An amusing conversation with a local resident about Potholes.

I was stopped as I got out of the car yesterday. It was a neighbour of mine, who lives at the posher end of my road. "You were standing for the council in the election, weren't you?" she asked. I responded "Yes, did you vote for me?". Her face screwed up "No, I always vote Conservative". She then continued "What are you going to do about the potholes outside my house?". I replied "You do know that I didn't get in?". She replied "Yes, of course I do, but what are you going to do about the potholes?". I replied "I'll give you John Hart, your local Conservative councillors telephone number and you can ask him to get it fixed. He won, he gets paid to do this". She wasn't having any of this "You will never get anywhere with an attitude like that". I felt a little explanation was required "Look, all I can do is ring he council to report it. John Hart is a councillor and he can follow  it through. You chose him because you felt he was the best man for the job". She then said "Look, you Lib Dems are better at sorting out local things, everyone in Mill Hill knows that". I then asked "So why didn't you vote for me?" She replied "Because I always vote Conservative". I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Maybe I'll report it anyway later using the http://barnet.fixmystreet.com/ website. The hole needs mending. If they don't mend it maybe I'll ring John Hart and tell him off. I'd just remind everyone that if you don't actually vote for the bloke who you think will do the best job, you've only yourself to blame if nothing gets done.

Lib Dems spice up the campaign trail

Friday evening was the last Friday night of the campaign for the general and local elections. We had arranged for a big canvassing push in Mill Hill and Duncan MacDonald and Sean Hooker, two candidates in High Barnet came over to help. After a hard evening pounding the streets of Mill Hill, the heavens opened. We decided to show our support for local business in Mill Hill and so adjourned to the Day of the Raj Indian restaurant. The Day of the Raj is one of two fine Indian restaurants in Mill Hill Broadway, the other being the Mill Hill Tandoori. Both restaurants are well established and have been around for years. It may not surprise regular readers to know that I am good friends with the owners of both restaurants.

Having lost nearly two stone in weight since the start of the campaign, with skipped meals and hours trudging the streets (yes seriously -  I may even offer it as a fitness course), I was well prepared for a tasty meal. Romal Miah, who is the owner and the chef at the Day of the Raj didn't disappoint. I said to Romal that it would be nice to say thanks to the kitchen team. He immediately invited us into the kitchen to meet them. They say that you can tell the true quality of a restaurant only by the state of its kitchens. The Day of the Raj has spotless kitchens. Given that the restaurant was rather busy, it is clear they didn't just spruce it up for us ! Oh and just in case you were wondering, we all paid for our dinners out of our own pockets.

I think it's fairly clear from just looking at these pictures that we've got a good team in Mill Hill and in the wider Barnet party. It was nice to take a little time out with the team and discuss matters other than politics, the election and the campaign. I'd be rather interested to know if any of the candidates and teams from any of the other parties were out together in over the weekend socialising together. It sometimes seems to me that some people are far too focused on politics and a little to divorced from real life.

There are many fine restaurants in Mill Hill. The people who work in these and run them are amongst the most hard working you will meet. I just wish my bank balance was large enough to support all of these establishments on a far more regular basis.