Well what a night that was. On Wednesday I predicted that Matthew Offord in Hendon by 1,500 votes. I was out by 500 votes. Offord hung on by just over 1,000. I was at the count last night and until about 2:30am, Labour thought they'd won all three seats. As it turned out, the postal votes swung it for the Tories. Labour estimated that approx 80% of these, cast over two weeks ago, were pro Tory. Why is this significant? Well it seems that many of these were cast before the Tory campaign went off the rails. Chipping Barnet has gone from being a solid Tory seat to a highly marginal one, with a wafer thin majority of around 350. This was perhaps the biggest shock. Mike Freer in Finchley and Golders Green won by approx 1,500, was almost serenely calm by comparison.
All of the local Tories were extremely nervous until the very last minute. Several toldme that the "knives were being sharpened for Theresa May". Given that three weeks ago, we were talking about a 100 seat majority for the Tories and even on Wednesday night a 50 seat majority, it is clear that the Tories have made a major screw up. I can't see how Theresa May can continue. The Tories I spoke to all said she was toast. It has also holed her "Brexit Strategy" beneath the water line. It is all really rather odd. Theresa May has won most seats and seems to be the loser. Jeremy Corbyn, on the back of a strong campaign, has gained much prestige. The Lib Dems have almost doubled the number of seats, but are still in the teens. In short, Theresa May has plunged the country into chaos. For the second time in a year, the Tories have put party above country and plunged us into a chaotic position. Their manifesto has been rejected by the voters. She asked for a mandate and failed to get one.
When it comes down to it, its bad for the UK. I can see no real upside for this vote. If Theresa May simply hangs on, she will become a joke. A someone who loves my country, this is a very bad day and it is all the fault of Theresa May and here dodgy advisers. A party propped up by the DUP is an awful prospect. Lord help us all.
Friday, 9 June 2017
Thursday, 8 June 2017
Ten reasons why you must not vote for Jeremy Corbyn
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| A bloke with a beard causing trouble |
1. Corbyn has ruled out first use of nuclear weapons. Who could vote for a Prime Minister who doesn't want to initiate the Apocalypse?
2. Corbyn wants to increase Police numbers. This is unfair to terrorists, burglars and rapists.
3. Corbyn wants more funds for the NHS. This will be bad for private health companies and may even make private health packages more expensive.
4. Corbyn wants more money for state schools. This means that the children of the elite, who attend private schools may not have the advantage that daddies cash should secure them.
5. Corbyn grows his own tomatoes on his allotment. This discriminates against tomato growers, who need to earn a living.
6. Corbyn wants higher taxes for the rich? Why should they pay more, just because they've got spare cash. What would you rather have, a new Jag or food for your less well off neighbours?
7. Corbyn wants to renationalise railways. Why should foreign, state owned rail companies not be able to fleece commuters? After all they should have a Jag and drive to work!
8. Corbyn supports Arsenal. So did Osama Bin Laden. Need I say more....
9. Corbyn supports Kyoto climate change accord. Donald Trump says it is a Chinese conspiracy. He's the US President so he should know!
10. Corbyn wants to abolish tuition fees. Why shouldn't students spend their life saddled with debt? It will encourage them to work harder!
Wednesday, 7 June 2017
Who will win in the constituency of Hendon
On Friday, we might all end up with a new MP. I live in the constituency of Hendon. My previous MP was Dr Matthew Offord. There has been speculation in the Evening Standard that he might "be in trouble". Offord was elected in 2010 with a wafer thin majority of 106. He increased this in 2015 to several thousand, in what was a surprise result for many on the left who assumed he'd lose to the previous incumbant Andrew Dismore. The bookies are having none of this. The current odds on Offord retaining his seat at Paddy Power are 1/7 against. I've had several coversations with the local Labour team, who say that they are seeing considerably more enthusiasm for their campaign than in 2015. The Lib Dems are also reporting a large rise in canvass returns, especially around Mill Hill following the car crash hustings performance of Matthew Offord, who managed to upset a large section of the audience, with his rather "clumsy" response to a local widow asking about why he hadn't responded to her deceased husbands requests for help opposing changes to benefit payments for widows.
It is fair to say that Offord is a rather difficult fit for a cosmopolitan seat like Hendon. Whilst the constituency voted heavily remain, Offord is a hard line Brexiteer (something he has rather clumsily tried to disguise in the campaign). He is a staunch opponent of same sex marriage, citing his evangelical faith as prohibiting him from supporting equality for people in same sex relationships. He has a long record of doing very little in the Borough. In a recent interview with the Hendon Times, he reiterated this by saying "People who know me, know I never promise anything". The sole reason for voting for him, according to the interview is that he'll "Do his best". In 2010 he claimed he'd champion the Green Belt and fight tooth and nail to save it, now he simply says that it is an issue for the Council. As the council has recently and rather controversially approved a plan to concrete over 17 acres of Green Belt, it seems that if you want an MP who cares about the environment, then Matthew is very much not your man. At the Edgware Church hustings, when asked about transport and pollution, his sole idea was to try and encourage the use of electric cars, whilst his opponents all spoke about cycling and better public transport.
His Labour opponent, Mike Katz is 10/3 at Paddy Power. Katz is a pro remainer, supports marriage equality and is keen to improve education budgets and NHS services in the Borough. He has been keen to distance himself from Jeremy Corbyn and is a bigwig in the Jewish Labour movement. Mike tells me that he is quietly confident, especially having had a very good response from the younger voters. He told the Hendon Times "If you’re worried about direction of the UK in Brexit negotiations, cuts to schools and the NHS, you need us."
The Lib Dems are 150/1 at Paddy Power. Alasdair Hill, the Lib Dem candidate is a veteran of the Save Barnet Libraries campaign and the Remain campaign. Hill has reported a large number of former Lib Dems returning to the fold. He has also spoken of many Tories who can't vote for Offord due to his anti equality stance and support for Brexit pledging support. Hill says that many have told him that they will be voting for him to demonstrate to the local Tories that their vote cannot be taken for granted, having a divisive character as their candidate. I asked Alasdair if he genuinely thought he could win. He said that recent election results have shown that nothing can be taken for granted. Alasdair also said that many local Conservatives had told him that the 2010-15 coalition had persuaded them that Lib Dems were a grown up party, who made a positive contribution to government. He is hoping that moderate people on both sides of the political divide will recognise that far from being a "coalition of chaos", the Lib Dems actually make for good, stable government. I asked him who he would prefer a coalition with. Alasdair played a straight bat and said that would depend on what sort of a program could be agreed with any partners and Tim Farron wasn't looking at coalitions. He said that he believed the Lib Dems had an excellent and honest manifesto.
My view? I think Offord will get in again, with 1,500 majority, but what do I know. I personally would be far more happy with an MP who reflects my views and the views of the majority of the constituency, but I fear that people don't vote for the man or with the locality in mind in a general election. I'd certainly urge any Conservatives to consider whether they really want to support such views tomorrow.
It is fair to say that Offord is a rather difficult fit for a cosmopolitan seat like Hendon. Whilst the constituency voted heavily remain, Offord is a hard line Brexiteer (something he has rather clumsily tried to disguise in the campaign). He is a staunch opponent of same sex marriage, citing his evangelical faith as prohibiting him from supporting equality for people in same sex relationships. He has a long record of doing very little in the Borough. In a recent interview with the Hendon Times, he reiterated this by saying "People who know me, know I never promise anything". The sole reason for voting for him, according to the interview is that he'll "Do his best". In 2010 he claimed he'd champion the Green Belt and fight tooth and nail to save it, now he simply says that it is an issue for the Council. As the council has recently and rather controversially approved a plan to concrete over 17 acres of Green Belt, it seems that if you want an MP who cares about the environment, then Matthew is very much not your man. At the Edgware Church hustings, when asked about transport and pollution, his sole idea was to try and encourage the use of electric cars, whilst his opponents all spoke about cycling and better public transport.
His Labour opponent, Mike Katz is 10/3 at Paddy Power. Katz is a pro remainer, supports marriage equality and is keen to improve education budgets and NHS services in the Borough. He has been keen to distance himself from Jeremy Corbyn and is a bigwig in the Jewish Labour movement. Mike tells me that he is quietly confident, especially having had a very good response from the younger voters. He told the Hendon Times "If you’re worried about direction of the UK in Brexit negotiations, cuts to schools and the NHS, you need us."
The Lib Dems are 150/1 at Paddy Power. Alasdair Hill, the Lib Dem candidate is a veteran of the Save Barnet Libraries campaign and the Remain campaign. Hill has reported a large number of former Lib Dems returning to the fold. He has also spoken of many Tories who can't vote for Offord due to his anti equality stance and support for Brexit pledging support. Hill says that many have told him that they will be voting for him to demonstrate to the local Tories that their vote cannot be taken for granted, having a divisive character as their candidate. I asked Alasdair if he genuinely thought he could win. He said that recent election results have shown that nothing can be taken for granted. Alasdair also said that many local Conservatives had told him that the 2010-15 coalition had persuaded them that Lib Dems were a grown up party, who made a positive contribution to government. He is hoping that moderate people on both sides of the political divide will recognise that far from being a "coalition of chaos", the Lib Dems actually make for good, stable government. I asked him who he would prefer a coalition with. Alasdair played a straight bat and said that would depend on what sort of a program could be agreed with any partners and Tim Farron wasn't looking at coalitions. He said that he believed the Lib Dems had an excellent and honest manifesto.
My view? I think Offord will get in again, with 1,500 majority, but what do I know. I personally would be far more happy with an MP who reflects my views and the views of the majority of the constituency, but I fear that people don't vote for the man or with the locality in mind in a general election. I'd certainly urge any Conservatives to consider whether they really want to support such views tomorrow.
Theresa May - Weak and Wobbly, she ain't got a clue
So today is the last day of the general election campaign. In the seven weeks of the campaign, both candidates have been exposed to a ferocious round of challenges. To the complete amazement of just about everybody, Jeremy Corbyn na appeared strong and assurred and has grown into his role. Theresa May on the other hand has had all of her flaws exposed and it has become crystal clear to everyone who is prepared to be open minded about such things, that she is not up to the job. Yesterday, following the latest terrorist outrage, she has proposed a whole new range of anti terrorist legislation. The issue for anyone who cares to think about it, is that she was home secretary for six years and Prime Minister for one. She has done nothing in this period. The one thing she has done is cut the numbers of police. The rational response to an atrocity is to say "what could be done to prevent this". It seems that the only thing that reasonable could have helped is more resources and more officers, so that more people could be monitored. This is the one thing that she can't propose as it would mean admitting that her tenure as Home Secretary was a failure. Passing new laws and giving Police more powers is pointless if there ae not the police numbers to enforce the policy. Giving them the powers to lock up more people is a waste of time if there are not the prison places or numbers of prison officers to deal with the huge influx of people. All of the people who committed the recent atrocities have form. They are all "known to police". The Police have to prioritise who they monitor due to numbers of officers. May has not got a leg to stand on when she defends her record.
She has claimed she is the only person who is capable of "negotiating a good Brexit". The sad truth is that if you fall for that line, you will believe anything. How can someone who is so weak and wobbly that she will send her Home secretary to defend her policies in a leadership debate, 48 hours after her father died, to do her job, be trusted. This is not strength or leadership. It is a dereliction of duty. You may well believe that the policies of the Tories are better and wish to vote them. That is a perfectly reasonable view to take. If however, you believe what May has said and that the most important things at this election are strong leadership and someone who can negotiate toughly with Europe, then she is clearly not up to the job.
She has claimed she is the only person who is capable of "negotiating a good Brexit". The sad truth is that if you fall for that line, you will believe anything. How can someone who is so weak and wobbly that she will send her Home secretary to defend her policies in a leadership debate, 48 hours after her father died, to do her job, be trusted. This is not strength or leadership. It is a dereliction of duty. You may well believe that the policies of the Tories are better and wish to vote them. That is a perfectly reasonable view to take. If however, you believe what May has said and that the most important things at this election are strong leadership and someone who can negotiate toughly with Europe, then she is clearly not up to the job.
Tuesday, 6 June 2017
My general Election campaign highlights
I must say that this is probably the strangest election in my lifetime. I thought I'd share a few of my personal highlights with you from Twitter and the internet.
First off, the best campaign video surely goes to Greg Knight - a Conservative from oop North in Yorkshire. Check out his theme tune at the end
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On a more serious note, I think this tweet from Jeremy Corbyn is perhaps the key to the result of the election. Theresa May has made "strong and stable" her keywords. I don't see how she can really refute this.
A hard hitting tweet from the Barnet Greens, basically telling all Tory voters who aren't millionaires that they are "misguided". I'm not entirely sure that this is the way to convince voters, but if the Barnet Greens win, I'll eat my hat (to quote Paddy Pantsdown).
First off, the best campaign video surely goes to Greg Knight - a Conservative from oop North in Yorkshire. Check out his theme tune at the end
.
On a more serious note, I think this tweet from Jeremy Corbyn is perhaps the key to the result of the election. Theresa May has made "strong and stable" her keywords. I don't see how she can really refute this.
Locally Matthew Offord had a car crash at The Mill Hill Synangogue hustings. Not completely sure if I agree with who won, but agree totally with who the loser was..@Theresa_May, you cannot protect communities on the cheap and by disregarding the views of the police. They've been warning you since 2011. pic.twitter.com/bzGlyaD9dS— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 5, 2017
Jewish News picked up the story, as did the Daily Mirror. Word on the street is that this may have holed Offord below the water line.Well that was interesting... @mikekatz won that hustings, followed by @hill4hendon and probably then the Greens... the Tory MP very wounded https://t.co/xkrnJwxzk1— Adam Langleben (@adamlangleben) May 25, 2017
A hard hitting tweet from the Barnet Greens, basically telling all Tory voters who aren't millionaires that they are "misguided". I'm not entirely sure that this is the way to convince voters, but if the Barnet Greens win, I'll eat my hat (to quote Paddy Pantsdown).
Finally, we end this short round up with the surreal spat between Donald Trump and Sadiq Khan following the latest terrorist atrocity. Just when I thought Trump couldn't be more of a complete A-hole. Even the US ambasssador and US Mayors seem to agree with me.At least £35Billion lost via Corporate taxdodging (source: HMRC). #GE2017 #olsxhttps://t.co/p725peW7Gf pic.twitter.com/SpAWfeIOF4— Barnet Green Party (@BarnetGreens) June 3, 2017
US mayors back Sadiq Khan in Donald Trump Twitter row https://t.co/Ex9C9RXOb9— Patricia allen (@Eamon0303) June 6, 2017
Monday, 5 June 2017
Mill Hill Music Festival - Preview - Cimarosa's The Secret Marriage ('Il matrimonio secreto')
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| Pop-Up Opera |
Part of the Mill Hill Music Festival. Pop-up Opera is an innovative touring opera company dedicated to making opera enjoyable and inviting for all. The performance is directed by Max Hoehn; winner of the 2015 Independent Opera Director Fellowship and nominee for ‘Best Young Director’ at the 2016 International Opera Awards. One of the most successful comic operas of the late eighteenth century, Cimarosa’s Il matrimonio segreto is about following your heart and makes for a perfect summer opera filled with humour, sparkle and fun.
The opera’s story is about a rich Italian businessman’s attempt to marry off one of his daughters to a mad English toff with disastrous results. Packed with tunes and matrimonial mayhem, the opera’s premiere in Vienna was the occasion of the longest encore in operatic history; Leopold II was so delighted that he ordered supper served to the company and the entire opera repeated immediately after!
Popup Opera was founded in 2011 and aims to “broaden the appeal of opera and to challenge the way opera is performed, by taking it into unusual spaces and making [it] intimate and engaging”. It currently runs around 90 performances a year touring 3-4 productions.
Book your tickets now and join us for another fantastic evening of opera at Mill Hill Music Festival on Tuesday 20th June.
https://millhillmusicfest.co.uk/popup-opera/
“I honestly cannot imagine anyone, of any age or class or tastes, who would have been bored or unmoved” - The Times
https://millhillmusicfest.co.uk/popup-opera/
Sunday, 4 June 2017
Theresa May is right, we need a difficult conversation - With her!
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| The London Bridge Attack |
This statement has a very different tone from previous speeches from Prime Ministers in the wake of such attacks. What I find sickening is that Ms May has completely forgotten her own role in the situation we find ourselves in. She was Home Secretary for Six years and has been Prime Minister for one year. When she says "While we have made significant progress in recent years, there is – to be frank – far too much tolerance of extremism in our country." She conveniently forgets that as Home secretary, she is the person who presided over this policy. She has been a senior member of a government that has presided over a legal system where convicted terrorists have received completely laughable sentences. I am aware of one instance of a terrorist who was involved in a plan to blow up a Jumbo Jet, who got sentenced to four and a half years. To put this in perspective, someone I know got three years for robbing gaming machines in Motorway service stations. Now I discussed this with someone who knows the case and the law, who said "his role was marginal". As far as I am concerned, there is no such thing as a "marginal" role in terrorism. One way or another as Home sectretary for six years and Prime Minister for one year, May knows all about this.Enough is enough. My response to last night’s brutal terror attack:
"Last night, our country fell victim to a brutal terrorist attack once again. As a result I have just chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency committee and I want to update you with the latest information about the attack.
Shortly before 10:10 yesterday evening, the Metropolitan Police received reports that a white van had struck pedestrians on London Bridge.
It continued to drive from London Bridge to Borough Market, where 3 terrorists left the van and attacked innocent and unarmed civilians with blades and knives.
All 3 were wearing what appeared to be explosive vests, but the police have established that this clothing was fake and worn only to spread panic and fear.
As so often in such serious situations, the police responded with great courage and great speed. Armed officers from the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police arrived at Borough Market within moments, and shot and killed the 3 suspects.
The terrorists were confronted and shot by armed officers within 8 minutes of the police receiving the first emergency call.
Seven people have died as a result of the attack, in addition to the 3 suspects shot dead by the police. Forty-eight people are being treated in several hospitals across London. Many have life-threatening conditions.
On behalf of the people of London, and on behalf of the whole country, I want to thank and pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of the police and the emergency services – and the courage of members of the public who defended themselves and others from the attackers.
And our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and with their friends, families and loved ones.
This is, as we all know, the third terrorist attack Britain has experienced in the last 3 months. In March, a similar attack took place, just around the corner on Westminster Bridge.
Two weeks ago, the Manchester Arena was attacked by a suicide bomber. And now London has been struck once more.
And at the same time, the security and intelligence agencies and police have disrupted 5 credible plots since the Westminster attack in March.
In terms of their planning and execution, the recent attacks are not connected. But we believe we are experiencing a new trend in the threat we face, as terrorism breeds terrorism, and perpetrators are inspired to attack not only on the basis of carefully-constructed plots after years of planning and training – and not even as lone attackers radicalised online – but by copying one another and often using the crudest of means of attack.
We cannot and must not pretend that things can continue as they are. Things need to change, and they need to change in 4 important ways.
First, while the recent attacks are not connected by common networks, they are connected in one important sense. They are bound together by the single, evil ideology of Islamist extremism that preaches hatred, sows division, and promotes sectarianism.
It is an ideology that claims our Western values of freedom, democracy and human rights are incompatible with the religion of Islam. It is an ideology that is a perversion of Islam and a perversion of the truth.
Defeating this ideology is one of the great challenges of our time. But it cannot be defeated through military intervention alone. It will not be defeated through the maintenance of a permanent, defensive counter-terrorism operation, however skilful its leaders and practitioners.
It will only be defeated when we turn people’s minds away from this violence – and make them understand that our values – pluralistic, British values – are superior to anything offered by the preachers and supporters of hate.
Second, we cannot allow this ideology the safe space it needs to breed. Yet that is precisely what the internet – and the big companies that provide internet-based services – provide.
We need to work with allied, democratic governments to reach international agreements that regulate cyberspace to prevent the spread of extremism and terrorist planning. And we need to do everything we can at home to reduce the risks of extremism online.
Third, while we need to deprive the extremists of their safe spaces online, we must not forget about the safe spaces that continue to exist in the real world.
Yes, that means taking military action to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. But it also means taking action here at home. While we have made significant progress in recent years, there is – to be frank – far too much tolerance of extremism in our country.
So we need to become far more robust in identifying it and stamping it out – across the public sector and across society.
That will require some difficult and often embarrassing conversations, but the whole of our country needs to come together to take on this extremism – and we need to live our lives not in a series of separated, segregated communities but as one truly United Kingdom.
Fourth, we have a robust counter-terrorism strategy that has proved successful over many years. But as the nature of the threat we face becomes more complex, more fragmented, more hidden, especially online, the strategy needs to keep up.
So in light of what we are learning about the changing threat, we need to review Britain’s counter-terrorism strategy to make sure the police and security services have all the powers they need.
And if we need to increase the length of custodial sentences for terrorism-related offences, even apparently less serious offences, that is what we will do.
Since the emergence of the threat from Islamist-inspired terrorism, our country has made significant progress in disrupting plots and protecting the public.
But it is time to say enough is enough. Everybody needs to go about their lives as they normally would. Our society should continue to function in accordance with our values. But when it comes to taking on extremism and terrorism, things need to change.
As a mark of respect the 2 political parties have suspended our national campaigns for today. But violence can never be allowed to disrupt the democratic process. So those campaigns will resume in full tomorrow. And the general election will go ahead as planned on Thursday.
As a country, our response must be as it has always been when we have been confronted by violence. We must come together, we must pull together, and united we will take on and defeat our enemies."
May said "So we need to become far more robust in identifying it and stamping it out – across the public sector and across society. " but she again is culpable for huge cuts to police numbers, support staff and other roles. As Home secretary, she was police budgets as areas to be pruned. Support workers have been cut, as these are more palatable to the public, in huge numbers. This means that officers have to spend far more time on paperwork and far less on catching criminals. It is well known that the best defence against these home grown terrorist networks is to have the police fully engaged with the community they live in. This means that people are not scared to tip off the local bobbies, when they are suspicious of activities of neighbours and friends. It seems that in the case of the Manchester bomber, the police were alerted. They did not follow this up. Why? I can't believe that lack of resources was not a factor.
May stated "That will require some difficult and often embarrassing conversations, but the whole of our country needs to come together to take on this extremism". Of all the statements she's made, this is perhaps the most controversial and divisive. Firstly as someone who has had access to priviledged secret information for seven years, why hasn't she been having "difficult and embarrassing" conversations for the last seven years? She doesn't say who should have these conversations or what they should be about. What disturbs me is that this will give organisations such as Britain First, The BNP and The EDL the idea that maybe they should have a few "difficult" conversations. Sadly these numpties generally have these conversations with perfectly normal and law abiding citizens.
I know a chairman of a Mosque. We spend hours discussing these issues. He tells me all manner of work and initiatives he undertakes to prevent radicalisation in his community. When I had treatment for cancer last year, he was the first person to ring up and dropped in some food. Unlike me, he would bee quite happy to see all potential Islamic terrorists interned or even dropped in the North Sea from helicopters. He says that in his opinion they alienate people from God and the Islamic religion and have no place in his community. I suspect that any conversation Theresa May had with him would be very embarrassing. He would be asking why she hasn't taken action.
Theresa May also said "Yes, that means taking military action to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. " Well remind me. Who sold off all our Sea Harriers, so our aircraft carriers. We've lost 30,000 front line troops. A quick look at Twitter highlighted these alarming statistics.
And this on the subject of Police cuts.I personally hold the Tories responsible for putting Britain at risk of terrorism.— Scott Nelson (@SocialistVoice) June 4, 2017
Irresponsible Tory cuts are endangering innocent lives. pic.twitter.com/4T519aZUAf
Here is a graph showing the scale of Tory cuts to front line police officers. #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/lekovXR2vg— James Armstrong (@PoliticoTeacher) May 25, 2017
I had a quick exchange of texts this morning with a friend who is a serving police officer (as is her husband). I wanted to ascertain whether she thought it was appropriate to write a blog such as this today. Her response? "Go for it... Mention police cits while you are at it!!!". So I have.#bbcqt Tory police cuts. Check the facts not the sincere posturing. #GE17 pic.twitter.com/WMBN027s25— KevR (@kwr66) May 25, 2017
There is one last thing I'd like to draw your attention to. Theresa May said "So in light of what we are learning about the changing threat, we need to review Britain’s counter-terrorism strategy to make sure the police and security services have all the powers they need.". I nearly screamed when I heard this. As home secretary for six years and Prime Minister for one, May has in this single sentence, proven that she is completely incompetent. Since the true scale and ambition of the Islamist terror threat became clear in 2001 and the 2005 attacks on the tube, it has been crystal clear that the UK is under permanent threat. This threat is constantly evolving and morphing into new forms and new organisations. The only way to stay safe is to keep the counter-terrorism strategy under permanent review. Every time the security services disrupt a plot and every time they fail to, there are serious lessons to be learned. May says we need to ensure that the police and security services have all the powers they need. What she doesn't mention, which is far more important is all the resources. The police can have all the power they like, but if the vans attending incidents lack the bums on seats to implement the policies and the laws, then we will fail.
The UK is almost unique in having a largely unarmed police service that by and large, everyone trusts. This has been undermined by Theresa May as Home secretary and undermined by Theresa May as Prime Minister. This has been the fourth general election since the scale and size of the militant islamist threat became clear. It is the first to see a spate of widespread terror attacks. It cannot be a coincidence that this has coincided with a run down of police services. If Theresa May had stood up and said "It is crystal clear that police cuts have gone too far", maybe we could have confidence in her. As it is, all we get is a dereliction of duty, a dodgy and hastily rushed out analysis of the issues and an attempt to try and look strong, having created the problem in the first place.
I apologise if anything I've said seems inappropriate so soon after this latest outrage, however, I can only be honest and call it how I feel.
Saturday, 3 June 2017
The Saturday List #132 - Election Special - The ten local issue which matter most in the London Borough of Barnet
I usually avoid politics in my Saturday lists. I take the view that at the weekend, we should have a day off all of that old rubbish. However as today is the last Saturday before the least important election in a generation, I thought it would be rude not to list the ten local issues which we should be quizzing our candidates about on the doorstep and I've also added what I have gleaned from the candidates as their position on these issues. If I have got any candidates position wrong on these issue, they are welcome to email me as a matter of urgency and I will add their comments.
1. The Thameslink Rail service. This is a disaster. In the days of British Rail, we had eight rush hour services an hour from Mill Hill Broadway to Cental London. This is down to six. The Thameslink website shows that seats are not available on these.
Candidates position (as I understand it).
Conservative - Matthew Offord - "Thameslink is a victim of its own success, carry on with Privatisation"
Labour - Mike Katz - As I understand it, Katz wants to transfer Thameslinl to TFL and increase regularity of suburban services
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill - As I understand it, Hill wants to end the Thameslink Franchise at the earliest possible time and divert profits from shareholders into service improvements.
2. Road Congestion and cycling policy. Again this is a disaster, with high pollution, roads unsafe for cycling and a burgeoning car culture, which will get worse with ever more overdevelopment.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - Promote electric cars and implement a buy back scheme for diesel cars. No comment on cycling policy at all.
Labour - Mike Katz - Promote "modal shift" from car to public transport, cycling and walking. Develop a cycilng strategy with TFL, Mayor and Barnet Council.
Lib Dem - Alasdair Hill - Promote safe cycling corridors to schools, to beat the school run. Improve local public transport
3. Overstretched hospital services at Barnet General. This is a nightmare. This year, my daughter suffered a seriously broken arm, requiring an operation and so I witness first hand the chaos in the NHS. She was offered a "virtual appointment" at the fracture clinic and finally had an operation nine weeks after the accident.
Consevative - Matthew Offord - "There is no money tree" Offord supports the government policy on NHS funding.
Labour - Mike Katz - As you would expect, Mike Katz supports better funding for the NHS and investment in local hospitals. This would be funded by tax rises for the very rich and corporation tax on large companies.
Alasdair Hill - Lib Dem - The Lib Dems have specifically quoted a figure of £38.5 million to address underfunding in Barnet. This will be paid for by a penny on income tax.
4. Cuts to local school funding. School budgets are under severe pressure. I am the chair of a charity that supports fundraising for St Michaels Grammar School in Finchley (where my daughter was a pupil). I support all good local schools and like the Tory party, I am not an opponent of good local grammar schools. I cannot believe the hypocrisy of the Conservative Party, which talks about the Grammar School sector as a marvellous idea, but chronically underfunds the sector. St Michaels, which is an outstanding school and has results at the very top of the league table, is well managed and is held as an example of why such schools work, has a funding crisis. The headmaster, Julian Ward, went public detailing how their was a budget deficit of £100,000 this year. For the abscence of doubt, the organisation I am chair of is involved in raising cash for improvements and has no role in the day to day running, where the deficit is occurring. Every school in Barnet is under budget pressures. This needs fixing.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - Supports government policy and spoke in Edgware detailing how the budget allocation was fair. Keen on more free schools in Barnet. Asked why well off children need a "subsidised school meal".
Labour - Mike Katz - Against more free schools. Will increase budgets for existing schools and address other issues affecting Barnet schools. Disagrees with Offord that budget allocation is fair on Barnet. Tweeted that "Labour get school meal menus from Jamie Oliver, Tories get them from Oliver Twist".
Lib Dem - Alasdair Hill - Will pump £26 million into local schools. Will maintain free lunches for Primary School children". Is a teacher, so spoke about education as his priority.
5. Green Belt. The Green Belt is under threat as never before. In 2010, Matthew Offord was elected on a pledge to "protect the green belt". This year, he supported an application to destroy 17 acres of Green Belt in Copthall. When challenged by local residents, said "planning issues are a matter for the local authority", despite his previous pledge.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - "Green Belt planning is a matter for the local council". Offord has confirmed that he does not see his role as an MP as one which is anything to do with the Green belt, therefore it was not appropriate for him to get involved.
Labour - Mike Katz - Katz told me that he would work with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to ensure that local residents are listened to. I challenged him on Offords statement that MP's have no role in the matter. He disagreed and said that MP's can make representations to the Mayor and The Council.
Lib Dem - Alasdair Hill - Hill told me that he believed that it was vital that a local MP represents lcoal residents and works with the Mayor and the Council to ensure residents are listened to. He also suggested that national guidelines on such issues could be reviewed, if they weren't working. He also mentioned that it is vital that government support green belt legislation.
6. Anti Semitism and Islamaphobia. As a local residents with friends of all faiths and none, it is vital to ensure that we all live together in peace and harmony, and we don't tolorate any form of racism, or religious intolerance. Locally, it seems that there are huge concerns regarding anti semitis, especially in regards to the Labour Party and elements on teh hard left. We can't duck these.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - Offord believes that the answer to the crisis in the Middle east is Donald Trump (he said so at Edgware Hustings). He said issues of religious intolerance are far worse in Pakistan, which is why he'd been on a Parliamentary mission there. I, for one, was very pleased that the MP for Hendon was taking on extremists in Karachi. Offord also spoke of his good relations and work with local Jewish community.
Labour - Mike Katz - Mike said that as a an active member of the Jewish community, he's a leading player in Jeewsih Labour and if elected, will give the local Jewish community a strong voice in the Labour Party.
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill. Alasdair said that Anti Semitism and Islamaphobia are not to be tolerated. He said that special efforts should be made in schools, where young people are forming ideas and identities.
7 . Improving Town centres. Mill Hill has a neighbourghood forum, working to improve the local environment. Recently they had plans to set up a Pocket Park community space in Mill Hill scuppered by Conservative Councillor Suri Khatri, a key supporter of Matthew Offord. This was met with disbelief by many hard working community campaigners across the political spectrum.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - He rarely ventures into the issue of local High Streets. The only known pronouncement on the subject was in 2010, when he told a local resident "I want Mill Hill Broadway to become a vibrant town centre, the type of place where independent retailers can set up great shops. I'd love to see things like cheese shops opening". Sadly, we still have no cheese shop.
Labour - Mike Katz - Sadly, Mike Katz views on cheese shops are completely unknown. He briefly said "I support the work of organisations such as the Mill Hill Neighbourhood forum to regenerate the local High Streets".
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill - Alasdair said "I deplore the fact that the local Conservatives have scuppered all of the hard work of local people and thwarted the pocket park".
8. Local Library Closures. As a founder of the Save Barnet Libraries campaign in 2010, this is close to my heart. I deplore the closure of the Childrens library in Mill Hill. When I was toddler, my mum would take me their, let me pick a Thomas The Tank Engine book and read it to me. My grandchildren will not experience this. I am heartbroken.
Conservatives - Matthew Offord - "I support the work of Barnet council on libraries"
Labour - Mike Katz - "If you believe in young people, you don't shut libraries"
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill - "I have tirelessly campaigned to save local libraries and lead the campaign"
9. Same Sex marriage. In 2010, I stood for council. One of my running mates was Jeremy Davies, a very hard working councillor in Mill Hill for 16 years. Jeremy is a good friend and a man I have utmost repsect for. He has taken advantage of the legislation to marry his long term partner. I am delighted that he has found a happy and stable relationship. It proves to me unequivicably that allowing people to legally cement relationships is a good thing, for hundreds, if not thousands of local people.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - "I was proud to vote against the same sex marriage legislation".
Labour - Mike Katz - "I support equality"
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill - "I support same sex marriage legislation and am proud of the coalition for enacting it"
10. Outsourcing and loss of local democracy. In Barnet, the local authority has outsourced all manner of local services to Capita. This has resulted in a huge loss of local accountability and democracy, with Capita running planning.
Conservatives - Matthew Offord - Offord was the architect of One Barnet Outsourcing. He supports the councils policies.
Labour - Mike Katz - Mike was active in the campaign locally to oppose the loss of democracy.
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill - Alasdair is not opposed to outsourcing in principle, but believes that the Capita contract has gone far too far and resulted in the loss of democratic oversight. He believes that local services should be provided locally where possible and practical.
Labour - Mike Katz -
1. The Thameslink Rail service. This is a disaster. In the days of British Rail, we had eight rush hour services an hour from Mill Hill Broadway to Cental London. This is down to six. The Thameslink website shows that seats are not available on these.
Candidates position (as I understand it).
Conservative - Matthew Offord - "Thameslink is a victim of its own success, carry on with Privatisation"
Labour - Mike Katz - As I understand it, Katz wants to transfer Thameslinl to TFL and increase regularity of suburban services
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill - As I understand it, Hill wants to end the Thameslink Franchise at the earliest possible time and divert profits from shareholders into service improvements.
2. Road Congestion and cycling policy. Again this is a disaster, with high pollution, roads unsafe for cycling and a burgeoning car culture, which will get worse with ever more overdevelopment.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - Promote electric cars and implement a buy back scheme for diesel cars. No comment on cycling policy at all.
Labour - Mike Katz - Promote "modal shift" from car to public transport, cycling and walking. Develop a cycilng strategy with TFL, Mayor and Barnet Council.
Lib Dem - Alasdair Hill - Promote safe cycling corridors to schools, to beat the school run. Improve local public transport
3. Overstretched hospital services at Barnet General. This is a nightmare. This year, my daughter suffered a seriously broken arm, requiring an operation and so I witness first hand the chaos in the NHS. She was offered a "virtual appointment" at the fracture clinic and finally had an operation nine weeks after the accident.
Consevative - Matthew Offord - "There is no money tree" Offord supports the government policy on NHS funding.
Labour - Mike Katz - As you would expect, Mike Katz supports better funding for the NHS and investment in local hospitals. This would be funded by tax rises for the very rich and corporation tax on large companies.
Alasdair Hill - Lib Dem - The Lib Dems have specifically quoted a figure of £38.5 million to address underfunding in Barnet. This will be paid for by a penny on income tax.
4. Cuts to local school funding. School budgets are under severe pressure. I am the chair of a charity that supports fundraising for St Michaels Grammar School in Finchley (where my daughter was a pupil). I support all good local schools and like the Tory party, I am not an opponent of good local grammar schools. I cannot believe the hypocrisy of the Conservative Party, which talks about the Grammar School sector as a marvellous idea, but chronically underfunds the sector. St Michaels, which is an outstanding school and has results at the very top of the league table, is well managed and is held as an example of why such schools work, has a funding crisis. The headmaster, Julian Ward, went public detailing how their was a budget deficit of £100,000 this year. For the abscence of doubt, the organisation I am chair of is involved in raising cash for improvements and has no role in the day to day running, where the deficit is occurring. Every school in Barnet is under budget pressures. This needs fixing.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - Supports government policy and spoke in Edgware detailing how the budget allocation was fair. Keen on more free schools in Barnet. Asked why well off children need a "subsidised school meal".
Labour - Mike Katz - Against more free schools. Will increase budgets for existing schools and address other issues affecting Barnet schools. Disagrees with Offord that budget allocation is fair on Barnet. Tweeted that "Labour get school meal menus from Jamie Oliver, Tories get them from Oliver Twist".
Lib Dem - Alasdair Hill - Will pump £26 million into local schools. Will maintain free lunches for Primary School children". Is a teacher, so spoke about education as his priority.
5. Green Belt. The Green Belt is under threat as never before. In 2010, Matthew Offord was elected on a pledge to "protect the green belt". This year, he supported an application to destroy 17 acres of Green Belt in Copthall. When challenged by local residents, said "planning issues are a matter for the local authority", despite his previous pledge.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - "Green Belt planning is a matter for the local council". Offord has confirmed that he does not see his role as an MP as one which is anything to do with the Green belt, therefore it was not appropriate for him to get involved.
Labour - Mike Katz - Katz told me that he would work with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to ensure that local residents are listened to. I challenged him on Offords statement that MP's have no role in the matter. He disagreed and said that MP's can make representations to the Mayor and The Council.
Lib Dem - Alasdair Hill - Hill told me that he believed that it was vital that a local MP represents lcoal residents and works with the Mayor and the Council to ensure residents are listened to. He also suggested that national guidelines on such issues could be reviewed, if they weren't working. He also mentioned that it is vital that government support green belt legislation.
6. Anti Semitism and Islamaphobia. As a local residents with friends of all faiths and none, it is vital to ensure that we all live together in peace and harmony, and we don't tolorate any form of racism, or religious intolerance. Locally, it seems that there are huge concerns regarding anti semitis, especially in regards to the Labour Party and elements on teh hard left. We can't duck these.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - Offord believes that the answer to the crisis in the Middle east is Donald Trump (he said so at Edgware Hustings). He said issues of religious intolerance are far worse in Pakistan, which is why he'd been on a Parliamentary mission there. I, for one, was very pleased that the MP for Hendon was taking on extremists in Karachi. Offord also spoke of his good relations and work with local Jewish community.
Labour - Mike Katz - Mike said that as a an active member of the Jewish community, he's a leading player in Jeewsih Labour and if elected, will give the local Jewish community a strong voice in the Labour Party.
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill. Alasdair said that Anti Semitism and Islamaphobia are not to be tolerated. He said that special efforts should be made in schools, where young people are forming ideas and identities.
7 . Improving Town centres. Mill Hill has a neighbourghood forum, working to improve the local environment. Recently they had plans to set up a Pocket Park community space in Mill Hill scuppered by Conservative Councillor Suri Khatri, a key supporter of Matthew Offord. This was met with disbelief by many hard working community campaigners across the political spectrum.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - He rarely ventures into the issue of local High Streets. The only known pronouncement on the subject was in 2010, when he told a local resident "I want Mill Hill Broadway to become a vibrant town centre, the type of place where independent retailers can set up great shops. I'd love to see things like cheese shops opening". Sadly, we still have no cheese shop.
Labour - Mike Katz - Sadly, Mike Katz views on cheese shops are completely unknown. He briefly said "I support the work of organisations such as the Mill Hill Neighbourhood forum to regenerate the local High Streets".
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill - Alasdair said "I deplore the fact that the local Conservatives have scuppered all of the hard work of local people and thwarted the pocket park".
8. Local Library Closures. As a founder of the Save Barnet Libraries campaign in 2010, this is close to my heart. I deplore the closure of the Childrens library in Mill Hill. When I was toddler, my mum would take me their, let me pick a Thomas The Tank Engine book and read it to me. My grandchildren will not experience this. I am heartbroken.
Conservatives - Matthew Offord - "I support the work of Barnet council on libraries"
Labour - Mike Katz - "If you believe in young people, you don't shut libraries"
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill - "I have tirelessly campaigned to save local libraries and lead the campaign"
9. Same Sex marriage. In 2010, I stood for council. One of my running mates was Jeremy Davies, a very hard working councillor in Mill Hill for 16 years. Jeremy is a good friend and a man I have utmost repsect for. He has taken advantage of the legislation to marry his long term partner. I am delighted that he has found a happy and stable relationship. It proves to me unequivicably that allowing people to legally cement relationships is a good thing, for hundreds, if not thousands of local people.
Conservative - Matthew Offord - "I was proud to vote against the same sex marriage legislation".
Labour - Mike Katz - "I support equality"
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill - "I support same sex marriage legislation and am proud of the coalition for enacting it"
10. Outsourcing and loss of local democracy. In Barnet, the local authority has outsourced all manner of local services to Capita. This has resulted in a huge loss of local accountability and democracy, with Capita running planning.
Conservatives - Matthew Offord - Offord was the architect of One Barnet Outsourcing. He supports the councils policies.
Labour - Mike Katz - Mike was active in the campaign locally to oppose the loss of democracy.
Lib Dems - Alasdair Hill - Alasdair is not opposed to outsourcing in principle, but believes that the Capita contract has gone far too far and resulted in the loss of democratic oversight. He believes that local services should be provided locally where possible and practical.
Labour - Mike Katz -
Friday, 2 June 2017
The Friday Joke - 02/06/2017 - Imagine there's no Southern
Friday is here again and we've got a special treat for all of you. Here is a little ditty from Southern Fail - The Musical!
This was filmed on Brighton Station. On Wednesday night at the #EdgwareHustings the Conservative candidate for Hendon, Matthew Offord stated that railway privatisation was a victim of its own success. Odd really that if it's so wonderful, people are making musicals about its failure! Perhaps that's why Dr Offord is listed as the Tory most likely to lose his seat in London by The Evening Standard?
Here's the lyrics etc. We think this is a pretty good little parody and wish the cast every success with the show and their valiant attempts to get to work!
'Imagine There’s No Southern’ performed by Mark Brailsford at Brighton station.
"Imagine there's no Southern..
It's easy if you try..
No GTR.. Or Thameslink..
Kiss their franchise goodbye..
Imagine all the people..
Arriving home on time.. (Yeah right!)
You may say I'm a dreamer..
But I'm not the only one..
I'm fed up with these railways..
They belong to everyone..
Imagine no more Grayling..
That isn't hard to do..
No more Tories failing..
Because they haven't got a clue..
Imagine all the people..
Getting to work on time.. (No chance, ohhhh)
You may say I'm a dreamer..
Because I'm fed up with these stunts.. (Typo?)
This is the age of Southern Failways..
Coz they are all...
Yes, their all..
Southern R-R-Raaaaail...
Are a bunch of..
FOOLS!"
Imagine - Original music score copyright John Lennon - Downtown Music Publishing - EMI Music Publishing 1971 all rights reserved.
Original video recorded and remains copyright of @ABCommuters and is presented here for evaluation* purposes only.
(*Southern commuters laughter & enjoyment)
Tickets for the Sallis Benney Theatre performance on June 24 can be purchased for £15 at www.ticketsource.co.uk/treason-show
This was filmed on Brighton Station. On Wednesday night at the #EdgwareHustings the Conservative candidate for Hendon, Matthew Offord stated that railway privatisation was a victim of its own success. Odd really that if it's so wonderful, people are making musicals about its failure! Perhaps that's why Dr Offord is listed as the Tory most likely to lose his seat in London by The Evening Standard?
Here's the lyrics etc. We think this is a pretty good little parody and wish the cast every success with the show and their valiant attempts to get to work!
'Imagine There’s No Southern’ performed by Mark Brailsford at Brighton station.
"Imagine there's no Southern..
It's easy if you try..
No GTR.. Or Thameslink..
Kiss their franchise goodbye..
Imagine all the people..
Arriving home on time.. (Yeah right!)
You may say I'm a dreamer..
But I'm not the only one..
I'm fed up with these railways..
They belong to everyone..
Imagine no more Grayling..
That isn't hard to do..
No more Tories failing..
Because they haven't got a clue..
Imagine all the people..
Getting to work on time.. (No chance, ohhhh)
You may say I'm a dreamer..
Because I'm fed up with these stunts.. (Typo?)
This is the age of Southern Failways..
Coz they are all...
Yes, their all..
Southern R-R-Raaaaail...
Are a bunch of..
FOOLS!"
Imagine - Original music score copyright John Lennon - Downtown Music Publishing - EMI Music Publishing 1971 all rights reserved.
Original video recorded and remains copyright of @ABCommuters and is presented here for evaluation* purposes only.
(*Southern commuters laughter & enjoyment)
Tickets for the Sallis Benney Theatre performance on June 24 can be purchased for £15 at www.ticketsource.co.uk/treason-show
Thursday, 1 June 2017
Thameslink - How Matthew Offord has failed commuters and children since 2010
If you commute from Mill Hill or any of the other overground rail stations in the London Borough of Barnet, you will be using Thameslink. This company is run by Govia and was granted the franchise a couple of years back. Despite huge, inflation busting fare rises since 2010, when Matthew Offord was elected, the service has got worse. Last night at the Edgware Hustings, I sepcifically asked Offord a question about local transport. He said that "rail privatisation was a victim of its own success". It certainly doesn't seem like that from a Mill Hill perspective. As a Mill Hill commuter, in the days of British Rail, we had eight rush hour trains an hour. The marvellous success of privatisation has reduced this to six. The result? Overcrowding. Thameslink have helpfully added a feature to their website called "finding a quieter train". So what does this show for Mill Hill Broadway?
The answer? If you need to get into town before 9am and get a seat, you need to be at the station before 6.52am. Does this sound like "success" to you? As to performance, this is also listed.
As you can see, this is pretty catastrophic as well. If Mr Offord considers this "success" it is no wonder that the company thinks it can deliver a shoddy service. Mr Offord's answer to the problems of overcrowding, pollution and road accidents was "more electric cars". He stated that the reason for the high rate of accidents was the large number of big roads, controlled by TFL (which Boris ran until last year). He made absolutely no reference to cycling or bus services. He did acknowledge that Mill Hill Bus station had the worst air quality in the Borough, but had no plan to protect the hundreds of school children who are poisoned by this on a daily basis. He has been MP since 2010. Things have got worse. The man is complacent and has no plan. He simply thinks it is all spiffing. I can only wonder what planet he's on.
The answer? If you need to get into town before 9am and get a seat, you need to be at the station before 6.52am. Does this sound like "success" to you? As to performance, this is also listed.
As you can see, this is pretty catastrophic as well. If Mr Offord considers this "success" it is no wonder that the company thinks it can deliver a shoddy service. Mr Offord's answer to the problems of overcrowding, pollution and road accidents was "more electric cars". He stated that the reason for the high rate of accidents was the large number of big roads, controlled by TFL (which Boris ran until last year). He made absolutely no reference to cycling or bus services. He did acknowledge that Mill Hill Bus station had the worst air quality in the Borough, but had no plan to protect the hundreds of school children who are poisoned by this on a daily basis. He has been MP since 2010. Things have got worse. The man is complacent and has no plan. He simply thinks it is all spiffing. I can only wonder what planet he's on.
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