Returning what? Ouch it hurts.

Electoral Commission confirmed that the Liberal Democrats have agreed to repay a controversial £40,000 donation.

The party conceded that the donation from Christopher Nicholson in December last year was impermissible because he was not on the electoral register at the time.

Tough luck but can't see they had any choice in the matter. Under Section 54(1) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, registered political parties must not accept a donation from a person who, at the time the donation was made, was an impermissible donor.

The commission seemingly accepted it was an administrative error. The party paid up quickly probably to avoid any expensive litigation they can't really afford. Can imagine the toing and frowing David Allworthy the Head of Constitutional Support & Compliance bod at party HQ has had to do. Sweating cobs, he's probably had to eat humble pie and grovel a bit to secure that agreement. David wouldn't have liked that a bit. He's definitely not a people friendly person. With his fancy title he cooked up for himself when the post was created he has the need to feel all powerful to all people.

So sad for a party that has very limited income, derived mainly from small contributions from it's members. It would be extremely painful to have to part with the dosh. They are still nervously awaiting a separate ruling on the Brown's contentious donation worth £2.4m. This mushy funny word link cribbed from another blog, wrote to his ol'pals Ming and Chucky begging them to pull a few strings adds a twist to the tale. He was a friend of Charles Kennedy so it's obvious they would close ranks against him and hang him out to dry now that Charles is off the scene.

Mandela enjoys the joke

Reaction to my post earlier in the week Brian Gordon what a silly plonker have been amazing. It's only the 'white face' politicians out to score points who have been making the noise. Ordinary 'Joe Soaps' have just taken it as nothing more than a good laugh.

Thanks to Stephen who pointed out the latest news Mandela backs 'racist' councillor

Another comment, The people who have complained and branded this councillor a racist should apologise. It is becoming crazy!

Somebody very sensibly contacted Nelson Mandela who responded, "We don't see any harm in this whatsoever. If it was a fancy dress party and people were expected to arrive as a character or famous person, we are convinced there was no ill intent behind this. Mr Mandela commented, however, about the choice of the shirt and said - tongue-in-cheek - that it was a rather awkward choice of shirt to resemble his usual shirts. We are not oversensitive about matters like these. Whilst we need to be respectful towards the character in events of this nature, we should try not to read racism into actions which may be completely innocent."

Singer Douglas Poster has also added his pennyworth in a letter 'Hilarious' councillor did not offend anyone I find it quite incredible that Councillor Brian Gordon has been (in your words) 'widely condemned' for the manner in which he chose to celebrate the Jewish festival of Purim, although it is not surprising that his opponents seized the opportunity to jump on the political bandwagon!

Photo above is Councillor Brian Gordon performs an impromptu rap with Douglas Poster during entertainment at a Jewish care home during the festival of Purim.

3rd April, Bit slow in coming forward Our blackest hour

Is the Libby Bird about to fly away?

Of course not. Somebody must be really desperate for traffic if he has to invent such a silly scenario. A load of cobblers or a wild pipe dream.

Oh boy, think this time around somebody has really lost their marbles. What a stupid poll. Get rid of the Libby Bird logo, how ridiculous. It's just wishful thinking on somebody's part. Don't believe for one minute anybody has even suggested it. It's the party's visual identity.

The LibDems wouldn't be the same without the golden bird. Even LibDem adversaries use the upside down bird. A humourous insult but without any words we all know what it means.

From the comments, March 26th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
as Meral Ece, chair, EMLD Says:
I’m for keeping it. When I canvass ethnic minorities who don’t always know the name of our candidate, I tell them ‘vote for the name next to the bird’ It works!
If it ain’t broke, why fix it?

Most other LibDems would agree. Sort of a one sided result Yes!: 18% (25), No!: 82% (117).

Brian Gordon: What a silly plonker

Seems a Barnet councillor is in embroiled in local scandal. This time around it's the Tory councillor for Hale ward, Brian Gordon.

Apparently for years to celebrate the Jewish festival of Purim on March 4, he's been dressing up as a famous political personality including the likes of President Reagan, Boris Yeltsin, Ariel Sharon and Sir Ian Blair. This year he chose Nelson Mandela.

All I can say is what a silly plonker. It's a sad sign of the times but somebody is bound to be upset by seeing a white man even if he is Jewish, dressing up as a black man with his face blacked-up.

Local media reports say he's been widely condemned -
Anger after councillor 'blacks up' as Mandela

He claims it was all meant to be harmless fun. It probably was but it just goes to show just how naive he is and what kind of boxed world he lives in. He's completely out of touch with the reality of the world around him.

His foolishness has opened the way for the opposition parties to try and cut off his head. The media will add their own spin and one can envisage the racial organisations will have something to say about it just for the sake of saying something.

He's already apologised for his choice of attire but it looks like it's not going to end there. Regardless of what he or those who know him might say about the matter, a label of racism will be tagged on him.

Out to make a name for herself as a goody two shoes, already LibDem Stieve De Lance has reported him to the council's director of corporate governance, Jeff Lustig, who reviews members' ethical responsibilities. She has also asked the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) to investigate the matter. What a waste of time and money? It's political correctness gone mad.

In his defence, Councillor Mike Freer, leader of the council, said: "Councillor Gordon is a well-respected councillor who has represented his constituents regardless of their colour or religion. Are we now saying that white people cannot dress up as black people? I do not see how people can find it offensive. Just to categorise Nelson Mandela on the basis of his colour is demeaning to him."

Many people will be surprised by it all. One doesn't normally associate a Conservative behaving so inappropriately in public. Stiff upper lip and all that. Personally I don't really believe he's a racist but he certainly looks rather ridiculous with a blackened face. I've never been a fan of fancy dress anyway. I'm also curious how the Tory heavyweight bloggers will dress this one up. Probably won't get a peep out of the master

Islington: Travel Green

Just received an invitation for a meeting at the Town Hall. Nothing unusual in that you might think. No not really except this time there is a colourful (green) user friendly map of the building attached labelled Travel Green.

Islington council has been making waves about Green issues. Not all I agree with and others like the residential and business recyling, I don't feel go far enough. However the user friendly maps are just great. They are visually bold with the public transport advice clear and accurate. Checked the council website and found the map sent to me with others produced for various destinations such as the Re-Use and Recycle Centre. They print off into handy little flyers. Something so nifty, one has to wonder why it wasn't thought of before.

Would be very useful if those who are producing them could include map links for the main hospitals and police stations.

Wales: Just a week to go

From Peter Black, Eight Days to go - a reminder that the smoking ban kicks-in in Wales in just eight days time. How exciting, there's even talk about 'snitch lines'. Apparently they are very successful in Ireland. Seems the Welsh authorities are taking it all very seriously. Quite rightly so. So here's calling all Welsh smoking snitchers, have your day in court.

Many people are anxiously waiting for the law to come into force in England. 1st july is not long to go now. My post about the smoking on the balcony at Lib Dem party HQ caused so much hoo ha. Many congrats but sadly I received some private insults from the jellies afraid I'd stirred up a hornets nest. Nothing's changed yet but I've been told the snitch line in UK or Westminster council will be getting a call if it doesn't stop. I've been having fun in my head trying to picture it, the enforcer marching up Cowley Street to the HQ. There has to be a good caricature in there somewhere.

I know in Islington they will make efforts to enforce the law. The administration is tough on that kind of thing. Will be interesting to see what will happen at the local pubs.

It is now six months since I gave up smoking by hypnotism and I'm aiming for the twelve month date line. Need to keep temptation out of my way so I want the smoking enforcers to do their stuff so I can't smell the fumes - more about that later.

Another magical weekend being a nana

Weekend went as planned, my darling Naim came to stay. He didn't bat an eyelid when his mother dropped him off Saturday morning.

We had to immediately dash down the road to Kentish Town for a lunch appointment. What a rush but he's a boy who likes the outdoors and he thought it was so exciting his nana running pushing him in the stroller.

Took him to McDonald's upper floor play zone. What a Charley I am sometimes, Naim's legs are a bit short to climb up to the part where the car is. He called nana to help. You should have seen me crawling into the den. The kids were hysterical having me inside with them. I was like the giant with the little people from Gullivers Travels. Got some strange looks from the other adults but who cares, it made the kids laugh.

Back home he insisted I get down his bed and blow it up ready for the night. Then it was out in the garden. God, Naim's vocabulary is amazing. He doesn't forget anything. After opening the shed door to get out his bike, he stood there looking in like a little old man and said "Oh dear it's messy in there". Cheeky boy, wonder where he got that from.

So many exciting things happening, the whole day was just magical. He must have been very tired. After his bath and dry down with his Bob the builder towel, he slept the whole 12 hours on his beloved Bob the builder bed covered with his Bob the builder duvet.

This morning, as he was eating his morning Weetabix I asked him what's he was going to tell his mummy he did yesterday. He looked at me as if I was asking him a strange question and just replied "we went to Kentish". Couldn't stop laughing. Never heard it called that before. I hadn't realise he'd even clicked where we had gone.

Out in the garden again this time to repot the plants in big pots. He loved it. Had to get a spare recycle bin so he could make his own garden. I was quite surprised the extent of his knowlege at such a young age. Shows what they learn at the nursery. He knew how to fill up his small bucket from the bag of compost and pour it into the container. He made the holes for the summer bulbs and put them well in. He added the flower plugs. Then he insisted on patting the compost around the plants and watering the whole thing. The best thing was the big fat worm which he put in the composter.

Mummy forgot to pack his slippers. He knows he has to wear them in nana's house and was quite disturbed. His feet have grown anyway. Managed to get him some Clarkes slippers which light up when he walks. He found a huge plastic Sunflower in the market which he insisted we take home.

Could write pages and pages of his antics. Touched my heart when he said that he wanted me to come and see his 'more granma' - his maternal great grandmother. I've not met her yet but he seems to like her. He's such a funny boy. I'm certainly enjoying being a grandmother. Sad when he had to go home. The house is quiet when he's not around.

Partners PFI 2 in the news

Islington council tenants and leaseholder residence have just received the 11th issue of Partners News. It is the last one before the borough residents forum elections.

Partners, the consortium who have now taken over the property management and refurbishment of Islington's street properties produce regular leaflets for PFI 1 and a separate one for PFI 2 programme. Periodically there is a joint communique. In haste as usual flicking through my copy, I noticed a mugshot of myself as the interim chair of the PFI 2 residents forum.

God what a fright I look. Shows what giving up smoking has done to me. I'm beginning to look like a beached whale. Had a real chuckle about what they wrote about part of my past life. All true I can assure you even though some people may think it's a bit far-fetched.

Partners refurbishment programme reached two significant milestones at the end of 2006.. Bringing old properties up to standard by fitting new kitchens, bathrooms, central heating, rewiring, pointing, roofs and windows etc is a tall order. For PFI 1 which started in 2003 the 1000th property was completed. Out of 2,400, that's not bad going. PFI 2 contract consisting of 4,100 properties has just started in earnest. It's a much larger contract but only for 16 years and not 30 years as PFI 1

Those who have been reading this blog regularly will know I've been involved with the PFI 2 process from the beginning. Having some key building knowledge has been of great use to the committee.

I may not be the chair after the election but not withstanding I'll continue to be part of it. My key aim is to get as many residents as possible involved in the residents forum where they can have their say in the way Partners manage their homes. I would like to see a good representative spread from different backgrounds. With such a large number of properties involved there are so many questions residents will ask over the next few years. We need to have more people with up to date info about what is happening in their locality. There are many elderly residents living in these properties and for them it will be a big upheaval. They need some local reassurance and know there is somebody close who can assist them with their question or advise them who they can call for help.

As PFI 2 gets under way more will be written. In the meantime anybody in Islington reading this who is as keen as mustard or who knows anybody who may be interested please email me.

More problems for the LibDems

A sad state of affairs, this time it's Brent LibDems. A report in yesterday's Evening Standard says Judge Disqualifies Lib-Dem councillor.

Seems Cllr Pawan Gupta representing Dudden Hill was employed by Brent council as a part time computer teacher when he stood as a candidate for the LibDem party at the local elections in May 2006. It's illegal for an employee of a council to stand as a councillor in the same town hall

Another version of the story, Brent councillor 'disqualified'

The judge Richard Mawray QC gave the LibDems a slap on the wrist for not properly checking his employment status before adopting him as a candidate. How embarrassing for the party.

So very annoying, it will definitely mean another by-election in London with the likelihood of losing this seat this time around.

Islington Tribune now online with Boris

In my backlog of emails, one from the Islington Tribune mentioning that the paper was now back online.

Hello Susanne,
I am pleased that you enjoy all the hard work the journalists on the Tribune put in. I am dropping you a quick line to inform you that the Tribune is now online. It is updated every Friday by 5pm.

Here's the link for it. http://www.thecnj.co.uk/islington/index.html
Regards, Iain Docherty, New Journal Enterprises

Actually I picked this up some weeks ago but it's gratifying that somebody took the trouble to contact me. Didn't really expect the Tribune would be off-line for long despite my moaning because it's part of the Camden New Journal (CNJ) group and they are hot stuff around here. It's good news for Islington residents who read the best free local newspaper. Better for people like me with not a moment to spare and needing references for my blog.

It's often difficult to pick out the best stories each week but this last week the funniest story has to be about Boris Johnson. ‘Sharia law for bike thieves,’ says MP Boris,

Fed up with having his bike stolen, the outspoken Tory MP, of Furlong Road, Holloway, wants to get tough on the thieves.He made the comments at the annual meeting of the Islington Cyclists’ Action Group at the Town Hall on Wednesday night.

I know he's a Tory but I'm definitely a Boris fan. Before he even opens his mouth he makes me laugh.

Everybody go Ahhh.

Keep getting calls and emails about my grand-daughter and what does she looks like.

Well here's our Christmas day baby, Aalia with her brother Naim

Naim's having a sleep-over this weekend so it'll be a lot of excitement as usual.

They dropped around a lovely big plant on Mothers day. So sorry I missed them. Poor Naim was a little upset his nana wasn't in. Touches one's heart. His little voice certainly grabs my heartstrings.

Not so attached to Aalia yet but she's certainly attached to my pocket. Baby clothes are so very expensive. She has to have the best but babies grow so fast. On our local market there's a stall that sells end of season baby clothes. All the best makes, M&S, Next, Gap, Ladybird etc. at a quarter of the shop prices. Most have the orginal price tags on. Over the past weeks, have literally purchased a suitcase full of various size little funky baby girl clothes. She's probably got enough for a change of clothes everyday until she's at least 12months old. Last week had to check my brain to stop myself buying more.

Well what are grandmothers for?

Tim Ireland is a nice man

Tim Ireland is a real darling. Never met the man but it's a long time since anybody called me sweetie. He sent me an email (in my backlog of emails to read) to let me know that one of my links has been grabbed by a porn site.

You're linking to porn, sweetie, he wrote. His blog post explains all.

The blog Coming Out From Under was abandoned a few weeks ago.

The page now hosted at http://comingoutfromunder.blogspot.com/ redirects visitors to the following URL:http://taxfreeporn.com/foradults/?id=gay%20sex

Don't care if anybody calls me a prude, old fashioned or anything else but after clicking on the link I'm so glad Tim let me know. The site it was diverted to is a bit graphic for my taste. What a nice man, a very nice man. The offending link has now been removed.

Can any website whiz out there in blogosphere explain to me how it's done. How can somebody high-jack a blog and redirect it to something else.

Has your blog been blocked by the Chinese?

Has your blog been blocked by the Chinese? Not a question I've ever thought about before. Why should I, I don't have any connection with the region? Have sometimes notice some URL viewers from China. I'm always slightly bemused wondering what on earth could interest them about my blog but that's as far as it goes.

I've a blog email box and hundreds of emails I haven't even got the time to read at the mo. Just skimmed a few and picked out a couple in haste where the Subject line looks really interesting.

A fellow blogger moaned that their blog had been blocked by the Chinese - Sent me a testing link to see if my own blog is censored. Blimey wondered what's so serious. Don't they like anything political over there.

When somebody throws me a challenge, I'm usually intrigued. Have to admit I'm also a nosey crow at times. This one I just couldn't resist. Clicked on the site Great Firewall of China.Test any website and see in real-time if it's censored in China.

As expected everything is very red. Clicked test tab, typed in my URL and waited. Sat watching a funny black arc jump from UK to China - love the graphics. Then underneath noticed my blog listed.

They say small things amuse small minds. Couldn't help it, felt so smug that my blog is NOT blocked. The one thing I did observe is the URL is different. The postings are not actually censored but all the pics have disappeared.

How do they do that - blog doesn't look so interesting.? Had a quick butchers at the Googles bumph - Google Images China Censors - Friend and Foe?. Not very helpful.

Surprised I've not seen it mentioned here. Anybody else as curious as me should have a go.

Update: Fishing round blogosphere, noticed many discussions about this. Seems the writer Ellee Seymour has this problem with her blog. Wonder why?

Another Lembit rumour doing the rounds

Honestly some of the rumours that start floating around really need to get kicked to the kerb as a load of bullshit. They are being created for the sake of sensationalism and making a name for the writers.

Noticed a rumour started by none other than the party scandal pooper suggesting Lembit Opic's being touted as a candidate for London Mayor. It's been picked up by others, here, here and this here mentions an article in the Shropshire Star - Opik for mayor? Unlikely. Seems speculation is now rife.

The LibDems are currently in the process of selecting their London Mayoral candidate. Least that's the idea anyway. An advertisement has gone out in the LibDem News for candidates to come forward. Members in London will get a chance to vote on their choice of candidate on 9th April.

To be the party spokesperson one has to admit it's a tough choice for anybody to make. A LibDem candidate would only be for raising their profile and public awareness probably as a stepping stone for a Parliamentary Candidate. It's hardly likely that anybody will beat Ken Livingstone. Love him or hate him he has that unique star quality and is known to be a maverick. A sign of the times but the masses like non-conformists who create juicy news.

It's sad really but Ken Livingstone's name is also tied up with what's going on with the Olympics, the buses and the successful congestion charge. Can't say I'm one of his fans and his voice is so irritating it makes me scream but he does have that entertainment factor which makes compulsive reading /viewing.

The LibDem party has very few people with that special quality. Lets be true to ourselves, that category of people are not really encouraged to be party members. The party seems to have a fixed idea what makes a good LibDem and anybody outside the closed box has no real chance of scaling the ranks. They get kicked aside if they are a bit different or as soon as they make any waves. The one person that does come to mind is Lembit Opic. He's the LibDem equivalent of the Tory's Boris Johnson. The difference is that Boris is accepted as just Boris by his party but more often than not rather than being embraced, Lembit is villified by many LibDems.

I've always been one of his fans. He's as funny to talk to at times as he is in any of his famous television slots. He does carry his harmonica around with him. Certainly the life and soul of any gathering.

Now if Lembit lived in London, he'd have good chance. He's funny enough and would certainly give Ken a run for his money with his jokes and quick thinking. He's a sharp cookie which comes as a surprise to some. The one good thing about him is he's his own person and has a remarkable unconventional life style.

Lets be realistic, his home base is Wales, a long way from London so the idea he could be a candidate is ridiculous. Unless of course there is nobody else and he stands as a semi-paper candidate. The cost of the Mayoral campaign will cost a lot of money and is a wasted expenditure. Unless they have a high roller hidden in the cupboard, it's money the London Region doesn't have.

NB: Don't know who created the Lemit google map but it's just brilliant. It adds a nice touch to my post.

Update: The Daily Pundit is brilliant with his post Lembit Opik compares himself to Churchill. The actual newspaper interview, Belfast Telegraph he's referring to reveals the real Lembit and well worth a read. The bit about the Queen is really funny when you think about it.

TFL is talking crap

It's been all go around here the last couple of days. Wednesday morning just as everybody was going to work it was claimed somebody jumped on the line at Kentish Town so the Northern line was suspended yet AGAIN - The line is famous for suicides. People in suits piled out of Tufnell Park tube station and spilled into the road waiting for the 390 bus towards Euston, King's Cross and central London. When the next bus came along, leaving dignity aside it was a case of pushing and shoving with everybody desperate to get to work.

With a bus that can only take so many people, many people were left behind and as more people arrived with not enough buses it took a couple of hours for the crowd to finally disperse. Wonder why in situations like this there is no emergency transport coordination. What would it have cost for somebody to call the Metroline office and arrange with them to lay on a couple more emergency 390 buses during the morning rush hour. Would have saved a lot of stress all round. We'll probably get the whole story in one of the local papers next week.

Later at lunch time there were teams of women with microphones and video cameras taking pictures up and down the road. All the kids were on their best behaviour and some even managed to get interviewed. Just wasn't in the mood to go and find out what was going on. They'd already taken clips of the train/bus chaos.

Everything about Transport for London makes me feel so angry. I've been battling with them trying to get an Oyster pay card and C-charge machine link as a "Pay Point" for my friend's shop. The business is directly opposite the Tube station and daily, people pile into the shop asking for Oyster card forms, Oyster top-ups and where to pay for the C-charge.

When the station is closed it compounds the situation. Sometimes it's like a shop under siege - it's all so irritating. As a registered ticket agent, since the shop opened almost 3 years ago it has been selling daily bus travelcards stamped with a rubber-stamp the old fashioned way. However to progress to the next step and get the automatic top-up machine is proving to be an exercise in futility. I've written the letters they asked and spoke to who they claim is concerned to buttress the application but there's a long queue of pending outlets under consideration.

Locally it's the obvious alternative place for people to buy tickets. With the station ticket office now closed more than it is open the situation is now urgent. TFL just don't see it like that. Their attitude defies logic. The ironic thing is that people keep asking where the nearest outlet is especially to pay the congestion charge. I can't even answer the question.

Before I started investigating the issue I just presumed potential outlets would make an application which would be assessed according to location and viability. Then a decision would be made one way or another.

Doesn't quite work like that. The ticketing networking is subbed out to an agency. They are only allocated "Pay Point" facilities on a specified number basis. The shop concerned has already been approved. It is however claimed it's on a list but it could be years and maybe never before it gets linked in. It's like waiting for somebody to die so one can take over the network machine link. The process is so tightly controlled that even on the website there is no clear information how to be a ticket agent or obtain a "Pay Point" unit. Took me ages telephoning around before I found the correct office.So bloody frustrating trying to sort it out. It's like banging my head against a brick wall. Can't get anybody to make sense of the whole thing.

Wish somebody would think of customer convenience rather than contractual agreements and performance targets.

Sera Kentman and the 'who done it'?

Noticed a comment on my blog claiming a Lewisham LibDem councillor had been expelled from the party. With so many rumours flying around and knowing how some LibDems (especially one of our nasty news pooper bloggers) take great delight in kicking a person in the goollies when they are down, thought I better keep my big mouth shut until the facts were made clear.

If true and there is no reason to believe otherwise, it's rather an amazing story. Sounds like the makings of a good Miss Marple mystery.

Being a bankrupt is one thing but what's remarkable is the use of so many aliases. Then having the gaul to stand for public office (Whitefoot ward)
and actually winning (04 May 2006).

The report says, The Individual Insolvency Register lists Sera Kentman and her alternative names, Julia Kibris, Hulya Kibris, Feliz Guner, and Hulya Guner.

Mr Stevens confirmed that a photograph he saw of Julia Kibris was the same as the photo listed under the name of Sera Kentman on Council's website. He said: "Based on the picture we've seen, we can confirm she's the same lady who stood for Lewisham Council unless she has an identical twin."

Cllr Kentman is now serving as an independent..

It's not funny but one can't help having a personal chuckle. Wonder how she expected to get away with it. Can't imagine my changing my name would have any effect on who I am because I'm visibly a one off.

As the matter is now the subject of a police investigation we will have to wait and see how the saga plays out.

On a serious note, knowing how the LibDems hate scandals and the fuss they make about their selection process wonder how they are ever going to explain this one. Can imagine Mark Morris (see pic) the LibDem group leader is spitting feathers. If eventually a by-election is called, the opposition will have a field day maximising the gossip in their campaign leaflets.

Update: Might have known who would get in on the story.

Kentish Town: Exclusion zone for youths

My hat's off to Camden's LibDem run Council. A miracle has happened. At last the exclusion zone for kids in the area where I live has been implemented.

See map with the zone indicated in red.

Wasn't sure it was actually going to happen. Have been waiting with bated breath in case somebody scuppered the plan at the last minute.

The CNJ has a comprehensive report

‘Nuisance gangs’ to be banned from swathe of Kentish Town and Highgate‘GANGS’ of ‘nuisance youths’have been singled out by new powers allowing police to break up gatherings in Kentish Town and Highgate.Billed as ‘a clampdown on nuisance youths’ by Camden Council, a dispersal zone giving police powers to ban people from the area for 24 hours or escort under-16s to their doors will be introduced tomorrow (Friday).

The dispersal zone runs between Highgate Road, Lady Margaret Road, and the railway line alongside Ingestre Road, and is intended to contain an area that has seen persistent complaints of youth disorder in recent months, including a rampage in January that saw cars overturned in Burghley Road and Oakford Road.

The introduction of the zone comes after a ‘summit’ held by police in Highgate, Kentish Town and Islington to discuss concerns from residents and shopkeepers about a 30-strong group intimidating passers-by, vandalising cars and houses, and ‘steaming’ shops to steal cash or goods.

Have to commend Sergeant Peter Ryan, who heads Kentish Town Safer Neighbourhoods police team. He's been a powerful force behind ensuring this would happen. His team are out and about daily. He's had my comments some time ago after a rampage incident of some of the shops a few weeks ago.

Whilst this is welcome news, it only affects the Camden side of Brecknock Road. If monitored properly it should go a long way in protecting the shops from the kids from Ackland Burley school who congregate in gangs during break periods and the hoodies at night with their dogs who create havoc.

Where they will congregate now is a concern. It's rather worrying the effect the dispersal order may have on the Islington side.

Not sure how it will play out but I for one will be keeping my eyes peeled and have promised to give feedback to the Kentish Town team.

The Islington Tribune has a report reflecting the issue from the Islington perspective and possible repercussions - Estates fear trouble from over the border. Seems councillors Janet Burgess (Labour) and Ursula Woolley (LibDem) claim they are concerned about the matter as well. Apparently Ursula is speaking to police about introducing a similar dispersal zone on the Islington side. We live to see if it will bear fruit.

Wish the St Georges ward/Junction ward Safer Neighbourhoods police teams could join forces and have some physical presence during the day by the Tufnell Park tube station and the Convenience Stores on the corner of Tufnell Park Road. They don't seem so proactive as the Kentish Town squad, at least not in this area.

Hotels for toddlers with kid's farm

For a child, the coolest hotel in the world. Babyhotel in Carinthia What a marvelous idea.







Times holiday review.At last! A hotel built for toddlers
When you book into a hotel in Austria called Babyhotel, that is exactly what you get.



Hat tip Tom Watson

LibDem Head of Media, Mark Littlewood resigns

Chaos reigns supreme - From the Independant Lib Dem spin doctor resigns after policy gaffe.

The Liberal Democrat's top spin doctor announced his resignation yesterday after a storm over claims that Sir Menzies Campbell was dropping his historic insistence on voting reform.

Mark Littlewood, the party's head of press, will step down within weeks after sparking fury among senior MPs by saying that electoral reform was not "a deal maker or a deal breaker" for any possible future coalition deal.

What an utter mess. Possible future coalition deal, where did that come from? The party has always been against any coalition in the past. It's laughable really. Whatever next? Hardly surprised about the disastrous fall-out from Ming's speech at the weekend. Since last Sunday the LibDems have dug themselves a hole. Can bet my life that Chris Rennard CEO will be running round like a blue arse fly trying to climb out of it with all the dignity he can muster. Wonder who he thinks he is trying to convince. Surely he can't believe that the political pundits really believe his official statement.

As expected Iain Dale is quick on the mark with his own slant on the issue. Quite bemused in his write-up he's having a clever dig at love him or hate him Rob Fenwick from LibDem Voice. Like a rash from everywhere, LibDems responding anonymously are closing ranks as they do and are really putting the boot in. All good stuff. Makes compulsive reading.

Crufts 2007

Spent the day at Crufts. I'm not really a doggy person but my foster mother Maureen has been breeding/ judging Boxers for about 50 years. Her Harmaur Boxers are renown in the Boxer dog world.

There's always dogs in her house, strangers can find it a bit off putting at times seeing up to 10 dogs at a time exercising in the garden.

When I was younger I used to go with her to the dog shows, other country fairs and charity events. This year's Crufts, the Creme de la Creme of the dog world, she was eligible to enter two of her dogs.

As she's now retired to Wales, I don't get to see her a great deal. The venue at the NEC Birmingham seemed an easy opportunity to meet up. Was actually in two minds about going. Felt a bit lazy about travelling but Maureen being the blunt soul she is, made me feel so very guilty when she said that one never knows what's going to happen and in her advancing years I would be sorry if daisies were growing over her. It gave me a mental jerk so I set off.

The journey from London was easy. The Virgin fast-train was on time and at Birmingham International station their staff were on hand in their bright red coats to give directions. Was quite impressed with the organisation.

Crufts was extremely well organised with 5 show halls. It was actually quite magical with dogs of all breeds everywhere. Each entrant had a cubicle for each dog so there were rows and rows of different breeds all waiting to strut their stuff. Brought back so many memories. Despite crowds of people and the noise it wasn't difficult to locate Maureen and her friend Sarah in hall 5. The dogs Fred and Daisy (photo above) two softies didn't bat an eyelid and took me in their stride.

Dog judging is serious business. It's a bit of a mystery how they select the Cruft's judges. Many of them are on their last legs. Maureen is a well known judge in the world of Boxers but she hasn't been invited to judge at Crufts yet. People travel from all over the world with their dogs seeking the champ rosettes. They follow the form of the judges, monitoring their likes and dislikes.

Took a walk along the marked breed pens to take some pics for Naim. Don't know why but he loves dogs and is not afraid of them in the slightest. It was wonderful to see the faces of the small children looking at them all. Some of the owners really went to town in the spirit of a child's world.

The special skill demonstrations were interesting. It's marvelous how they train different breeds for different tasks.

Later went to browse the many commercial stalls. It never fails to amaze me, the amount of money people spend on doggy goodies at these shows. Keeping up with the times there's a good range of dog clothes. Couldn't stop giggling to see the racks of dog vests, coats, hats and shoes along with the new dog prams for small dogs. Then there is the flashy dog colours. Some of the gimmicks are just mind boggling. They've even got organic food stuff and health food stores for dogs.

Just before leaving had a walk along the cubicles. There are so many strange looking breeds with more coming in from overseas these days. I've always been in awe of the Great Danes some of which are as big as a pony. Many owners have two or three of them and it looks so funny as they are walking them on a lead. Often wonder who is leading who. (Photo is a youngster)

Of all the dogs it was the Rottweilers all sitting in rows that freaked me out the most. It's those teeth.

A bully in uniform

I was appalled to watch on the news this morning, the CCTV video clip of PC Anthony Mulhall, from South Yorkshire Police, hitting Toni Comer, who was 19 at the time, to subdue her so she could be handcuffed during the incident outside the Niche nightclub in Sheffield last July.

The dead tree version Police accused of brutality after officer beat woman during arrest at nightclub. Delighted that Nick Clegg the MP for the area was as so disgusted as well, he took the bull by the horns and promptly spoke to the Chief Constable, calling for the officer to be relieved from duty while the issue was under investigation.
PC who punched woman removed from frontline
A police officer who used "brute force" when he struck a young black woman while arresting her was removed from frontline duties today.

Quite right too. The women is only 5' 6" tall and lighter than me (see pic above). What did they need so may officers for and why the violence? BBC video of the event. In this day and age the level of violence used against this young lady is just not acceptable. There is nothing they may come up with that can justify Mulhall's actions.

Who's watching who?

My perverse sense of humour finds some of the spoof or watch blogs very funny. Am always curious who has the time to set them up and keep them going.

Just came across Norman Baker Watch. Who is Norman Baker you might ask? Well he's the LibDem MP for Lewes Constituency in Sussex.

Why is he in the limelight at the moment? He's the one fronting the conspiracy theory surrounding the death of David Kelly. You can read all about it on the David Kelly blog and listen to Norman Baker's latest GMTV interview, Sunday 25 February 2007. Try one of the three video versions ... here, here and here. Makes you think about the realms of possibility.

Another blog shit-stirring and just as funny is The man who would be king about Gordon Brown. Sorry Gordon but you asked for it. Never mind it's only a few months to go and the agony will be over.

Both will definitely be on my current blog reading list.

Brown, Cameron vs Campbell

The all knowing Sunday People predicts that Tony Blair will quit as Prime Minister at 6pm on 24th July.

Says Nigel Nelson Political Editor, TONY Blair plans to quit as Prime Minister at 6pm on Tuesday July 24, The People can reveal.
That is the moment he will see the Queen to tell her officially he is going before she leaves for her Balmoral summer break.
Next day he will give the performance of his life in his final Commons questions against Tory leader David Cameron.

Feel slightly sorry for Gordon Brown at the moment with all this will he, won't he prediction as to when he's likely to take over the premiereship. Poor chap, he must but itching to get his hands on the job. He has been waiting in the wings for years like a lost soul.

Jokes apart the whole situation is becoming rather ludicrous. Despite all the speculation it was blatantly obvious that Tony Blair would remain in office to complete his 10 years so his tenure could go down in the history books. However it's widely predicted that the Labour party will get a hammering in the May local council elections. With that in mind wonder how effective will Tony Blair's administration really be from then to July? Bit unsettling for the whole country.

Over on the LibDem front the Telegraph has a splendid writeup - The mugging of Menzies Can't really argue with the content - it sums up the feeling of many. It's true that Sir Menzies Campbell, 66, has made no egregious blunders since taking office a year ago; but the poor chap looks old - a cardinal sin in today's politics - and lacks deftness of touch. It's a real shame because he's genuinely a nice person but he just won't accept he's past his sell by date. In this day and age media imagery is the key influencing factor.

Have to agree with comments that the party is yet to resolve it's identity crisis. Also that the general election is worrying the party is an understatement. As the article says, Southern voters will be attracted to the young, liberal David Cameron; northerners to the socialist Gordon Brown.

Later: Nicely put by the flamboyant Lynne Featherstone my favourite LibDem MP

We will be fighting all elections, as always, to get the most Lib Dem votes we can so that we can have the most Lib Dem elected representatives and therefore - the most Lib Dem influence and the most Lib Dem policies that we can! End of story.

Mark Oaten in the news again

Very interesting, the Telegraphs Little and Large blog - Oaten puts pen to paper

Jonathan Isaby writes, I hear that Mark Oaten - the MP for Winchester and one-time Lib Dem leadership hopeful - was spotted poring over polling data with Bob Worcester of Mori in Portcullis House the other day.

Intrigued as to what he was up to, I have just called Oaten and discovered that he is working on a rather interesting project: a book about coalition governments past... and future.

Have to agree, Mark's book may be uncomfortable reading for some. Whoops, he'll probably rattle more than a few cages. Many of the party hierarchy were hoping he would fade away from public attention. It's plainly obvious that's not going to happen. Looks like he'll continue to be an irritant and remain a pesky thorn in the party's side.

We can definitely expect a load of crap from some of the LibDem bloggers. The LibDems are masters at closing ranks. When the chips are down they gleefully turn on their own.

NB: Just couldn't resist Eddie Mulholland's photo of Mark Oaten with Ed Lord standing like a lemon in the background.