Islington residents vote YES

Residents in Islington on the electoral register took part in a REFERENDUM to decide if higher parking charges be applied for gas guzzling cars. I ticked the YES box and returned it thinking that the response would be low.

Remarkably 56% of a total of 36,792 residents sent in their votes - a response rate of 28.8 per cent. Seems many Islington residents are REALLY concerned about Green issues. Full details HERE & more facts HERE.

By calling a local referendum Islington Council made historic ground. It's the country's first local authority ballot of every resident on the electoral roll - more than 127,500 people. Have to say it before the moaning minnies start, the results says it all and fully justifies the expense. Nice One Islington.

LibDem Peers vs Ming Campbell

I'm a little baffled how or why there are to be two LibDems Peers acting as advisers to Gordon Brown. Can't really see the point of having them. Wondering what advice Baroness Neuberger or Lord Lester can offer to the PM. We live to see.

Having accepted the appointment over the head of Ming Campbell, their appontment has caused a real stink within the LibDem hierarchy. It has always been the Party's policy to go it alone. Ming Campbell has spelt this out in no uncertain terms. He's even made a statement on his website HERE. He has reiterated that Liberal Democrats will not accept seats in Gordon Brown's Government.

After it became obvious it was a done deed, Ming tried to justify their action on Question Time this week by saying they are not full members of the Government so it was OK. He's obviously not happy about the situation as it showed on his face. It's a real slap on his leadership.

To go over the head of the party leader there has to be a reason. A sceptical me presumes it's a financial incentive that is the attraction. Lets face it being a member of the Lords is for life. They get paid peanuts compared with MP's. There must be a financial incentive for them to do this. I can't see any other logical explanation. Unless it's to raise their own public profile. Read somewhere that they will be labelled as Gordon Brown's Poodles.

There will probably be calls to kick them out of the party but that's an exercise in futility. It would just reduce the LibDem numbers in the Lords. Numbers are crucial at times when it comes to a sensitive vote. Don't really think the leadership will go down that road. It would be like cutting their nose to spite their face.

Blogger is throwing a wobbler AGAIN

Haven't been able to post much in my blog this week. Blogger has a bug. I've so many draft posts pending. Something is wrong with the edit mode. It won't let me switch between HTML and Compose mode. Very frustrating. Thought it was my stupid computer until I looked into one of the forums. Yesterday it stuck in HTML mode and today it is stuck in Compose. Ok if you just type text but I like all the flash bits which need some adjustments via HTML.Then there are all the irritating extra spaces which can only be removed via HTML.

Blogger Status report says it was fixed on Tuesday but that's a load of rubbish. Took me ages to find the report form but nobody answered. Later found an error reporting help forum and a miracle happened, somebody from Blogger actually responded.

It's very annoying. Wonder how many other bloggers' it has affected?

Update: 10.30pm it all seems to be working again. What a relief.

By-election fever

Trust Lib Dem campaigners they don't hang about. They already have full campaigns up and running in Ealing Southall, and in Sedgefield. Now all we need to know who are the candidates.

Chris Rennard has even promoted the campaigns on YouTube. You can watch the video HERE. A smaller size version is on the right of my blog. Election day is now confirmed as 19th July.

Update: The Tories seem to have stolen a march and already named their candidates. Ealing Southall have selected Tony Lit, Managing Director of Sunrise Radio an popular Asian station. Graham Robb has been selected for Sedgefield.

Double-hander by-elections looming

With Tony Blair due to resign his Sedgefield Parliamentary seat tomorrow looks like we'll have another by-election. Sedgefield constituency is situated in the South of County Durham in the North East of England whilst Ealing Southall is in London. It will be hard to mobilise the troops in two different parts of the country at the same time.

It's all very exciting. Watching how the wind is blowing it's most likely the elections will be called on the same day. Probably before the summer recess. There's some speculation it could be 26th July. As they are so called Labour strongholds, tactically I can't imagine Labour will delay the elections campaigns beyond that date.

The Lib Dems are known as great street campaigners when it comes to by-elections but it would be difficult to divide resource within that short time frame. The Tories have the dosh but in both seats I don't think they really have a chance. Labour will be banking on the Brown effect and the renewed hope of the country. A quick election will minimise the opposition parties getting their feet under the table.

The Lib Dem candidate for Ealing Southall will be known by this weekend. That seat definitely needs an ethnic candidate, preferably a Sikh. Although a notice was sent out to all PPC's to apply as a candidate, the shortlisting for such by-elections is decided by a chosen few. The present PPC candidate is Nigel Bakhai who I know quite well. It would be a compliment if he was selected because he works like a beaver in the constituency and is greatly respected by the local party. However he's rather a quiet person and the powers that be may decide he isn't the calibre of candidate who can take by-election pressure.

As for a candidate for Sedgefield that's another issue.

One things for sure, the outcome of the by-elections will be a test for the leaders of the three main political parties. The number crunchers and pollsters will have their work cut out.

Harriet wins against all odds

Could have kicked myself today for not putting a bet on the deputy leadership contest. Harriet Harman pipped Johnson to the post against all odds. Call it women's intuition or anything you like but had a feeling she would win. It's the reallocation of those second preferences votes from the eliminated candidates that swung it for her.

1. Harman: 50.4%
2. Johnson: 49.6%
3. Cruddas: Out
4. Benn: Out
5. Hain: Out
6. Blears: Out

Bet the bookies are relieved. After all the media hype, the huge amount of money put on Johnson to win apparently caused them to close the betting early. The result has certainly put many political pundit's noses out of joint

Don't know much about Harriet Harman but have a great deal of respect for her strength of character and her ability to keep bouncing back. She has an interesting profile . Harriet's probably correct with her analogy of the probable voting pattern at the next General Election. She stressed her belief that there needed to be a woman at the top of government - and that she alone could broaden the party's appeal at the next election, helping it to win back voters in Middle England.

With only a few days to go before Gordon Brown takes over the Premiership, have been listening to his recent media interviews. He might not have the 'Star' quality of Tony Blair but he's obviously a shrewd cookie. He plays his cards close to his chest. Reminds me of a wily old fox. He certainly put the cat among the pigeons when he invited Paddy Ashdown to join his cabinet over the head of the Lib Dem leader Ming Campbell. Least with Harriet at his side they make a formidable dream-team. She also adds a bit a glamour to the leadership.

It'll probably raise Labour's stakes in the polls at least over the next few months. Can envisage it will have a major impact in the Ealing Southall by-election, due to the death of Piara Khabra MP, which will start campaigning after next week. Had expected the LibDems to do well in this election if they select the correct candidate. Now I'm not so sure.

PS: It will be interesting to see how the new battle lines are drawn.

Update: Full breakdown of the results

Care in the comunity, mental health

Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust
has decided to apply to become a Foundation Trust, following discussions at the Board on September 21.

Recently I have become involved as a member. Don't quite know in which direction it is going but care in the community for the mentally ill is a great concern of mine. We have read about horrible cases of people doing terrible things whilst not on their medication.

To be continued....

Passports in the news again

Flaming heck, the cost of a British passport is to rise for the third time in less than two years to £72 this October, it was announced yesterday.

It's reported, The Home Office has justified the sharp increase in passport fees on the grounds of covering the costs of the introduction of "biometric e-passports" which incorporate an electronic scan of the holder's photograph in a secure chip.

All this biometric stuff. Hope in the long run it's really worth it. Feel a little concerned about people on lower incomes. Once upon a time it was a cheap form of ID. Also as passports expire those thinking of holidays abroad may have to consider staying at home.

Who is diddling who?

Can't argue with the fact Britain is in desperate need of new homes. Ming Campbell is calling for a more radical action was needed and he called for a "revolution" in social housing, with 100,000 low-cost homes to be built per year. Can't argue with that either. Sounds like he's got the right idea.

He's suggesting that councils could buy land from farmers then sell it on at a profit to developers. First thought all sound good and well but thinking about it later realised there has to be a catch. The farmers need the profits. Why can't some of the farmers deal with developers direct to maximum their own profit and cut out the council 'middle men'?

PFI progress and Pay-to-throw

Have mentioned Isington's PFI elections a couple of times. Seems I'm back as a member of the PFI2 residents forum. Received the news a couple of days ago. Apparently another residents news letter is being sent out with all the info. Not sure if I'll be the chairperson again, that's up to the members to decide. I'm obviously chuffed to bits. Seeing my photo in the last two newsletters some of the local kids have been giving me some stick . One has to laugh at their nerve.

The big decision now will be should the two forums merge. Not sure how that will play out because PFI1 has been running for some time. Whatever happens considering the number of properties involved it's a serious responsibility.

One of the first PFI targets is to monitor the recycling progress of the properties managed by Partners. I've tried to encourage some of my neighbours to recycle. Whilst some are as keen as I am others have bluntly refused giving me a load of mouth for my effort. Personally I don't really understand the nonchalant attitude of some people. What does it take to wash out milk containers, bottles, plastic containers and beers cans, then to put them aside for the weekly collection. Don't they care about the environment or what?

According to news reports Islington is considering the Governments pay-to-throw. I'm all for it if it encourages recycling. There's going to be a public consultation but they have definitely got my vote. Some residents will get a shock when letters start going out.

My internet has gone haywire

For the past four days seems my internet has gone haywire. I can't download most sites at the moment. Blogger has been doing all sort of strange things and giving me stress. Not been able to even write my blog. Some people will probably say GOOD. Well tonight I'm able to post but without pictures and links. Makes a very boring post but for now it will have to do.

History in the making

A removal van outside number 10. We all expect it to happen but the irony of it with photos as well struck me as very funny.

The BBC have the full report with a pic.
Removal men have arrived at No 10 Downing St to pack away Tony Blair's possessions ahead of his June 27th departure.

Trust Guido, the man's always on the ball. He has the best photo on his blog so excuse me for nicking it. Have to mark the event. It's history in the making and something to remember.

Wonder if the media spies will get a shot of Brown moving next door. That would definitely crack me up.

It's just weird & wacky

With a great fanfare the new 2012 Olympic logo was launched yesterday. Was a bit taken aback.

It's certainly a Logo with a difference. Rather weird and wacky. They say it will grow on you. Sure hope so as they are obviously not going to change it. Have to admit it took me a moment to fathom out it is a characterisation of the year 2012. Wonder how many others will have a visual identication problem.

Apparently it comes in a series of shades of pink, blue, green and orange and will evolve in the run-up to the Games. It's described as a BRAND rather than a LOGO. Personally I actually hate the ORANGE version but find the PINK version more visually pleasing. Even so it's a bit hard to stomach. It will probably cause a storm of protest.

Sparks are flying over the GLA selection

With gloves off the sparks are flying. The GLA candidate selection has really caused a hoo-ha over the lack of BME candidates in the top 5. There's a fury of pent up feelings expressed in no uncertain terms over at Lib Dem Voice with a comments debate that has panned out for nearly a week now. They are still flowing thick and fast. Sadly some of the more expressive comments seem to have been deleted over the weekend but there are still over 130. Must have touched some raw nerves as there are several calls from non-BME writers for taking the discussion off line. All the secret stuff doesn't wash anymore, BME party members want the public to know what is going on. Many are past caring about embarrssing the party. Seems public awareness is the only way to get some radical changes within. With attitudes so diverse it's well worth a read.

Operation Black Vote have also publicly criticised the LibDems for not having any BME representation. Simon Wooley from OBV has been expecting the LibDems to address the ethnic imbalance. But despite promises from Simon Hughes that the party would blaze the trail with BME candidates in winning positions we seem to actually be going backwards. I've sat in many meetings over the years but it is the same thing over and over again.

Words that sum up the issue from Karen Chouhan, Director of the 1990 who said: "It is unacceptable that the most diverse city in the world, where 40 per cent of the population is non white, the Lib Dems have failed to select a single BME candidate for the London Assembly. Warms words from the Lib Dem leadership cannot substitute for real action on this important matter. The majority of Londoners will feel deeply offended that a mainstream party has produced an all white candidates list for the forthcoming London elections."

Reviewing the LibDem blogs that have posts on the issue they are the usual sweet nothings, HERE and HERE with THIS post getting bogged down with rhetoric and a plan which we all know is never going to happen. James Graham is the only one who is realistic about the situation That GLA candidate list: time for a change?

Lets face it the Liberal Democrats is a white middle-class party and will remain like that because most members feel more comfortable retaining the status quote. The issue of diversity is scary for many and is outside their comfort zone. They just don't understand diversity issues and fail to accept that in the end in some areas it will cost them votes. It'll be fuel for the opposition to make the party look bad.

One of the candidates Meral Ece in her capacity as Chair of Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats (EMLD) has made a statement to OBV. She's spitting feathers and is most vocal on Lib Dem Voice. Can't say I blame her. Meral is a Turkish councillor from Islington. It's unbelievable that the President of Islington LibDems and a member of the London Region campaigns committee, Dominic Mathon would actively campaign and be the agent for another candidate from Southwark. He cleverly wrote that Caroline Pigeon was a stronger candidate. What's that supposed to mean. What an insult, the implication is obvious. If the Region was serious about having a BME candidate in the first 5, Dominic a known master at networking and campaigning would have used his skills in supporting Meral.

Anthony Steen what a pompose oaf

One of the most annoying NEWS items of the week. Anthony Steen (Conservative MP for Totnes) was caught parking his car at Newton Abbot railway station in a blue badge disabled bay. The really annoying aspect is that he left the car for several days while he was in London.

The pompous ass. He seems to think being an MP justifies his action. Did he really think he could get away with it. What is so irritating is that rather than put up his hands and admit what he's done he starts trying to justify his actions. The Telegraph and The Mirror picked up on the story.

His claimed that there was no parking spaces but only several disabled spaces empty. To add insult to injury he suggests that there are too many disabled bays disproportionate to other parking slots. He actually said there was an "absurd number of handicapped spaces" and national regulations should be changed.

Listening to his response made me feel like punching his lights out. The arrogance of the man. Has he no compassion or feeling. Don't give a stuff which political party he belong to. This kind of person just has no right to be an MP.