangerous pavements, the Shoemaker in terminal decline, grafitti everywhere and a council that doesn't seem to know where Earlham even is.
There is also a lot of geographical anger - that all the investment heads into Mile Cross or Lakenham rather than into Earlham.
These people have been let down, year after year. Many - in fact, the vast majority - won't bother to vote at all. And what have politicans done to address this? Nothing.
We need to show the people of Earlham that we can listen and we can act - and that includes Charles Clarke as well. He should spend a little less time plotting against Mr Brown and a bit more time looking at how his core voters are living.
Because at this moment in time, they aren't his core voters - they are non-voters or wavering towards the Conservatives. If we can convince them that we are serious about sorting out their problems, Earlham is a must gain seat for the Tories.
The main gripe goes back to Labour - they've relied heavily on this area for generations and used to capture a big majority of the votes. Now a lot of Labour voters are too irrate to vote and a larger number are looking elsewhere - some at the LibDems, a surprising number at the Greens but mostly at the Conservatives.
Labour are arrogant, out of touch and take these people for granted - and that is just what the residents told me! Streets that aren't clean, dangerous pavements, the Shoemaker in terminal decline, grafitti everywhere and a council that doesn't seem to know where Earlham even is.
There is also a lot of geographical anger - that all the investment heads into Mile Cross or Lakenham rather than into Earlham.
These people have been let down, year after year. Many - in fact, the vast majority - won't bother to vote at all. And what have politicans done to address this? Nothing.
We need to show the people of Earlham that we can listen and we can act - and that includes Charles Clarke as well. He should spend a little less time plotting against Mr Brown and a bit more time looking at how his core voters are living.
Because at this moment in time, they aren't his core voters - they are non-voters or wavering towards the Conservatives. If we can convince them that we are serious about sorting out their problems, Earlham is a must gain seat for the Tories.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Is it me, or are Tory Leaders getting younger these days?
With the news that Norfolk Conservatives have chosen 36 year-old Daniel Cox as their new Leader, it seems that Tory chiefs are getting younger.
After all, the member for Wymondham joins David Cameron (who was 39 when elected) and, of course, the youthful Tory Leader of Norwich City Conservatives (who was 27 when voted in)!!!
Seriously, congratulations Daniel - I hope you get a hold of the reigns at County Hall and show us what a decent Conservative Council can achieve! Well Done - we all have high hopes for you!
After all, the member for Wymondham joins David Cameron (who was 39 when elected) and, of course, the youthful Tory Leader of Norwich City Conservatives (who was 27 when voted in)!!!
Seriously, congratulations Daniel - I hope you get a hold of the reigns at County Hall and show us what a decent Conservative Council can achieve! Well Done - we all have high hopes for you!
UEA cuts are a further blow to local healthcare
Norwich and Norfolk are not having a good time of it at the moment with regards to our healthcare. The loss of beds, wards and some whole facilities has hit hard both locally and around the county. All opposition parties are, quite rightly, up in arms at Labour's cuts to the NHS.
However, more worrying is news tonight that the UEA plans to cut lecturer numbers at the school of nurisng and midwifery because of a fall in student nurses numbers. Now, I know that staffing decisions must be left to the UEA, but the implication is that fewer people are training for the medical profession which will have a corresponding impact on healthcare in the locality.
Many UEA students stay on to live and work in the area - myself included - and no graduates are more welcome than those who work in our NHS. Yet with fewer coming through it may be that local providers have trouble getting staff in the future - maybe 5 or 10 years down the line.
UEA midwifery students delivered both of my children and they were both excellent - a credit to the university and the NHS. We need more of them, not less.
Is this part of a national decline, in which case what are the government doing about it?
Or is it part of a local decline, in which case what are UEA doing about it?
Either way, another blow to the NHS.
However, more worrying is news tonight that the UEA plans to cut lecturer numbers at the school of nurisng and midwifery because of a fall in student nurses numbers. Now, I know that staffing decisions must be left to the UEA, but the implication is that fewer people are training for the medical profession which will have a corresponding impact on healthcare in the locality.
Many UEA students stay on to live and work in the area - myself included - and no graduates are more welcome than those who work in our NHS. Yet with fewer coming through it may be that local providers have trouble getting staff in the future - maybe 5 or 10 years down the line.
UEA midwifery students delivered both of my children and they were both excellent - a credit to the university and the NHS. We need more of them, not less.
Is this part of a national decline, in which case what are the government doing about it?
Or is it part of a local decline, in which case what are UEA doing about it?
Either way, another blow to the NHS.
Confusion over LibDem election claims
How do I know all this? I was telephoned tonight by a resident of the South Park estate to enquire about the contents of a LibDem leaflet that was mangled in his letterbox this evening.
Apparently (I haven't seen it) their new candidate, replacing former Leader Ian Couzens, claims that this election is a two horse race between Labour and the LibDems and that only the LibDems can beat Labour here etc etc.
The gentleman in question got confused by this - thinking that Eaton was a Conservative-LibDem battleground and therefore Labour had no chance of winning anyway. Which it is, and they don't.
When I explained the electoral situation in Eaton and the pattern of normal LibDem election gimmicks the gentleman seemed very annoyed indeed. Why would they ask people to vote LibDem to beat Labour if Labour couldn't win, he asked, unless they were being midleading?
Anyway, he concluded, if he had seen through it then most people would. I do hope so and I loo forward to reading that leaflet.
UPDATE: A second call about it now - interesting blunder to make on day one!
Apparently (I haven't seen it) their new candidate, replacing former Leader Ian Couzens, claims that this election is a two horse race between Labour and the LibDems and that only the LibDems can beat Labour here etc etc.
The gentleman in question got confused by this - thinking that Eaton was a Conservative-LibDem battleground and therefore Labour had no chance of winning anyway. Which it is, and they don't.
When I explained the electoral situation in Eaton and the pattern of normal LibDem election gimmicks the gentleman seemed very annoyed indeed. Why would they ask people to vote LibDem to beat Labour if Labour couldn't win, he asked, unless they were being midleading?
Anyway, he concluded, if he had seen through it then most people would. I do hope so and I loo forward to reading that leaflet.
UPDATE: A second call about it now - interesting blunder to make on day one!
South Norfolk LibDems: A lesson in stupidity
The unwitting Headteacher of Framlingham High School must have been chuffed when, albetit at the last moment, he was phoned to see if LibDem Education Spokeswoman Sarah Teather could pay a visit to look at the school's new facilities. A great opportunity to show how far the Sports College had come in such a short time.
He must have therefore been deeply unimpressed when bus loads of LibDem councillors and candidates came charging onto the school site, waving hideous daglo orange placards and hogging the media attention.
You see, this was no parliamentary visit but the launch of the South Norfolk LibDem manifesto for 2007 - only nobody told the Headteacher that his school was about to become a tool in a party political stunt. Furious parents contacted the local Conservatives and - pow! - it ends up all across the media.
The South Norfolk LibDems, riven with splits I understand, have real trouble holding onto the Council this year - and these kind of incidents don't do your party, let along politics per say, any good.
He must have therefore been deeply unimpressed when bus loads of LibDem councillors and candidates came charging onto the school site, waving hideous daglo orange placards and hogging the media attention.
You see, this was no parliamentary visit but the launch of the South Norfolk LibDem manifesto for 2007 - only nobody told the Headteacher that his school was about to become a tool in a party political stunt. Furious parents contacted the local Conservatives and - pow! - it ends up all across the media.
The South Norfolk LibDems, riven with splits I understand, have real trouble holding onto the Council this year - and these kind of incidents don't do your party, let along politics per say, any good.
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