Barnet Council divert 240 bus on eve of Election

The picture to the left was taken at just after noon today in High Street Mill Hill. As you can see a 240 bus is trying to squeeze down a road which is not on its route and is clearly not suitable for such large vehicles.

The reason? Workmen from Barnet Council had diverted the bus from its regular route on the Ridgeway. I was canvassing when I saw this incredible site. I was chatting to a resident who told me she'd never seen a bus come down her road in 60 years.

It is quite clear that such a diversion, with cars parked on both sides of the road is a hazard. Bus routes are agreed and planned so as to minimise disruption, risk to pedestrians and risk to parked cars. It is quite clear that Barnet Council needs to be made aware of this as a matter of urgency.

David Cameron in Mill Hill

Quite by coincidence, the Lib Dems were out last night in the very Mill Hill street where David Cameron was filmed by the BBC. Have you ever wondered what the cameras don't show you? Have you ever wondered what lies behind the smiling faces and the teflon grins? Well one resident wasn't too impressed with Mr Cameron or his views. He made it known in no uncertain terms, but sadly the BBC neglected to show his message. The Barnet Eye is happy to pass on his message.

Time for a change - In who runs Barnet Council

The Tories have recently plastered their "change" message all over the London Borough of Barnet. I mischieviously asked one of their councillor candidates on Saturday in Mill Hill if he thought people should vote for change. He replied "yes". I then said "Well you could have saved them the bother and just stood down". Sadly he didn't find it very funny. When he composed himself he said "Oh we don't need change at the council, we're doing a marvellous job. We need another eight years!". ( I didn't remind him of the £27.4 million they'd lost in Iceland, the £11 million they'd overspent or the raid on the council reserves to keep down Council Tax).

I then asked him if he would be glad to see the back of "unelected Gordon Brown". He said "Yes, it's terrible how he didn't call an election when Blair went, don't you agree?". I replied "Oh yes, mind you, didn't your lot sack Salinger (The Tory Council Leader at the last election) five minutes after the last election?". The esteemed councillor replied "Oh, but that's different, he didn't have the support of the group". That's Ok then. Stuff the electors, the Tory councillors view is far more important.

I thought I'd have one last little bit of banter. "Do you think Andrew Harper will be the next Leader of the Council?". He immediately snapped back "Lynne Hillan is doing a fine job as Leader". I then said "Ah yes, but if and when she does go, would you back Andrew Harper?".

I can't tell you what he said next as he made me promise to keep it secret and that's exactly what I'll be doing. Let's just say that his answer was rather surprising, although not totally out of character for a member of the Barnet Tories.

Me personally, I rather hope Jack Cohen will be the next Leader of the Council. I rather think it's time for a change in who runs Barnet Council and I don't just mean Lynne Hillan.

Bye Bye Johnny

Johnny should've been Goode !

The Prime Minister is in Burnt Oak

For a pleb, I'm rather lucky. I've met two Prime Ministers out on the campaign trail!

Only one was actually Prime Minister, my meeting with Lady Thatcher in 1974 (documented elsewhere in this blog) walking home from School occurred when she was merely MP for Finchley.

The other meeting occurred in 1979. James Callaghan was Prime Minister and he was on the campaign trail. I was pondering this visit and how times have changed. At the time, Hendon North was a safe Tory seat, with John Gorst as MP (would Brown bother with a safe Tory seat today). There are many parallels between 1979 and today. Callaghan and Brown were both not elected, they took over from people who had won three elections each (Wilson and Blair). They had both been involved in Labour governments which had huge fiscal crises (IMF Bailout and the Credit Crunch). They had both been viewed as good chancellors by the nation. They both were accident prone  (Callaghan "Crisis, what crisis?". Brown - Bigotgate).

Having said that, there are differences. Callaghan was generally liked in the country. He wasn't seen as the problem. Most people preferred Callaghan to Thatcher personally at the time. He was a warm character, often called "Sunny Jim". They were just sick of the Labour government. The Liberals were seen as a minor irrelevence. They were expecting to get a dozen or so MP's and their only real hope of power was to hold the balance of power and force the introduction of PR, propping up a minority government. Today the Lib Dems are poised to get the largest number of seats since the second world war. Whilst Thatcher was a hard right Tory with a clear agenda and presented a clear change from Callaghans government, nobody really seems to know what David Cameron stands for (least of all himself).

Anyway, I was in the sixth form common room at Orange Hill Senior High School when someone said "Jim Callaghan is visiting the Labour hall in Burnt Oak to make a speech at midday". Myself, Boz Boorer, Phil Bloomberg and a few others immediately trudged off down. It's fair to say that some of us were more motivated by a desire to get on telly than any deeply held political views. As it turned out, the Prime Minister turned up an hour late. He was given a raptuous ovation for five minutes, then said "thanks for your support. I can tell you that we are going to win" and then left again. Outside a line of dignitaries was formed to shake hands, but we all pushed in front. The Prime Minister said as he shook hands "Thanks for all your hard work". I replied "my pleasure". We were given a roll of Labour stickers, which we went out and plastered the common room with. Phil Bloomberg then suggested we go out canvassing. We made our way up to the Stonegrove Estate and the first door Phil knocked on, when asked if he was voting Labour, replied "No mate, I'm National Front". At this Phil punched him in the face. A year or so later I was in a pub in Dean Street, The Sound and Vision, that had a video jukebox - probably the first in the country. They had "John, I'm only dancing" by the Polecats on - the band in which Phil Bloomberg played bass. As they were mates, I played the track. One of my mates, who was in a hard core, very political punk band said "Why are you playing this. I can't stand this sort of music". I relayed the Phil Bloomberg canvassing story and he said "Sorry mate, I stand corrected".

Times change.  I'm pleased to say that I've not resorted to such measures in my campaign for the Lib Dems.

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.

It's party time in Mill Hil Broadway !

It's Saturday morning. It's 11am. It's Mill Hill Broadway. It's party time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woo Hoo I hear you shout. Sadly, I don't mean that it's time to have a party. No, don't all rush down with your bottles of champagne and your shortest mini skirts. I mean that all of the political parties are out in force. Now I have two perspectives on this. One as a blogger documenting the life and times of Mill Hill and one as a Liberal Democrat candidate for Council. So who did we have?

Well first up you had the A Team. The Mill Hill Lib Dems. in the picture are the three candidates for Mill Hill, Jeremy Davies, my good self and Kim Checchetto. Also present is Barnet Lib Dem Leader Jack Cohen and his good lady Ruth Cohen, who is a Lib Dem candidate in Golders Green. As you can see, we got up early and nabbed the best spot. I think it's fair to say we had the best stall, with balloons and pictures of Mill Hill, the Manifesto, a whole selection of leaflets and even "I agree with Nick" badges for sale. For us it felt as near to a carnival atmosphere as you are likely to get on a political party stall in Mill Hill. Even the local Conservatives were grudingly telling us we've had a good campaign and a good election so far.

Next up, outside Jennings Bookies was the Residents Association candidate for Hale. His name is Derek French. I had a chat with my Barnet Blogger hat on with Mr French. I was keen to understand why he was standing. If you click the above link, he's laid it all out pretty well. Now as there are Lib Dem candidates standing in Hale ward, I obviously want them to all get elected, but lets just say I would certainly like Mr French to come fourth in the polls behind our three candidates, if someone has to. I am a great believer in "localisation" and Mr French embodies this. He told me that before he started he had reservations about canvassing and standing on the street handing out leaflets. He tells me he's had a great reception and is warming to the task at hand. Whatever party you belong to, you should see it as a good thing that people believe in democracy enough to stand as an independent.

Finally outside Iceland we had the "B" team. The Conservatives (B is for Blue). There were four of them when I went up and asked if I could take their photo. One of them shrieked "He'll lampoon us and humiliate us, send him away" (or words to that effect). Councillor John Hart, wisely said "He'll take a picture anyway, so we might as well let him". The other two legged it out of shot, leaving candidates Suri Khatri and Councillor Hart to have their picture taken. Councillor Hart was collecting signatures to stop the development of sports facilities at Copthall. I had a peek and four people had signed  at that time (him and his three helpers possibly). I told John that he'd scored an own goal and explained why. He looked rather glum and told me "Well I didn't write it". I promised John I'd only print the picture if it was flattering (I hope he likes it). I must say I was disappointed with their stall. Given all of the lovely wonga that Lord Ashcroft has given the Conservatives and their recent sponsorship deal with a local commercial dog walking service, I fully expected neon lights and a brass band.

Anyway, I made my way back to our stall. One thing I have noticed since the debate is the number of voters under 30 who have taken an interest in politics. It seems to me that all of these are swinging towards the Lib Dems. Our backroom computer guy came down to have a chat and told me something rather technical. I asked for an explanation. He said that thousands of people had registered to vote in Barnet recently. It seems that after a decade or two of declining interest, people are waking up to the fact that if you want to make things better you have to vote. As I drove to drop my son off for Gaelic football, I tuned into LBC to listen to the Ken Livingstone show. Rather oddly David Mellor was presenting it. It seems that Ken was poorly. They had "the UK's leading pollster" in to explain what is happening. His verdict? He hadn't got a clue. He was explaining how Labour could finish with least votes and get the most seats and how the Lib Dems could get the most votes and the least seats. When I'd finished dropping my son off, I went back for the last half hour.

A man asked me how I could possibly think a hung Parliament would be a good thing or how PR could possibly be good for Great Britain. I explained what the guy UK's leading pollster had been saying and said that I thought that Democracy meant that the majority of people supported the Government. Did he really believe that a system which could deliver such a perverse result was fair?

His answer seemed to be "Yes, if it means the Conservatives are elected". If you believe our electoral system is fair and works well, please consider the following.

The majority of voters at the last election voted for parties that have had no say in the running of the country. The Country has been lead for three years by a man who was not elected by the British people. Since this man took over, the country has fallen into the biggest financial crisis the country has ever faced in peacetime.

What about at a local level. Four years ago, Brian Salinger was leading the Conservatives. Immediately after the election, which his party won, they sacked him on ideological grounds. They are on their third leader. The elected one had the shortest tenure. In this time they lost £27.4 million in Iceland, £11 million on Aerodrome Road Bridge overspend. They have had to raid the cash reserves to prevent council tax from skyrocketing in an election year. None of these policies were in the manifesto which Salinger presented to the people of Barnet.

One lady bowled up to me and announced "The Tories said you were looking rather glum". I asked "Oh, do I look rather glum". She said "Actually no, you look quite cheerful". I then asked "How did they look". She replied "Oh, they looked rather glum, now you come to mention it".  I asked her if she would be voting for us on May 6th. She announced proudly "No". I guess I must have started to look glum myself, as she then announced "because I've already sent my postal vote off for you". At this I cheered up considerably. She then asked "Why aren't labour down here today?". A question which we've all been asking ourselves.

I agree with Alex

The words I never thought I'd say. Yes it is true. I agree with Sir Alex Ferguson. Speaking yesterday, he suggested that Roy Hodgson should be named manager of the season for his achievements leading Fulham to the Europa League final. Look at the pedigree of the clubs they've knocked out. As regular readers of this blog will know, I spent a bit of time in Sweden in the early 1980's and actually met Roy having a drink. We had a brief chat about football and he seemed like a really nice bloke. Bear in mind that at the time he was completely unknown and I knew nothing of Swedish football, I thought his team was the equivalent to the Royal Scot FC, who I played for occasionally at the time. One of the Swedish guys with him told me that he was the best thing ever to happen to Swedish football.

It certainly looks like he's the best thing ever to happen to Fulham Football Club.I for one will be an honoury member of the Fulham FC supporters club on May 12th. It's my sons birthday and I think he may well be allowed a late night to stay up and watch the match.

A Change is Gonna Come

This is dedicated to all of the mad people of all parties who have spent the last few weeks trudging the streets of Great Britain doing their bit for democracy. Enjoy your Saturday night. I know I will



If I was the Leader of the Lib Dems, this is the song I'd have picked for a campaign theme tune. Listen and enjoy (whoever you support). Have a great evening

Local Tories in Election Leaflet bungle

Readers of the Barnet Eye will have recently read of rather odd claims that "Lib Dems plan 500 seat stadium for Copthall Chase Lodge" from the Mill Hill Tories in a recent leaflet. Given that no local Lib Dems have a clue about any such plans, the Barnet Eye was keen to find out what the Tories were on about.

The Barnet Eye has spoken to various Lib Dem councillors and has discovered the source of the rumour. Local Tories have confused Lib Dem support for planned improvements to Chase Farm Hospital with the Chase Lodge football pitches.Local Lib Dems have spearheaded the campaign to retain and improve facilities at Chase Farm. This will ease pressure on the already overworked Barnet General hospital.

Barnet Lib Dems are happy to announce that they fully support improvements to Chase Farm Hospital. As to Stadiums at Copthall and Chase Lodge, we've seen no plans and none have been submitted for any form of planning approval. No Mill Hill Lib Dems have been involved in any schemes for stadiums (as alleged in the Tory Leaflet) or any other developments on the site and can only suggest that the Tories have got their wires crossed between Chase Farm pitches and Chase Lodge Hospital, where the local Lib Dems are spearheading the drive for improvements. If it didn't affect local residents it would be quite funny.

Is there an election coming up by any chance?
***** Update at Saturday *****
In response to a confused resident from Enfield who rather likes this blog. Lib Dems are not proposing that Chase Farm hospital be turned into a football stadium. We are proposing that the hospital services are retained and improved. Local residents may recall that the Conservative government closed Edgware General hospital (I know, I helped organise the campaign to oppose the closure). There is only one party which opposes hospital closures and stands up for the green belt in Mill Hill. That is the Lib Dems.