Hallelujah

You read it here first.  On the day that the Barnet Council Cabinet passed the controversial warden policy, I announced that David Young would take Barnet to court. The letter announcing this is the most downloaded item on this website. I advised Barnet Councils officers to get another job because they would lose. I hope that a few of them listened. I advised Barnets Tory Councillors to give Lynne Hillan a wide birth in her leadership bid because she was the architect of this heartless policy, they didn't listen. How rich an irony that she is anointed queen of Barnet on the day that a High Court judge deems her policy illegal. This blog 100% backs the tenants of sheltered housing and their right to keep wardens. I applaud David Young for having the guts to take on Barnet Council. I applaud Yvonne Hossacks, the solicitor who fought for him. Barnet fought dirty and tried to have her struck off. They lost.


I read that Barnet Council may be launching an appeal against the decision. This will be more money down the drain. They will lose again. There is an old saying "when you are in a hole, stop digging" new Council Leader, Lynne Hillan has an alternative view "When you are in a hole, order a team of expensive Lawyers to help you dig"

Barnet First? I'd rather have wardens

I had a little email exchange with Barnets most sensible Tory, Don't Call Me Dave yesterday concerning Barnet First, the rather boring magazine that will be landing on your doorstep sometime soon. Don't Call Me Dave reckons that Hammersmith and Fulham Tories saved £400,000 per annum by privatising there equivalent. Theirs is funded by advertising now, as everyone gets a copy.

Strikes me that this would pay for Barnet to keep the wardens. Is Don't Call Me Dave the only Tory in Barnet who sees that this is on place where Future Shape might work. Why is it that Barnets most Tory Tory is ignored by his colleagues in power?

Mill Hill's Old Conservatives Vs Lynne Hillans new ones

Lynne Hillan has only been the leader of Barnets Conservatives for a couple of days, but are we are seeing a new face of the Barnet Conservative party? I've always had the utmost respect for the Old School Millhillian Conservative residents. They are generally honest, decent and hardworking folk who I just happen to disagree with about a few policy issues.I must say say I'm a little upset at reports of certain shenanigans that have been reported to me today.

Mill Hill Lib Dems have been undertaking a residents survey in the Poets Corner area of Mill Hill. This is being done so that councillors can provide a better services to the residents of the ward. It has been brought to our attention that activists from the local Conservative Party collected some of these responses on Sunday 12th December between 12:30 and 1:15pm. A local resident informed us that these survey responses had been taken without permission.

If anyone left their survey out before 1.15pm, please contact Councillor Wayne Casey on  0777 181 5982 or write to "Mill Hill Lib Dems, 14 Sandwick Close, NW7 2AX" or by CLICKING HERE and I will personally ensure that a replacement is delivered, collected and dealt with. Any leaflets left out before 13.15 on Sunday may have been misappropriated for a replacement.

Ugliness, the greatest crime of all?

I hate ugliness. I loath and detest it. I hate ugly people. I hate ugly buildings. I hate ugly views.

A controversial statement for a Sunday morning? Let me explain. When I talk about ugly people, I don't mean people who are not beautiful. Quite the opposite, we are conditioned to think certain looks are beautiful. I totally disagree. I once saw Simon Weston, disfigured Falklands war veteran speak. He was inspirational. As I listened to what he was saying, I realised that there was a beauty about this eloquent and inspirational man. Something far deeper than shallow and transient looks. I volunteer as a helper with a group which takes people with disabilities on holiday. Many of the people who come away with us, have issues such as Downes syndrome. As a result of this, I've realised that these sort of things aren't ugly either. Our group is probably one of the most beautiful things in my life. I've taken all my children with the group at one time or another. It is amazing how their attitude to looks and image has changed as a result of actually knowing the people in the group. Most interesting was how my daughter returned from our trip this year and was shocked when I mentioned one of the girls who went with us had Downes syndrome. She said "I thought she'd come as a helper". The girl is a successful actress, having acted in films such as Hellboy and Eastenders. She lives independently and doesn't need a "helper", so in some ways my daughter was right.

When I talk about ugly people, I mean people who speak and act in a repulsive way. I was trying to think of the ugliest person alive I could and decided that to me it must be Robert Mugabe. It's not because he is physically repulsive, but I associate his views, policies and actions with his looks, therefore he's ugly. There are certain celebrities, who by some measures are gorgeous, but who have the same effect on me. This country is beset currently by a plague of plastic surgery and botox. I struggle with the whole concept. Why? because across the world there are millions of people dying for want of basic health care, whilst we spend hundreds of millions on "cosmetic" procedures which often make the people look ridiculous. For years, I had a massive crush on Lesley Ash. It started when I saw her in Quadrophenia. Why on earth did she feel the need to get "enhanced". It's a free country, I wouldn't ban cosmetic procedures, but I just can't get my head around the use of these medical resources, when there are countries where there aren't even basic nursing facilities for the general population. I featured the sculpture of pregnant Alison Lapper on the 4th plinth, as I thought this is a great example of what I'm trying to say. Is it an "ugly" statue? By my definition, ugly is something I look at and I feel a negative reaction to. Something I wish was not in my sight. I found this particular statue quite fascinating. It's not "beauty" in a conventional way, but it doesn't have a "yuk" effect on me. All great art it is challenging. I'm sure many people don't get it, and I don't know if it is just because I've worked with disabled adults, so it's less out of the ordinary, but it isn't ugly to me. I wrote this post partially in response to someone saying to me that it's great to have a proper statue of Keith Park on the 4th plinth, rather than "that disgusting Alison Lapper"

This resulted in a massive row, not because I think Kieth Park shouldn't be there, god knows if any of the military figures deserve to be on a plinth, he does. It was because I strongly objected to the description of Alison Lapper as disgusting. I then had the "who would you rather see on page 3 - Jordan or Alison Lapper argument thrown at me.

Well to be honest, I'd rather see neither of those two on page 3 of the Sun. I actually find Jordan repulsive, therefore I'd certainly not want to look at her on page 3 or anywhere else. As to Alison Lapper, why should she even want to be on page 3. She was a model for a classical sculpture and a fine one at that. So the question was rephrased. Who would you rather see on page 3, the person you fancy most in the whole world or Alison Lapper. That's rather easy. I'd rather see Alison Lapper, because I'd be furious if my wife was on page 3. When it comes down to it, I'd actually rather see a picture of a statue of Keith Park on page 3, because he's a role model and we should be reminded of his contribution and the sacrifice of thousands of his RAF colleagues in the defeat of the most ugly regime in history. 

Which brings us back to "what is ugly".Well this picture of a young British Man giving a Hitler salute is probably one of the most ugly and repulsive images I've seen recently. Doesn't this idiot know about the bravery of Keith Park? Doesn't he know about the tens of thousands of British Servicemen who died fighting Nazi's who he seeks to emulate. Does he realise that Alison Lapper would have been off to the gas chamber just for "being different" under the regime he so admires. You would think that someone who sees themselves as part of a "superior master race" would at least bother to read the history books and see what "our finest hour was".

Finally in our little discussion of ugly, I know people who have had massive complexes about their looks and who plastic surgery has given confidence to. I know people who have had restorative plastic surgery following accidents. I know people who didn't need the procedures and looked no better or worse afterwards. I'm not criticising or having a go at any of these people or the procedures they've had, don't get me wrong. I just wish we'd be more concerned with resolving the internal ugliness in our hearts, the things which really make us ugly. It's a shame there is no surgery which can fix that.

Tony Pulis and the goal of the season

Did you see Figueroa's goal for Wigan against Stoke City yesterday? Goal of the season, if not the decade. Wigan were awarded a free kick inside their own half and Figueroa spotted that Sorensen, Stoke City's keeper was off his line and took a quick free kick which sailed over his head into the far corner of the net. Outrageous skill. I think it was best summed up by Stoke City's manager, Tony Pulis, who when asked said "I just can't wait to see it again". That was a refreshing change from the usual moaning and groaning we get from managers and coaches. I'm off to watch my son play for Watling FC under 10's now. When footballers behave badly, you often see it copied on the field of play by the kids. I hope some of them copy Figueroa's exquisite skills today. I especially hope that they are playing for Watling FC

Rock and Roll Records

I wanted to write a bit about my favourite Rock and Roll records, but I thought before you start reading it, I'd give you a wicked tune to listen to whilst you read.  It's saturday night so chill and enjoy  - I specifically selected a no vid clip so you'd not get too distracted.

JJ Cale - Rock and Roll Records



I love vinyl records. I love everything about them. The Smell, the shape, the covers, the engravings in the vinyl by the cutters. This little post is about some of the records I love, for reasons other than the ace music they contain.

This is my favourite album cover of all time. I used to just stare at it for ever. I like the perspective that makes the guitars look big. I love the way Steve Miller is leaning on Tim Davis shoulder, whilst Tim Davis is looking mean and sharp. I love the stormy sea and the shipwreck and the earth transposed as the sun. It sort of says to me "Things can be bad but music can get you through the bad times" The earth in the background has promise of unattainable beauty. It sums up the mystical majesty that music can weave in our imagination.

By the way, the music on the album is great as well, I love Dime a Dance Romance. One of the all time greatest forgotten classics.

Next up we have those little messages that the people who actually cut the records used to scratch into the vinyl between the last track and the label. Many punk records had the message "A Porky Prime Cut". Often there would be other little messages. For example "Music For Pleasure" by "The Damned" has "Tweeter Twister" etched onto side A and "Woofer Warper" on side B.

These little throwaway messages have always fascinated me. Rather like ancient graffiti on the inside of Pyramids and notes left in the attics of public buildings. This album is a strange one. Not acclaimed at the time, but I think the single "Don't Cry Wolf" was a classic.

Then there's coloured vinyl. My favourite use of this is Sound of the Suburbs by "The Members". There was a period when everything came out on coloured vinyl. I think this was the most imaginative use. This was actually on clear vinyl.

Next up. The 12" single. Usually associated with dance music, the first time I came across this was when my Sister Caroline bought "Sheena is a Punk Rocker" on numbered, limited edition, 12" vinyl. There is no more glorious record on the planet.

There are many things I could say about the Ramones. Best Live band, Best gig (Roundhouse, June 1977), coolest guitars. Best single title (Bonzo goes to Bitburg), best lyrics - Rockaway Beach, funniest song - Pinhead.

I owe them everything. If I'd not seen the Ramones, I'd not have got Punk Rock.

Then there's Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix. When I was 14 years old, there was no such thing as a video, so there was no such thing as pornorgraphy in Mill Hill. Then I bought this record. I put it on and just stared at this picture for ever. Ever since, whenever I listen to crosstown traffic, I am just transported away to somewhere very nice that I really like to be. I was in a secondhand record store in New York a couple of years ago and a young rocker came in. He picked up the record, looked at this picture for about 1/2 a second and put it down again, without even noticing. I sometimes think we've been so bombarded with everything that we've lost appreciation of the finer things in life. I had a discussion with my Dad about this picture. He said he preffered to see women in revealing cloths and felt it was crass and vulgar. I told him I thought it was very beautiful. He just sniggered at me and said "I suppose I would have when I was your age" I think I still will when I'm his age. Have a great weekend.

Wanted: Moat cleaner - best rates of pay apply !

Last night was our Thursday Football boys night out. Off we went to Hollywood Bowl in Finchley, then on to ASK for a meal and a few drinks. The guys I play 5 a side football with every week are a great bunch. They are pretty typical of the people who live in Mill Hill and so I thought there response to the news that I'm standing for the Lib Dems would be interesting. Anyone who has ever played a team sport will know that after a few drinks you soon find out what people really think.

"So when you kick us, can we launch a standards complaint" was the first quip. "When will you be getting your moat?" "I suppose you'll need a duck house for your pond" "When will you be getting a second home?" is a choice selection of the others.

I'd expect nothing less from my friends. A good wind up and a bit of healthy cynicism is healthy. I'm lucky in as much as I've got people around me who will keep me grounded and if I start developing the bubble of pomposity that some of our politicians have developed, they will take great pleasure in popping it. I've no interest in having a moat, a bell tower, a duck house or a flat in Westminster. I just want to make Mill Hill as nice a place as possible to live and have a council which does the best job it can. That will be the "bonus" that I'm looking for.

Brunswick Park and the changing face of Barnet Politics

It was anticipated that there would be a bit of interest in the fact that I was announced as candidate for the Lib Dems during the week. It's fair to say that this blog has attracted a bit of attention to me and a lot of people who aren't natural Lib Dems have pledged to support me, some overtly and some covertly, at the next election.

What wasn't anticipated in the least, and what consumed an inordinate amount of time was the number of natural Conservatives who contacted me yesterday from Brunswick Park ward to say that they cannot possibly vote for Lynne Hillan or Andreas Tambourides and asking if we'd like them to deliver leaflets etc. As a result, Brunswick Park has risen to the Lib Dem no 1 target seat (where we have no existing councillors). Quite a few have said that they will continue to vote for Lisa Rutter, to show that they are still, at heart, Conservatives. Basically they will lend us their vote for this election, for two of the three seats, to show they are sick and tired of what has been going on at the Town hall and Hillan and Tambourides antics.

If you live in Brunswick Park and want a change and you want to help this happen, please CLICK HERE to send me an email and I'll get in touch to tell you how you can help us. It might be by delivering a few leaflets, it might be by putting up a poster. Every little helps and the only way you can make things happen is by doing something. I hadn't really anticipated much involvement with the politics of Brunswick Park, but when a Tory tells you "we've got to do something about Hillan. Please help", then you have to listen. I'm just pleased that people seem to trust me enough to bother to get in touch. I hope this little blog today is the start of a change in Brunswick Park.

Barnet Tories : Kick a granny for Christmas and win a promotion and a payrise

I was at the meeting of the Barnet Council cabinet where new Council Leader, Lynne Hillans policy of removing on-site wardens from sheltered accommodation was approved. I guess Hillan and her cabinet colleagues were too busy slapping each other on the back and saying "Congratulations" to see the number of old ladies who were moved to tears by the decision. Despite the hype, Barnets Tories are replacing every four residential wardens with one "mobile warden", who has to drive across the Borough from site to site. They say this is going to improve the service for the people who live there.

This disgusting policy has landed Barnet Council in the High Court.Rightly so. This whole fiasco has been a massive kick in the teeth for the elderly and the disabled of Barnet. The architect of this policy, Lynne Hillan, has been rewarded by her Tory colleagues with a promotion to Leader of the Council and a fat payrise, she was elected by a majority of her conservative colleagues. Her sidekick, Councillor Andrew Harper told the Barnet Times that he also supports the policy. Her Tory councillor colleagues obviously like it when grannys get kicked by the Council and want more of the same. Shame on them all. I'm pleased to say that the elderly of Barnet are a plucky bunch and have fought back and I hope and I pray that the High Court rules in their favour.

I know from my own experiences with my own, now departed, elderly and disabled mother, that changes such as this are extremely stressful. It is likely that some of the residents will be so stressed by the prospect of losing the familiar face of their building warden, the person who helps them when they are in trouble, that it will kill them. That's why 85% of the residents rejected the plans. That is why David Young (who launched the court case) is fighting it.

I asked a question at the cabinet meeting where the policy was approved. I asked whether a risk assessment had been done for the removal of the Wardens from the boroughs eldelry and disabled. The then Council Leader replied "yes, it's half a page long". That's all they think our parents and grandparents in Sheltered accommodation warrant.

I was going to post a nice cheerful end of the week blog, till I read the story that the warden cuts verdict has been deferred till next week. I'm sorry to say that, it darkened my mood and you got this instead, happy can wait.

Where was Brian Coleman when the new leader was elected

Newspaper reports say that both Mayor Brian Coleman and the Deputy Mayor were "on Mayoral business" so couldn't vote in the Barnet Leadership Elections last night. I was intrigued. What engagements did they have to keep?

I thought I'd check the Mayors online diary, but rather oddly, because this has never happened before, it isn't up to date. The last engagement was on Sunday 29th November.

Have a look for yourself (Click Here). I'd hate to think that there is some dodgy conspiracy here, to spare Brian Colemans blushes for not bothering to turn up.