The end for Blair?

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This is a nightmare ending for Blair and catastrophic for the Labour party. Having watched breaking news on and off all night (wakeful – don’t know why – usually log-like) the pundits have concluded that having named the day – Tony won’t last the course. Poor sod. Name the day! Name the day! Tony names the day (via the Sun) – and then the day isn’t good enough.

I would feel sorry – but much has been brought upon himself. If their was ever a Faustian pact ‘twixt him and Brown, once in he clearly didn’t want to go at the end of two terms. Clever (but not really) to announce he wouldn’t stand again at the next election as it warded off the inevitable speculation briefly about his tenure. Followed so swiftly after the election by when, when, when.

Tony’s marginal MPs fear their ending at the next election – and yet even in my short time in politics it has dawned that what the public like least is internal wars about the who. Concentrate on the greater good rather than the Labour good.

Having been one of those who signed my name on the letter that helped trigger Charles Kennedy’s demise, I also know that sometimes you have to do what you believe is in the best interest of the party – even to the very person who you have supported and championed. But as with Charles’s ending – which at least was swift in the event and for reasons of health (both his and the party) – it takes time to heal and move on. With hindsight now – and looking at what is happening in Labour – our own troubles seem to have been tackled and got over remarkably quickly. It was just a matter of weeks really, whilst Labour has been hobbled for month after month after month of speculation, plotting, intrigue and infighting.

Labour could have had an ‘orderly transition’ if Blair and Brown had worked it out and worked for the benefit of the party and the country. But given the enmity and the nature of the two men and the political context in which they hate each other – and the now rising realisation that Brown may not be the saviour he is cracked up to be (as I have been banging on about publicly for around two years now) – I can’t see that there is going to be any sort of happy transition.

Charles Clarke and Stephen Pound (both of whom I kind of like to be honest), I see, are both seizing the moment – and to remind the players in this ghastly ritualistic sacrifice that the people might be more impressed if the challenges that face the country were the priority of the government rather than this unseemly mess.

But you can’t have an effective government without an effective leader – and that’s the conundrum that the Westminster bubble will all enjoy over the coming weeks and months.

LIB DEM DISMAY AS 'FLAWED' CPZ BANDWAGON ROLLS ON

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Liberal Democrat councillors in the London Borough of Haringey have expressed dismay that the Council is to press ahead with further consultation on ALL CPZ schemes that have caused such controversy in the borough. Lib Dem councillors were informed of the rough outline of Haringey Council’s plans at a meeting last night.

The Council has indicated that it will go ahead with further consultation on CPZ schemes in Bounds Green, Fortis Green, Hornsey and Harringay. Though the Lib Dems have been told that these will be reduced in size from that proposed in the original consultation, it is not yet clear by how much. The re-consultation on these schemes will take place from 25th September to 16th October.

Pay and display plans for Crouch End and Muswell Hill are also to go through another consultation, from 23rd November to 14th December.

Lib Dem Leader Neil Williams comments:

“I am extremely disappointed that in what has become an utterly flawed consultation process, the Council has not decided to scrap the schemes and start again from scratch, with a meaningful process that involved residents fully and properly researches parking problems, coming up with careful tailored solutions to address a real problem. The present ‘blanket’ approach is not working.”

Parking spokesperson Cllr Martin Newton adds:

“The Council has still not revealed its specific consultation proposals to Lib Dem councillors, and every move from the Council will be watched closely. We will be inspecting the returns from the first stage of the consultation, to check that the Council has any rational basis at all for pressing ahead.”

Hornsey Central Hospital

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Steve Lynne Featherstone teamed up with Lib Dem Shadow Health Secrtary Steve Webb and local councillor Richard Wilson to highlight local concerns over the Hornsey Central Hospital siteWebb, LibDem Shadow Health Secretary came to Hornsey & Wood Green yesterday to meet with myself, Lib Dem colleagues and three local residents who are all massively concerned and upset about Hornsey Central Hospital – or more accurately, the lack of anything tangible in its place since it was closed nearly six years ago.

There is a bid being worked up to apply for some government funding from the cottage/community hospital funding the Government is making available to support its rhetoric around wanting more community facilities – though in reality it is doing more about concentrating its funding on acute/secondary care.

I and my colleagues are looking into what the bid will comprise and hope that we will hear more detail at the public meeting being held on the 13th September at 18:00 at the Methodist Church Hall, Middle Lane. (See here for a map).

We are determined to campaign for good facilities. We have been waiting like good children for the promises made in 2000 to be delivered – but no more Mr Nice Guys. We have all worked with the Trust at every stage – but each time it has come to naught. We believe that its Chair, Richard Sumray is committed to providing these much needed health facilities in the west of the Borough. He says he is. We know how difficult the budget process has been and the Government’s push for commissioning private services. But actions speak louder than Labour rhetoric – and we have waited long enough!

We (me plus councillors Richard Wilson and David Winskill) took Steve Webb to Hornsey Hospital and met with some local health campaigners to discuss the best way to take forward the campaign for Hornsey Hospital and the wider issues around the effect of the serious cuts Haringey’s Trust faces. The cuts have already led less sexual health clinics and reductions in rehabilitation beds for older people.

So let’s see what happens on the 13th. Hopefully Richard Sumray will say it’s all going ahead just as local people were promised…

And in the meantime, don’t forget – you can see our film on the issue:

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=2225932933616005261

Hornsey Hospital – watch my film

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The future of the Hornsey Central Hospital site has been a long-running campaign of mine. I’ve just released a little online film about the campaign which you can watch:

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=2225932933616005261

It also features Wayne Hoban, who is the Deputy Leader of the Lib Dems in Haringey and our resident expert in many health matters. Thanks to Sheila Rainger (Muswell Hill councillor) for putting it together.

LIB DEM SHADOW HEALTH SECRETARY DEMANDS "ACTION NOW" ON HORNSEY HOSPITAL

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Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, joined local Lib Dem MP, Lynne Featherstone, and Councillor Richard Wilson this week on a visit to the Hornsey Central Hospital site ahead of the Haringey TPCT public meeting on 13th September at 18:00 at the Methodist Church Hall, Middle Lane.

Mr Webb, Ms Featherstone and Cllr Wilson met with concerned residents to discuss the fate of the empty hospital and effect of the serious cuts Haringey’s Trust faces. The cuts have already led to less sexual health clinics and reductions in rehabilitation beds for older people.

Mr Webb is strongly supporting local Lib Dems calls for action now from Haringey health chiefs to urgently bring the site back into use as a local community health hospital.

Steve Webb MP says:

“I am shocked and appalled that this hospital has remained derelict for so many years.

“This site should be playing a major role in providing community care for the people of Hornsey & Wood Green.Labour’s mismanagement of health budgets cannot be allowed jeopardise the urgent redevelopment of Hornsey Hospital.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“After years and years of empty promises residents deserve better community health service.The message is simple: we demand action now.”

Cllr Richard Wilson, Haringey Lib Dem spokesperson for Health, comments:

“I hope as many people as possible are able to come to the public meeting on 13th September to show the health bosses that enough is enough – they deserve answers as to why nothing has happened for 5 years.”

Watch Hornsey Central Hospital film

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=2225932933616005261

LOCAL MP PRESENTS PRIZES AT GOLF COURSE ALLOTMENTS PRIZE DAY

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Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, congratulates all the winners and all those that participated in this year’s Golf Course Allotments Awards ceremony that took place on Sunday.

Presenting prizes for the winners, Ms. Featherstone comments:

“I would like to congratulate everyone on their fabulous fruit, flowers and vegetables; it really was a veritable harvest feast. There were lots of fantastic entries and I can now proudly say I know how to pick out a prize-winning green bean after the tips I picked up.

“It is a shame that Haringey Council is putting up rents by 50% making harder for residents to enjoy what is a such a healthy and rewarding pastime.”

LIB DEMS DEMAND URGENT ACTION TO TACKLE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AT ALEXANDRA PARK LIBRARY

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Wayne Hoban, Alexandra ward councillor, has asked Haringey Council to arrange an urgent public meeting to discuss increasing concerns from both local residents and traders over the apparent lack of effective action to tackle anti-social behaviour which is blighting the area.

Cllr Hoban first contacted Haringey Council and the Safer Neighbourhood police team in early summer to express concern over the fact that the library wall was being dismantled brick by brick; local traders had confirmed that gangs of youths were responsible, often congregating in the area late in the evening, up to 3am in the morning, and indulging in anti-social behaviour including drinking and allegedly drugs.

Cllr Hoban met with the library manager over the weekend to discuss the problem and was informed that an action plan had been agreed by Haringey Council, the ASBO team and the police, but it was confirmed that progress had been hampered through lack of good quality evidence to aid apprehension and conviction of the suspects.

Cllr Hoban states:

“I am increasingly concerned that effective action has not been taken to address this problem.Local residents and traders, and also library staff, are entitled to protection from the terrible effects of anti social behaviour. I want the public meeting to be held, preferably at the library, at the earliest possible opportunity to allow the local community to be involved in identifying a an effective solution. My personal view is that there is a clear need for good quality CCTV surveillance at this spot, which is also a dangerous traffic junction. Installation of CCTV would help deter both bad behaviour and improve traffic management in the area.”

CHAOS IN HOUSING – LIB DEMS DEMAND ACTION OVER CRITICAL FAILINGS

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Ron Aitken, Haringey Lib Dem Crime Spokesperson, is backing Haringey police’s appeals for witnesses following an apparent homophobic attack on a resident on the 29 bus as it travelled north up Green Lanes.

The victim was subjected to a torrent of homophobic abuse as well as suffering cuts and bruises from the attack.Fortunately, he was saved from serious injury by the intervention of other passengers.

Police are looking for two women in their late teens who boarded the Number 29 at Manor House and are urging anyone with further information to come forward.

Cllr Ron Aitken comments:

“I would strong urge anyone with information to come forward.Underreporting of such incidents is a major issue, as was highlighted by recent research from Middlesex University.

“In the last few weeks, I have been working closely with the Police LGBT Liaison Team in Haringey to encourage people to report any such attack.However Haringey, unlike Camden, Southwark and Lambeth, is still without a dedicated Hate Crime reporting system, and this needs to be tackled.”

Flowers, veg, library and hospital

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Busy,At local allotment's Annual Show busy weekend. Saturday afternoon was the first of what is a very horticultural weekend with giving out the prizes at the Muswell Hill & District Horticultural Society Autumn Show. It was fantastic – such a lovely thing to go and do. A blaze of colour and fine blooms – and given the hottest July on record followed by the August downpours, I was amazed by the quality of the blooms. Not being an expert in these matters and certainly without a green finger to my name I can but be impressed as a spectator – those who tend to garden do us all a great service as we enjoy the fruits of others’ labour as we pass by.

Sunday afternoon was more fruits (literally) and vegetables at the Annual Show of the golf course allotments. So many contributions of fantastic veggies. I now know what makes a good green bean. The first time I looked at the various entries, they all looked much of a muchness to me – green and long. But having enquired what makes a green bean a winning green bean, I now know what details to look for. Having given out the prizes – many, many certificates and many cups and medals – I was given the most beautiful basked of produce from Gina’s allotment – absolutely gorgeous and will eat some tonight. She had even put fresh figs in!

The allotment association had applied for funding from the lottery just recently to get a pretty small amount to put up a new meeting room/shed. However, their bid failed because they were told that they needed to have planning permission (a formality in this case – as it is a replacement not a new building) in advance of their bid application. But Haringey Council hadn’t told them this. Apparently, one of the organisers told me, Haringey hasn’t given the allotments any money whatsoever in the last 15 years – and yet Haringey Council is raising the annual rental by 50% over two years. I have no doubt that the planning permission will be granted and I will certainly help them with their new application that will then follow.

Allotments are just the most wonderful breathing space for those without gardens. True oases of peace and quiet. There are something like 16 allotment sites in Haringey and 1,600 plots. There is a very long waiting list – and happily I think even Haringey Council understands that these oases are sacrosanct.

This morning, reading the endless column inches of Blair-Brown bitching, I am actually horrified by the Labour party’s seeming desire to self-destruct. Blair has been the single reason they won three elections. He has said he will go. Cameron is not very special other than he is clearly a good PR practitioner – but the Labour party’s disarray allows him more leeway than he deserves. They are still the Nasty Party and it will take a lot more than hot air (or conversion to recognition of the threat of climate change) to convince me that the leopard has changed its spots.

Blair was wrong to go to war in Iraq illegally, and he is dangerously cavalier with civil liberties and human rights – but Labour MPs who think that getting rid of him and installing Gordon will help them in the next election are wrong.

On a more local tack – there are two important local meetings coming up on issues I’ve been working on with my councillor LibDem colleagues.

Firstly, there are plans on the table to update Muswell Hill Library. The library is a well-used and well-loved local library, at the centre of our community. Upstairs the busy Children’s Library jostles for space with the IT suite, connecting people who don’t own a home computer to all the opportunities of the internet. The Toy Library supports local families with toys, games, advice and support. And twice a month the library even hosts Lib Dem councillors’ surgeries!

Of course the building needs updating. A key priority is access for people with limited mobility. And, sadly, the wonderful Grade II listed features have been allowed to fall into disrepair.

But many people were shocked and surprised to learn that Haringey’s Labour Council want to replace the ground floor with a restaurant, and move the library facilities out into an extension. In order to fund this, the Council plans to sell off land at the rear of the library, which currently provides parking to hard-pressed residents of Avenue Mews. Some of the land will be used to create a Community Garden – but there is no indication of how big this might be.

The local Lib Dem councillors and I have been pressing the Council to release a full breakdown of the costs of this proposal, and to provide more detailed plans with better information about the size of key areas such as the adult library, the Toy Library and the IT facilities. This information has yet to be provided.

The next public meeting to discuss these plans will be held in the Library this coming Wednesday, 6 September at 7pm. I hope lots of people attend.

The following Wednesday (13th September) there is to be a public meeting on the “development of local health services at the Hornsey Central Hospital site” between 6pm and 8pm at the Middle Lane Methodist Church, Middle Lane, Crouch End. (See here for a map).

I have been campaigning along with local residents and the Friends of Hornsey Central Hospital since the hospital was closed in 2001 to ensure that local health services are re-provided on this site.

It is six years since we were promised that if we (local residents, the Friends of Hornsey Hospital and Lib Dem campaigners) stopped our campaign to save the hospital – then the Trust would work together on consultation with us to a create new health facility for the community. So we worked with the Trust. There were public meetings and plans and public meetings and working meetings and lots of commitment – even complete planning permission at one stage. But after six years – we are nowhere.

And that’s just for starters … so I really am back in the swing of things again!