Hull Lib Dems councils massive increase in consultants

Hull Lib Dems plan to spend thousands of pounds on additional consultants whilst at the same time makings 200 staff redundant. Lib Dem boss Andrew Sloan confirmed plans to take on additional consultants in the Highways Department at the councils scrutiny committee.

Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne article on drugs

Lib Dem Leadership Race

Hughes: "If you were two-faced like the rest of us, you'd see that dagger before you."

Photo and caption taken from Guy Fawkes.

So no general election this year.

So no General Election this year. I must say I am a little disappointed that Gordon Brown decided not to call an election for November. As a political activist elections are the most exciting times. Despite recent opinion pools I still believe Labour will win a majority whenever the election is held. With the most likely date now well into 2009.

Stephen Twigg wins West Derby nomination.

Stephen Twigg has this weekend won the Labour nomination for the Liverpool seat of West Derby. Twigg famously beat Tory Michael Portillo in the 1997 general election.

Labour Campaign Team

Today I attended a regular campaign group meeting of Labour’s local government committee. It was a very good meeting with some excellent contributions from Labour group leader Steve Brady and Daren Hale. The chair and secretary of the group have worked hard to follow a timetable for the next local elections and to ensure we have the best team possible in place.

Alan Johnson opens new Health Centre

Alan Johnson today opened the new Longhill Health Care Centre on Shannon Road. The Health Secretary praised the work of the local PCT and highlighted the huge investment going into the NHS in Hull.

Don't Drive tired.

In 2001 a Land Rover and trailer left the M62 at a rail-over bridge went down the embankment and came to rest fouling the main railway line at Great Heck. The resulting rail crash cost the lives of 10 people including train driver Steve Dunn.

This week his widow and the road safety charity Brake are publicising the devastating results possible of driving whilst tired.

I regularly drive trains along the main east coast route past the site of the crash. Whilst there is little sign of the accident now it is a constant reminder of the possible consequences of road users driving whilst unfit.

Thatcher Visits Brown

As a Labour activist through the whole of the 80’s I hated the Tories and particularly Margaret Thatcher. So seeing a Labour Prime Minister welcoming Thatcher into number 10 was particularly galling. However, the photo opposite is interesting. Does it show Maggie now backs Gordon? The bright red dress must have been deliberate and guaranteed to be the photo opportunity outside number 10. The visit sends a clear message to Tory voters that it’s ok to vote for Gordon

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.