Labour in meltdown?

There is a fair bit of talk on the blogs about Labour's tactics in the Goldsmid by-election, which it has to be said has become somewhat erratic, or perhaps desperate, as the campaign has gone on.

Their website tells residents to 'Vote Local' for their candidate, when in fact she lives miles away on the other side of Brighton. Our excellent candidate Howard Spencer lives on the border of the ward.

Then there is their bizarre 'Campaign HQ' - which someone really has to point out to them is actually in the wrong ward. At the bottom of Selborne Road in my ward you'll see office windows covered in their candidate's name and Labour logo. A senior Labour operative tells me that it is their by-election HQ - if what he says is true, I do hope someone will be checking their election expenses that the going commercial rate for the site is declared. My rough calculation estimates that they've in fact used up most of their expenses on this one site alone.

Meanwhile, on the doorstep, they like to spend their time telling people that the Lib Dems only have two councillors - oblivious to the fact that in Hove they only have one themselves!

And here is the best of the lot. Labour have been out in Brunswick today (you'd have thought they would be worrying about Goldsmid - they came a poor fourth here last time) delivering a newsletter urging people to vote Labour in the 4th June Euro Elections - an election which they were hammered in and that actually took place well over a month ago.

The electorate really does deserve better than this.

Hove Lawns this weekend

In case you are wondering why the lawns are fenced off, Paddle Round the Pier takes place on Saturday and Sunday (4 and 5 July) on Hove Lawns and in the sea at West Pier. Also taking place is the Paddle Village centred round a big top housing the Brunswick main stage featuring the best of local live music.

Starbucks verses Brighton & Hove City Council

Yesterday's news that Starbucks have won their appeal against the council's planning department is tragic. It shows that the multi-nationals have the might to send in their top legal guys and fight any local decision which goes against them. They should have respected local planning regulations in the first place and then the clearly expressed will of the elected council. What concerns me is that officers will be even more reluctant to fight these multi-nationals who already think they can do what they want, where they want.

St James's Street could easily become the city's best street (well second best after our own Western Road and Church Road stretch which is a truly superb shopping district, with much of it operated by independent traders). Starbucks doesn't add much there, and here in Brunswick it luckily remains an exception to the local traders and one which doesn't really fit in.

Environment survey reveals frustration over recycling problems

Interesting results from our Environment Survey in Goldsmid ward, which reveals the level of frustration from residents as recycling remains difficult in Brighton & Hove. Residents complain that plastic, tetra-paks, cardboard and organic waste are neglected by Brighton & Hove City Council.

Howard Spencer, Goldsmid candidate, said "I will make it a priority to increase the re-cycling provision in this city. I think we owe it to future generations to be leading the way on re-cycling, not constantly lagging behind other areas."

Repeal section 141 of the Mental Health Act

One in four people in this country will suffer from a mental health problem at some point in their lives. Rethink, a national mental health charity, conducted a survey on MPs mental health last year. They found that 11% of MPs had suffered personally from a mental health problem. Yet not one is prepared to speak publicly.

In part this is undoubtedly to with the stigma that surrounds mental health. But there is also a clause in the Mental Health Act which states that any MP who is sectioned is removed from their seat, with no provision to return. There is no such provision for any physical health problem. This is clearly a discriminatory clause and it strengthens the stigma around mental health.

Make no mistake about it, that stigma is the same stigma that leads people to suffer alone and in silence, pretending that everything’s okay and avoiding seeking treatment, leading to furthur tragedies. We need to break down this stigma, which is why I’m supporting Rethink’s campaign to abolish section 141.

This clause sends out clear message that if you have suffered from mental health problems in the past your contribution is not welcome in public life. That simply doesn’t make sense. The people whose voices are most often lost in the system are those of the patients. Anyone who has seen the mental health system through their own eyes will have a valuable insight into possible reform, and a way to change the tragedy that has unfolded in our society.

Meet your Councillors this weeekend

Another ward advice surgery takes place this Saturday at 10am at the Cornerstone - all very welcome.

Historic light back on

A historic street light in Adelaide Crescent is back on after some persistence from us - thank you to residents for their patience. There was considerable concern over the potential for crime with the stretch of road left in the dark.

The future of waste and recycling in the city

Have your say on this important issue in the council's consultation. We've argued that the council has been too slow over the years in adopting fairy basic common sense recycling initiatives. For example, when I was first on the council, I moved an amendment to the budget to introduce a doorstep recycling scheme and every party - including the Greens - voted against it. How right we were, and it is something we all take for granted now. But still we lag behind in Brighton and Hove - for example kitchen waste recycling and garden waste recycling is still lacking. And what do Labour and the Tories offer? Their proposed incinerator at Newhaven.

Lib Dems would scrap Trident

The Lib Dems have become the first mainstream party to declare they will not renew Britain’s Trident nuclear deterrent system with an equivalent modernised system, as parliament agreed in 2007. Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, told the Guardian he was making the move because of the rapidly deteriorating public finances and because the case for such a powerful nuclear deterrent in the post-cold war world was “a complete fiction”.

I have been aginst trident for years, as have many others in the party, so am glad that the leadership have caught up.

Figures in the cabinet and the shadow cabinet have been privately pressing for their parties to renounce a replacement for Trident, but have not been able to persuade their leaders. This means Clegg is the first big figure to argue openly against a full-scale Trident replacement.

Nick Clegg said: “New leadership in Russia, new leadership obviously in the White House and a wider geostrategic appreciation means that a cold war missile system designed to penetrate Soviet defences and land in Moscow and St Petersburg at any time, in any weather, from any location anywhere round the planet, is not our foremost security challenge now. We have got to be grown-up and honest about it.

“Given that we need to ask ourselves big questions about what our priorities are, we have arrived at the view that a like-for-like Trident replacement is not the right thing to do.”

Until now the Lib Dems have called for a 50% cut in nuclear warheads, but left open the possibility that in the next parliament they would support like-for-like replacement for Trident when it needs to be renewed in 2024. Trident allows at least one of four Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines, armed with nuclear warheads, to provide what is known as a “continuous-at-sea deterrent”.

Nik Clegg disclosed that he has asked Sir Menzies Campbell, the former party leader, to lead a review on how Britain could operate a scaled-down deterrent. But he added that it would be an “unhappy event” if the review ended with Britain keeping a nuclear deterrent. If he were prime minister, Clegg would use the British deterrent as “leverage” in the non-proliferation talks, starting next year.

Nick Clegg argued that his decision showed his party was the only one willing to spell out how it would bring the public finances under control. “We know that the structural deficit now is so great that it will hang over us for at least a generation.

“So we are going to have to ask ourselves some very big questions about what the state can and cannot do.”

A private paper prepared for Clegg talks of total costs amounting to between £94.7bn and £104.2bn in 2009 figures, suggesting Trident could consume 9.97% to 10.97% of the defence budget.

MPs expenses - Parliament finally publishes details

Parliament has finally bowed to public pressure and published the full detail of MP's expenses. Considering it is our money they've spent and The Telegraph has done the best bits anyway, they've been way too slow to act.

Hove's current MP is Celia Barlow. I won't comment on her personal claims, but you can see them here. What I will comment on is her use of the Communications Allowance and other office related expenses, as I have had concerns over how MPs (generally) have used this.

The MP submitted a claim for a massive £9,600 on stamps to post her Parliamentary News in 2007. Most political parties use armies of volunteers to deliver such publications - as we do with the Focus. Are her supporters and the local Labour Party in such a state of inactivity just months after a local election that she can't use her own set of volunteers? At least we can't say she doesn't support the Post Office.

There is even a claim submitted for £411.25 to the 'Labour Party' for her website, payable directly to the 'Labour Party'. However, she received a ticking off from the authorities for not stating that the site was funded by the allowance and for saying 'Your NHS: Better with Labour'. Changes were demanded and clearly taxpayers money should not have been spent in this way. and indeed it is clear to anyone who uses the NHS that it simply isn't better off under Labour!

There is also a claim submitted for £2,310 from a printing company for 'poster - Labour Party Newsletter' - surely an item such as a 'Labour Party Newsletter' shouldn't be claimable through the taxpayer?

I'm happy to post an explanation if you are reading Celia.

Seafront issues

A number of seafront issues come up each summer. Following a request from a resident, officers have been able to improve markings on the cycle path where it meets the crossing below Brunswick Square. I hope this will improve safety there following the concerns raised.

The barbecue signs on the Lawns have returned and I am pleased in greater numbers following an additional request last month. These will only ever be a deterrent but I hope will reduce the number of barbeques on the Lawns and with it the costly damage to the grass. The council really must provide an acceptable site for barbecuing, as you see abroad.

A resident also asked me to request that the council repaints the railings on the seafront, which are in need of attention. He rightly states that the railings must not be the next bandstand! I am pleased to say officers have agreed to extend the painting of Brighton's railings into this part of Hove, later in the financial year.

Finally, health and safety training issues have delayed the completion of the Adelaide Ramp Walls by the Sussex Probation Service, I am promised this will be completed in due course.

Thank you to the council officers who have helped to achieve this progress.

Getting Hove Beach's blue flag back? We'll have to wait a year I'm told.

All publicity is good publicity

Well they say that all publicity is good publicity, and the spat in The Argus with the Green Party, gives me a good opportunity to raise the importance of the issue of testicular cancer for young males.

Around 2,100 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year, and it is the commonest cancer affecting young men between 20 and 39 years old, with about half occurring in men under 35 years old. Men wanting more information can go to the website www.cancerhelp.org.uk or of course their GP. Before I was elected to the council I worked in a hospital cancer centre, and take issues such as breast cancer for women and testicular cancer in men very seriously.

I am afraid that I don't have a bra to recycle but I do support the numerous initiatives to raise awareness of testicular cancer - most recently at Twickenham the other weekend.

Goldsmid campaign gets underway

Last night saw our Goldsmid campaign get underway. The by-election is due on 23rd June, and our candidate Howard Spencer has begun work in the ward.

Councillors' expenses published

Will the publication of this year's Councillors' expenses cause the same uproar as the MP's expenses scandal?

Southern franchise

I have mixed feelings about the retention of the Southern franchise announced this morning. The company have had a difficult six months, and in a way I am surprised they did keep it. The service prior to the timetable changes was excellent, and that is what the managers need to asspire to. At least the staff, who are always superb, can relax with the process settled. I do hope Southern use this to get themselves back on track.

Local Action Team last night

A meeting took place of the Police's Local Action Team for Brunswick & Adelaide last night, with a group of residents. The officers said that crime was down particularly in our area, which is always welcome. The issues which came up related to licensing problems on Western Road, illegal cycling and homeless issues.

Euro Elections

Last night's Euro Elections saw the Lib Dems successfully retain two seats in the South East and gain a seat nationally. Congratulations to new Lib Dem MEP Catherine Bearder and sitting MEP Sharon Bowles.

But the good news was dampened by the BNP electing two MEPs in the North West and Yorkshire.

The BNP were out in force at the local count at Hove Town Hall last night, the first time I've seen them, or at least a group of them, at a mainstream political event. Their hateful brand of politics is not welcome in our diverse city and I am glad they made little progress in this region.

The Euro regional results can be found here.

And the local city-wide results can be found here.

Brunswick Square planting opened

I was really pleased to support the opening of the new garden layout in Brunswick Square today. I've mentioned before how good the work has been there. Congratulations to the Friends of BSq&Terr, who I think have done an excellent job. Picture credit Tony Mould, with thanks.

County Election results - Lib Dems up 3% in national vote share to 28%

Interesting set of vote share results from the BBC based on the first few hundred council seat results, where they are giving the following numbers:

Lib Dem - 28% (2005: 28% 2008: 25% )
Tory - 38% (2005: 31% 2008: 44%)
Labour - 23% (2005: 33% 2008: 24%)

Labour’s result is one of the lowest they have ever seen.

There were some good results in East Sussex for us, including gaining the Upperton ward in Eastbourne and another gain in Seaford.

The Telscombe and Peacehaven seat, which is in the Brighton Kemptown constituency saw us knock Labour into third place. A truly terrible day for Labour.

West Sussex saw us gain five county seats - and some first class councillors elected.

Nationally, it was great to see us finally take outright control of Bristol but frustrating to see Devon and Cornwall slip.

The city's Euro turnout was 32.99%. The votes are counted on Sunday.

Goldsmid Conservative Councillor finally quits - leaving his party without the vote they need to run the Council

The Conservatives are down to 26 members on the council, after their absentee Goldsmid Councillor finally did the decent thing and resigned. What a day he picks to go, clearly to avoid bad publicity prior to the Euros!

Polling has picked up this evening. There is still time to vote!

Help us change politics for good

With the Labour Government in meltdown and the Tories providing no real alternative, please use tomorrow's elections to vote for change. Our polling stations are at St Patrick's, Holland Road Baptist Church and the Cornerstone. Polls open 7am until 10pm and as long as you are registered, you don't need a polling card to vote. Please vote for a new kind of politics.

Euro Elections - Labour take the gloves off

Labour have taken the gloves off in the last few days, with two anti-Lib Dem leaflets in a row. They must be getting desperate. What amused us most was that the second leaflet arrived on the same day as hapless Gordon Brown's letter (on behalf of all political parties - ha!) calling for a new kind of politics. We've seen Labour go pretty low before, but as proven in the past, they get nasty when they are down, or in this case free falling. I never believe that negative campaigning works - people aren't stupid and it just goes to firm up our vote.

Their tricks didn't dent a good pre-election weekend for the Lib Dems, with us trouncing Labour in Sunday's poll dramatically pushing them into third place for the first time since Rosie Barnes and the Greenwich by-election. And The Observer today urges their readers to vote Lib Dem rather than Labour, something which must really hurt Labour activists.

Remember to cast a positive vote on Thursday, not one based on Labour's negative fear tactics.

Meet your Councillors this morning

Ward Advice Surgery takes places this morning at 10am at the Cornerstone Centre - all welcome.

Nick Clegg: We can change the political system

If you do one thing before you cast your vote in Thursday's Euro Elections, watch this.

How the Council coud tackle chewing gum, grime and graffitti

New high pressure jet hoses could help clean up the urban blight of chewing gum and grime across the city. I spent a morning over the weekend taking part in a demonstration of the water based jet hoses by local company H20 in Waterloo Street and Western Road, Hove. Thy undertake work for a number of local authorities and have been working in a private capacity in he city.

The high pressure hoses, which do not use chemicals, can clean off grime, graffiti, chewing gun and return paving or surfaces to new. It literally cleans up the paving like new - removing all the unsightly dirt, grime and especially chewing gum.

Every pavement in the city centre needs this, especially in areas such as Western Road, West Street and Queens Road. It amazes me that these hoses are not already in daily use in the city, especially during peak holiday times such as this bank holiday weekend.

The council needs to look at rolling out this system and finally tackle the long term grime and chewing gun in the city.

Information about H20 can be found at http://www.h2obrighton.com/

Recycling and rubbish collections this week

Following the bank holiday, the collections are a day behind this week.

Southern Rail take nearly three months to respond to a complaint

I am not one of the world's complainers, but I did make a complaint against Southern Rail after passengers were left on a platform without any help or information after a train cancellation. The frustrating part was that we could have taken other services which had left minutes before the expected train was cancelled. I only complained because it meant a lady next to me on the platform was very upset as she missed her appointment at the Royal Marsdon. The date I made the complaint was 5th March, and I only get a fairly dismissive response today. I do think Southern staff are excellent, but their managers need to sort out these issues.

Government decision great victory for Gurkhas

Reacting to the Government’s announcement that all Gurkha veterans with four years' service would be allowed to move to the UK, Nick Clegg said he was “absolutely thrilled”.

The announcement outlined rules that will allow Gurkhas and their immediate families who retired before 1997 with four years service to settle here with.

Nick Clegg said; "I am absolutely thrilled that the Gurkhas have finally been given justice."

"This is a great victory for the Gurkhas and for everyone who has campaigned on their behalf."

"Gordon Brown has finally woken up to the principle that people across Britain understand instinctively: if someone is prepared to die for this country, they must be allowed to live in it."

The announcement follows a key House of Commons vote lead by the Liberal Democrats that the Government lost.

The Liberal Democrat Leader went on to say; "Tragically this decision will come too late for many of those brave Gurkhas who have been waiting so long to see justice done."

"Gordon Brown's claim of a ‘moral compass' rings hollow when, on every issue from Gurkhas to expenses, he has to be dragged every inch of the way towards doing the right thing."