Tebbit Test.

In 1990 Norman Tebbit one of the most rabid of the political right mooted a "Cricket Test" be applied to Asians living in Britain. The test clearly designed to be racist in nature is one of the abiding quotes from the Thatcher years. Lets hope it stays buried in the rubbished history of the Tory right.

East Hull Fundraising Event

Photo from the recent East Hull Labour fundraising event.

John Prescott decides to step down at the next election.

John Prescott announced he will be stepping down from Parliament at the next General Election.The announcement was made at a large gathering of Labour supporters and members.

John said, “ It had been a huge privilege to represent the people of East Hull”.

No hint was given as to when the next General Election will take place.

Cllr Nicholson attacks Lib Dem Cabinet

Cllr Nicholson attacks Lib Dem Cabinet

Holderness Ward Liberal Democrat Councillor John Nicholson made an astonishing attack this week on how his own group operate. We all know that the Lib Dems operate in an undemocratic way but its unusual for one of their own to not only admit it but to complain about it to members of the Labour Group.

Residents walk out of meeting.

A recent article in the Hull Mail shows how deluded the average Liberal Democrat councillor can get. The article described how residents attending a "Public Meeting" were forced to Queue up to ask questions. Over 70 residents attended but found they could only ask questions to councillors sat at tables and not to the whole meeting. Many residents walked out in disgust. The Liberal Democrat Party organised said afterwards "it went well".

Liberal Democrats forced to admit they lied.

The Liberal Democrat party in Hull is rapidly being forced to admit it drastically overestimated the numbers of properties in Hull damaged by the recent floods. Liberal Democrat representatives repeatedly lied about the numbers to make the event more dramatic. They didn't care about the people and families involved. Now they are having to admit they got it wrong. The lesson is simple if a Liberal Democrats can't be trusted.

Hull Floods

It is difficult to talk to anyone in Hull who has not been touched by the recent floods. People who have had homes flooded have had a dreadful experience. It will take some areas many months to get back to normal. We all know that Hull is a low-lying city which sits on a flood plain below the tidal high water line. But the threat from one day of very heavy rain had a devastating result on many thousands of residents.

The main now is the clear up operation, the quick removal of damages furniture and the prevention of future flooding.

Gordon Brown takes over as PM.

So its finally happened and Gordon Brown has taken over from Tony Blair as Prime Minister. The next 3 months will be an interesting period as the new Prime Minister sets the agenda for the rest of the parliament. He has already said that Health and Housing will be top priorities. But what changes will be made. The house price boom has been mostly driven by increased demand and increased population. Opening up new areas for increasing supply of houses will be crucial in reducing housing shortages. On health the Labour government has put a huge amount of investment into the NHS. Massive improvement have been made without the government getting credit for the improvements in waiting times, pay, numbers of doctors and dentist etc.
Perhaps a new health secretary can change that.

Harriet Harman becomes Labour Deputy Leader.

On Sunday Harriet Harman became the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and replaced local MP John Prescott. The role is likely to be a much different from the one occupied by John. Harriet Harman has been appointed as chair of the Labour Party and will focus much of her attention out and about up and down the country.

The result of the election was extremely close between West Hull MP Alan Johnson and Harriet Harman.

The special Labour Party conference also saw Gordon Brown replace Tony Blair as Labour leader.

Watching the conference it is very clear that the changes made at the top of government will benefit the country and the Labour party.

The government has been given a fresh impetus and focus on making the housing market work more effectively and further improving the NHS.

Opinion polls show Labour improving and moving ahead of the conservatives reflecting the complete failure of the Tory party leadership.

Labour back in the lead.

A new poll published in the Observer this weekend by Mori puts Labour back into the lead over the Consevatives with the nasty Lib Dems trailing in the rear.

Labour 39%
Tories 36%
Lib Dems 15%

There is clearly a long way to go befor the next general election but it is clear that voters prefer Brown to Cameron.

Pearson Sells Out

Once upon a time after a long career with a club a footballer would be given a testimonial match to help with life after football such as buying a pub or a business or a career in teaching. Testimonial matches are a rarity now. Footballers even in the lower leagues can earn thousand every week whether they play or not. Players switch clubs as frequently as hairstyles with few ever gaining the respect of fans or a long service award.

Most club owners supported their local team, putting money and time into “getting the backroom” stuff sorted and a seat in the director’s box. Jack Walker at Blackburn, Michael Sugar at Tottenham and Elton John at Watford all supported their local teams as boys and went on to put their wealth into football clubs they loved.

Not anymore, football clubs are a commodity to be bought and sold by people who don’t support the team, city or care about the fans. They can come and more importantly go at a moments notice.

Paul Duffen and his associates are talking about the premiership in three years. Great. I want to see premiership football at the KC. But lets not forget what happened at Leeds United, spending millions to soar before crashing in debt and the farce of a bankruptcy buy back scheme.

What is needed in football is a real say and real control for real fans. Supporters who follow local teams in good times and bad deserve more of a say in what happens to “their” team than listening to a hasty press conference to be told its been sold to a group of southern based gamblers.

Hull Liberal Democrat Councillor sacked.

McCobbs Revenge.

Not towing the party line within the Nasty Liberal Democrats in Hull has led to the sacking of one of the newest Lib Dems councillors. The only crime committed seems to be voting for themselves. Nasty man Dave McCobb has already lined the seat up for one of his old school friends.

Hull Liberal Democrats are all about money and greed.

It seems the Hull Liberal Democrats are still all about money and greed. A comment former deputy leader Janet Toker used to describe the party in Hull. Recently the Area Committees met to elect chairs for the coming year. It seems the Lib Dems are having difficulty getting members to toe the party line when it comes to chairs of committees and the additional allowance involved. One Lib Dem member was in such a rush they even managed to nominate themselves for the post ahead of the party nominee.

Sloan dash for power defeated.

Andy Sloan made a dramatic dash for power as he stood for Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and the Council. Unfortunately for Andy he received a just one vote, his own. Even his fellow ward councillors failed to back him!

Labour Group Elect New Leader.

This week I attended the first Labour Group meeting following the council elections. One of the first items to be decided was the election of a new leader after Ken Branson stepped down. I am please to say that my East Hull colleague Steve Brady has been appointed with Daren Hale continuing as Deputy.

Hull Liberal Democrats are all about money and greed

Janet Toker the former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Hull made this stinging remark in her resignation speech fro the party. The comment clearly still hits a very raw nerve with some sections of the Hull Lib Dems who are currently still squabbling over paid positions. I have even had outraged comments sent to me regarding the matter. However, as usual with the yellow Hull fib dems without a backbone and sent anonymously.

John Prescott

Last night I attended the East Hull Labour Party meeting at which John Prescott announced his intension to step down as Deputy Party Leader. Of course it wasn’t a surprise and the date had been widely tipped for some time. The meeting gave John an opportunity to thank the local party and people of East Hull for the support given over the past 37 years and to outline some of the many achievements of the Labour Government over the past 10 years.

Lib Dem /Tory packed comes under pressure.

The Lib Dem /Tory pact on the Hull City Council is coming under intense pressure this week as the squabble for extra council allowances hots up. The ruling group no longer need the support of the two Tory councillors and they now face losing their highly paid additional allowances so the positions can be handed out to new Lib Dem councillors. Former Lib Dem councillor and ex deputy leader of the council Janet Toker famously left the Lib Dems following a similar squabble claiming the local “Liberal Democrats are all about money and greed”. The result of the squabble will be very interesting and will have an impact on the council for the rest of the year. If the two Tory councillors are given the highly paid posts of Chair of Planning and Chair of Licensing they will continue to vote with the Lib Dem group for the next 12 months. However, if the money and greed group win the day two Lib Dems will be appointed and every vote in full council will be on a knife edge.

Full Drypool Result

James Parker .............. Conservative ............................138

Janet Toker..................Independent ...........................139

Gary Wareing ...............Labour ...................................1234

Angela Wastling ...........Lib Dem .................................1642

Total votes 3059

Turnout 31.17%

Drypool does it again

Well after what must be one of the longest election campaigns in the city i lost the Drypool Council seat late on Thursday night. It is now some years since a sitting councillor was able to hold the seat most recent councillor only able to manage one term in office.

The election campaign as always was huge fun very tiring but finally disappointing. I must thank everyone who helped with the campaign especially Jill my wife who has had to put up with the ups and downs of months of leafleting telephones and of course mountains of paperwork stacked all over the house.
My agent Bobby organised a wonderful campaign and managed to organise huge amounts of help in the ward from the university Labour Club. Oh and he really did try to kill me near the end of the campaign.