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.