Unfortunately the residents of Borehamwood North stayed away in their droves and as a consequence the turnout for this County Bye-Election was only 18.5% despite a 62.5% turnout in the postal votes. This means that only 1450 people approx. out of an electorate of around 11000 bothered to walk (in some cases less that 400 metres) to the polling station.
So much for the "oldest democracy!"
Any way the residents of Borehamwood North now have a political novice to deal with (or not as the case may be) their problems. The Tory record in Borehamwood is poor and even though the victor is a Rabbi and community minded, so he says, my guess is he will be no better than any of his Borough colleagues when it comes to getting to grips with the nitty gritty. Certainly where I live the 3 Tory Borough Councillors are almost anonymous and are actually never heard from. Most of the residents wouldn't know them because they always blame it on the Government, even though Labour hasn't had any control in these parts for 10 years. Oh well c'est la vie!
The result, by the way, was
Rabbi Plancey, Con. 982
Leon Reefe, Labour. 928
Robert Gamble, Lib Dem, 170
Independent, 125
Con. Majority 54. Con being the operative here!
Before anyone says sour grapes, no just very disappointed that once again (and I know it isn't personal) the electors have allowed themselves to sleepwalk into letting a Tory in just because they found it too much trouble to walk a few metres to vote or even less metres to post their vote.
Oh happy days!!
Friday, 23 October 2009
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
The Final Push
Well it has been a short but very intense campaign for the Borehamwood North County seat and thankfully we have managed to get quite a few troops out leafletting and doing the voter ID.
This, for me, has been about Labour wanting to win again in Borehamwood, and if the helpers turnout is anything to go by, we certainly do!
So now with less than 24 hours till the polls open and still a fair bit to do it is up to the voters, hopefully they will turn my way. If the vibes are anything to go by we have built up a head of steam and earned an enormous amount of respect where ever and from who ever we have we have spoken to.
Of course all of this will be for nought if we fail to win the seat back that was held for us for 28 years by John Metcalf. On that can I say that nobody has worked harder than John in this campaign, bundling leaflets, getting them out to the deliverers and doing hundreds himself, fantastic. Also special mention to my agent Ann Harrison, she has kept everyone calm and also done her fair share of the deliveries too. Making up a trio of trojans is the CLP Chair Di Hoeksma also around at my place almost daily for more bundling and delivering....simply brilliant.
Whilst all this has been going on my main opponent, Rabbi (I will still call him that even if he has dropped the title for the election!) Alan Plancey has been seen briefly although they have managed to get his leaflet out, especially to some Labour stalwarts including a former Labour Group Leader on the Borough Council! Great Voter I D guys!
Any way the Rabbi still hasn't said why he dropped the title (we can probably guess why) and he still hasn't denounced his party leader over the Latvian and Polish anti-Semites, the ones they are now partners with in Europe. Even the Americans are getting fidgety over the issue and it looks like William Hague is in for a tough time when he meets Hillary Clinton this week!
So the Final Push has begun watch this space for the result!
This, for me, has been about Labour wanting to win again in Borehamwood, and if the helpers turnout is anything to go by, we certainly do!
So now with less than 24 hours till the polls open and still a fair bit to do it is up to the voters, hopefully they will turn my way. If the vibes are anything to go by we have built up a head of steam and earned an enormous amount of respect where ever and from who ever we have we have spoken to.
Of course all of this will be for nought if we fail to win the seat back that was held for us for 28 years by John Metcalf. On that can I say that nobody has worked harder than John in this campaign, bundling leaflets, getting them out to the deliverers and doing hundreds himself, fantastic. Also special mention to my agent Ann Harrison, she has kept everyone calm and also done her fair share of the deliveries too. Making up a trio of trojans is the CLP Chair Di Hoeksma also around at my place almost daily for more bundling and delivering....simply brilliant.
Whilst all this has been going on my main opponent, Rabbi (I will still call him that even if he has dropped the title for the election!) Alan Plancey has been seen briefly although they have managed to get his leaflet out, especially to some Labour stalwarts including a former Labour Group Leader on the Borough Council! Great Voter I D guys!
Any way the Rabbi still hasn't said why he dropped the title (we can probably guess why) and he still hasn't denounced his party leader over the Latvian and Polish anti-Semites, the ones they are now partners with in Europe. Even the Americans are getting fidgety over the issue and it looks like William Hague is in for a tough time when he meets Hillary Clinton this week!
So the Final Push has begun watch this space for the result!
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
The Political Classes
I sometimes wonder about Members of Parliament...they definitely live in a world of their own. It's not enough that 300 plus of them have made dodgy claims on expenses, within the rules or not, now when they have had an independent review they are about to chuck their toys out of the pram again.
What really annoys is that they have shown scant regard to the thousands of party activists (of all parties) who pound the streets, knocking on doors and delivering leaflets week in week out for them and the party and all they can do is kick us in the groin (metaphorically) whilst they sit in their ivory towers.
Here in Borehamwood North we have a bye-election on Thursday the 22nd October and it will be hard enough to get people out to vote without the tantrums of an overgrown bunch of schoolkids at Westminster. It will now be even harder to get the voters enthused to vote on real issues that worry people here after this latest outburst of defiance by some MP's who really should know better.
Instead of them falling allover themselves to see who can be first to defy their leadership let them come to Borehamwood and meet real people on the doorstep and find out what is really going on.
Alas I fear that too is wishful thinking, why on earth would they, the Political Classes, want to come and knock on doors? After all real people might tell them what they really think of them!
What really annoys is that they have shown scant regard to the thousands of party activists (of all parties) who pound the streets, knocking on doors and delivering leaflets week in week out for them and the party and all they can do is kick us in the groin (metaphorically) whilst they sit in their ivory towers.
Here in Borehamwood North we have a bye-election on Thursday the 22nd October and it will be hard enough to get people out to vote without the tantrums of an overgrown bunch of schoolkids at Westminster. It will now be even harder to get the voters enthused to vote on real issues that worry people here after this latest outburst of defiance by some MP's who really should know better.
Instead of them falling allover themselves to see who can be first to defy their leadership let them come to Borehamwood and meet real people on the doorstep and find out what is really going on.
Alas I fear that too is wishful thinking, why on earth would they, the Political Classes, want to come and knock on doors? After all real people might tell them what they really think of them!
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Europe and Expenses
Nothing seems to exercise people, particularly Tory people, as much as Europe and the mis-use of public money.
Today's papers are, of course, full of the MP's expenses row and threats from party leaders to their members to "pay back what is required or else!"
Our own Tory MP James Clappison has been in the firing line over this and on Sunday was singled out by some of the papers as a serious transgressor. Now that in itself is not surprising and he managed to claim over £100,000 in expenses since 2002. All this and without a second home to claim for. Apparently he put in claims totalling around £300 per month for food. Not sure what he thought his Parliamentary salary was for?
Now over in the Europe debate the Daily Telegraph, no less, in the guise of Mary Riddell, has come out strongly in favour of David Miliband's stance on this ridiculous and dangerous alliance. She says in regard to right wing Polish Leader of the ECR Michal Kaminski, "for such a man to be leading the Tory Alliance in the European Parliament should send shivers down every British spine". She goes on to say "as David Miliband says, allies like this imperil Britain's relations with leading powers". She finishes by adding "and yet small-world politics decree that Cameron's wooing of alleged homophobes and anti-Semites is little-questioned.
Where are you Rabbi Alan Plancey? Why do you still remain silent on these issues? Where is your leadership now?
Today's papers are, of course, full of the MP's expenses row and threats from party leaders to their members to "pay back what is required or else!"
Our own Tory MP James Clappison has been in the firing line over this and on Sunday was singled out by some of the papers as a serious transgressor. Now that in itself is not surprising and he managed to claim over £100,000 in expenses since 2002. All this and without a second home to claim for. Apparently he put in claims totalling around £300 per month for food. Not sure what he thought his Parliamentary salary was for?
Now over in the Europe debate the Daily Telegraph, no less, in the guise of Mary Riddell, has come out strongly in favour of David Miliband's stance on this ridiculous and dangerous alliance. She says in regard to right wing Polish Leader of the ECR Michal Kaminski, "for such a man to be leading the Tory Alliance in the European Parliament should send shivers down every British spine". She goes on to say "as David Miliband says, allies like this imperil Britain's relations with leading powers". She finishes by adding "and yet small-world politics decree that Cameron's wooing of alleged homophobes and anti-Semites is little-questioned.
Where are you Rabbi Alan Plancey? Why do you still remain silent on these issues? Where is your leadership now?
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Campaign Hotting Up.
Harold Wilson, about 45 years ago, uttered the phrase "a week is a long time in politics". This has become synonymous with anything political that seems to drag on and where fortunes change rapidly.
Imagine what he would have said if he were alive today, where news coverage is 24hrs and headlines change from minute to minute. He probably would have sucked his pipe (wouldn't be allowed to light it of course) sat back and offered some informed view and returned any question with a question of his own that would have had the interviewer on the back foot.
Such was the stature of the man that he could cope with most of the big guns in the media, including the late and lamented Robin Day.
So what has this to do with the bye-election in Borehamwood North? Well we are now only 12 days to polling and so far there seems to have been very little campaigning by my Conservative opponent Rabbi Alan Plancey although I do expect that to change.
What is more to the point, however, is his lack of saying anything on the mess his party have got themslves into over their Polish and Latvian partners in Europe.
This Sunday's Observer had a piece by Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, where he cranked up the pressure once again by accusing William Hague, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, of calling their right wing Polish partner and Nazi sympathiser, Michal Kaminski "a good friend" to the party.
I realise that this is a local election in Borehamwood, but the reason for my prolonged attack on this issue is because we have, in Borehamwood and Elstree, one of the biggest Jewish communities around. You would think that the former leader of that community would have something to say? The silence though continues, but what else could we expect when the Rabbi has even dropped the title from the ballot paper, so he is plain old Alan Plancey. One wonders what he is trying to hide?
We can only live in hope that he will, in the next 12 days, condemn his party leader's stupidity.
After all if a week is a long time in politics, 12 days must be an absolute age!
Imagine what he would have said if he were alive today, where news coverage is 24hrs and headlines change from minute to minute. He probably would have sucked his pipe (wouldn't be allowed to light it of course) sat back and offered some informed view and returned any question with a question of his own that would have had the interviewer on the back foot.
Such was the stature of the man that he could cope with most of the big guns in the media, including the late and lamented Robin Day.
So what has this to do with the bye-election in Borehamwood North? Well we are now only 12 days to polling and so far there seems to have been very little campaigning by my Conservative opponent Rabbi Alan Plancey although I do expect that to change.
What is more to the point, however, is his lack of saying anything on the mess his party have got themslves into over their Polish and Latvian partners in Europe.
This Sunday's Observer had a piece by Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, where he cranked up the pressure once again by accusing William Hague, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, of calling their right wing Polish partner and Nazi sympathiser, Michal Kaminski "a good friend" to the party.
I realise that this is a local election in Borehamwood, but the reason for my prolonged attack on this issue is because we have, in Borehamwood and Elstree, one of the biggest Jewish communities around. You would think that the former leader of that community would have something to say? The silence though continues, but what else could we expect when the Rabbi has even dropped the title from the ballot paper, so he is plain old Alan Plancey. One wonders what he is trying to hide?
We can only live in hope that he will, in the next 12 days, condemn his party leader's stupidity.
After all if a week is a long time in politics, 12 days must be an absolute age!
Friday, 9 October 2009
Me Thinks They Protest Too Much!
There is an old adage in politics that you never believe anything until it is denied.
That being the case the Tories have gone to great lengths this week to try to rubbish and deny the claims made by David Miliband last week about the new rabid right wing grouping the Tory MEP's sit with in the European Parliament.
They even had the Leader of the Polish MEP's and Leader of the overall new Grouping Michal Kaminski at their Conference in Manchester this week.
Mr Kaminski defended his decision to oppose a National Apology for the Massacre of Jews by Poles in the North Eastern town of Jewabne in 1941. He said he thought it unfair to compare it to a Nazi crime. He tried to muddy the waters by accusing the whole "Jewish Nation" of collaborating with the Soviet Union against Poland! He called, bizarrely, on all Jews to apologise for that.
There was more confusion at the Tory Conference over the rght wing Latvian Leader, Roberts Zile, yes he who revels in the Waffen SS, particularly after Party Chairman Eric Pickles had made his "they were only following orders" pronouncement last week.
In this weeks Jewish Chronicle, not noted for its left wing leaning, they, in the guise of Martin Bright (seem to be a lot of them about too) warn the Tory Party to look very closely at what Kaminski has said as they don't appear to have done the necessary due diligence on either Kaminski or Ziles. Bright goes on to say that "just labelling concerns raised by Labour as smears is not good enough".
Meanwhile back on the campaign trail in Borehamwood North my Tory opponent, Rabbi Alan Plancey has been strangely quiet.
That being the case the Tories have gone to great lengths this week to try to rubbish and deny the claims made by David Miliband last week about the new rabid right wing grouping the Tory MEP's sit with in the European Parliament.
They even had the Leader of the Polish MEP's and Leader of the overall new Grouping Michal Kaminski at their Conference in Manchester this week.
Mr Kaminski defended his decision to oppose a National Apology for the Massacre of Jews by Poles in the North Eastern town of Jewabne in 1941. He said he thought it unfair to compare it to a Nazi crime. He tried to muddy the waters by accusing the whole "Jewish Nation" of collaborating with the Soviet Union against Poland! He called, bizarrely, on all Jews to apologise for that.
There was more confusion at the Tory Conference over the rght wing Latvian Leader, Roberts Zile, yes he who revels in the Waffen SS, particularly after Party Chairman Eric Pickles had made his "they were only following orders" pronouncement last week.
In this weeks Jewish Chronicle, not noted for its left wing leaning, they, in the guise of Martin Bright (seem to be a lot of them about too) warn the Tory Party to look very closely at what Kaminski has said as they don't appear to have done the necessary due diligence on either Kaminski or Ziles. Bright goes on to say that "just labelling concerns raised by Labour as smears is not good enough".
Meanwhile back on the campaign trail in Borehamwood North my Tory opponent, Rabbi Alan Plancey has been strangely quiet.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Slow Down for Tommy Campaign
It is always a pleasure when out electioneering meeting people who are campaigning on an issue that means a lot to them.
I had the privilege today of meeting Michelle Kirby, Tommy's Aunt, and was immediately struck by her determination to keep on fighting, campaigning and talking to anyone who will listen, until she gets the result Michelle and the campaign want. Anyone resisting this call to save lives will have to be very cold hearted and oblivious to the great loss that has occurred to this family.
For my part I will do all I can to help this campaign as I know from my working life how stupid and irresponsible speeding drivers can be. As a London Cab Driver I have to cope with bad drivers and reckless driving almost every day. Even after nearly 30 years doing the job I am still surprised how badly some people drive.
Should I be elected on the 22nd October I will carry on the work done by my colleague, John Metcalf, to get 20mph speed limits at serious accident black spots as a matter of urgency.
As far as I am concerned I won't be taking NO for an answer as there cannot be any reason for not wanting to save lives, and money will not be used as an excuse.
I had the privilege today of meeting Michelle Kirby, Tommy's Aunt, and was immediately struck by her determination to keep on fighting, campaigning and talking to anyone who will listen, until she gets the result Michelle and the campaign want. Anyone resisting this call to save lives will have to be very cold hearted and oblivious to the great loss that has occurred to this family.
For my part I will do all I can to help this campaign as I know from my working life how stupid and irresponsible speeding drivers can be. As a London Cab Driver I have to cope with bad drivers and reckless driving almost every day. Even after nearly 30 years doing the job I am still surprised how badly some people drive.
Should I be elected on the 22nd October I will carry on the work done by my colleague, John Metcalf, to get 20mph speed limits at serious accident black spots as a matter of urgency.
As far as I am concerned I won't be taking NO for an answer as there cannot be any reason for not wanting to save lives, and money will not be used as an excuse.
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