Burying bad news – Nuclear 28 May, 2008

Is it cynical of me to suspect Labour of burying bad news again. Today when the headlines are dominated by the high cost of oil, Labour finally confirms what we all knew and they denied, nuclear power will be far more expensive than they would like to admit to, and the cost will only go north.

I happened to be in favour of nuclear energy, global security is the new cold war, it’s below the radar but a mega threat, and here to stay for some time. We have to however be clear about the options. If the public get the impression they are being hoodwinked, it’s the surest way of needlessly fuelling the opposition.

Goodbye – Rudi 28 May, 2008

No not Rudi Giuliani, Rudi Vis, MP for Finchley and Golders Green. Unlike his neighbour in Hendon, who is a true and steadfast servant of all his constituents, Mr Vis, has had no time for a large part of his constituency (and that’s putting it politely).

Whilst it will make it that much easier for the Conservatives to win over the good people to vote for us, now that Labour have lost the incumbency factor. Don’t automatically expect a bigger swing than what we achieve nationally.

I felt a tinge of arrogance that prevailed party wide when I joined, that people would just swing back to us, which has now gone, except in a few arrogant Associations. There are a number of hard working Conservatives, servants of the people in F&GG that do and have done a tremendous amount of work over the decades, and that led then to be a little complacent. Whilst F&GG has 17+% of Jews, the highest in the Country, Constituencies are won with 40+%, and here we will probably 45%+, so we must unite all segments of the community.

Maybe because it was never a marginal before, they did not understand how to run a proper GOTV in Golders Green which led to our defeat twice more than it should have. I now understand that things are changing, new people have brought with a new  attitude, and I truly wish them well and look forward to three good Conservative MP’s representing Barnet soon (though regardless of the UNS the Jury is still out on Hendon).

Dealing with the BNP 27 May, 2008

It was simply a joy to watch the new Mayors direct and straightforward answers at question time in London. Oh how the Labour group have changed their tune and swagger in the assembly since I used to watch Red Ken dodge every question.

I am not sure what negotiations went on, but I guess the BNP was neither wanted elsewhere or he insisted on sitting on the far right of the chamber. Traditionally alongside the ruling group, that now being the Conservatives. So in all tactfulness the Conservatives cleverly sat alongside him James Cleverley, an exceptional new member who happened to be of black origin.

I do not envy Boris’s task of having to answer the racists, but his demeanour said it all. The only time he was uncomfortable was in answering the BNP member, where he was practically squirming in his seat and looking away. With his polished hairstyle, brown suit, and loud voice all the BNP member is missing is the moustache.

Congratulations – Edward Timpson MP 23 May, 2008

What a truly big blow for Gordons fourth “relaunch”. My only regret is I never managed to help out more than I did.

The most satisfying bit of the result for me is, by common consensus, Gordon Brown personally attempted to make this a class issue. Thankfully from what the good people in Crewe (and it was Crewe mainly that I went to) told me, it backfired. Britain was, is, and will be an aspirational society.

I get the feeling however, as divide and rule is Gordons trademark, and in the DNA of the Labour party this is not the last we have seen these tactics, in this form, or other incarnations. Let the voters message be clear, race wars, class wars etc. are for the BNP, let’s not give them any more succour then they have already. It may shore up Labours “core vote” but will drive twice as many people to the Conservatives.

Vote Blue in Crewe go Green 15 May, 2008

One thing that has been overlooked by the media and blogosphere, is The Crewe Conservatives HQ is located right by the City centre, but most importantly the closest to the train station.

Allowing activist to arrive by train (when they are running) and canvass easily around the town, so much for the other parties green credentials.

Shame on us 15 May, 2008

Regardless of the outcome of any post-mortem into the readiness of the police and Council last night, one could not help but be disgusted with the isolated Rangers fans who caused such chaos and national shame last night.

Once a week I try and watch news from around the world and from Italy to Israel the pictures remind people of the worst days in the 80’s and 90’s of English football hooliganism. Without exaggeration causing £billions of damage to tourism.

The truth is we collectively need to take responsibility, unless we as a society don’t rise to condemn them and their action, it is as if we were there with them committing those repugnant actions. The moos music must change.

Empty Commons benches 14 May, 2008

It may come as a surprise to some, to see the sparse Conservative benches, on a day like today which must have been sheer ecstasy to see Labour ministers squirming so.

Having been in Crewe yesterday I can confirm that most of them are there. Not just the shadow cabinet, but mainly backbenchers and willingly so. Having been at every Parliamentary By-election since Ipswich bar Hodge Hill (wife would not let me leave hospital) it did not feel like a campaign, more like a family occasion, all happily mucking in.

I got so disillusioned at Brent East to see the party establishment almost self-destruct us for their own selfish interest, I almost left the party. So it is sooooooooo nice to finally see a party which has moved on. We are now keener to govern and change the country, than we are simply desperate to win. A big thank you to Gordon Brown for finally giving our party back its unity, Long live Czar Brown! (Not too long mind you,  just till the next election.)

Analysis 6 May, 2008

Thank you to everyone who voted, especially the more than 50% of local residents in Kersal who voted for change. Unlike Labour, the Conservatives in Kersal & Broughton Park will continue to stand up for residents and give people the choice of hope and change – and not just at election time!

I would also like to congratulate my colleagues across Salford for a terrific result, coming within 1% of Labour across the whole City. We have emphatically proven that there is no such thing as a safe Labour ward.

For those that contacted me before the election, if I do not get back to you in the next week please do contact me again. My details are on all my literature.

Shneur

Result 2 May, 2008

Kersal Ward

Candidate	Party	Votes cast
* CONNOR Peter	Labour	1385
KERSHNER Harold	Liberal Democrat	356
ODZE Shneur Zalman	Conservatives	1046
Electorate 8153	Majority	339
	Turnout 34.4% Thanks to all for voteing full report to follow.