Penny Wilkins and that Diversity fund

I'm really beginning to wonder at the way the LibDem spokespeople are treating members these days. The letter below from Penny Wilkins
(Regional Candidates Chair, East Midlands & Vice Chair English Candidates Committee) was submitted to LibDem News for publication, but for reasons best known to the powers that be, it was rejected. Out of frustration, Penny has been circulating it far and wide to hopefully provoke debate.

Sir,

I took on the job of RCC (Regional Candidates Chair) for the East Midlands in September 2000, because no-one else was prepared to do it. I quickly found myself feeling 'at home' in the English Candidates Committee ethos of transparency and fairness in the Approval and Selection of Parliamentary Candidates. Over recent years I have become more and more concerned at the interference (and attempted interference) of the 'great and the good' and now to cap it all we are hearing stories that Steve Hitchins is, allegedly, offering local parties money as long as they pick the 'right' candidate.

With my health failing I am unable to continue to fight against those who want to make our party less fair. I am finding it increasingly difficult to administer a system which is continually being interfered with by people who are prepared to compromise our Party's principles in a dash for power.

For that reason I am going to stand down from active politics for the next year to see if our party comes back to its senses, values its principles and allows its members to select the most able person for the job without interference.

Penny Wilkins
Regional Candidates Chair, East Midlands, Vice Chair English Candidates Committee

What she is referring to is the Diversity fund, financed by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust - Ming Campbell - Launches Special Fund. It is obvious from the tone of her letter that Penny is not clear about the purpose of the fund. She's probably been overlooked in the paper trail and hasn't been fully briefed. Even so it's against the core values of the party concerning freedom of speech to block her from voicing an opinion. It's really so annoying the way the LibDems (party HQ) are becoming so ruthless by adopting more Stalinistic ways of keeping the members quiet. They are paranoid about anybody making waves.

The original object of the fund was to promote BME candidates only and have them in place before the next General Election but it has now been extended to include women.

How this came about would take volumes to explain but as a member of the Ethnic Minority Election Task Force this has caused a lot of internal wrangling.

The issue of BME candidates is something so many party members want to ignore and brush under the carpet. There is a lot of lip service but not much action. Sadly the majority membership of the party are middle-class whites. It doesn't reflect the diversity of modern day Britain. Simon Hughes MP is the only person who is really pushing the issue forward like a steamroller but even on this, a compromise has had to be made. The controversy surrounding the fund is because it's being suggested that less able BME/women candidates are being selected in order for local LibDem constituency parties to get the extra money.

I've been monitoring the seats closely. LibDem Voice is doing a brilliant job of maintaining a list of the PPC's as they are selected.

Click on the icon



There seems to be a greater number of women candidates being selected but it is so annoying that there has only been one BME candidate Tariq Khan (male) selected in a possible moving forward (target) seat. The way the seats are filling up, it doesn't look likely that any other BME candidate (male or female) will get such prime seats.

Thursday 4th Jan, Iain Dale on his usual soapbox : EXCLUSIVE: LibDems in Turmoil over Minority Candidates Seems to be evoking some strong comments.

Just being a granma

Early yesterday with my fold up buggy and some forgotten Christmas presents, rushed over to Lambeth to pick up Naim.

He's a bit daddy clingy at the moment but once I got him to the train station near his house he perked up. He seemed to remember the fun we had the last time we travelled on the train together. He loves the choo-choo trains as he calls them and spends the short journey to London Bridge standing on the seat holding on to me whilst looking out of the window. Made everybody laugh by giving a funny running commentary of what he could see enroute. He kept staring at a man dressed as a gothic punk who started to talk to him. Don't think he has ever been in close proximity before to anybody with spikey hair, rings in his nose and all dressed in black. Might have guessed he came from Camden, there are a lot of Goths living in the area.

Joined the tube which wasn't so much fun except for the escalators and the wind rushing through the tunnel as the train arrived. It took Naim's breath away so he hid behind my leg - funny chap. We got off at Angel to go to Woolies. They have a big Ladybird range of childrens clothes. We had great fun looking for baby girl clothes and other bits and bobs. He insisted his baby sister Alia needed a plate but eventually settled for a soft doll.

Very surprised to find that except for babygrows and vests, all the new born and 0-3 months clothes are just mini adults styles. They no longer seem to sell the tradional baby clothes. Had a good laugh at the mini tights. Could only find one pair so they must be popular. Bit taken back at the price, almost the same as a pair for me. At the check out, Naim like a little old man put them one by one on the counter to pay for them telling the asistant they were for his baby.

He's such a funny chap. He asked me on the tube where Robert was. Told him he should be at my flat when we get there, he did promise he was coming to see him. At Tufnell Park station I phoned him to confim. It was raining and cheeky Naim told me to run. He's sitting in the pram like a king I'm running like a real plonker. Half way up the road he decided he wanted to run. Out of the pram and he was off so excited, shouting 'Robert , we are coming'.

In the flat, coat and shoes off, washed his hands, a drink of Smoothie, some cake and then the toys. He knows where his boxes are. Cars and trains galore with Robert as his playmate. What is it with men and toys they seem to revert to their childhood.

Shame he couldn't stay the night. Told him he had to have a bath before he went home. Robert decided he need something from Sainsbury's and of course Naim insisted he was going with him. Off they went out in the drizzling rain. Often wonder how his brain works. Back home he walks in to the flat and immediately asks me if his bath was ready with his boats in it.

What a boy!

LibDems taking a nose dive

A quick look around the blogs. Iain Dale's posting Three More LibDem Candidates Join Conservatives caught my eye. Seems to be happening more and more lately. As a Tory, Iain would crow wouldn't he? However have to admit his observations are quite sound.

I'm not surprised at Richard Porter's defection, it's been a long time coming. There are several dissenting voices in Southwark about the council group leadership of Nick Stanton.
It is disappointing that Tariq Mahmood (photo) has jumped ship as well. additional text.... As Jim Smith has commented below, 'Big shame about losing Tariq as we have so few non-white PPCs'.

By complete coincidence had a call from a close political associate in Leceister who brought me up to speed with the goings on there. It's a long sad drawn out story involving seven councillors who have now formed their own independent council group - The Focus Team and left the party. Now they have been expelled from the party.

At the moment don't quite know what to say about all this. The polls are extremely disappointing and I fear will drop further under the leadership of Ming Campbell. Again read Polls, Two Party Politics & Why the LibDems Have a Problem, it's food for thought.

Being realistic and looking forward, the only real way to get rid of Gordon Brown and the Labour party will be to vote for David Cameron.

From the Independent's Chief Political Commentator, Steve Richards, The Big Question: Have the Liberal Democrats missed their historic opportunity?

From the BBC - Lib Dem trio become Tories

Not much is being said on LibDem Blogs but hat's off to Stephen Tall's 'say it as it is' piece about the Guardian's editorial Liberal Democrats: In search of adventure. He refers to it as a critical but generally fair analysis of the party.

Update: People's article, Sunday 31st: No Mercy for Ming - source a supposed anonymous, “Lib Dem MP”

LIBERAL Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell faces the axe - as party members blame him for their plunging popularity.
Plotters say 65-year-old Ming could be persuaded to stand down at the Lib Dem conference next September after only 18 months in the job.
They think he is costing them support because he appears old-fashioned and out of touch with little grasp of issues which will be crucial at the next election. One Lib Dem MP said: "With Labour reviving under Gordon Brown and the Tories under David Cameron we face a wipe-out.

At least somebody is being realistic and facing up to the reality. Many die-hard party members are just living in cuckoo land if they really believe that Ming has any special quality about him that will endear people to vote for the party.

A real life Christmas miracle

This Christmas was just magical. Modern technology is marvelous. From the time Natasha's waters broke early evening on Christmas Eve, I kept receiving text updates from my son Sule. Cor! The tension was high with all the anxious waiting.

Woke up early on Christmas morning to hear the sad news that James Brown had died. Relieved to read Sule's text that the baby was imminent. Flash thought of how ironical when somebody dies as somebody is being born. Baby Alia arrived weighing in at 9lb 3oz just after 8 am. Sule called the moment she arrived - ecstatic at having a daughter. I couldn't hold back the tears of joy, they were streaming down my face.

Everybody waiting, the news of her birth was flashed all over the world.

They sure push you out of hospital quickly these days. I was so surprised that they discharged Natasha the following morning. Early Boxing day Sule took an excited Niam to the hospital to collect his mother and the baby. It was so difficult for me to get to their house with no public transport and taxis at three times the normal rate but just had to make the journey to see my first granddaughter.

Poor Naim, he seemed to understand what was happening but needed that extra bit of fuss made of him. Well he's coming to stay with me next weekend so that should be fun for him. He likes my house.

More about Alia as she grows.

Merry Christmas from Suz blog

Have to post an update, there's keen interest in my expected grandchild number two. Telephone calls and texts coming non-stop.

We are still waiting, no news yet, definitely no sign of any baby. What a shame. Sincerely hope it's not going to be born on Christmas day - feel sorry for any child having a birthday which coincides with Christmas. Doesn't really matter so much for adults but for children, regardless of religion, they lose out on a special days fun.

Unless the baby arrives, Suz Blog will likely be maintaining radio silence for a few days, so have a Merry Christmas. Say it in 350 languages with a melody to go with it.

For those in Nigeria - Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara! and Yoruba: E ku odun, e ku iye'dun!

To all, regardless of political persuasion, religious or ethnic affiliation, it is our hope that we may all experience peace and hope during this season and throughout the coming year.

A special Christmas ambience to get you in the spirit of things.

Jeremy Corbyn a contender: Is it fact or fiction?

Is it fact or fiction? Labour MP Tom Watson has a posting on his blog, Jeremy Corbyn a contender Friends tell me that Jeremy Corbyn is on the verge of throwing his hat into the ring for the deputy leadership. The Guardian reports -Hard-left MP mulling over Labour deputy bid

Why the interest you may ask? Well JC is the MP for Islington North and my local MP. If it was in the realms of possiblity that he could be selected as the Deputy it would made the local senario politically very hot. Leaving aside political strokes, have to admit that locally, Jeremy is very popular and is known as the caring MP who listens to residents issues. The local vote is more for the man (personality vote) rather than a vote for the Labour party. He's always in trouble with the Labour establishment and is known to be one of the radical party rebels.

He can often be seen out and about on his bicycle. With his beard and his trademark red or green jackets, he has to be one of Labour's most distinctive characters.

As expected, on Labour Home the story has caused some cribs, one comment says Corbyn represents the nightmares of Labour's past. He is a party within a Party.

D-Day but nothings happened.

Today is 20th. No sign of the baby yet. Seems the doctors got it wrong again. Everytime the phone rings, my heart skips a beat expecting my son Sule to tell me in his usual manic way something is happening. It is so funny everybody is just on standby. Feel so sorry for poor Natasha at the moment, she looks massive, all she wants is to drop the load .

Taking about babies - in my posting Tariq Khan selected PPC for Birmingham Hodge Hill I expressed my curiosity about Nicola Davis the former PPC and wondered what happened to her. Received a delightful email from Colin Ross who wrote Nicola is great – I think blooming is the word, she will be giving birth in a few months so is taking some time out of politics.

That's wonderful news and I feel all members of the party would wish her well.

Merry Christmas from all at Tory Radio!

Well! somebody somewhere for some reason has recently linked me to a Conservative e-list, Jonathan Sheppard's Tory radio. Have been listening to some of the commentary. Must admit it is interesting to hear a Tory slant on everything. In keeping with the Christmas spirit have just received their Christmas message podcast. Don't quite know how to take it but it's at least different. It says Merry Christmas from all at Tory Radio!

Tory Radio's Christmas message:- Christmas message podbus - It's actually thought provoking. Have a listen and form your own opinion.

Robert, an expected baby, Kentish Town and Lembit all in one day

What a Sunday, full of laughs - there are so many things going on at the moment specially with Christmas just around the corner it's difficult staying focused.

My friend kindly Robert finished off my delivery round - KT's Thank you letters. In Kentish Town ward it never stops. Met our new councillor Ralph Scott outside my house this evening on the way to collect his delivery wack. He's taking this councilloring business so very seriously. Good job too but he needs to lighten up a bit - it is nearly Christmas.

Trying to finish off my Christmas cards and sort out what's what. Bit complicated this year with a hyperactive Naim who is full of beans and the baby due on the 20th. It's also Robert's birthday on the same day. So much excitement all round. Family and friends keep phoning to ask if any news.

Robert had me chuckling all day. He's such a dry old stick but thinking about the baby suddenly remarked that he hopes it comes on time. He wants it born on his birthday as Doctor's have predicted but like us all he's hoping it won't drag on until Christmas - Naim was two weeks late. It was just the way he said as if we are expecting a parcel in the post and I could somehow speed up the delivery like monitoring a courier package.

The other electrifying story is about Lembit Opik. Always one of my favourite MP's and definitely the most flamboyant. I was thinking 'Wow' lucky sod. Reading the various postings on LibDem Blogs had me in stitches.

It's stories with a bit of sex and spice when the personalities of some of our bloggers really begin to show. The comments from one or two of the men leave much to be desired, miserable so'n' so's. For some it sounds like the Green-eyed Monster is making an appearance - definitely a case of 'How I Wish'

Carons Musings sums it up nicely but she's a women.

Poor old Lembit. You couldn't make it up. Old girlfriend talks to Mail on Sunday, new girlfriend talks to the News of the World. One of the problems of being in public life - you can't do the normal things that happen in life without the world knowing about it. It's sad, but relationships do end. I'm sure the intervention of tabloid newspapers can't make it any easier for anyone, though. I hope that everyone's favourite asteroid spotter finds happiness in the future.

She omitted to mention that both women seem to be making a bob or two from selling their stories.

The photo of Lembit with the cheeky girls is almost identical to the one taken last June with the dashing Ben Abbotts during the Bromley by-election campaign. Certainly boosted his profile. Looks like they are keen on LibDem politicians. Wonder if any of our PR could get them to pose with Ming to spruce up his image.

Not had time to check out what other party bloggers are saying but it's a sure banker this story is not going to go away.

Update: HERE seems the Media are trying to shit stir - and on,
21 Dec 2006 MP 'in clear' on Cheeky Girl visa

Hug a Muslim

Wonder what some folks will come up with next. Some very interesting bits and bobs out in cyberspace this time of the year. Will this make number one in the charts Hug a Muslim - Quite a catchy tune.

I can bet there will be somebody out there who will take delight in making a mountain out of a mole hill trying to be too politically correct and make some noise about the song rather than going with the flow.

For me one of the coolest sites is Telly Ads without the boring bits: The programmes. My favourite advert of the moment brings back fond memories of another life - Marks & Spencer - Christmas Ice Party. The only problem with this site is it's too dark and it takes time adjusting to the location of the start play arrow. It even says 'Mouse over the screen area to see controls'.

Fascinating London facts you never knew you needed to know

Mindlessly flicking through this evening's Evening Standard, a snippet of info caught my eye. The words Northern line jumped out - my local line.

Which is the deepest Tube line?

The Northern, which has it's deepest point 67.4 metres (221ft) underground at Holly Bush hill, Hampstead. Although the more shallow Metropolitan, District and Circle were the first routes, it was only in 1870, when engineers discovered how to bore through watertight clay, that the first deep line - the Northern - was built.

For some strange reason, the only fact I ever picked up in the past about the line was that Angel Station had the longest escalators in Europe. Only God knows why it stuck in my brain. Wasn't even sure that it was accurate and I've certainly never bothered to check it out before. The only other historical fact I know about the tube is that some of the stations were used as air raid shelters during the second world war. Seeing the tube mice running around on the tracks I've often thought how horrid it must have been.

Writing this post, curiosity got the better of me, just had to check our more info from cyberspace. Found it, Northern line facts. For those who use the tube regularly click on the link and find out all the info about other lines.

It's true - Angel station has the longest 60m (197 ft) escalators in western Europe, which take 80 seconds to carry passengers up or down the 27.5 m (90 ft) drop.

Found two other interesting sights
London Underground History - Disused Stations on London's Underground & A History of the London Tube Maps. Need more time than I've got at the moment to look at them properly but they are bookmarked for later. Millions of us travel on the tube daily packed in like sardines. London residents just take it for granted and moan when it goes wrong. Wonder how many people ever bothered to look up the history.

Tory slant on the Kentish Town by-election campaign

Was told by one of the Tories campaigning last week that he has been reading my blog regularly with great mirth. Seems I've one of those unforgettable faces that people can recognise me in the street.

Had a good laugh at the time. Found it highly amusing that the local Tories would take an interest in what I have to say. Already got ALL the local papers, Labour in both boroughs and some national media peeping each week with uncle Tom Cobbly 'n' all.

Today picked up a peeper from The Caerulean. Noticed most postings seem to be from Richard Jackson who presumably is a local Conservative. Not sure if he's the man who spoke to me but if he is just have to be cheeky and say 'Hi there'. Observed the blog has the smart flash tag system making it very easy to follow posting threads - probably get round to up dating mine with tags some day soon. Quick flick on the Kentish Town '06 tag at the end of this post and like magic the story of the Tory campaign in sequential date order.

Quite amazing their slant on the whole campaign. Can't agree with the comment about Simon being on the phone deliberately. He's just not like that. Like many people in a hurry he's always on the phone when walking between venues. As for his staff, he didn't bring any with him, I was there so where the writer got that idea from God only knows. Why would he need staff on a Saturday afternoon to help in a by-election campaign anyway? They definitely got that very wrong. They are just writing for the sake of writing - definitely a case of crossed wires.

It's stiff upper lip and all that but it's well worth a read. They seem to have taken many pictures of us so the one above is one of them from me.

Update: The Caerulean angle

Tariq Khan selected PPC for Birmingham Hodge Hill

I've been avidly following the PPC selection news via the LibDem Voice sincerely believing info was unbiasedly being disseminated.

Surprise, surprise, Rob Fenwick's update December 9, 2006
Selection news: Warwick and Leamington, and Birmingham Yardley

How strange. What he failed to mention was Colin Ross's report on the same day included the selection of Councillor Tariq Khan as the PPC for Birmingham Hodge Hill.

Why no mention of Tariq Khan? Is it because he's not a fellow LibDem blogger or what? Like Alan Beddow for Warwick and Leamington and the very colourful MP John Hemming reselected for Birmingham Yardley.

Birmingham Hodge Hill is strategically far more important than Warwick and Leamington and certainly more winnable. Considering that young Rob Fenwick of LibDem Voice always wants to be seen to be in the know and the bearer of Breaking News, it's really disconcerting he failed to mention it.

Considering all the hoo-ha being played out internally within the party and in the media about candidates not reflecting the population of modern day Britain, the fact that Birmingham Hodge Hill have now selected a BME candidate should have been headline news . There are many party members for whom the issue of Diversity is of primary concern and this news is very important. Then there's the contentious issue surrounding the Diversity fund to aid such candidates set up by our leader Ming Campbell which some bods have suggested could be an influencing factor over the final choice of a candidate.

For Birmingham Hodge Hill to have selected a BME candidate in a possible target seat this time around is commendable. Hope we get some more selected in winnable or target seats. The party has too many middle-class white male stuffed shirts.

Just a bit curious - Whatever happened to the previous PPC, darling of the party the lovely Nicola Davis.? Heard rumours but nothing in the news.

Update: Thanks to both Peter and Rob for correcting my mistake, posting now edited. I got the wrong women in the wrong place. Stupid me, should have remembered having travelled to both places to support the by-election campaigns.

Kentish Town we won.

We are all ecstatic the LibDems won in Camden's Kentish Town ward by-election. Ralph Scott becomes our new councillor and it means we now have a full slate of Councillors in the ward.

Final result confirmed:

Ralph Scott (LibDem) - 1,093
Sian Bery (Green) - 812
Sam McBratney (Labour) - 808
Merrin (Conservative) -198

The Greens put up a good fight and the result between them and Labour was so close they had to have a recount.

Camden Council seats are now LibDem 21, Labour 17, Conservative 14, Green 2.

Was up from 5 am until now. It was just non stop all day. Feel like a dead man walking but had to wait for the results. Left the younger ones celebrating at the campaign HQ. Just had to post this before hitting the sack.

NB: there will be a lot of crowing from LibDem bloggers come the morning.

Kentish Town: It's nearly over

With only 24 hrs to go the last campaign push is underway. Noticeably LibDem stake-boards are up in the ward. Their bright yellow can't be missed.

The one above by the bus stop opposite my house is attracting a lot of attention when people alight from the 390 bus. It's an historic first on the Camden side of the road.

LibDem invasion of Kentish Town.

It's all so exciting that little Kentish town ward in Camden is being invaded by swarms of politicians canvassing for the by-election this coming Thursday. LibDems especially from miles around are piling in to help.

Been quite funny recognizing faces walking past my flat or passing me in the street that under normal circumstances you just wouldn't see. Especially some of the political heavyweights. Just shows what a hard fought campaign this is turning out to be.

Some of the blog postings of their visits can be amusing at times. See snap shots from last weeks Luton contingent - Glad they had so much fun in this neck of the woods and thanks for coming.

For this week's usual Saturday stall I wasn't really feeling up to going. Campaigning is all about talking and I've really not had much energy to say much. Unfortunately I'm a sucker for sweet talk and when somebody asks nicely it's difficult to say no. Got two telephone calls to get my butt down there so how could I refuse. Thought at least I could pump up the balloons, that didn't need any talking.

Extremely pleased to see Lynne Featherstone standing by the stall when I arrived. Regular bloggers know my undying loyalty to Lynne. She's posted her own report of the day.

Lynne's mentioned the Tories strange behaviour. The last campaign weekend and they finally joined everybody else with their own table and balloons. It was like having blue ants everywhere. They are wasting their time around here but anyway at the last minute they made their presence known. It really was a sight to be seen with four party campaigners holding leaflets and balloons everywhere. Shoppers must have wondered what hit them.

One of the Tory councillors came across to speak to one of ours. When a male Haverstock resident came to ask about Cllr Jill Fraser's surgery, the Tory stuck to him like glue. The whole saga was quite funny really because he wasn't have any of it, he wanted Jill and the Tory lady wouldn't go away. Must have looked odd to anybody who didn't know what was going on to see Blue Tories blocking Yellow LibDems.

A little later Simon Hughes, another of my favourite MP's turned up. The usual chatty Susanne didn't say much. Avoided being in any photos. They must have wondered what happened to me. Got some good photos myself though. Photo above our candidate Ralph Scott flanked by Simon & Lynne (with the balloon).

Heared a catty voice say something about needing permission to take photos of children. I just ignored her, silly women, as if I didn't know that. Would have been nicer to ask why I was taking the pics before opening her mouth. Thought who does she think she is for god's sake. She wasn't worth a response.

After the photos they went off in a group canvassing, I went for some coffee and spent the rest of the morning giving out leaflets. The response from people was all positive with many signing our transport petition.

Driving back to campaign HQ with Robin Young for some fodder it was so exciting to see our stake-boards prominently positioned. Good thing Nick has a large place, it was overwhelming the number of out of town Lib Dems who turned up waiting to be assigned tasks. Recognized members from Lewisham, Haringey and Kingston. So many of them in my neck of the woods, it touched my heart.

Got roped in to do cavassing with Keith Moffitt, Camdens council leader and Havard Hughes. Been there before with both of them. Least they are on my wavelength and one can have a good laugh. By the end of the day thanks to their banter, I was back to my old self. Got dropped off home and delighted to see another Lib Dem stakeboard opposite my house. Somebody had been busy because that wasn't there when I went out.

Only a few more days to go. Can't do much to help during the week but at least I know what I'll be doing on polling day.

Hat tip from Mark Pack, tablecovers and nothing else

Hat tip from Mark (slavedriver) Pack from party HQ - Broadcasting faux pas. It's amusing and quite clever the way it's done because you can't cheat.

Useful tip - Any local party planning an occasion or a street stall? Morrisons have 120x180 cm LibDem coloured tablecovers in Brilliant Yellow for £1.99 At that price buy a few and keep them.

Flash thought - this must be the briefest posting I've ever written on this blog.

PS: Just realised it is two months today since I was hypnotised into not smoking. Well for those interested it's still working.

Alan Beddow's done it now

A bit of mischief but couldn't resist it, Alan Beddow has just started a PPC selection Returning Officers debate. Just love the way some returning officers want to show they are in charge - How they like to flex muscles. Rules are rules but some returning officers interpretation of the rules and their decisions can be a little strange at times. Mind you some of the party rules are so long winded and bit controversial in the first place - definitely not in keeping with the times. Though I have to admit I was one of those who voted for the last lot of changes.

Noticed Mark (love him or hate him) Valladares has already jumped in there. He can be so infuriatingly pedantic at times and often behaves like a prickly pear but with all due respect he knows his stuff and it one of the most respected Returning Officers in the party.

Can envisage somebody will be hot-footing over to Cowley Street to speak to the party's brilliant expert David Allworthy (HQ second floor gossip pool). He'll huff and puff and the whole office will know what's going on but he'll make a decision which nobody will dare argue against.

Wonder when somebody will start a Youtube campaign - it's surely coming. That's not in our rules.

Alan best of luck with your selection all our best PPC's are those with a bit of oomph about them.