Well it's all over bar the shouting - or rather the counting. Sunday night in Poole us Euro hopefuls have an appointment at the scaffold. The local election results across the South West have been stunning, with huge victories in Devon and Somerset.
But the real hero of the South West for me tonight - and I am going to single him out - is Bob Davidson, the Group Agent in Cornwall. Not only did he find 123 candidates to fight the new unitary Council, he then got 50 of them elected. We won the popular vote in Cornwall and are the largest Party. Bob effectively sacrificed his own seat to do this - he lost by just 18 votes in a ward we wouldn't have even contested a few years back. We had terribly sad news in Cornwall this week with the tragic death from cancer of the lovely Rebecca Hare - at the hideously young age of just 44. She would have been bloody proud of you tonight Bob!
I've enjoyed this campaign hugely. Since I last typed out a few words I've spent a day in SE Cornwall with Sheryll Murray, addressed the Plymouth Trades Council (Labour and the Lib Dems didn't even turn up) attended a public meeting in Blandford Forum (where we were joined by a reporter from the News of the Screws, helped my great friend Oliver Colvile run a street stall in Plymouth, whizzed back to Gib for a couple of nights and then finished off in my own village of Banwell near Weston super Mare. I also did stints in Burnham on Sea and Filton and Bradley Stoke twice. I feel very comfortable that I have done my bit and a whole lot more. And I've loved it.
I have more to say later - on Gibralatr, Europe and PR amongst other things. But the $64,000 question - do I expect to get elected Sunday night? Answer sadly no! d'Hondt created a monster when he dreamt up this form of PR - and a combination of that and UKIP will bury me I suspect. The "maybe just maybe" virus is a killer for candidates - so all that is discounted. 3 Tories, 2 UKIP and 1 Lib Dem - that's my best guess - with the Greens also in with a sniff of the 6th seat. It's back to work for me on Monday - with a General Election to win.
This Government is a shambles and the real tragedy is that when our country needs strong leadership more now than ever since the 2nd World War all we have is this pantomime. Shame on you Brown!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
From Cornwall to Dorset(via Devon) to Cornwall to Dorset....
Please don't tell Mr Cameron about my carbon footprint. I've been piling on the miles over the last week and have banged an awful lot of doors and pushed an awful lot of paper.
It is a real pleasure to get out there and campaign with some of our excellent candidates - both for local councils and indeed for parliament. I've been "on the knocker" in Liskeard, in North Cornwall, in Wimborne, in Camborne, in Porthleven, in Penzance, in St Mawes and ..........so it goes on! Tomorrow it's Saltash and Friday it's back to North Cornwall. I broke off to take in the Devon County Show and tonight it was a BBC Radio Solent 'phone in. It's a pretty tiring business being a candidate - that's one thing I've learnt.
But something I already knew was that one of the many reasons I want to represent the South West is because it is such a beautiful, beautiful place. Just yesterday I drove round Mounts Bay and saw St Michael's Mount framed against the sun and last night I watched the sun setting towards the Lizard from the delightful village of Portscatho. And today I broke off from campaigning for 20 minutes to visit the delightful church at St Just.
Right now I'm taking a couple of hours off to watch the Champions League final. Messi has just scored Barcelona's second - things don't look good for United. My 12 year old son Ed will be furious - but at least it might improve his understanding of how his father feels - being a Leeds fan has accustomed me to disappointment!
It is a real pleasure to get out there and campaign with some of our excellent candidates - both for local councils and indeed for parliament. I've been "on the knocker" in Liskeard, in North Cornwall, in Wimborne, in Camborne, in Porthleven, in Penzance, in St Mawes and ..........so it goes on! Tomorrow it's Saltash and Friday it's back to North Cornwall. I broke off to take in the Devon County Show and tonight it was a BBC Radio Solent 'phone in. It's a pretty tiring business being a candidate - that's one thing I've learnt.
But something I already knew was that one of the many reasons I want to represent the South West is because it is such a beautiful, beautiful place. Just yesterday I drove round Mounts Bay and saw St Michael's Mount framed against the sun and last night I watched the sun setting towards the Lizard from the delightful village of Portscatho. And today I broke off from campaigning for 20 minutes to visit the delightful church at St Just.
Right now I'm taking a couple of hours off to watch the Champions League final. Messi has just scored Barcelona's second - things don't look good for United. My 12 year old son Ed will be furious - but at least it might improve his understanding of how his father feels - being a Leeds fan has accustomed me to disappointment!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Of sore feet and impending blisters!
My political friends will tell anyone that I am a huge fan of Mike Smithson's columns on the PoliticalBetting.com website. I think he has an unerring nose for where the political story is going and I agree wholeheartedly with his analysis of the importance of the "media narrative".
But I was a bit narked just now to read his post today questioning where all the political activists and canvassers have disappeared to because in the West Country that just ain't true. I know because I've been with them!
The last 7 days have seen me hit the streets of Stroud, Dursley, Willand, Torbay, Chippenham, Melksham, Totnes, Colebrooke, Penstone and Okehampton. Tomorrow its Liskeard, Wadebridge and back to Okehampton, Friday it's the Devon County Show and Saturday it's Wareham in Dorset. And I have never been out in a group of less than 3 people and I have always been accompanied by the local council candidate and/or PPC. The Conservative Party is not ducking for cover! Far from it. And our literature is by and large the best I have ever seen us produce.
And what are people saying - well, they are mighty p***ed off with "that lot in Westminster". "Robbers" one man shouted. I do however detect just a slight change in mood since Mr Speaker Martin's announcement. There is beginning to be a reawakening of concern over the dire strits in which GB PLC finds itself. It was put very eloquently by a gentleman in Blenheim Close, Okehampton tonight. "Right now" he said, "The Country needs a strong Government - well we ain't had that for years. But we also need a strong Parliament and we haven't got that either until this mess is sorted out". Amen to that.
Comment of the day, again from Okehampton. A gentleman tells me he might "vote UKIP as a protest." "They're no answer I reply; one's been to prison for fraud and another's been charged with fraud". "I know he says - but at least we can see they're crooks!"
And funniest sight of the day? The Mel Stride campaign in Central Devon is formidable - the best I've ever seen. Their agent, Aussie Angus Bristow, turns up with a plastic tube of garden posters (yard signs the yanks call them) strapped across his back. "They look like M66 anti tank rocket launchers" I comment. Now every time they get a poster site the shout goes up "Tank action". Now that's what I call campaigning. Onwards and upwards!
But I was a bit narked just now to read his post today questioning where all the political activists and canvassers have disappeared to because in the West Country that just ain't true. I know because I've been with them!
The last 7 days have seen me hit the streets of Stroud, Dursley, Willand, Torbay, Chippenham, Melksham, Totnes, Colebrooke, Penstone and Okehampton. Tomorrow its Liskeard, Wadebridge and back to Okehampton, Friday it's the Devon County Show and Saturday it's Wareham in Dorset. And I have never been out in a group of less than 3 people and I have always been accompanied by the local council candidate and/or PPC. The Conservative Party is not ducking for cover! Far from it. And our literature is by and large the best I have ever seen us produce.
And what are people saying - well, they are mighty p***ed off with "that lot in Westminster". "Robbers" one man shouted. I do however detect just a slight change in mood since Mr Speaker Martin's announcement. There is beginning to be a reawakening of concern over the dire strits in which GB PLC finds itself. It was put very eloquently by a gentleman in Blenheim Close, Okehampton tonight. "Right now" he said, "The Country needs a strong Government - well we ain't had that for years. But we also need a strong Parliament and we haven't got that either until this mess is sorted out". Amen to that.
Comment of the day, again from Okehampton. A gentleman tells me he might "vote UKIP as a protest." "They're no answer I reply; one's been to prison for fraud and another's been charged with fraud". "I know he says - but at least we can see they're crooks!"
And funniest sight of the day? The Mel Stride campaign in Central Devon is formidable - the best I've ever seen. Their agent, Aussie Angus Bristow, turns up with a plastic tube of garden posters (yard signs the yanks call them) strapped across his back. "They look like M66 anti tank rocket launchers" I comment. Now every time they get a poster site the shout goes up "Tank action". Now that's what I call campaigning. Onwards and upwards!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Doing the hard yards.........
I think it was the famous South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar who used to talk about "doing the hard yards" and anybody who has ever played in the back row will know just what it means! I've been doing the hard yards for the last few days - and the response has been interesting!
I spent Monday in the hyper marginal seat of Chippenham - a new constituency which the Lib Dems have been working for the last couple of years. They're completely wrong footed now - the one thing they hadn't seen coming was our PPC - the engaging and totally different "Black Farmer" Wilfred Emanuel-Jones. So all their normal bile about public school city type Tories suddenly looks rather passe, and I would put more than a few bob on Wilfred to win. Why? Because people like him - and that matters in politics.
What they don't like is people lining their pockets - and we've had qite a bit of that over the last few days on the doorstep. The "curse on all your houses, you're all crooks and tossers party" is doing rather well! What will be a tragedy will be if people like UKIP benefit, because followers of the blogosphere and googlers of sites like "Junius - UKIP" and "Caterpillars and Butterflies - UKIP" will know just what I mean. Go on - try them!
We've got some great candidates out there for the local elections - Janet Giles, Richard Wiltshire and Elizabeth Kennedy to name but 3. These are people who really believe in their local communities and are in it to help people rather than themselves. If they lose because of the shenannigans at Westminster then some should hang their heads in shame.
But people aren't stupid. And by last night in Blunsdon on the edge of Swindon I met many who had witnessed David Cameron's press conference and were effusive in their response. "He gets it"- and Brown just doesn't. Swindon North is another "must win" for us at the GE, and judging by the effort being put in by Justin Tomlinson and his superb team we're on course. Not a single vote is taken for granted - it's the "hard yards" again! And to the lovely lady in Berton Close who asked if I was single ...............
And now back to the day job - until Stroud tomorrow!
All together now - "You can get it if you really want" !
I spent Monday in the hyper marginal seat of Chippenham - a new constituency which the Lib Dems have been working for the last couple of years. They're completely wrong footed now - the one thing they hadn't seen coming was our PPC - the engaging and totally different "Black Farmer" Wilfred Emanuel-Jones. So all their normal bile about public school city type Tories suddenly looks rather passe, and I would put more than a few bob on Wilfred to win. Why? Because people like him - and that matters in politics.
What they don't like is people lining their pockets - and we've had qite a bit of that over the last few days on the doorstep. The "curse on all your houses, you're all crooks and tossers party" is doing rather well! What will be a tragedy will be if people like UKIP benefit, because followers of the blogosphere and googlers of sites like "Junius - UKIP" and "Caterpillars and Butterflies - UKIP" will know just what I mean. Go on - try them!
We've got some great candidates out there for the local elections - Janet Giles, Richard Wiltshire and Elizabeth Kennedy to name but 3. These are people who really believe in their local communities and are in it to help people rather than themselves. If they lose because of the shenannigans at Westminster then some should hang their heads in shame.
But people aren't stupid. And by last night in Blunsdon on the edge of Swindon I met many who had witnessed David Cameron's press conference and were effusive in their response. "He gets it"- and Brown just doesn't. Swindon North is another "must win" for us at the GE, and judging by the effort being put in by Justin Tomlinson and his superb team we're on course. Not a single vote is taken for granted - it's the "hard yards" again! And to the lovely lady in Berton Close who asked if I was single ...............
And now back to the day job - until Stroud tomorrow!
All together now - "You can get it if you really want" !
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Back with a bang!
Phew! What a weekend!
Got back from Gib at 2.00a.m. Saturday after a hectic week down there. Slightly depressed to read a couple of rather silly comments on ConHome from people who think it's some sort of jolly. Nonsense, we need those votes........hey ho!
6 hours sleep and then back on the trail - a morning's canavassing with Ken Lloyd in Nunney, a quick pub lunch and then 2 hours bangigng doors in Castle Cary with local candidate Bob Little. A new star is found - 12 year old Ed Dolley who joined me for the day and ended up "doing the board". It's great to have some family support.
Dropped Ed at home (the lure of Robin Hood!) and then out again in Burnham with John Woodman. 3 Somerset target divisions in one day, and Ken Maddock - the next Leader of Somerset County Council was there at the end of the day. Well done Ken!
Today has been dominated by my laptop - I've just done my 113th reply on bullfighting. And the washing machine - catching up on the dhobi bag from Gib. Loads of e-mail to do - and my programme to finalise for next week. Chippenham, Swindon, Stroud, Tiverton, Newton Abbot, Plymouth and Torbay; might even find some time for the day job!
Most depressing part of the day: the overly recited doorstep mantra of "you're all t*****s" reflects just how the expenses story is tarring everyone around politics with the same brush.
Best bit of the day - seeing the kids, having Ed out with me - and the opinion polls. Deep joy!
Got back from Gib at 2.00a.m. Saturday after a hectic week down there. Slightly depressed to read a couple of rather silly comments on ConHome from people who think it's some sort of jolly. Nonsense, we need those votes........hey ho!
6 hours sleep and then back on the trail - a morning's canavassing with Ken Lloyd in Nunney, a quick pub lunch and then 2 hours bangigng doors in Castle Cary with local candidate Bob Little. A new star is found - 12 year old Ed Dolley who joined me for the day and ended up "doing the board". It's great to have some family support.
Dropped Ed at home (the lure of Robin Hood!) and then out again in Burnham with John Woodman. 3 Somerset target divisions in one day, and Ken Maddock - the next Leader of Somerset County Council was there at the end of the day. Well done Ken!
Today has been dominated by my laptop - I've just done my 113th reply on bullfighting. And the washing machine - catching up on the dhobi bag from Gib. Loads of e-mail to do - and my programme to finalise for next week. Chippenham, Swindon, Stroud, Tiverton, Newton Abbot, Plymouth and Torbay; might even find some time for the day job!
Most depressing part of the day: the overly recited doorstep mantra of "you're all t*****s" reflects just how the expenses story is tarring everyone around politics with the same brush.
Best bit of the day - seeing the kids, having Ed out with me - and the opinion polls. Deep joy!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Waiting for William
As the "Gibraltar hand" on the South West euro team, I'm currently down on "The Rock", awaiting the arrival of William Hague for a 24 hour programme of visits. William's plane is flagged as 40 minutes late, so just time to advise that I have submitted an article for ConHome http://www.conservativehome.com/ which will be the first of 2 or 3 setting out just how our campaign down here works. Do have a read over the next few days!
Also keep up with our campaign at http://www.southwestconservatives.com/
Also keep up with our campaign at http://www.southwestconservatives.com/
Monday, April 13, 2009
Is it just me or does it seem bizarre that we have a Prime Minister who thinks we need a code of conduct that says Government pay-roll officials shouldn't invent completely fictitious, salacious and defamatory stories about his political opponents.
My children seem to grasp that lying is wrong - is it too much to think that Downing Street might have reached the same answer?
Methinks it's time to reset the moral compass.
My children seem to grasp that lying is wrong - is it too much to think that Downing Street might have reached the same answer?
Methinks it's time to reset the moral compass.
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