Bromley & Chistlehurst: Today's the day

Today's the day - Bromley & Chistlehurst by-election - I shall be on tenterhooks waiting for the results tonight. It looks like it will be very close - a real shock to David Cameron.

Not had time to post much this week - I've spent the last few evenings over there (felt a bit guilty I haven't been able to spend more time helping). The campaign HQ is a hive of activity with bods piling in from all over. People I've not seen for months and in some cases years. The mood is very buoyant. So many of our MP's mucking in, it's quite impressive. Have to admire some of the regulars who have really worked their socks off.

Seeing Chris Rennard hovering around keeping his beady eye on everything always makes me smile. He's a wily old fox who doesn't miss a trick. He reminds me of the old generals in the war room carefully mapping out strategy. Wonder what the party would do without him.

All the controversy surrounding the Tory candidate is headlines in the local Bromley Times which goes out today. (Had a butchers myself last night). It'll be interesting to see if the news will affect the voters going to the polls today.


There's almost been a daily commentary about the saga running on Alan Muhammed's blog,with Liberal Review - Apollo, Rob Fenwick (the picture is courtesey of Rob) and several others also adding their pennyworth. That's really a tongue in the cheek comment because it's potentially an explosive issue. We'll know by tomorrow the status of play.

Update: We didn't win but what a fantastic result - think Lynne Featherstone sums it up nicely how we all feel.

Islington: Round one sorted now starting round two.

Noticed Tim Worstall's Britblog Roundup picked up my posting Islington: Desperate situations call for desperate measures - What does it take to get a street drain unblocked? It prompted the little grey cells - walked past on inspection mode early this morning.

Wonders - it's now been cleared - some time in the last 24 hours somebody kicked ass and like magic there's a clear drain. Don't know whether it was as a result of my original complaint, my blog posting or Tim Worstall mentioning it but it's done - about time too. Should never have been left for so long in the first place. Wonder when they are going to get round to clearing all the drains along Brecknock Road - it's long overdue. What happened to routine maintenance? Doesn't seem to exist in this neck of the woods.

A friend made a joke about my being the local watch - it's nothing like that but when one sees something wrong which remains like that for months and sometimes years it's just irritating. When anything major is happening in Islington, my ward St Georges (at least the Camden border side of it) is always at the bottom rung of the ladder. It's been like that for as long as I can remember.

There's supposed to be a schedule for repaving the whole of Islington. Many of the key major roads and bus routes have been done (they look so pristine) all except Brecknock Road. It's a long road - in parts the paving is just a disgrace and downright dangerous especially at the tube station end. There's one section very near my flat that has sunk so low that during heavy rains the whole road becomes a deep flood. Because of the incline of the road, on the Islington side one of the basement flats flooded. When it freezes over in the winter that's another story. On the Camden side the mud and muck from last winter is still there.

Nobody has even got round to consider the state of the paving of some of the small side roads. Two local roads I can think of off hand, Southcote Road and Lady Margaret Road are a disgrace. Feel quite jealous of the Camden side. Camden council have been relaying the pavements and resurfacing the roads gradually over the past few years. It's so nice to walk along them all clean and white with no fear of tripping up. The long Camden stretch of Lady Margaret from Kentish Town is brilliant. Get to the junction on Brecknock and the continuation on the Islington side is like a poor relation.

It's claimed that Brecknock Road is a priority but the funding keeps being reallocated to other roads. Tried a couple of times to find out what's going on. Have been pushed from pillar to post between Islingon council and the GLA. Woops! forgot to mention Transport for London (TFL)

Enough is enough - Have decided to take the bull by the horns - take some photos of the pavements and and make some waves. Hope somebody will react and get something done.

Camden: Another fun day

Came back from one of Camden's garden parties. Had a great time - the back garden via a spiral staircase was beautiful - the food as usual was scrumptious. David Simmons was the host, displaying real culinary skills tossing this and that, made it look so easy.

I'm chuffed to bits that so many Camden members regularly read my blog so I was anxious to post my photos. Sods law found Bloggers gremlins at work tonight. Wouldn't allow me to view my blog. Then I found a duplicate of my last post all messed up. How that happened, God only knows. Had to painstakenly go through the HTML code line by line. Sounds easy but with my eyes - what a job. Stress levels rising, must of drank gallons of tea but it's finally sorted.

Leader of the council Keith Moffitt with Ralph Scott. The Camden New Journal has an article on Keith this week - seems his consensual approach is seen as a refreshening change to the previous hardline 'we know best' Labour run council .















Mayor Jill Fraser with her daughter - Jill looking as pretty as a picture says she's enjoying her year as Mayor. The locals love her. We all knew they would.















Simon Hughes MP posting for a blog shot relaxed and smiling. It was good of him to turn up. He didn't have much time but I wasn't going to let him sneak away without saying anything. I always think of the members. Whilst many of us meet Simon on a regular basis there are many others who have never met him in person. One member, can't remember his name said that he came especially to see Simon. Rounding up the troops - everybody was eager to hear what he had to say.















True to form Simon addressing the members in his usual passionate way.

From the top of the stairwell was the best advantage point to take in all the fun.















Simon left before the strawberries and cream which rounded off the event. Quite surprised to find some supporters from Islington living on the border like me there to join the Camden local party. Can envisage getting lifts home from future meetings and social events is going to get easier.

Ben Abbotts: The Man and his Persona

The Bromley and Chislehurst by-election campaign is hotting up. A photo of our candidate Ben Abbotts in the Lib Dems News this week
(the party's weekly rag) - Wow! what a gorgeous man - such a cool picture. As the kids would say "It's wicked". As Ben's a professional bod, nobody can call him a pretty boy with no brains - he's got it all.

So refreshing to see a campaign that is capitalising on the charisma and imagery of our candidate instead of all the usual spiel. Seems the party at long last is becoming image conscious - about time we shake off the old pipe smoking, bearded, sandal wearing reputation.


Seen some sarcastic comments on several blogs (surprise, surprise) - no names but it's mainly from Conservatives. They're got a nerve since Cameron's leadership seems to be all based on his persona (age and good looks) hoping to attract female voters. Obviously the Tory by-election campaign is running scared.


From Iain Dale's diary - The Gorgeous Leaflet of Young Ben Abbotts - a Conservative blogger who's even taken all the trouble to scan the leaflet being distributed.

Agree it's literature with a difference - very impressive - makes interesting reading.

Our chances of winning are looking great after this shock news. - From Recess Monkey - stop-press-bromley-candidate-invalidated

Tory HQ are in disarray this weekend as it emerges that Bromley By-Election candidate Bob Neill is invalid to take a seat in Parliament and has made a false declaration on his nomination form.

If it's true he has no choice but to stand down before he's disqualified. We are waiting with anticipation to hear what the returning officer is going to say about the matter. Wonder why this story has not been picked up by the national media. Unless I've missed it I haven't noticed it on the news.

Update: Telegraph news 26 - 06 -02 Tory candidate accused of breaking by-election law

Garden in bloom

It's a good feeling when all the hard work pays off. My garden is beginning to bloom. Many of the plants which a few months ago were just bulbs or twigs in the ground are now growing and flowering. After a stressful day like today, I find it very relaxing to go down there and potter for an hour in the late evening.





Camera in my bag this evening used the opportunity to take a couple of pics of some of the flowers. I wasn't really expecting such a lovely display this year. Can imagine in a couple of years it will be wonderful.

Aljazeera: animated cartoons - food for thought

Aljazeera - English version has some interesting stuff. At the bottom of the home page under the heading Cartoons - there's a collection of animations - each portraying a different message - all powerful stuff and quite funny. I particularly like the one about Tony Blair.








Aljazeera well worth a look.

Islington: Desperate situations call for desperate measures

What does it take to get a street drain unblocked?

Opposite Tufnell Park tube station by the 390 bus stop on the Camden side of Brecknock Road, the street drain has been blocked with mud for months.

It happened during the repairs to the mains water pipes. When it rains or pipes leak, there's nowhere for the water to drain off to so the area fills up and overflows on to the pavement. The smell is quite offensive at times. Was very surprised that after all this time it has remained in this state.

Last month I reported the problem to Camden council highways department. Quite surprised nothing happened. They are usually very efficient in attending to such matters. Today with a bit of time on my hands, decided to investigate what happened. Found out that under a boundary agreement, with the exception of parking and cleaning, the whole of road is the responsiblity of Islington not Camden. My immediate reaction was Oh God - could envisage the performance I'll have to go through to get the matter sorted.

Contacted the Highways department at Islington council. They promised to send somebody to look at it but suggested I book it as a repair and get a job number so it could be allocated to an appropriate contractor (it's all about funding and who gets paid) . Had to bite my tongue - felt like shouting 'Don't start all that rubbish again' - Islington has such a complicated procedure for getting anything done. As a concerned citizen, why on earth have I got to chase it up through their long winded complicated bureaucracy. Would have thought that after inspecting it, if the Highways department can't sort it themselves, they would be able to refer it on.

Also today phoned up the bulk rubbish removal department to get an old door, pram and chair dumped inside the gate removed. Was told that a property can only have 3 collections a year - up to 5 pieces (we've certainly exceeded the limit) . Nearly blew my stack - told the young lady in no uncertain terms that if they don't remove it, I'll move them into the street. After a long debate they have booked the clearance for 2 weeks time. Such a long wait but what choice do I have.

Desparate situations call for desparate measures.

News in the local paper today. Vigilante in parking war.

A Midnight Scots vigilante is hacking down parking signs and repainting them to look like England flags in the latest round of his war on over-zealous traffic wardens.

His actions mean that any parking fines issued are illegal - and he's calling on other motorists to follow his lead and strike a blow back against Islington's parking bureaucrats.

At the moment I can relate to the frustration that has caused such a reaction. It's a nightmare trying to be heard and to get anything done.

I'm not supporting the action but the mischievious spirit in me can appreciate the funny side of the story.

Lib Dems little nuked men

The party website is going high tech with ecampaigning. It's just brilliant - very impressive.

The Home page has turned cool with a modern image - there's little nuked men portraying such a powerful message from Ming - Nuclear power = ultimate stealth tax. Really worth a look.

What a difference it's made.
I've been like a nagging granny for a uniform set of buttons with simple insertion codes to liven up members websites and blogs, instead of having to link sections one by one which is very time consuming and something not everybody understands how to do.

Now we have Online Tools with it's buttons and gismos (my only contribution is the nagging). There's also - Download our cartoons screensaver (Windows

The picture is one of the brilliant e-cards - Nuclear e-postcard. More things in the pipeline.

Cowley Street is now on tour guides routes

Seems the party profile is really on the up and up. This evening leaving party HQ after a Regional Conference Committee meeting, met a load of tourists outside. Amazed that the Liberal Democrat head office in Cowley Street is now on any tour guides route. A few years ago you hardly saw a soul around there especially at night. There was only a lone policeman - not really guarding the office but his presence made it look more important than it was. Wasn't quite sure how to react when I saw all the people. The group were listening attentively to what their guide was saying. Felt good to be part of a team moving forward.

Passing Parliament earlier, noticed a clear view across the square -all the large banners removed. Peace activist Brian Haw now only occupies a small area as determined by the court. Observed that there seem to be another small protest along side of his. Didn't stop to find out what's going on - info from his site - The latest on what is happening in Parliament Sq

What a difference it's made - for the first time in years the area looks light, fresh and clean. Several people made some sarcastic remarks after my previous posting - At long last sanity has prevailed - haven't changed my opinion in any way. It was good to see other people having the opportunity of sitting on the grass enjoying the sunshine and taking photos.

With the meeting over, we all went to the pub. Only a glass of orange for me. We didn't stay long - not really drinking weather. Had to laugh with our Chair Sean Hooker, he's such an affable person and can be quite humorous at times. He was quite taken aback when I remarked that my blog count had reached over 18 thousand and as it apparently has a steady wide readership, anybody now who tries to cold-shoulder or is rude to me will get a blog entry. We have some real smug bods, they know best cliques in our party. After seeing what some other party members write - I've made up my mind I'm not going to continue taking any more crap - or keep quiet so as not to make waves.

Back home, several blog postings about David Camerons' visit to Bromley - this picture says it all and made my day - Cameron endures challenging by-election visit - My bet is still on our candidate, Ben Abbotts to win.

Lib Dem's famous Man in blue

Reading some of Andy Darley's Mingter rants, noticed a section from
The Mingterview (part 2)


























"From the politics of motoring I moved to the politics of race and international relations with a question from my good friend, and successor as Hounslow Lib Dem chair, Harjinder Singh. At the time of the French ban on religious garb in schools, Harjinder had lobbied for the Lib Dems to treat this as a human rights issue, with initial success that was ultimately squashed flat when the party (and Ming as foreign affairs spokesman) decided to treat it as an internal French matter. My questioning of this decision caught Ming somewhat by surprise - partly because I didn't have sufficient grasp of the subject to explain it well and partly because it had come so completely out of left field".

Fascinated that one of my old postings was used as a link.. At the time of writing I couldn't find any good pictures of Harjinder. He's the Lib Dem's famous Dutch Sikh fondly called the 'Man in blue'. Both he and his wife I know quite well. Just couldn't resist posting the link photo from Andy's site to keep for posterity. For those interested or just plain curious about Sikh issues see the other beautiful pictures on Solarider - well worth a look.

Betting odds for the Bromley and Chislehurst by-election

Taken time out tonight to have a look at what other bloggers have posted over the last couple of weeks and some of the comments.

I'm tickled pink to see that Iain Dale's Diary has listed my blog as one of his recommended Top 10 Lib dem blogs. He's considered a serious writer with a high readership profile (sad he's a Tory) so it's cool to be ranked up with the best. He must like my say it as it is or my weird sense of humour style of writing. Noticed he has also listed most of my Lib Dem blog favourites.

Just realised there are only a few Lib Dem women bloggers other than the elected bods who get their staff to write for them. Exceptions - Lynne Featherstone, Mary Reid, Paula Keaveney and Louise Alexander who all write their own stuff. Most male Lib Dem blogs are so nerdy and as dull as ditch-water, others so politically correct and worse, there's the men only groups slapping each other on the back. Very few are actually fun to read.

The mischievous Guido Fawkes' blog is heavy going at times. Seems the gremlins were having fun on Friday - clicked on his blog all I could see was a black screen. He's always having a pop at the Lib Dems. Often wonder where he finds the time to research all the stuff he writes about - noticed he sometimes gets it wrong. A typical posting - LibDem Radioactivist certainly gets party activists backs up. Recognise some of the people who bother to comment. Always chuckle to myself when I see Duncan Brack writing something - know whatever he's commenting on must be serious. Must be Guido's massive readership that makes party HQ panic. It conjures up a picture of furtive late night web trawling looking for what Guido's saying about the Lib Dems again.

Noticed a newish blog - FibDems. Somebody in Scotland must have upset him. Not a very newsy blog, just speculative, bit like reading the Sun.

Anybody out there found a Tory Watch or anti Tory blog? There must be one somewhere, people can't be that indifferent to them surely.

I'm still following The Darbyshires - same old drivel but good fun. Least now they have set up their comments for those interested.

Changing the subject completely - Tried to put a bet on in my local betting shop yesterday. Seems that William Hill has no betting odds for the Bromley and Chislehurst by-election. Don't want to place a bet online so anybody out there knows which bookie is running the odds?

Lib Dems take safe Tory seat in Watford

Mark Watkin is the newly elected councillor for Nascot ward in Watford Borough.

An interesting by-election result- Watford Borough - Nascot: Lib Dem 887, C 828, Green 145, Lab 92. (June 2004 - C 1285, Lib Dem 660, Lab 273, Green 143). Lib Dem gain from C. Swing 14.7% C to Lib Dem.

Info from Labour Watch - a blog I find very useful for quick reference, no frills approach info about elections. It says,

"Lib Dems take safe Tory seat in Watford on a big swing from both Conservative and Labour to continue their impressive performance locally; Labour MP Claire Ward's majority is below 1000 and this looks like a LD gain at the next election. Labour could only poll 5% here in this contest".

I'm always interested in what's happening in Watford. My close political friend Councillor Rabi Martins is now Chairman (Civic Mayor) of the Borough of Watford.

Over the past few years since Dorothy Thornhill was elected Mayor of Watford, the Lib Dems have taken the borough by storm. Can envisage a Lib Dem MP come the next general election.

Been up there several times for one thing or another. I like the design of the beautiful dome style stairwell in the council building. Went to the swearing in of Rabi and his consort Councillor Sheila Smillie last month.

Taken the opportunity to liven up this posting with my one and only photo of the event. It was taken from some distance away looking up the stairwell. You can just see Sheila in the corner. Her name really fits her bubbly personality. (click on the picture for an enlarged image)

Rabi is certainly very popular amongst the local party members and general public across the cultural divide. Such an affable person. An activist from his youth - Some of the anecdotes about his political life going back years are amazing, worth writing a book about.

You might ask why is Sheila the consort rather than a member of Rabi's family. Not interested in Politics, they were all there to support him but don't want to take part in public life. His grandson Thomas added some humour to the occasion by shouting out "grandad what you doing over there and what's that you're wearing?" It was hard to keep a straight face with his little voice echoing around.

Islington: It's a misuse of public funds

The issue of the Standards Board has reared it's ugly head again. Flashback - four ex Lib Dem councillors:- Steve Hitchins, Bridget Fox, Margot Dunn, Dorrie Valery and the current Mayor Jyoti Vaja, were accused by then Labour councillor, now MP Mary Creagh of not following proper procedures in the appointment of Helen Baily, the council's Chief Executive. After over three years they were completely exonerated and cleared of any wrongdoing.

Unlike a normal court, apparently the Standards Board and Adjudication Panel doesn't have the power to reimburse costs for those found not guilty so the issue now is about who is going to pay for the costs.

There's a report in the Islington Tribune today that there's a proposal the £350,000 legal fees is now to be paid by the council from public funds. In an attempt to gloss over the situation, there's reference to money being paid out of a special contingency reserve. (Rubbish whichever reserve, it's still public money)

True - It isn't right that those found innocent should have to pay such horrendous costs from their own pocket. There are bleeding heart comments about the likelihood of their going backrupt if they have to personally bear the cost (most residents couldn't care less). Until the law is changed they have to live with it.

Can't see how this is going to endear the Lib Dems to the public when a resident is told she can't have her windows repaired because there's no money for such things. Islington is fond of claiming no money but it's now convenient for them to suddenly come up with this kind of money to help colleagues or rather ex-colleagues.

I can foresee this is going to drag on and on in local papers for some time. It's a PR disaster. Council Group leaderJames Kempton should think about the ramifications for the party before taking such a step.

Street warden Clifford Farrell X Factor battle for

Last years X Factor had a dustman who caught the imagination of the public. This year Islington has Street warden, Clifford Farrell could soon be a familiar face on our screens as well as on our streets. X Factor battle for street warden

We won't know until the Autumn when the program hits the screen but if he does scale through what a novalty for Islington

Islington: It's just plain daft

Wonder who thought up this policy - it's just plain daft - can't think of any other words to describe it. Ghost squads of parking attendants are patrolling Islington's streets in the middle of the night - 'Ghost squad' tickets car at 3.54am - it's ludicrous.

Many residents (permit holders) can't find parking space in the tiny roads overnight so park their vehicles where they can and move them before 8.30am. Why not - it's just common sense.

What a waste of public funds (wages - wear & tear on vehicles etc) just to slap stickers on a few cars.

Seen the patrol myself and wondered why they are out so early in the morning. Couldn't sleep - took a walk outside after hearing a loud crash. A stupid driver didn't see the road divider and swerved crashing into a parked car on the Camden side of the road. What a mess, it's still there with half it's back removed.

Naff or what?

It's good that at long last, the English flag is being flown with pride.

Can't believe that the media have taken time out this week to even discuss the political correctness of flying the English flag - commonly referred to as St Georges flag. It was a topic of debate on this week's Question Time - 'Should members of Parliament be seen to being flying flags on their cars and bicycles'. Later on the 'This week' programme heard Michael Portillo say it's considered kind of naff - associated with the working class. What a load of sanctimonious twaddle!

For those who are England football fans, does it really matter if they want to fly a flag. What has their so called status in life got to with it. Admittedly my parents probably would have thought like Michael but that's a bygone era. That kind of attitude has gone out of the window. It's about time the English were proud of being English and have an identity.

I have no real interest in football but I'm as patriotic as anybody. Can't say I'll be watching any matches but like millions I will be following the team's progress on the news. Until I heard all the rubbish being mentioned, never envisaged I'd ever consider buying a flag. Bought a small handheld flag for Naim yesterday.

Today found a website with free animated flags - each in three positions and different sizes - Animated English flags

You can cut and past a code it's that simple.


Thought what the heck - let my blog look naff - couldn't give a stuff. I've got a flag on my blog and it will stay there until it is all over.

Anybody else wanting one can come and join me. Animated English flags

First 'Eco Champion' for Camden Council launches Green Fair

Not been able to post for a few days - got the mother of all summer colds which started last Saturday. Still not been able to shake it off - feel like I've got two heads.

Sunday - Camden Lib Dems met to support Councillor Alexis Rowell launch the Green Fair in Regent's Park. It was so hot and my head was thumping like mad - I was actually shivering and had to wear a fleece gillet - still, managed to get there to support the show. The glorious weather - many Camden members turned up.
(picture taken just as some members started to arrive)

Alexis is the one with the bicycle helmet on standing near me.

Camden have created new cross-council position
'Eco Champion',
(what a modern innovative name for a post) reporting directly to Camden Council Leader Cllr Keith Moffitt. (Alexis is a good choice - suits his personality)

The official statement:
More than ever before, the planet faces huge pressing environmental concerns from unsustainable consumption of precious natural resources to the threat of climate change. Camden Council is encouraging residents and businesses to take a more environmentally sustainable approach to their lifestyles. The appointment of the new Sustainability Champion will boost the council’s efforts to show people how to make little changes that can make a big difference in preserving the environment and quality of life for future generations.

Couldn't resist posting this picture of Councillor Flick Rea - our London Region administrator. It's the Flick we know and love in organisational - dare I suggest bossy mode with Council group leader Keith Moffitt just walkng by.

Cllr Rowell says:
“Our current lifestyle choices are unsustainable and we cannot continue living beyond our means and destroying our own life-support system for our children and grandchildren. Indeed if people in the developing world lived the lifestyle that we do in the UK, we would need three planet Earths to support us with the resources we consume and the pollution we churn out.

As Eco Champion I will focus on how we can protect and improve our local environment and in doing so lessen our detrimental impact on the planet. I will be helping to make sure that we as a council use every opportunity to ‘green’ our activities in delivering our services and to show residents and businesses the small steps we can take which together add up to a big difference.”

The council’s announcement comes at the start of London Sustainability Weeks - Love London, 4- 18 June 2006. There's a wide range of events taking part in Camden see - Nature in Camden

The actual Fair was very interesting. A good public turn out.

The stalls had a wide variety - locally produced items, ways of retaining energy, protecting the environment, health & safety and a kids area. Something for everybody.

The stall giving away trees was a star attraction with another selling herbs. Got my tree - some Mint and Evening Primrose plants. Managed to get hold of a hand-held security alarm which is now in my Lib dem delivery bag. Some free Energy saving light bulbs - already use them in some of the lights. Bought some dairy-free soya cheese and delicious homemade banana-cake from other stalls.

The picture is me clutching my tree, bags for life one with the herbs in and the other with the goodies and drinking a ginger beer (natural product - not seen the brand before).

The Bicycle Doctor had the longest queue. If I'd known in advance, would have taken mine over there for an overhaul.

Alexis made comment that as the event was so successful they may look at having another later in the summer. Good idea - wish I'd taken Naim. He would have loved the trampolines and the face painting. Even the dressing up - he's already started to walk around in my high-heels and loves wearing hats.

One issue that I'm more than pleased about - Camden is now going to seriously take on board the issue of the sorting of waste by businesses. Recycling generally concentrates on household waste. It irks me to see the boxes and rubbish stacked anyhow in the street in front of shops. Especially the fast food outlets and the outdoor fruit and veg stalls. What would it take for the boxes to be flattened, food and left over produce put in a container and another container for empty drinks and plastic cans etc. I've actually asked the question from the shopkeepers across the road. They comment it's too much trouble - until the council send them a letter, they can't be bothered.

Predictably it's Bob Neill the Tories choice

Since the publication of the Conservative's controversial A-list, it's been very interesting following the selection process of their candidate for the Bromley & Chistlehurst by-election. ConservativeHome is a mine of info. From the original ten candidates, the final shortlist was whittled down to three - Bob Neill, Julia Manning and Syed Kamall.

It's been confimed tonight that London Assembly member Bob Neill has emerged as the winner. Predictably the Tories local party have played it safe and chosen a white, middle-aged, middle class (some might even deem upper middle class) candidate.

After all the verbal rhetoric from David Cameron - also his blog posting explaining the rationale behind the idea (least it says it's written by him but it's probably been posted by one of his staff) thought we might have seen a woman or an ethnic minority candidate representing the party this time around.

Online petition against homophobic bullying

The Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign against homophobic bullying. As part of the campaign, there's an online petition at:
Help stop homophobic bullying

This is one petition I'm fully supporting and would encourage others to sign.

How can you help this campaign?

1. Sign the petition yourself

2. Do you have a blog or website? If so you can mention the campaign - and link through to the petition page

3. Email people you know about the campaign

4. Do you take part in any online discussion forum or bulletin boards? If so, then it may well be appropriate to mention the campaign - if it is, please do.