The most difficult of times

Work is stressful enough at the moment and Hillingdon politics gets no better but to find one of yours oldest and dearest of friends physically recovering but unable to do and remember the most basic of things is horrible.

I have made numerous trips to Hillingdon Hospital over the last week and while Tony's physical condition improves its looking increasingly unlikely he will be able to go home. I am afraid I have not been terrible impressed with Hillingdon Hospital. It did strike me as an organisation which lacked the basic principles of care. My feeling was that the financial problems must be having a detrimental effect on morale.

Needless to say I was in no mood for the Council meeting this month. There were two big issues raised by the public namely the incompetant introduction of Hillingdon First and the closure of the Stables Pre School nursery in Ruislip. The arrogance of the administration was evident as ever reading libelous statements to denigrate a hard working deputy manager of the nursery.

I managed to make time to go the the Cadbury School Games in Hillingdon and was invited to hand out prizes. I love these occasions and it was a great event for the kids involved.

An Injustice....but only a small one

Believe it or not on the "balance of probabilities" I am guilty of calling all the Conservatives corrupt. I turned up at an appeal Tribunel hearing with my friendly solicitor Charles and tried to defend not just myself but the good name of Hillingdon.

We failed at both. Hillingdon turned up with a well paid QC and trotted out the untruths that had been told before. They won on the evidence of an temporary officer. I had a permanent officer saying I didn't say the alleged words but unfortunately he refused to give evidence for fear of his job. That just about sums up the bullying administration we have in Hillingdon.

At a time when most people think politiicans are all corrupt I just got found guilty of calling a bunch of them corrupt....it could be worse.

There are a lot of injustices in the world this is just a very small one.

The day really didn't start well when I received a phone call about my very good friend Tony Bonner who was struggling to survive a stroke. I have to say it knocked me for six. My thought and prayers are with him and his family.

The Council meeting this thursday could be interesting. It looks like the residents of Northwood are revolting about the stupidities of the new Hillingdon First scheme. Lots of questions from them and from the parents of the pre school nursery located at the Stables, Ruislip.

Apparantly Bruce Baker (Conservative Councillor and the former Chair of the North Planning Committee) survived a vote an expulsion vote by the skin of his teeth. There was allegedly even a vote against Puddifoot. Gosh the troops are revolting aren't they? Not before time!

PM joins the electoral reform ball game, but is still nowhere near the ball

Well its looking like Brown is safe....for now.

However one compensation seems to be that on the face of it he may be about to consider changing the electoral system for Westminster. I just hope that because he is talking about it doesn't mean it is given the kiss of death.

The overnight reports seem to suggest he is going to opt for the Alternative Vote system (AV) which is not even proportional. I have a horrible feeling the reports will be right and Brown will completely foul up the opportunity to make real and meaningful reform

Some commentators believe that AV is a Labour/Liberal plot to institutionalise a centre left government. If AV were introduced it would exaggerate the success of the stronger party. It could be even less representative than first past the post.

Others will argue that the introduction of PR will ensure the political elite continue to rule through the power of "smoked filled rooms". Only those with meglamaniac tendancies could worry about this. If politicians were forced to talk to each other and negotiate the country would be a better place.

All parties have ideas which are ill thought out. Negotiation and compromise means that such ideas are less likely to be imposed on the people by minority at an election.

Lets not forget the so called winners of the popular vote at the European elections got barely 28%. On the basis of a 34% turnout that means only 1 in 10 people voted for the winning party.

Brown talking about AV as electoral reform may mean he has entered the game but it also means he is not only no where near the ball, but that he can barely see where it is.

If we want a system which is representative of the country it must be a proportional system.

What a week!

Last weekend was spent delivering leaflets and keeping an eye on the big election......"Britains got talent" that is!


I confess I did vote in that election. Stavros got my vote. Apart from making laugh so much I did like his relationship with his son.


There was a lot going on at work again and out of the blue I suddenly had to go to Holland on thursday for a 2 hour meeting with a client. Very exhausting but very worthwhile so I had to leave the team to do their best back in Hillingdon. However having set off at 7am I did manage to get back by 8.30pm to vote by proxy on behalf of a member.


The big story of course is the politcal drama surrounding Brown. Will he survive or won't he? I would love their to be an election soon not least because the country needs one but from a personal point of view I would rather not have to fight 2 at once next year.


I still stand by my original forecast that Brown will go all the way. He will cling on until the bitter end.....but with the events of the last week it may be close run thing.


I had an interesting surgery this week with a small group asking for my help save the Montessori school at the Stables in the Manor Farm complex, Ruislip. It appears there has been some daft decision to get rid of the school and replace it with a kitchen. I will do whatever I can to help.

Observer says "Vote Liberal Democrat"

Nick Clegg is the most instinctively European leader at Westminster. That is currently a lonely position, but the Lib Dems have a decent record of taking minority stands that are later vindicated.

On the environment, on civil liberties and on the mounting debt bubble, the Lib Dems were quietly but consistently ahead of the Westminster curve. Likewise on transparency. In 2007, they opposed the Conservative move, tacitly encouraged by Labour, to exempt Parliament from the Freedom of Information Act. The Lib Dems alone took a party line for openness…

While MPs from all parties are tainted, the parties themselves are not equally guilty. A credible record of support for transparency and for constitutional reform reflects well on Nick Clegg’s team.

This Thursday’s vote is being held in a uniquely febrile climate. It should be about Europe; it will be about the expenses scandal. On both counts, it is a moment to reward the principled consistency of the Liberal Democrats.

Toxic expenses - the answer

In my opinion this is the real answer to the current problems we have with our MP's

http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/article.php?id=153

If MP's didn't feel they had a god given right to rule us (because they sit on massive majorities)their behaviour might improve.

Toxic expenses scandal continued

Anyone considering voting Conservative should listen to thhis Conservative MP first

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REuoK-VS7iI

This interview does seem to show the truth behind the lie. The leader of the Conservative party Cameron has done a decent job at showing disgust at the claims that have been coming in from his side. However is it just political expediency because he see the publics disgust out there?

I suspect Steens attitude better represents many in the current Conservative party.