A Happy and peaceful 'NEW YEAR' to all my readers.
May you enjoy good Health throughout the coming year
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Shame on you Dr Cable
Hang your head in shame Dr Cable for bolstering an extreme right wing conservative party. Led by millionaire leaders of the present CONservative party is hell bent on destroying and dismantling the welfare state.
Started by the great 1945 government of Clement Attlee, was supported by conservative governments until along came Margaret Thatcher, declaring ‘There is no such as society, and grab what you can for yourself.
We now know where the LibDems stand – ‘power at any cost’ with the LibDemCon government.
Started by the great 1945 government of Clement Attlee, was supported by conservative governments until along came Margaret Thatcher, declaring ‘There is no such as society, and grab what you can for yourself.
We now know where the LibDems stand – ‘power at any cost’ with the LibDemCon government.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Vince Cable MP and the Student Demonstraters
This weekend (Nov. 2010) we had the spectacle of our member of parliament for Twickenham, Dr. Vince Cable MP, LibDem, in the hot seat of the weekend political T/V programme
A member of the LibDemCon government he looked very embarrassed, squirming and writhing in his seat, trying to justify ‘when is a pledge not a pledge’ and how to break promises.
The pledge and promise he, his party leader Nick Clegg and all libdem MPs, made at the General Election only 6 months ago not to raise tuition fees for students.
My heart, and thanks, go to all the 1,000’s of students across the Nation who turned out to demonstrate against this unforgivable betrayal of an election manifesto promise. My own demonstration, and rough police handling, days go back to the days of German Rearmament the first CND march etc.
I salute you and call on all voters, trade unions and others who feel betrayed by the LibDems to march with you on the next demonstration and swell your ranks.
I hope all Labour voters who voted LibDem to get, and keep, out the CONservatives will return to the fold and vote Labour at the next General and Local elections.
The conservative education minister, Michael Gove MP, of an extreme right wing conservative senior party of a LibDemCon government, on the same news programmes as the demonstrations, looking smug, putting all the blame for the increases in student fees on the shoulders of Vince Cable, Nick Clegg and LibDem MP’s,
Congratulations must go to the LibDemCON government in awakening the protest giant and breeding the next generation, from our schools and colleges, of demonstrators and protesters against injustice.
A member of the LibDemCon government he looked very embarrassed, squirming and writhing in his seat, trying to justify ‘when is a pledge not a pledge’ and how to break promises.
The pledge and promise he, his party leader Nick Clegg and all libdem MPs, made at the General Election only 6 months ago not to raise tuition fees for students.
My heart, and thanks, go to all the 1,000’s of students across the Nation who turned out to demonstrate against this unforgivable betrayal of an election manifesto promise. My own demonstration, and rough police handling, days go back to the days of German Rearmament the first CND march etc.
I salute you and call on all voters, trade unions and others who feel betrayed by the LibDems to march with you on the next demonstration and swell your ranks.
I hope all Labour voters who voted LibDem to get, and keep, out the CONservatives will return to the fold and vote Labour at the next General and Local elections.
The conservative education minister, Michael Gove MP, of an extreme right wing conservative senior party of a LibDemCon government, on the same news programmes as the demonstrations, looking smug, putting all the blame for the increases in student fees on the shoulders of Vince Cable, Nick Clegg and LibDem MP’s,
Congratulations must go to the LibDemCON government in awakening the protest giant and breeding the next generation, from our schools and colleges, of demonstrators and protesters against injustice.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Continued...... The LibDem Con
A lifelong socialist I am one of the first to say my constituency member of parliament, Dr. Vincent Cable MP, is a first class constituency member. Registered severely disabled, for over 20 years, he has helped me considerably over the years with the Boarder agency and other disabled problems.
I was very disappointed, with 1,000s of local Libdem voters when the Libdems bolstered a weak conservative party to give them power, lots of local Libdem voters being former Labour voters wanting to get the Tories out and keep them out. Even I was tempted to vote ‘Cable,’ but now, how pleased I kept my voting over the years 100% socialist.
When I had the honour of being a Richmond Councillor (we were unpaid, and did it as a service to the community) in the mid 1970s we built to a group 17 strong with a parliamentary vote around 15.000 +. In my ward alone, Hampton Hill, we polled over 1,600 votes.
Now is the time to invite these voters back to the Labour Party to once again build a strong opposition group instead of the likeminded LibDem and Conservative parties muddling their way through the running of our Borough.
The 30 years wasted over Twickenham Riverside being just one example. The centre of Twickenham, appalling in comparison to other local town centres with their developments. We can all see examples of mismanagement in our own part of the Borough.
I was very disappointed, with 1,000s of local Libdem voters when the Libdems bolstered a weak conservative party to give them power, lots of local Libdem voters being former Labour voters wanting to get the Tories out and keep them out. Even I was tempted to vote ‘Cable,’ but now, how pleased I kept my voting over the years 100% socialist.
When I had the honour of being a Richmond Councillor (we were unpaid, and did it as a service to the community) in the mid 1970s we built to a group 17 strong with a parliamentary vote around 15.000 +. In my ward alone, Hampton Hill, we polled over 1,600 votes.
Now is the time to invite these voters back to the Labour Party to once again build a strong opposition group instead of the likeminded LibDem and Conservative parties muddling their way through the running of our Borough.
The 30 years wasted over Twickenham Riverside being just one example. The centre of Twickenham, appalling in comparison to other local town centres with their developments. We can all see examples of mismanagement in our own part of the Borough.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The LIBdemCON Government
The dust has settled, now may be the time for a few comments on the 2010 election and its outcome. Now in my 75th. year I have never missed an election, local or national since the age of 21 (qualifying age then) even travelling an 80 mile round trip for a council bye election, the councillor turning out to be a political opportunist flip flopping from party to party ending up in the CONservities.
Firstly, the media finally got its way in turning our election system into a presidential type. I could note vote for any of the leaders pushed down our throats by the BBC, I would have like to have seen something of the other candidates who would end up in the cabinet.
All we got was the cynicle approach of the same old media 'hacks' with their own agendas to push (mainly get rid of Brown), the news paper columists reviewing each others writings and telling us how good they are.
We used to vote for the person in our constituency we though would best represent us in parliament, the winning party leader becoming Prime minister. Now we seem to be told to vote for a prime minister, dragging their party after them.
Nobody winning this time, we end up with the public school ‘Rich Kids’ and their followers telling us ‘we are all in this together’ and taking a 5% pay cut to show the way. Our own modest MP getting a rise from £64,000 to £137,000 cutting by some £8,000 leaving him only £129,000, I wonder if they can all manage on what’s left?
We now have the spectacle of a prime minister sinking his principles to grab his few years/months of glory and the LibDems, well, no principles at all to get a sniff on the coat tails of CONservative minority power.
A lot is said by our brave new leader about his new government being more democratic?? The first thing he does is to secure his premiership by raising the vote to bring down a government from 50% + 1 to 55%.
The best way to be more democratic would to stop all ‘whipping’ and let Members of Parliament vote as they promised the electors in their constituency.
Firstly, the media finally got its way in turning our election system into a presidential type. I could note vote for any of the leaders pushed down our throats by the BBC, I would have like to have seen something of the other candidates who would end up in the cabinet.
All we got was the cynicle approach of the same old media 'hacks' with their own agendas to push (mainly get rid of Brown), the news paper columists reviewing each others writings and telling us how good they are.
We used to vote for the person in our constituency we though would best represent us in parliament, the winning party leader becoming Prime minister. Now we seem to be told to vote for a prime minister, dragging their party after them.
Nobody winning this time, we end up with the public school ‘Rich Kids’ and their followers telling us ‘we are all in this together’ and taking a 5% pay cut to show the way. Our own modest MP getting a rise from £64,000 to £137,000 cutting by some £8,000 leaving him only £129,000, I wonder if they can all manage on what’s left?
We now have the spectacle of a prime minister sinking his principles to grab his few years/months of glory and the LibDems, well, no principles at all to get a sniff on the coat tails of CONservative minority power.
A lot is said by our brave new leader about his new government being more democratic?? The first thing he does is to secure his premiership by raising the vote to bring down a government from 50% + 1 to 55%.
The best way to be more democratic would to stop all ‘whipping’ and let Members of Parliament vote as they promised the electors in their constituency.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Binge and Unsociable Drinking
Once again the problem of ‘Binge Drinking’ and alcohol abuse has been raised on Breakfast television, I can only republish what I wrote on the subject some 2 years + ago and the letter I sent to my local member of parliament Dr. Vince Cable MP and hope, now in the cabinet he can bring pressure to bear in the right places.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A lot is being said and written about this growing problem, the most being said about is raising the tax and duty to make it prohibitive.
This would only bring about the closing of sensible and controlled drinking places. British Legion Clubs, Private Members Clubs, Sports and Social Clubs, Public Houses with Tenants and free House Owners who know how to control their customers, and conduct sensible social drinking.
The modern trend of ‘Pub Chains’ and companies only add to the problem with their managers only aim seems to be to boost trade and make more profit for their companies and commission at any cost.
The end of ‘cheap booze’ and the ‘buy one and get one free’ culture at Supper Markets and chain store off-licences must end. If a bottle of whisky is £15 and a can of beer £2.30 so be it.
Drinking alcohol in the street and Public Places should be band (excepting private gardens and a Beer Tent at an organised function) there are now plenty of drinking places in all towns, restaurants and Pubs.
Ken Elmes,
former Pub tenant
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vince Cable MP
Dear Vince,
I fully agree with you that all tax/VAT should be removed or as low as possible on all soft drinks, but raising on alcoholic drinks to discourage binge drinking would be counter productive.
A lot is being said and written about this growing problem, the most being said about is raising the tax and duty to make it prohibitive.
This would only bring about the closing of sensible and controlled drinking places. British Legion Clubs, Private Members Clubs, Sports and Social Clubs, Public Houses with Tenants and free House Owners who know how to control their customers, and conduct sensible social drinking.
The modern trend of ‘Pub Chains’ and companies only add to the problem with their managers only aim seems to be to boost trade and make more profit for their companies and commission at any cost.
The end of ‘cheap booze’ and the ‘buy one and get one free’ culture at Supper Markets and chain store off-licences must end. If a bottle of whisky is £15 and a can of beer £2.30 so be it.
Drinking alcohol in the street and Public Places should be band (excepting private gardens and a Beer Tent at an organised function) there are now plenty of drinking places in all towns, restaurants and Pubs.
Ken
Ken Elmes,
former Pub tenant
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A lot is being said and written about this growing problem, the most being said about is raising the tax and duty to make it prohibitive.
This would only bring about the closing of sensible and controlled drinking places. British Legion Clubs, Private Members Clubs, Sports and Social Clubs, Public Houses with Tenants and free House Owners who know how to control their customers, and conduct sensible social drinking.
The modern trend of ‘Pub Chains’ and companies only add to the problem with their managers only aim seems to be to boost trade and make more profit for their companies and commission at any cost.
The end of ‘cheap booze’ and the ‘buy one and get one free’ culture at Supper Markets and chain store off-licences must end. If a bottle of whisky is £15 and a can of beer £2.30 so be it.
Drinking alcohol in the street and Public Places should be band (excepting private gardens and a Beer Tent at an organised function) there are now plenty of drinking places in all towns, restaurants and Pubs.
Ken Elmes,
former Pub tenant
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vince Cable MP
Dear Vince,
I fully agree with you that all tax/VAT should be removed or as low as possible on all soft drinks, but raising on alcoholic drinks to discourage binge drinking would be counter productive.
A lot is being said and written about this growing problem, the most being said about is raising the tax and duty to make it prohibitive.
This would only bring about the closing of sensible and controlled drinking places. British Legion Clubs, Private Members Clubs, Sports and Social Clubs, Public Houses with Tenants and free House Owners who know how to control their customers, and conduct sensible social drinking.
The modern trend of ‘Pub Chains’ and companies only add to the problem with their managers only aim seems to be to boost trade and make more profit for their companies and commission at any cost.
The end of ‘cheap booze’ and the ‘buy one and get one free’ culture at Supper Markets and chain store off-licences must end. If a bottle of whisky is £15 and a can of beer £2.30 so be it.
Drinking alcohol in the street and Public Places should be band (excepting private gardens and a Beer Tent at an organised function) there are now plenty of drinking places in all towns, restaurants and Pubs.
Ken
Ken Elmes,
former Pub tenant
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The Future of Twickenham and it's Riverside
Richmond Borough Council has been changing political control each election over many years now, still the riverside fiasco gos on. Are our current masters really serious in their immediate actions, or just jumping on to popularity with the public?
Let us not forget, the last time the Conservatives were in control they stopped an earlier Libdem plan and promised a ‘Jubilee’ garden. This, simple and quick to construct, never happend. It is possible they will say they do not have the funds to carry out their election promise? Then starting again some form of commercialism to fund a small part of the site for public use?
Like many things in our Borough great opportunities are lost through bad timing and indecisions. The first planning in the 20th century was one such occasion when Twickenham could have been better planned.
At the time of the 70’s attempt, the late award winning architect Kenneth Hathaway, was commissioned by ‘The local Labour Party Twickenham Study Group’ to produce a new Town Plan, Named as ‘A Fresh Start’ he updated with revisions in 1994 and 2000, after much discussion and consultation with community groups and local people. The future of Twickenham Town Centre and its Riverside has long been the concern of the Twickenham Labour Party.
This document set the Riverside in the broader context of the need for reappraisal of the whole of the town centre, its shopping, pedestrian and motor traffic and its connections with its surroundings. In its scope and attention to detail it is as relevant to day as when it was written.
It needs to be read with the realisation that decline uncertainty and lack of action by Council administrations over the years have taken their toll on the pool site, and therefore aspirations such as the renewal of the swimming pool have become more costly. However today there is a new awareness of the importance of the environment, and its relevance in terms of space and amenity to the community, which is now accepted by all.
To this end the Twickenham Labour Party considers it imperative to restart and revive this consultation.
At the same time to take this opportunity to bring back into public use this Riverside heritage area, under the control and for the benefit of the community as a park where community activity and leisure can be realised to the benefit of the town its residents visitors and traders.
The broader environment of the town centre must be considered, where the unique Riverside setting is the principal asset of Twickenham. The continued public open space use of the pool site and its overall integration with the town should not be jeopardised by the ruse of non statutory education provision justifying speculative Riverside housing.
Although some small things have been done the full ‘Hathaway’ report is still relevant today and can be seen at www.twickenham-planning-kenelmes.co.uk
Let us not forget, the last time the Conservatives were in control they stopped an earlier Libdem plan and promised a ‘Jubilee’ garden. This, simple and quick to construct, never happend. It is possible they will say they do not have the funds to carry out their election promise? Then starting again some form of commercialism to fund a small part of the site for public use?
Like many things in our Borough great opportunities are lost through bad timing and indecisions. The first planning in the 20th century was one such occasion when Twickenham could have been better planned.
At the time of the 70’s attempt, the late award winning architect Kenneth Hathaway, was commissioned by ‘The local Labour Party Twickenham Study Group’ to produce a new Town Plan, Named as ‘A Fresh Start’ he updated with revisions in 1994 and 2000, after much discussion and consultation with community groups and local people. The future of Twickenham Town Centre and its Riverside has long been the concern of the Twickenham Labour Party.
This document set the Riverside in the broader context of the need for reappraisal of the whole of the town centre, its shopping, pedestrian and motor traffic and its connections with its surroundings. In its scope and attention to detail it is as relevant to day as when it was written.
It needs to be read with the realisation that decline uncertainty and lack of action by Council administrations over the years have taken their toll on the pool site, and therefore aspirations such as the renewal of the swimming pool have become more costly. However today there is a new awareness of the importance of the environment, and its relevance in terms of space and amenity to the community, which is now accepted by all.
To this end the Twickenham Labour Party considers it imperative to restart and revive this consultation.
At the same time to take this opportunity to bring back into public use this Riverside heritage area, under the control and for the benefit of the community as a park where community activity and leisure can be realised to the benefit of the town its residents visitors and traders.
The broader environment of the town centre must be considered, where the unique Riverside setting is the principal asset of Twickenham. The continued public open space use of the pool site and its overall integration with the town should not be jeopardised by the ruse of non statutory education provision justifying speculative Riverside housing.
Although some small things have been done the full ‘Hathaway’ report is still relevant today and can be seen at www.twickenham-planning-kenelmes.co.uk
Thursday, April 8, 2010
BOOM!! All over
Here's a solution to all the controversy over full-body scanners at the airports -
Have a booth that you can step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have hidden on you.
It would be a win-win for everyone, and there would be none of this crap about racial profiling and eliminating a long and expensive trial.
Justice would be quick and swift.
Case Closed!
Have a booth that you can step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have hidden on you.
It would be a win-win for everyone, and there would be none of this crap about racial profiling and eliminating a long and expensive trial.
Justice would be quick and swift.
Case Closed!
Monday, March 1, 2010
TWICKENHAM RIVERSIDE
A Home Town Blog. For visitors from far away, to my Blog, Twickenham – the Home of England Rugby – is also blest with some of the most beautiful reaches of the River Thames, including ‘Eel Pie Island’ historically famous as an early venue for ‘ The Rolling Stones’ and many other groups at the beginning of Rock & Roll.
The land opposite the Island was purchased by the council in 1924 as open and recreational space for the people of Twickenham. As it has now become a desirable site for luxury housing, overlooking the Thames, for the past 30 years subsequent council members (both Libdem and Conservative when in control) have tried to sell it off for over development with luxury flats or town housing.
Both parties’ attempts being thwarted by public meetings, demonstrations, a petition of over 10,000 names among lots of other activities. The people of Twickenham have said NO loud and clear.
Twickenham Riverside development has become a ‘Political Football’ by both the parties taking it in turns in controlling Richmond Council.
When set up the by the late Kenneth Hathaway, (www.twickenhamriver.org.uk) an international award winning architect, the River Thames Terrace Group was very careful to make sure we had conservative, libdem, labour and later green party members as well as no party independents to obtain the best use of the site for the people of Twickenham and our visitors according to the purchase of the land in 1924.
The plans drawn up by Mr Hathaway, as a result of these discussions, were submitted to and approved by the Council, and could have been implemented at a fraction of the costs to date in consultations and legal fees.
The Governments Freedom of Information Act has recently revealed the true cost of Twickenham Riverside to Council Tax payers.
What a state of affairs! massive sums of tax payer’s money already spent on development proposals without any end in sight. Proposals that ignore the wishes of the community, expressed by a petition of 10,000 signatures and a local referendum.
The most stupid proposal in these days of financial restraint is the planned destruction after 5 years of use of a perfectly useful popular amenity, namely the existing children's playground, cafe and toilets. In order that land can be leased for 1000 years to a housing developer building roads, parking, private gardens, and dwellings of 3 and 4 storeys dominating and overlooking the Embankment.
What amenity does the public get in return? a new playground liable to flood, renovation of the Embankment, a strip of open space part on the roof of a building , plus the irony of a new office and education building in order that we can be lectured & advised on preserving the environment.
The tragedy is that the money spent to date could have helped restore the remaining area of land to community use as public amenity open space, as defined on its purchase in 1924 and its subsequent public use..
The land opposite the Island was purchased by the council in 1924 as open and recreational space for the people of Twickenham. As it has now become a desirable site for luxury housing, overlooking the Thames, for the past 30 years subsequent council members (both Libdem and Conservative when in control) have tried to sell it off for over development with luxury flats or town housing.
Both parties’ attempts being thwarted by public meetings, demonstrations, a petition of over 10,000 names among lots of other activities. The people of Twickenham have said NO loud and clear.
Twickenham Riverside development has become a ‘Political Football’ by both the parties taking it in turns in controlling Richmond Council.
When set up the by the late Kenneth Hathaway, (www.twickenhamriver.org.uk) an international award winning architect, the River Thames Terrace Group was very careful to make sure we had conservative, libdem, labour and later green party members as well as no party independents to obtain the best use of the site for the people of Twickenham and our visitors according to the purchase of the land in 1924.
The plans drawn up by Mr Hathaway, as a result of these discussions, were submitted to and approved by the Council, and could have been implemented at a fraction of the costs to date in consultations and legal fees.
The Governments Freedom of Information Act has recently revealed the true cost of Twickenham Riverside to Council Tax payers.
What a state of affairs! massive sums of tax payer’s money already spent on development proposals without any end in sight. Proposals that ignore the wishes of the community, expressed by a petition of 10,000 signatures and a local referendum.
The most stupid proposal in these days of financial restraint is the planned destruction after 5 years of use of a perfectly useful popular amenity, namely the existing children's playground, cafe and toilets. In order that land can be leased for 1000 years to a housing developer building roads, parking, private gardens, and dwellings of 3 and 4 storeys dominating and overlooking the Embankment.
What amenity does the public get in return? a new playground liable to flood, renovation of the Embankment, a strip of open space part on the roof of a building , plus the irony of a new office and education building in order that we can be lectured & advised on preserving the environment.
The tragedy is that the money spent to date could have helped restore the remaining area of land to community use as public amenity open space, as defined on its purchase in 1924 and its subsequent public use..
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Leaders debates? - Yes but not on our present electoral system.
So the Media have got their way - for years they have been trying to bring our electoral system to more of a presidential election.
At one time complaining that our Prime ministers have been to presidential, on another time saying they do nothing. We have cabinet government in Great Britain, and when there is cabinet discussion to arrive at good policy forming the media cry ‘uturned’ and ‘indecision‘.
I can not cast my vote for any of the party leaders, until now I have always understood that we cast our vote in our constituency for the best candidate we believe would represent us in parliament, and the leader of the party gaining most seats would be sent for by the Queen to form a government.
If we fall inline with what the ‘well informed’ media want (with their ‘experts’ in everything, but decision makers in nothing, and the same old news media hacks) we will need two votes, one to cast for the debaters and one for our constituency member of parliament. That would soon end up with a ‘lame duck’ leader with nothing to lead as they often do in America.
I am not saying we do not need a change, but if we have a change it can only come about by overall electoral reform, our present system has only evolved over the years by gradually clipping back the powers of the land owners and the people who believe they had the divine right to rule the rest of us without a proper written constitution, this can be clearly seen by the ‘modern’ conservative party continually calling for a public enquiry into everything without offering alternative policies.
The biggest disservice done to politics in this country in recent years has been by the cynical approach by the media and it’s commentators like Neil. Paxman, Marr and Dimblebey, (who dose not chair a meeting without continually butting in before a person on the panel has completed their answer) who have their own agendas to push.
Leaders debates? Yes but not on our present electoral system.
* First published ‘Twickenham online-communities site
At one time complaining that our Prime ministers have been to presidential, on another time saying they do nothing. We have cabinet government in Great Britain, and when there is cabinet discussion to arrive at good policy forming the media cry ‘uturned’ and ‘indecision‘.
I can not cast my vote for any of the party leaders, until now I have always understood that we cast our vote in our constituency for the best candidate we believe would represent us in parliament, and the leader of the party gaining most seats would be sent for by the Queen to form a government.
If we fall inline with what the ‘well informed’ media want (with their ‘experts’ in everything, but decision makers in nothing, and the same old news media hacks) we will need two votes, one to cast for the debaters and one for our constituency member of parliament. That would soon end up with a ‘lame duck’ leader with nothing to lead as they often do in America.
I am not saying we do not need a change, but if we have a change it can only come about by overall electoral reform, our present system has only evolved over the years by gradually clipping back the powers of the land owners and the people who believe they had the divine right to rule the rest of us without a proper written constitution, this can be clearly seen by the ‘modern’ conservative party continually calling for a public enquiry into everything without offering alternative policies.
The biggest disservice done to politics in this country in recent years has been by the cynical approach by the media and it’s commentators like Neil. Paxman, Marr and Dimblebey, (who dose not chair a meeting without continually butting in before a person on the panel has completed their answer) who have their own agendas to push.
Leaders debates? Yes but not on our present electoral system.
* First published ‘Twickenham online-communities site
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