A good week for Brian Coleman

Brian Coleman has been in the local news this week. He's been had nice things said about him in Barnet blogs, he's been mentioned in the newspapers in a positive way and he's had his picture taken with the great and the good. He's even been on record as having paid for his own dinner.

Firstly, which Barnet blog has been saying nice things about our Mayor CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT

The Barnet Times quoted Brian Coleman speaking at the Brent Cross redevelopment hearing. For once I totally agree with Mr Coleman.

Cllr Brian Coleman, Barnet and Camden London Assembly member: Said the development is “too tall and dense” and warned it could end up like the Grahame Park Estate. Accused the developers of having “no vision” and “no imagination” adding “Going high where the maximum profit is, what we do not need is more flats in this borough”

As to his hobknobbing the great and the good, Click HERE and HERE for some lovely pictures of Brian on a Schmoozathon. Leader of the Council Mike Freer assured the Barnet Blog information service that Brian Coleman stumped up for his own dinner.

After such a marvellous week for our dearly beloved Mayor, what could possibly go wrong? If even the Barnet Eye can't find anything bad to say about Brian Coleman, then maybe he's turned over a new leaf. To celebrate this change of heart, Don't Call me Dave has put together this fascinating music video chronicling the exploits of Barnets beloved first citizen. Don't miss it, this is a treat.

Springtime for Boris at County Hall

Something has troubled me for a while. How could Boris Johnson and his mayoral team be so rubbish. How on earth could so many basic cock ups be squeezed into such a short period of time. God knows how many Mayoral deputies etc have come and gone, some before they even had their feet under the desk.

Bonkers schemes such as bendy bus replacements have been leapt into with no thought for the consequences or cost. The western congestion charge is being abolished, with no clue as to where the shortfall came from. How could the Tories inflict this walking disaster on us? What has David Cameron got against London.  I was looking through my film library today and I came across my favourite film "The Producers" starring Zero Mostel. I slipped it into the slot, sat back and suddenly I realised the horrible truth. There is an uncanny likeness between David Cameron and Zero Mostel (see piccies).

Then I started to think about the plot of the film. Mostel plays a dodgy film producer who has been making a good living producing flops and fiddling the books in the process. Gene Wilder plays his accountant, who points out that if he'd produced a really big flop, attracting loads of investment from doddery old ladies, he could clean up. If it shut on the first night he could keep all the cash. Mostel realises that this is his big chance. He looks for the worst play, the worst actors and asks the wrong critics. The result - A spectacular success. Mostel realises he's finished as he can never pay back the investors so he blows up the Theatre.

Which takes us back to Cameron. Word on the street is that he's never rated Boris. He sacked him from the shadow cabinet at the first available opportunity. I believe that the last thing Cameron wanted was for the Tories to win the London Mayoralty. Boris would be mid term in the election year and Cameron new that there was a good chance that things would be unravelling, causing much damage to the many marginal targets where the Tories hope to win. Just suppose he could solve the Boris problem for once and for all, ensure London stayed under nasty bogeyman Ken and keep all of those marginals tipping towards the Tories.

Looking at Boris's appointments, he clearly got the worst team. As his policies unravel, it's clear that he had the worst policies and as to the critics, well the Evening Standard aside, we all knew what would happen. Anyway, Dave Cameron clearly hasn't watched "The Producers" or he would have known what would happen. London loved Boris in spite of everything. You see they see Boris as Boris, but they blame the Tories for what is going wrong. It is clear that Boris is a buffoon who needs constant minding. He should have a team to catch his foot every time he tries to put it in his mouth.

The trouble is that Cameron does not have the Zero Mostel option. He can't blow up London, he just has to hope London doesn't blow up his chances. Whilst Zero Mostel in the Producers is my favourite film of all time, I'm afraid that I won't be singing along to this little ditty

Springtime For Boris at County Hall

London was having trouble
What a sad, sad story
Needed a new leader to restore
Its former glory
Where, oh, where was he?
Where could that man be?
We looked around and then we found
The man for you and me
ANDREW GILLIGAN:
And now it's...
Springtime for Boris and County Hall
London is happy and gay!
We're marching to a faster pace
Look out, here comes the plastered race!
Springtime for Boris and County Hall
London's a fine land once more!
Springtime for Boris and County Hall
Watch out, Europe
We're going on tour!
Springtime for Boris and County Hall...
CHORUS:
Look, it's springtime
Gilligan:
Winter for Labour and Ken
CHORUS AND Tenor:
Springtime for Boris and County Hall!
BLUE RINSE CHORUS:
Springtime! Springtime!
Springtime! Springtime!
Springtime! Springtime!
Springtime! Springtime!
 ANDREW GILLIGAN :
Come on, Tory's
Go into your dance!
BRIAN COLEMAN:
I was born in Barnet Lane and that is why I'm such a Pain.
VERONICA WADLEY:
Don't be stupid, be a smarty, come and join the Tory party! 

 I guess you get the idea. I only wonder why it took me so long to see it, I guess it's too bleeding obvious. I just hope David Cameron feels guilty for lumbering us with the useless lummocks.

The Barnet Eye Welcomes it's first guest columnist - Brian Coleman (I think)

I received this email last Sunday. It was from a very spammy looking email address and ended up in my spam bucket. I nearly missed it, hence the delay. It was sent to my work account. I've absolutely no idea whether this is a wind up or genuine. I publish it with a very heavy health warning, but if it is genuine, I think it is quite an interesting communication. If it's a wind up, it's a rather good one and as such deserves a wider audience. I doubt whether he will, but I would be very grateful if Mr Coleman or someone at the GLA could confirm or deny whether this is genuine and whether it represents Mr Colemans views. I publish this completely unedited and without  comment. Enjoy

Open Letter to the Barnet Eye readership

This blog has undertaken a politically motivated campaign of character
assassination against me. Let me spell out some facts for the  readers,
who may be under the misapprehension that Tichborne, who writes it, is an
innocent abroad.
Tichborne is an active member of the Labour party
Tichborne would not write a word about me if I was a Labour Councillor
Tichborne highlights my allowances and describes these as excessive. These
are set by independent panels. Anyone doing these jobs
would receive exactly the same figure as I do
Tichborne criticises my expenses. These are incurred through hard work.
They cover the costs I run up doing my job. They are not
a perk
Tichborne criticises the fact that I attend many functions in my work. I
don't ask to be invited to these events. I am invited because people
recognise that I do a good job
Tichborne draws attention to the fact that my mother is my consort as
Mayor. This is not a benign action, even though he was not abusive of her.
He is trying to use my mother as a means to get at me in a most underhand
manner

Tichborne gives the impression that I am on the take. He does this in a
sly, poisonous and underhand manner. He is a member of the Labour Party. I
stand by everything I said

Brian Coleman

Welease Bowis - A short film featuring Totteridges least popular Tory councillor

So who is the Least popular Tory Councillor in Totteridge? Well the votes were cast and here's how they stand.

1. Cornelius, Alison	Conservative	Elected: 2837

2. Cornelius, Richard Alan	Conservative	Elected: 2464
3. Coleman, Brian John	Conservative	Elected: 2461

The question is - Has Brian got talent? The Barnet Eye's animation department thought we'd bring you, with help from Sony Motion pictures and Fuzzwitch animations - a dramatic animation of the inauguration of Brian in his other job as the head of London's fire service also starring Boris Johnson. Sort of reminded me of a scene from the Life of Brian. Don't you think that if Boris had a lisp, he'd make a great Biggus Dickus?

London Assembly Update: Darren Johnson - Not fit to serve Lunch !

Darren Johnson, Green Party London Assembly member has been elected as chair of the London Assembly. It seems that his appointment has not been greeted with universal praise. One London Assembly member feels that Mr Johnson is just not made of the right stuff. He said that Mr Johnson has a track record of failing to deliver on key issues which clearly matter to the Senior Conservative Assembly members. In a withering speech given at the assembly today, he destroys the reputation of Mr Johnson. In a valiant attempt to save London from Mr Johnson & his wicked ways, he set out the case for the alternative Tory candidate, Andrew Boff - "who also won't serve roast beef without horseradish sauce at dinner"

What a philistine this Johnson must be ! Who is the Tory luminary, who has clearly identified the issue which concerns Londoners the most during these times of recession and job losses? You know, I just can't remember - but if you ask the Tory Troll maybe he knows.

My advice to Richard Barnbrook - GLA BNP member

Saw this picture of Richard Barnbrook, Londons only GLA BNP member. It seems he came in to the office in this clobber for St Georges day.

Well Richard, there are many things I could say about this picture, but I'll confine it to this. You clearly fancy yourself as some sort of "Crusader Knight", but I can assure you that if you sit down on your trusty steed wearing your sword like that, you will be the first BNP member without a member.

I cannot recall seeing a picture of a politician looking so stupid for years. Oh well ......

Thanks to http://torytroll.blogspot.com/ for the fine picture of Great Britians UberMensch in action.

Top GLA Tory issues grovelling apology

Yesterday I wrote a scathing blog about Tory GLA leader Roger Evans comments. I confessed in my blog yesterday that I thought I'd misjudged the man. I'd originally put him in the "sensible" Tory camp. I thought he was better than his comments. Well it seems that Roger has taken some time to reflect and has concluded that yes, he is better than that. Today Roger posted a blog entitled "I was wrong and I apologise".

I was shocked when I read it. This is a proper heartfelt apology, clearly written by someone who realises they've been stupid. I can't recall the last time I saw such a statement by a politician. We all make mistakes, we all do stupid things. I believe you judge a man by how he makes amends. I still think his comments were crass and stupid, but I'm sure we've all said things we've regretted later.

Seeing that Roger Evans clearly is a man of dignity and principle, I'd say that the GLA Tories are lucky to have such a leader. There are plenty of examples of politicians on all sides who have screwed up and not had the balls to admit it. I think that ordinary people on all sides should take not of his apology and commend him for it. Maybe that will encourage a few others to follow his example and make amends.

EXCLUSIVE: Top GLA Tory in protestor "Threats" Gaffe

In general, where we have protests we have two sides. On one side we have "The Money". These are the people who stand to make serious money. They can afford teams of experts, lawyers, scientists, media personalities, in short whoever will take the thirty pieces of silver to help the schemes come to pass.

On the other side we have "the people". Generally they don't stand to make anything from their protests. They just care about whatever cause they are protesting about. They can't afford teams of lawyers, etc who know the process and how to get around it. They can't afford experts to pick holes in the other sides evidence. They can't afford "tame" media personalities to plug their case. Often they fail, just because they don't really understand the process. As a result they feel angry and disenfranchised. "The Money"knows all the tricks in the book, often they employ the person who writes the book.

Now a wise and compassionate politician will recognise all of this. They will see that protestors usually haven't gone to the finest colleges and studied the subject law for years. They will see that they are often suffering stress, potential financial loss and aggrevation. They will understand that, unlike the smooth teams of lawyers, they have a personal interest long after the lawyers for "The money" have gone. In short, a politician should make allowances for "the people". They should treat them even handedly, even when they disagree.

Roger Evans is the leader of the Conservatives on the GLA. Generally Roger is quite a sensible chap and someone who I thought had a bit of common sense. From comments he's made to day on his blog, I am starting to wonder whether I got him wrong. In a comment on his blog today he says :-

Weggis, if anyone from the protest group had approached me with a logical argument to support their views your suggestion might hold water. Unfortunately there has never been the slightest attempt on their part to engage positively. My experience has been of threats, disrupting meetings and reporting me to anyone they think might shut me up.

Now I read this comment and thought to myself that Roger had been subject to a campaign along the lines of those mounted by the ALF against lab workers. I'm a pacifict and despise the concept of people threatenig people to gain their support. I felt extremely sorry for him and was disgusted that a group should target him in this way. My feelings changed completely when I read a follow up comment from Roger :-

I should also clarify my use of the word 'threats' in my last comment. Of course campaigners have not been threatening me with anything illegal, but their approach has been consistantly one of 'if you don't support us you will be voted out', which looks like a threat from where I'm standing.

So it appears that telling the leader of the GLA Tories that if he doesn't change his mind he'll lose the next election is a threat? I must say that this is the most stupid comment I've ever read by a serious p0litician. I cannot possibly understand why Roger Evans should say such a stupid thing.

My advice to Roger Evans. I'd sit yourself down and have a long hard look at yourself and ask yourself this. Have you considered why the protestors don't engage you in the way that the suits from "The Money" do? Have you ever considered why they get so angry? Have you ever considered how it feels to thwarted at every turn, just because you don't understand the rules, whilst the other side wrote them.

Roger also says :-

Anonymous, I was willing to compromise back in March but the protestors demanded a ruling and now they will have to live with it.

They will also have to live with my active support for LCA from now on, even though I was neutral on the subject until recently - such has been the effect of their brilliant strategy...

You clearly state that because a few people have upset you, the LCA now have your active support. The implication is that support for the LCA is "payback" to the 6 supporters who reported you, or the few who shouted at meetings or even those who had the audacity to tell you they wouldn't vote for you. Roger, I ask you this - Do you make every important decision concerning the future of London based on whether or not you like the more vociferous supporters of the proposal, regardless of its merits.

Let me just mention one thing for clarity. I really don't have an opinion as to whether the Airport should be enlarged or not. I can see both sides and haven't made up my mind (like Roger says he was before he got upset). Unlike Roger, I'll make up my mind based on the evidence, not on whether one side is better than the other at schmoozing me.

London Assembly Member in Standards Row

Paragraph 5 - "You must not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing your office or the authority into disrepute."

It seems that a certain, high profile London Assembly member has been attracting complaints for his behaviour. It had been suggested that he broke the section of the code detailed above.

The full details of this issue are listed here on This Blog page (click here).

I must say that this is a rather interesting case not so much for the actual issue, but I can see that there will be ripples felt for a long time over the outcome. I think that the outcome was correct. Whilst I don't agree with Mr Evans on this issue, I most certainly don't think his comments were offensive. From what I've seen of him, he's actually quite a mild mannered chap. If we ban phrases like "climate change Taliban" then we're probably in no position to criticise the Taliban at all.

The Brian Coleman Bus Conundrum

Just a quick post. Can anyone out there please explain why Brian Coleman thinks it's a rubbish idea to extend to extend the 263 bus :-

http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release_a.jsp?releaseid=20881

Wheras it's a great idea to extend the 210 bus :-


http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release_a.jsp?releaseid=20502

Why is it great for people's access to events at synogogues be made better but a bad idea idea to make it easier for people in Archway and Holloway to visit sick relatives in Barnet hospital?

How come lengthening the 210 won't make the buses late wheras lengthening the 263 will?

Me personally, I'd like to see good access from public transport to synogogues, hospitals and pubs.

Just asking ......

Rog T 1 - Brian Coleman 0

Hard Working Brian Coleman with Former Labour Minister Chris Smith


I've got a rehearsal with the band tonight. I'm going to enjoy it even more than useual tonight. I may even have a glass of nice red wine when I get home in celebration. What am I celebrating. Well it seems my little campaign (with a little help from a few like minded individuals has borne fruit). I was sent a link to the GLA expenses documents for April - October 2008 and it appears that our good friend, Brian Coleman has taken heed of our criticism. Last year his Taxi bill was approx £8,500. For the half year to October it's a mere £195. Although it is the highest for any GLA member, it's only £8 higher than the next on the list.

Now I know Brian and all his friends will deny it to the ends of the earth, but I know, you know and he knows that his bills were outrageous. We all know that it was damaging the London Conservatives and we all know there will be an election some time soon. He also knows that he'd get no peace from this quarter, so he's cut back. Whether this is a temporary change or a complete cure, I don't know. What I do know is this. If it hadn't been for some of us constantly reminding everyone what he's like, then he'd still be at it. It's only half time, but when it comes to Colemans cutbacks, it's Rog T 1 Brian Coleman 0.

Check this link for the full expenses for the London Assembly - April - October 2008
http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/audit_panel_mtgs/2009/jan15/item11a.pdf

Cleverly Coded Criticism of Coleman !!!!

Praise where praise is due. If I see a politician, whatever the party doing something the right way, I'll praise them to the hilltops. There are plenty of decent men and women in all of the parties, doing the job as best they can. I am sure the excesses of politicians like Brian Coleman must privately enrage them. His £8,231 taxi bill last year no doubt caused much squirming amongst his colleagues on the London assembly. It rather looks to me as if one of his colleagues, James Cleverly has had enough of Brian Coleman's excesses and has decided to take a principled stand and send him a powerful message. In his blog http://www.jamescleverly.blogspot.com dated yesterday he says :-

22 January, 2009
My expenses

Jimmy, a regular commentator on this blog, makes a valid request. In my last post I wrote about MPs expenses and he feels it only fair that I'm open about mine. Fair point.

Before I reveal the figure I think it only fair to explain that Assembly Members and MPs expenses work in very different ways.

Firstly because London is a physically tight area none of us need second homes. All our staff, IT equipment and office equipment is paid for centrally rather than being paid by or bought by the MP, as is the case in Westminster. I also get an annual travel card so I can get around London for meetings, visits etc. This all keeps our expenses lower and more simple than MPs.

Now here is the good bit. Based on my expenses since being elected in May of last year I calculate my annual expense claim for the municipal year 2008/9 will be £0.00

I can't promise it will always be this low but I'll do my best.

Well Done James. Another Tory who's style I quite like is Roger Evans. I suspect that he's very close to Brian Coleman politically, but he can make his point without coming over as being arrogant or offensive. Wheras Coleman dismissed the Brent Cross Railway as "A bonkers scheme devised by men with train sets in their attics" (or words to that effect, Evans puts his opposition to Cross London Tram in far more measured and sensible terms in a reply to a question I asked him on HIS BLOG. He says :-

One of these was Brian Coleman who made his presence felt by objecting to the tram proposal, to the extent that his efforts were - I believe - reported by some of the pro tram bloggers, after the meeting. I was also present and I raised an objection on the grounds of cost. I can think of many better ways to spend £1.3 billion...

I don't agree with Roger Evans at all on this subject, but it seems to me that his approach is far more sensible. There even seems to be a tacit acknowledgement in his comment that the Brian Coleman approach doesn't really help move the debate forward.
I don't expect Colemans fellow assembly members to go public with open criticism, but it certainly seems to me as if they have realised that his approach does more harm than good. The James Cleverly attitude towards his expenses is a breath of fresh air and there are many politicians of all parties who could take a leaf out of his book.