The post about Imelda May's Mill Hill connections has proven rather popular and got loads of hits. I've been told she's doing a live session tonight on the Jo Good show on BBC London 94.9 radio. The show starts at 10pm
Sunday, 6 February 2011
The sad truth about Library closures and social housing
My good friend, Mr Limosky came to see me in the shop yesterday afternoon. In many ways Mr Limosky is like that embarrassing uncle we all have, the one who always says the embarrassing truth, which everyone else is too polite to speak. He's lost many a friend over the years with his harsh comments. A typical example of his tact and diplomacy was when a friend of his was saying how his daughter wanted to become a fashion model. Mr Limosky replied "She hasn't got a chance, she's far too fat". What has Mr Limoskys view of the world got to do with the libraries campaign, you may wonder. Well Mr Limosky isn't a fan of libraries either. He told me that I was wasting my time running the campaign. Now Mr Limosky's job has given me an extraordinary insight into a role I'd not realised the Libraries play in 2011 post Thatcherite Great Britain. What could this be?
Well Mr Limosky is a central heating engineer. He works for companies such as the now defunct Connaught PLC, servicing boilers forvictims tenants of social housing in and around North London. Mr Limosky has a little window into the lives of the poor unfortunate people in our area that us wealthy, comfy middle class people never ever see. I suspect the likes of Councillors Coleman and Rams have never ventured into the world of squalour which Mr Limosky regales us with on his visits for coffee and to scrounge cigarettes.
His view of the libraries Campaign? "If they shut the libraries, where will all the OAP's go to read the papers in winter and keep warm? That is the most useful service performed by libraries. If they go, hundreds will either freeze to death through cold or starve to death because they'll have to pay to have their heating on all day". He told me that no one in social housing on a basic pension in North London could afford to keep their heating on in the recent cold snap. His view of Rams suggestion that Libraries could be turned into Starbucks "They won't want a bunch of geriatrics hanging round all day, trying not to freeze to death".
It really is quite depressing. There is a whole subculture of survival which most of us are totally unaware of. It's like free bus passes. This enables OAP's to travel far afield for free. Discount retailers such as Lidl and Aldi can deliver savings on food bills which could for many be the difference between malnutrition and health. Sadly heat and warmth cannot be shopped around for in the same way. If you can't afford to put your heating on, you have to turn it off and find another way to stay warm. Maybe Mr Limosky was being harsh in his analysis of what the Barnet Conservatives are up to "Look, they've got no cash, if they have a good cull of all these dependent geriatrics, they'll save a fortune. They are not stupid you know".
As I said, Mr Limosky's views are not for the faint hearted. Sadly though, I suspect he might have detected a truth about our local council which none of us nicer, politer people would ever possibly say. I've been trying to think of an appropriate question to ask Councillor Robert Rams at the Cabinet meeting on the 29th of March, when they debate the library closure program. I've been struggling to think of one, but I think Mr Limosky has given me the answer.
"During the winter, many elderly people in Barnet visit libraries to keep warm and read the newspapers. Many cannot afford to keep their heating on all day. Please could Councillor Rams detail what plans are in place to ensure these residents do not die of hypothermia. If no contingency plans are in place, can Councillor Rams please detail how much money Barnet Council expects to save from its social welfare budget as a result of them dying"
Well Mr Limosky is a central heating engineer. He works for companies such as the now defunct Connaught PLC, servicing boilers for
His view of the libraries Campaign? "If they shut the libraries, where will all the OAP's go to read the papers in winter and keep warm? That is the most useful service performed by libraries. If they go, hundreds will either freeze to death through cold or starve to death because they'll have to pay to have their heating on all day". He told me that no one in social housing on a basic pension in North London could afford to keep their heating on in the recent cold snap. His view of Rams suggestion that Libraries could be turned into Starbucks "They won't want a bunch of geriatrics hanging round all day, trying not to freeze to death".
It really is quite depressing. There is a whole subculture of survival which most of us are totally unaware of. It's like free bus passes. This enables OAP's to travel far afield for free. Discount retailers such as Lidl and Aldi can deliver savings on food bills which could for many be the difference between malnutrition and health. Sadly heat and warmth cannot be shopped around for in the same way. If you can't afford to put your heating on, you have to turn it off and find another way to stay warm. Maybe Mr Limosky was being harsh in his analysis of what the Barnet Conservatives are up to "Look, they've got no cash, if they have a good cull of all these dependent geriatrics, they'll save a fortune. They are not stupid you know".
As I said, Mr Limosky's views are not for the faint hearted. Sadly though, I suspect he might have detected a truth about our local council which none of us nicer, politer people would ever possibly say. I've been trying to think of an appropriate question to ask Councillor Robert Rams at the Cabinet meeting on the 29th of March, when they debate the library closure program. I've been struggling to think of one, but I think Mr Limosky has given me the answer.
"During the winter, many elderly people in Barnet visit libraries to keep warm and read the newspapers. Many cannot afford to keep their heating on all day. Please could Councillor Rams detail what plans are in place to ensure these residents do not die of hypothermia. If no contingency plans are in place, can Councillor Rams please detail how much money Barnet Council expects to save from its social welfare budget as a result of them dying"
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Save Barnets Libraries Campaign - News from the Edgware stall
Josie understands how important the library is. She told me just how much she enjoys going down and choosing books with her mum. My own children also make use of our local library at Mill Hill and that is why I'm involved in this campaign.
The people who were queuing up to sign the petition all morning get it. The thousands who have already signed the petition get. I've spoken to pensioners, Rugby players, War veterans, Teachers, Book Publishers, Nurses and plumbers on the stalls.
They all get it. In fact the only people who don't seem to get it are the people in our Councils and other Councils around the Country. They seem to have a problem understanding that we love our libraries.
Anyway, I am going to adopt Josies picture as my campaign logo. If it wasn't for the fact that like all good children, shes sound asleep when they have Council meetings, I'd have asked her mum to bring her to the next meeting to explain to Councillor Robert Rams, in language he could understand why we need our library :^)
The Barnet Eye Weekly Roundup - Everyone is revolting !
What a week. Let me let you in on a little secret. In December, I helped Unison organise a Christmas rally and gig at the Claddagh Ring in Hendon (this followed a lobby at the Town Hall) (click here to see a few videos from that rally). At the end of the evening, a few of the Unison people, BAPS (Barnet Alliance for Public Services), a few stragglers and myself were having a beer and discussing our next big event. The idea of a march from Finchley Central to the Arts Depot had been mooted. As the beer flowed, a few ideas were mooted "We could get the Foundations to reform for the gig" suggested Al Warner (their guitarist who played the rally with his own band)", John Burgess (The Unison Rep) suggested "We could get a coffin and carry it on the march, to represent the death of public services", someone else piped up "We could get all of the local groups protesting against the cuts to have a stall in the foyer", another said "We could get Yvonne Hossacks who represents the sheltered housing victims of Barnet cuts". Someone asked how many people might turn up "Oh, if we do all that we'll get at least 500, maybe even 700". In the morning, I awoke with a hangover and remembered this bonkers pipe dream.
In my youth, I used to get really mashed and regale my mates with my plans to move to LA, start a band and run off with Kim Basenger and Pia Zadora. They'd all take the piss behind my back and call me a dreamer and when I'd sobered up, I'd realise how stupid I'd sounded. On that hungover morning, I looked back on the previous nights conversation and felt the same way. The Foundations, a march a Coffin with 700 people, all the local groups under one roof. Nope, like the threesome with Kim and Pia, it ain't gonna happen.........
Except it did, a few of the details were slightly different, we got 2,000 on the march rather than 700 and we had two coffins rather than one. The BBC and ITV reported it. The Foundations got everyone up on their feet and dancing, here's some of the coverage.
The Local press coverage has been substancial. The local Conservatives have gone into a panic. The sensible ones like Andrew Harper have acknowledged that people have a beef and even went as far as to suggest it's a good thing. Needless to say Harper is trying to spin his way out of the mess. Councillors Old and Thomas have broken ranks and openly opposed Brian Colemans plans to hike parking charges. Perhaps even more amazing is the way Hendon Tory MP Matthew Offord has broken ranks with Coleman over parking.In my youth, I used to get really mashed and regale my mates with my plans to move to LA, start a band and run off with Kim Basenger and Pia Zadora. They'd all take the piss behind my back and call me a dreamer and when I'd sobered up, I'd realise how stupid I'd sounded. On that hungover morning, I looked back on the previous nights conversation and felt the same way. The Foundations, a march a Coffin with 700 people, all the local groups under one roof. Nope, like the threesome with Kim and Pia, it ain't gonna happen.........
Except it did, a few of the details were slightly different, we got 2,000 on the march rather than 700 and we had two coffins rather than one. The BBC and ITV reported it. The Foundations got everyone up on their feet and dancing, here's some of the coverage.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/uk-england-london-12318150
http://www.itv.com/london/council-protests51114/
The latest sign of cracks is the "begging letter" from Council Leader Lynne Hillan to Eric Pickles, secretary of state. The jist of it is "please save my ass".
Last year Councillor Brian Coleman claimed that the local left couldn't orgainse a piss up in a brewery. He has comprehensively been proven wrong. As the rally and the march proved, the opposition is up, running and very media savvy. The whole opposition movement is energised and up for it. The local Tory Junta is wobbling. The challenge now is to build on it.
(P.S. Please don't get the idea that all of the planning was done that evening. Many people put hours of hard work in, added great ideas, gave their time to make it happen. That was just where a few seeds of ideas were planted. If I had to name all of the people who made it happen, it would be the longest blog I've written).
Friday, 4 February 2011
Imelda May and her strong Mill Hill connections
For some reason, Mill Hill Music has developed a strange knack of helping great female artists get off the ground. Ami Winehouse spent many hours rehearsing at our studios before she got a record deal. When she signed, the first thing she did was buy a blue strat guitar from us. Then there was Kate Nash, who we sold her first guitar. Kate got her band together in studio ten and returned to the room to write her second album.
Another great singer who has strong Mill Hill Music associations is Imelda May. On the train home tonight it was great to read an interview in the Guardian - http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/feb/03/imelda-may-rockabilly-revival?INTCMP=SRCH - well worth a read. I've known Imelda and her husband Darrel for years. Darrel is an iconic rock and roll guitarist. Amongst his many claims to fame, he designed the Peavey Rockingham Guitar. One of the things I've always tried to do with the business is put something back into the local scene. One way has been to sponsor the Mill Hill Music Festival and help put on up and coming artists (paying a few quid, unlike many other promoters). Imelda has graced the stage a few times for us. It gives me great pride to have done the sound for her at a few of these gigs. Sometimes work is a pleasure. She also appeared on the Mill Hill Jazz Club Cd, which the studios helped to put together, in the early days of her recording career.
Many people wrongly assume I'm really into Jazz, given the strong jazz content of the festival. This isn't the case at all (I don't mind it, just not my favourite genre). I was actually really pleased when Imelda developed the more rockabilly sound. She had the faith of her musical convictions and this has started to pay dividends. I have a feeling that the last time she played at the festival was one of the first times Darrell played with the band. I thought it really gave the set a lift to have Darrells guitar on the songs. What I love most about Imelda is her sheer joy of singing. She still goes to mass on a Sunday at the Sacred Heart when she can and she still sings with the musicians. Imelda deserves her success and it gives me great pride that the festival and the studios have played a part in the story.
Aspiring musicians need all the help, support and exposure they can get. Last week at the BAPS Rally at the Arts Depot, as well as featuring superstars The Foundations and Boz Boorer, we put on three local bands. These were the Hamptons, 13 Riots and Connie A (backed by my band The False Dots). It was great to give these musicians the experience of playing in a big auditorium and to a large crowd. As long as there is a Mill Hill Music Complex and a Mill Hill Music Festival, we will do everything we can to support local music, musicians and people who love music. Can't say fairer than that, can I?
Many people wrongly assume I'm really into Jazz, given the strong jazz content of the festival. This isn't the case at all (I don't mind it, just not my favourite genre). I was actually really pleased when Imelda developed the more rockabilly sound. She had the faith of her musical convictions and this has started to pay dividends. I have a feeling that the last time she played at the festival was one of the first times Darrell played with the band. I thought it really gave the set a lift to have Darrells guitar on the songs. What I love most about Imelda is her sheer joy of singing. She still goes to mass on a Sunday at the Sacred Heart when she can and she still sings with the musicians. Imelda deserves her success and it gives me great pride that the festival and the studios have played a part in the story.
Aspiring musicians need all the help, support and exposure they can get. Last week at the BAPS Rally at the Arts Depot, as well as featuring superstars The Foundations and Boz Boorer, we put on three local bands. These were the Hamptons, 13 Riots and Connie A (backed by my band The False Dots). It was great to give these musicians the experience of playing in a big auditorium and to a large crowd. As long as there is a Mill Hill Music Complex and a Mill Hill Music Festival, we will do everything we can to support local music, musicians and people who love music. Can't say fairer than that, can I?
Matthew Offord MP - A conversion on the road to Domestos ?
Regular readers of this blog will be all to familiar with the one eye'd waiter of West Hendon - AKA Matthew Offord MP. There has been much debate about his coming out of the closet re parking charges. Those of you who remember his tenure as a Tory Councillor (part of the administration which raised the cost of Parking in Bunns Lane Car Park from £2 -£5 a day, within a couple of years of taking office) may find it rather surprising that Offord has chosen to knife Brian Coleman and Lynne Hillan in the back on the issue :-
http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/8828521._Hypocrisy__accusation_after_MP_slams_council_parking_hike/
Being a keen biblical scholar (when I'm not drinking beer, watching footie and going to Punk rock gigs) I remember that there is a bit about heaven rejoicing when a sinner repents. It seems that Offord has been doing a lot of repenting recently (for a lot of sins whilst Deputy Leader). He has suddenly decided that he doesn't really like any of his old Tory Council mates now he's got new drinking buddies in the Commons.
Firstly he decided that he didn't want to give the officers of Hendon Tory Association his phone number, then he claimed one was an anti semite and now he's decided that Coleman, Hillan and co are out of touch. Well I don't like anti Semites either, no Tory Hendon Officers have my phone number (unless they are mates of Andy Coulson) and I think Coleman and CO are greedy parasites. It seems like me and Matthew have plenty in common.
Maybe I should ask him over for a bottle of Scotch or two (I'd make sure I got the mugs out of the cupboard though). Anyway one of his mates explained that "now he's an MP he can speak his mind, wheras before he had to toe the local line". I've also been told that he recognised that there was plenty wrong in the local party.
I applaud Mr Offord and his efforts to wreck the Tory Party in Barnet. He's welcome to write a guest blog here any time he likes about what a bunch of *******rs they are. Strangely, despite all of the nasty things I've written about him, he's always been really chatty and friendly with me. He even did a rather humourous send up of Brian Coleman for my benefit whilst Coleman was being found guilty of breaching the Standards code. I'm told Coleman didn't think it quite as funny as me. When I addressed him saying "Hello Matthew", he responded with an unmistakeable widow twanky voice "I am Councillor Offord to you, show me some respect".
Back to the biblical analogy. St Paul had a conversion on the road to Damascus, where he went from being a persecutor of Christians to being a key founder of the modern Christian religion. Has Matthew Offord had a similar moment whilst going to buy the Domestos at Tescos? I hope so. I look forward to more outbreaks of common sense in the Hendon Constituency.
http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/8828521._Hypocrisy__accusation_after_MP_slams_council_parking_hike/
Being a keen biblical scholar (when I'm not drinking beer, watching footie and going to Punk rock gigs) I remember that there is a bit about heaven rejoicing when a sinner repents. It seems that Offord has been doing a lot of repenting recently (for a lot of sins whilst Deputy Leader). He has suddenly decided that he doesn't really like any of his old Tory Council mates now he's got new drinking buddies in the Commons.
Firstly he decided that he didn't want to give the officers of Hendon Tory Association his phone number, then he claimed one was an anti semite and now he's decided that Coleman, Hillan and co are out of touch. Well I don't like anti Semites either, no Tory Hendon Officers have my phone number (unless they are mates of Andy Coulson) and I think Coleman and CO are greedy parasites. It seems like me and Matthew have plenty in common.
Maybe I should ask him over for a bottle of Scotch or two (I'd make sure I got the mugs out of the cupboard though). Anyway one of his mates explained that "now he's an MP he can speak his mind, wheras before he had to toe the local line". I've also been told that he recognised that there was plenty wrong in the local party.
I applaud Mr Offord and his efforts to wreck the Tory Party in Barnet. He's welcome to write a guest blog here any time he likes about what a bunch of *******rs they are. Strangely, despite all of the nasty things I've written about him, he's always been really chatty and friendly with me. He even did a rather humourous send up of Brian Coleman for my benefit whilst Coleman was being found guilty of breaching the Standards code. I'm told Coleman didn't think it quite as funny as me. When I addressed him saying "Hello Matthew", he responded with an unmistakeable widow twanky voice "I am Councillor Offord to you, show me some respect".
Back to the biblical analogy. St Paul had a conversion on the road to Damascus, where he went from being a persecutor of Christians to being a key founder of the modern Christian religion. Has Matthew Offord had a similar moment whilst going to buy the Domestos at Tescos? I hope so. I look forward to more outbreaks of common sense in the Hendon Constituency.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
More crap from First Crapital Connect - Now I'm treated like a criminal
Grrrrr...... Where to begin? Maybe we should start at 10:25pm last night, when I arrived back at St Pancras from watching iconic Punk band Wire at The Scala. I'd been planning to get the 10:32 train home. Sadly that was cancelled. So was the 10:48. So I could have had another beer and a longer chat with my friends. I wouldn't have rushed back for the 10:32, as I'd have known that I wouldn't be home in time for the babysitter, who I told I'd be home by 11pm. So I get home at 11.30pm and have to pay for another hours babysitting. First rule of First Capital Connect, they always cost you more than you think.
Anyway, so I get to bed later than I hoped and wake up completely cream crackered and late. I put on my work clothes and run down to catch the 7.46am train. All goes well until I get to City Thameslink. Damn, no season ticket. So I go up to the guy in the customer services and explain that I've left my wallet & ticket at home. "In that case I have to issue you with a penalty ticket - you must pay a fine". But I haven't any money. "Then I have to caution you and you have to pay it within 28 days". But I have a ticket at home "Then you have to supply proof within 14 days". Ok so how "You must post a copy to the prosections department". - "But you have all my details, my name is on the ticket". "That doesn't matter, you may not be who you say you are". They then ring up and check who I say I am. "So you can ring up and check that, but you can't check your own computer". "No, you may be someone else" - "Well if I am, you'll send the fine to someone else".
I then had to be "officially cautioned" like a common criminal, in front of a crowd of people. He asks me all the questions again "officially". I ask what I do to get home - he replies "buy a ticket and claim it back". So there you go. In FCC world, they cancel trains, cost me money, treat me like cattle. We've had untold delays recently. I make one silly mistake that they could easily resolve without any problems at all, but they'd rather treat me like Sh*t and humiliate me. Last night when two trains were cancelled, where were the "customer services" people? Nowhere to be seen.
In the old days of British Rail, there were no such things as penalty fares. You just bought a ticket and claimed it back. If you had no money, you supplied your name and address and paid later. That is what it says in the Railway Act. Sadly this bunch of cowboys have a whole different agenda. One where the passenger comes last and profit comes first. They make me sick. I pay them over £1,000 a year for this crap and there is no choice at all.
In the days of British Rail, the priority was always getting people from A to B. Staff had discretion and were not focussed on "rvenue protection". The amount of subsidies from the taxpayer was many times lower. There were 8 rush hour trains an hour from Mill Hill to the City. Now there are 5 or 6. When trains were cancelled, other trains had extra stops inserted into their journey. Sure things went wrong on occasion, but never for months on end.
When I bought the ticket at the start of January, I commented that it had gone up sunstancially. The bloke who sold me the ticket said "Blame Boris Johnson, he put the fares up". The Tories created the monster of the privatised railway. Labour had huge majorities and 13 years and did nothing to improve it. There is zero chance that the Con/Lib Government will either. Personally I'd like to see every commuter in London descend on Parliament and tell the whole bunch just what they think of them. There are millions of commuters who are treated like Sh*t every day with avoidable delays, huge fare hikes and crap with penalty fares. If every commuter in every London seat got off their arses and complained, maybe just maybe something would change. A mate of mine suggested that every single commuter buy shares in First Group and put a resolution to the AGM to suspend all payments to the board until they sort this crap out, it would soon stop. Any takers? There are plenty of people out there who could afford a few shares. That would scare them !!!!
I then had to be "officially cautioned" like a common criminal, in front of a crowd of people. He asks me all the questions again "officially". I ask what I do to get home - he replies "buy a ticket and claim it back". So there you go. In FCC world, they cancel trains, cost me money, treat me like cattle. We've had untold delays recently. I make one silly mistake that they could easily resolve without any problems at all, but they'd rather treat me like Sh*t and humiliate me. Last night when two trains were cancelled, where were the "customer services" people? Nowhere to be seen.
In the old days of British Rail, there were no such things as penalty fares. You just bought a ticket and claimed it back. If you had no money, you supplied your name and address and paid later. That is what it says in the Railway Act. Sadly this bunch of cowboys have a whole different agenda. One where the passenger comes last and profit comes first. They make me sick. I pay them over £1,000 a year for this crap and there is no choice at all.
In the days of British Rail, the priority was always getting people from A to B. Staff had discretion and were not focussed on "rvenue protection". The amount of subsidies from the taxpayer was many times lower. There were 8 rush hour trains an hour from Mill Hill to the City. Now there are 5 or 6. When trains were cancelled, other trains had extra stops inserted into their journey. Sure things went wrong on occasion, but never for months on end.
When I bought the ticket at the start of January, I commented that it had gone up sunstancially. The bloke who sold me the ticket said "Blame Boris Johnson, he put the fares up". The Tories created the monster of the privatised railway. Labour had huge majorities and 13 years and did nothing to improve it. There is zero chance that the Con/Lib Government will either. Personally I'd like to see every commuter in London descend on Parliament and tell the whole bunch just what they think of them. There are millions of commuters who are treated like Sh*t every day with avoidable delays, huge fare hikes and crap with penalty fares. If every commuter in every London seat got off their arses and complained, maybe just maybe something would change. A mate of mine suggested that every single commuter buy shares in First Group and put a resolution to the AGM to suspend all payments to the board until they sort this crap out, it would soon stop. Any takers? There are plenty of people out there who could afford a few shares. That would scare them !!!!
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Rog T on the Londonist !
And now for something completely different. I was recently asked by Londons top online listings magazine, The Londonist to contribute a guest article. The only brief was to do something of interest on a cross London level. Anyway, I doubt they expected what I came up with CLICK HERE TO SEE. When I was first asked by the Hendon Times to do a blog, this was the sort of stuff I really wanted to do. Sadly the ineptitude and stupidity of our local Conservative Council got in the way. When the local Tories finally succeeded in persuading the Times to stop the blog ( for exposing the council for putting Nazi propoganda on their Youtube site), I set up the Barnet Eye and all thoughts of a generally entertaining blog about life in Barnet and London went out of the window. It is great to receive some recognition from the wider media world. Dave Hill at the Guardian has long been a friend and a supporter of this blog, having chosen us as one of his very first Top London Blogs - http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/feb/15/barnet-eye-london-blog - Every blog I write gets linked to the Guardian.
When I started writing blogs, I seriously doubted that anyone would want to listen to the rantings of a left leaning, dyslexic Punk rock guitarist. On Sunday, I took to the Podium at the Arts Depot and addressed a crowd of 500 or so local residents who cared enough about the council to give up a few precious hours of their Sunday afternoon. Having spoken after people such as Tariq Ali, Frances O'Grady and Yvonne Hossacks, I wondered for a moment if the audience thought "Who is this thick, big mouthed C**T" or similar things. Having been a performer all of my life, I know when I have the audience and I realised they were with me. I'm nowhere near as educated or clever as Tariq Ali and I've made nothing like the contribution of Yvonne Hossacks or Frances O'Grady, so why should anyone be interested in what I have to say?
As I looked out at the audience, I realised that there is a very simple reason. What I say in this blog and what I said on the rally needs saying. Afterwards people thanked me for "everything I've done". I feel like a fraud, I don't think I've done anything except speak my mind. How can that be commendable? All I really want is for everyone else to do the same thing and bombard our local Council with their views. I really want to write blogs about football, three legged dogs and Ashtanga Yoga, but I'll write about Barnet until there is no longer a need.
As to there being a need, here's a joke which a local promenant local Tory told someone I know whilst canvassing :-
My Friend : What are you going to do if you get elected?
Tory : The first thing I'm going to do is set up an advice centre for Asylum Seekers
My Friend : Really ??? What sort of advice will you give them
Tory : I'll tell them to go home
Ho Ho F*****g Ho. They are funny guys these local Tories.
Have a good evening, I'm off to see Wire at the Scala in Kings Cross.
When I started writing blogs, I seriously doubted that anyone would want to listen to the rantings of a left leaning, dyslexic Punk rock guitarist. On Sunday, I took to the Podium at the Arts Depot and addressed a crowd of 500 or so local residents who cared enough about the council to give up a few precious hours of their Sunday afternoon. Having spoken after people such as Tariq Ali, Frances O'Grady and Yvonne Hossacks, I wondered for a moment if the audience thought "Who is this thick, big mouthed C**T" or similar things. Having been a performer all of my life, I know when I have the audience and I realised they were with me. I'm nowhere near as educated or clever as Tariq Ali and I've made nothing like the contribution of Yvonne Hossacks or Frances O'Grady, so why should anyone be interested in what I have to say?
As I looked out at the audience, I realised that there is a very simple reason. What I say in this blog and what I said on the rally needs saying. Afterwards people thanked me for "everything I've done". I feel like a fraud, I don't think I've done anything except speak my mind. How can that be commendable? All I really want is for everyone else to do the same thing and bombard our local Council with their views. I really want to write blogs about football, three legged dogs and Ashtanga Yoga, but I'll write about Barnet until there is no longer a need.
As to there being a need, here's a joke which a local promenant local Tory told someone I know whilst canvassing :-
My Friend : What are you going to do if you get elected?
Tory : The first thing I'm going to do is set up an advice centre for Asylum Seekers
My Friend : Really ??? What sort of advice will you give them
Tory : I'll tell them to go home
Ho Ho F*****g Ho. They are funny guys these local Tories.
Have a good evening, I'm off to see Wire at the Scala in Kings Cross.
Beaufort Park wins an award !
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has awarded Beaufort Park development (on the site of the old RAF base) an award as the "Best New Place To Live" in London.
http://www.barnet.gov.uk/press_releases.htm?id=2321
I asked the question as to why no thought was given to adding a train Station on the Thameslink line next to it, which could also serve the RAF museum. I'm pleased the development "ticks all the boxes", but to be honest, the lack of proper public transport is a real missed opportunity.
Whilst Brian Coleman is in charge of Transport in Barnet, I suspect there will be many more such missed opportunities
http://www.barnet.gov.uk/press_releases.htm?id=2321
I asked the question as to why no thought was given to adding a train Station on the Thameslink line next to it, which could also serve the RAF museum. I'm pleased the development "ticks all the boxes", but to be honest, the lack of proper public transport is a real missed opportunity.
Whilst Brian Coleman is in charge of Transport in Barnet, I suspect there will be many more such missed opportunities
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Barnet Council Cuts - The People can win !
Did you attend the march and rally yesterday? As someone who helped put the day together, I was bowled over by the support. The press coverage has been fantastic. Planning such an event was not without its tears and fraught moments. It is fair to say that it was a rocky ride, but I think we got it just about right (though I'm sure many of my friends who helped organise may have a different view!).
The one thing which became clear to me is that the people of Barnet can win this battle if we stick together. Why? because we can mobilise thousands of people to support what we are fighting for. Just look at the petitions doing the rounds. Many of the people signing these are naturally Conservative voters, who have woken up to the fact that they are being shafted. I wish it was as simple as just getting all the people who were left of centre to agree with me. That won't work in Barnet. We also have to win the arguement. I believe we are doing this. The responses from the Tory Council are tired and lacklustre. They don't believe a word of what they're saying (apart from Brian Coleman and the rest of them are realising he's a liability).
Sadly though, any victory we win will come at a price, as it is clear that the sheer incompetence of the Barnet Tories will leave a legacy of debt for a generation. When the Tories took over Barnet, the Corporate debt was £38 million. Now it is approaching £250 million. That means that millions of pounds a year of tax just goes straight into the pockets of bankers, in the form of interest repayments. Mismanagement has cost millions of pounds in losses.
Yesterday I addressed the rally at the arts depot. I explained why I thought Barnets Tories had got it wrong. I'm not a great public speaker and I hadn't really planned to say much, but afterwards it was clear people agreed with what I had to say. One person asked if the losses I'd quoted were real. Sadly they are. Iceland £27.4 million. Aerodrome Road Bridge £11 million. Catalsyt £6 million - £43 million quid down the bog. Enough to save all of the chopped services. Staggering.
Whilst I don't expect everyone to agree with my view of the world, no one can possibly suggest that such losses are anything other than gross incompetence and that is what will ultimately destroy the Conservatives in Barnet. The only caveat is that we have to get the message over that the cuts are because of mismanagement in this Borough. I have no doubt that had they not mismanaged the finances, they would still be trying it on. The only difference is that then it would be to cut taxes rather than to just keep them where they are. In most spheres of life, a team that fails gets the sack. In the world of Barnets Tories, they get a pay rise. Why? because they are able to award it to themselves. Not only that, but the leader - Lynne Hillan then went on to claim "We're all in it together". This sums up the arrogance and political ineptitude of the Tories.
The one thing which became clear to me is that the people of Barnet can win this battle if we stick together. Why? because we can mobilise thousands of people to support what we are fighting for. Just look at the petitions doing the rounds. Many of the people signing these are naturally Conservative voters, who have woken up to the fact that they are being shafted. I wish it was as simple as just getting all the people who were left of centre to agree with me. That won't work in Barnet. We also have to win the arguement. I believe we are doing this. The responses from the Tory Council are tired and lacklustre. They don't believe a word of what they're saying (apart from Brian Coleman and the rest of them are realising he's a liability).
Sadly though, any victory we win will come at a price, as it is clear that the sheer incompetence of the Barnet Tories will leave a legacy of debt for a generation. When the Tories took over Barnet, the Corporate debt was £38 million. Now it is approaching £250 million. That means that millions of pounds a year of tax just goes straight into the pockets of bankers, in the form of interest repayments. Mismanagement has cost millions of pounds in losses.
Yesterday I addressed the rally at the arts depot. I explained why I thought Barnets Tories had got it wrong. I'm not a great public speaker and I hadn't really planned to say much, but afterwards it was clear people agreed with what I had to say. One person asked if the losses I'd quoted were real. Sadly they are. Iceland £27.4 million. Aerodrome Road Bridge £11 million. Catalsyt £6 million - £43 million quid down the bog. Enough to save all of the chopped services. Staggering.
Whilst I don't expect everyone to agree with my view of the world, no one can possibly suggest that such losses are anything other than gross incompetence and that is what will ultimately destroy the Conservatives in Barnet. The only caveat is that we have to get the message over that the cuts are because of mismanagement in this Borough. I have no doubt that had they not mismanaged the finances, they would still be trying it on. The only difference is that then it would be to cut taxes rather than to just keep them where they are. In most spheres of life, a team that fails gets the sack. In the world of Barnets Tories, they get a pay rise. Why? because they are able to award it to themselves. Not only that, but the leader - Lynne Hillan then went on to claim "We're all in it together". This sums up the arrogance and political ineptitude of the Tories.
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