E-I-E-I-E-I-O

Well done tigers.

Fantastic result at Wembley and a great day out.

Three and Out

As a train driver you’ll have to excuse me for not seeing the funny side of people being killed on the railway.

So as you’re munching your popcorn, please take a moment to think about those people for whom railways deaths are a tragedy, not a comedy.

Lib Dems hit most vulnerable.

Lib Dems hit most vulnerable.

Lib Dem councillors have decided to hit the most vulnerable in society with the decision to end funding to the local CAB.

The decision is a kick in the teeth not only to the customers of the service but to the dozens of volunteers who provide much of the assistance.

At least some of the Lib Dem group are expressing concern at the decision

Time to go Robert

Time to go Robert


When Robert Mugabe came to power in Zimbabwe nearly thirty years ago it was on a wave of optimism for a better fairer society.

Brutal land grabs and hyper-inflation caused by simply printing money have left the whole county unable to feed itself and on the brink of bankruptcy.

It really is time for Mugabe to go. I hope the police and army refuse to support a continued grab for power by Mugabwe and the results of the elections are implemented.

East Hull Short List

Check your bank account

Check you bank account.

Residents in Hull are being urged to check their bank accounts today as thousands of council taxpayers have been overcharged by the cities Lib Dem bosses. Red faced officials have had to apologies to customers following the blunder which saw the council tax system disabled to stop further accounts being plundered

Happy New Year

Leisure Centre remains closed.

Liberal Democrats councillors are adamant that the Woodford Leisure centre in the East of the city will remain closed. Despite advice from council officers that the facility could be reopened. I understand from talking to officers this week in the Guildhall that the Liberal Democrats want to demolish the building.

“I’ll use floods to cover up closures” says Minns

Hull City Councils Liberal Democrat Leader Carl Minns has admitted that his administration is using the summer floods in the city as a cover to close council facilities. The admission comes as no surprise to many of us in the city as the Liberal Democrats are keen to hive off or close as many council services as possible.

Charles Kennedy Syndrome.

Officers at the Guildhall are said to becoming increasingly worried about the Liberal Democrat leader. As the officer said to me “he recently took time off sick suffering from stress”. I thinks its much more likely to be linked to the frequent liquid lunches.

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