My inbox brings the news that Dirk Hazell, former Chair of London’s Conservative Party has joined the Liberal Democrats and is backing Brian Paddick:
“London needs real change. I left the Tories because they are as dodgy as Labour, because their environmental pretensions are phoney and because their Europhobia harms Britain.
“I joined the Liberal Democrats because only Liberal Democrat principles and only principled Liberal Democrats like Brian Paddick will make Britain fair, free and green.”
Out campaigning with our wonderful candidate Rachel Allison in the Highgate Ward by-election. We are clearly doing well judging from response on doorstep.
However, Rachel was really shocked by the wording in a Labour leaflet we found where they are claiming dirty tricks ‘cos one of their stakeboard posters had been vandalised – and they clearly infer it as Lib Dems. Outrageous – and simply lies. Indeed, we currently have about six of our stakeboards that have been vandalised – we assume (probably rightly) that it is kids or people coming out of the pub drunk simply vandalising our boards. Labour are clearly just trying to smear us. You really would think they could do better than that!
There are rather weightier issues on the minds of residents of course – such as the proposed Labour-driven closure of our wonderful Highgate Post Office, the future of Jacksons Lane (which we have saved for the time being after years of neglect by Labour threatened its crucial funding), the parking arrangements at the Highgate Group Practise, the extension of the 603, our continuing campaign to get people to move away from using plastic bags (rubbished in typical arrogant Haringey Labour fashion by one of their leading lights who thought that trying to cut waste and protect our environment is only a “fashion statement”!) and proper consultation on CPZs – as always!
These are the issues that local people want to hear about and want their local councillors to fight for. Go Rachel!
I’m back on The Westminster Hour this Sunday: Radio 4, 10pm.
If you miss the show you’ll be able to listen again on their website.
If you want to get advanced notice of my media appearances like this one, you can use the media events service at Flock Together. You’ve got three choices:
Quick update on this story – we’ve now got the full details of the improvements that are set to be made – hurrah!
Two hours with Treehouse – our wonderful autistic facility here in Hornsey & Wood Green. Them having won the ‘People’s Million’ to landscape their grounds to go with a new building, I went to see the plans (fantastic).
Also met with two parents and various staff to discuss how to keep the spotlight on this agenda and ask the questions that need asking of Government. Treehouse’s new building is on target to be finished end of May – that will be some celebration!
Interesting discussion over on StroudGreen.org about the future of Ferme Park Road Post Office, where a couple of people asked why people should want to save their local Post Office.
Well, here’s my answer:
And if I’ve persuaded you … there’s a petition at ourcampaign.org.uk/haringeypostoffices
Back in January I blogged about the Government’s record at losing data (they lose lots of it, year after year). So this blog posting caught my eye – which lists a whole set of other instances of the Government losing our data in the last few weeks.
There’s one common conclusion from all the cases – the more data the Government has about us, the more that ends up getting lost with all the risks to privacy and identity theft that follow. Which is another good reason to be opposed to their plans for a mandatory national ID cards scheme (in addition to the many other reasons – such as its huge cost; the money could be far better spent on other, more effective crime-fighting measures).
I did a filmed interview for True Tube today – a sort of version of You Tube but with the emphasis on interactive debating. Today’s interview was targeted at 15 – 25 year olds and was about women in politics and women in the work place. Did feminism still need to exist? (In brief: yes).
Followed by a visit to the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard. With my portfolio of Youth and Equalities I wanted to meet this voluntary (mainly) organisation that provides such a life line to the gay and lesbian population. They get something like 100,000 calls a year to their volunteers who are there for those in doubt, need or confusion – to listen and to help. With 160 trained (very carefully trained) volunteers their phone lines are open from 10am to 11pm and everyone gets as much time as they need.
Tim Gutteridge is the Chief Executive and he showed me around. The volunteer room has a bank of ten phone lines – with the peak time for calls being between 5 and 11pm. The largest group of callers are those who are coming out – but they also have people with all sorts of issues from health and HIV to the discrimination faced by older gay people in care homes and those with mental health challenges. All are listened to and advised with warmth and commitment.
It is clear that there is a huge need for this service – and yet their funding is hand to mouth. There is a portion (not large) funded by London HIV Protection which comes through the Health Trusts – but it is not enough and they have to go to each trust separately outside London if they want funding from around the country. One third of their calls come from London but two thirds from outside. This is nuts!
Another stark issue appears to be that the trend is to move people who are HIV positive away from the very good specialist care they have had out to local GPs – but it is clear that the reception that HIV positive people get from GPs is variable.
One instance was cited of a nurse taking details from a patient and when she came to the part of the form where HIV positive had been filled in – she couldn’t even say the words! Many barriers to comfort and variable knowledge or lack of is not inviting to those who may be sensitive about their condition and/or their sexuality.
Anyway – I was greatly impressed with the work they are doing and will be taking forward a number of issues including homophobic bullying, treatment of the elderly, funding and NHS health services for gay people.
Just walked out from Commons alongside the other Liberal Democrat MPs. Follows disgraceful blocking by the Parliamentary authorities of our amendment calling for an in/out referendum on Europe.
We’ve bended over backwards to try to deal with every request from them on this issue – and in the end, enough is enough – if you’re debating Europe, you should be able to vote on the central big issues on Europe.
The idea from the Deputy Speaker that we should take this up “through the usual channels” is, well…. let’s just say that’s exactly what we’ve been doing endlessly and in the end the verdict has been, “No, we the powers that be are going to veto your choice on what to put to debate and vote.”
What sort of charade of a Parliament is that?
UPDATE: The party news release from Nick Clegg and Ed Davey is here.
Clive Carter has written some comprehensive postings recently on his blog about the current state of affairs over Alexandra Palace – well worth a read.
Lynne Featherstone 