55% of Labour supporters want the Prime Minister to resign.

Has Gordon lost his Flash?

With the closures of local Post Offices after a typcially New Labour Sham Consultation feelings are running high here in Stroud.

Its not just that the Labour Government is appearing to be incompetent, they are acting with incredible malice…

Stroud is a marginal seat Mr Brown.  Why not Go before you are sacked…

I went to Hawkwood College yesterday.

Very interesting it was.  I liked the idea of processing sewage via reed beds etc… I also liked idea of a ‘community farm’… although not sure how scalable it would be…

Stroud is well known for its ‘Alternative’ Culture.  I am a bit of a ‘green’ at heart too!… but not a all a ‘Green’ if you understand me?… Lib Dems, Socialists and even Tories are starting to ‘implement’ (not just talk about…) ‘green’ ideas…

I said it before but if we wait for the Green Party to come to power before we tackle ‘Global Climate Change’ then we are all doomed.  It will take to long… yes get involved with politics, but be realistic (and pragmatic) in choosing the ‘political vehicle’

I would argue that the Greenish of the 3 main parties is the Liberal Democrats…

I am looking forward to beginning another ‘political year’ with tempered enthusiasm.

I will try and learn from the recent past but not dwell upon it… It is time to move on.  Got to sort out a ‘Post Box’ in my ward…yep that’s the issue of the day!… but not quite sure of the details and I would not broadcast them if I did know. 

Bit of change from dog smellies!

Back to work Tuesday.. boo!… well I do like my job.  I seem to be good at it…?!… But politics and perhaps writing are my first and second ‘loves’… Earning money is a essential part of life though. 

I enjoyed a quiet evening worship at my local church and then a not so quiet beer festival at the Prince Albert tonight!.. well I only drink non-alcoholic drinks but I was concerned about the CO2 emissions from my lemonade… nuff said!

Tomorrow I want to take my parents out to the Hawkwood College Open Day.  I am interested in large vegetables…(don’t ask!) but should be fun.  ‘Very Stroud’…

 Politically where do I stand?  Still mulling it all over really. I am a Town Councillor and I will continue to do that job to the best of my ability.  I need to think carefully (and prayfully) about my next move.  Fortunately I’m only 33 years old and it that sense, time is on my side… So as they say in the movies, ‘The world shall see me again… ha ha ha!…’ (Oh dear what did they put in that lemonade?!)

To go into politics one has to have a thick skin, but also a ‘Great Heart’… I hope and pray I have both… 

In the last two months I have started a hectic Test analyst position and fought an extremly tough target seat (Rodborough District Ward)  I have coped with personal problems as well and I have succed beyond a lot of peoples expectations.

So ‘what makes me tick?’ 

I am not a great extrovert.  I quake every time I have to speak to a group of more than 5 or 6 people.  I get ‘nerves’ in new social situations.  I can’t remember faces or names or anecdotes… So why do I put myself through it all?

I will tell you.  I have experienced such ‘Darkness’ in my life … I have seen and been in situations which I would term ‘My personal Hell’… I know of people who still in that state of mind / being…

I do Politics because I can… If I don’t stand up for the weak and suffering who will?  Who else understands as well as me? What would be the point of my life if I took the easy route? 

All very dramatic.  I hope not sounding melodramatic… I love my life, my liberty, my family and friends and I have very strong faith.  And I want everyone to have the same Freedom.

 That is enough.    

well I came within 51 votes of winning… 2nd place aint so bad… Sob!

 The results in Rodborough were 516 Tory, 465 Lib Dem (me), 446 Green and 172 Labour… We didn’t get our postal vote campaign sorted and we didn’t squeeze the Greens… But there is always next time.

I did enjoy the campaign.  I love meeting people and sorting out their problems.  What do I do next? Well I don’t believe in mopeing around so will be back in action very shortly!  The fact that I have started an extremley hectic day job and ran a target seat campaign bodes well for the future…

As I said in my speach at the Count, “I’ll be Back!…“

Polling day tomorrow… After years of work my team and I are pretty darn ready… But it is close (as I keep saying!) so if you want a lib dem in Rodborough then go out and vote for me tomorrow…

 Why should do such a thing?

I have lived in Rodborough for years (8 years at my current address at lightpill) We have spoken to over 70% of the electorate in the past year.  I know the issues and concerns you have as only a local would.

We have been working hard for you for many years now and put out the regular ‘Focus on Rodborough’

And we won last May….

 If you like our record and want active local councillors representing your interests then please vote Lib Dem…

It would be nice to have some good weather tomorrow… But we can’t organise that!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel… 3 long years of constant campaign maybe soon to bear fruit?  That’s up to the members of the Rodborough electorate to decide.

So got to wait until you make your choice…

Yes I know… Every opposition politician since time began has, at some point, used the above line…

So now its my turn!

Seriously, I think that Stroud Politics has become to entrenched in old dogmas, ideologies and tribalism.  I get things done. And I’ll work with people of sincerity and goodwill from other parties if it means the community benefits…

Lets change things in Stroud.  The failure of the past does not have to limit our ambition for our home.  Climate Change or dog mess and cracked pavements… I’ve heard your priorities over the past few months and I believe only a fresh approach, an energetic approach can make that difference!

I have the energy and I want to make it happen…

Do you want change to happen?

So nearly polling day…

And I have fixed my computer!… which leaves the ’small’ matter of the District Election.

I ready for the fight but the final showdown is yet to come.  I already know that people have voted for me.  And more people will vote for me! whether or not we beat the Tories who knows?

It is so close!

I have been living in Lightpill for 8 years now and I have spent over half my life in other parts of Rodborough.   I love my home town and will fight for your interests at Ebley Mill. 

I founded the Rodborough Focus team 3 years or more ago.  We have been working for you ‘All Year Round’… And with Christine Headley’s win by 5 votes last year we proved we can deliver…

Problem solving is my trade.  So give me your trust on Thursday.  Vote Lib Dem and I will not let you down.

I’ve stopped counting down the days now… Win, lose or recount I will accept whatever it is!… But I am hopeful… Christine and I have spoken to so many different people over the last year or so… So many issues and problems that we have tackled or at least tried to tackle!… Which is more than can be said of some of my opponents… (Now Fisk!… don’t get negative…)

I also have hope of fixing the audio drivers on my PC… (A much more straight forward issue…!) So maybe on 2 May I will actually be able to listen to Eric Chapton’s ‘Journeyman’ whilst working on my ‘Thank You’ leaflet!… (I think that will be number 24?….)

I need sleep…