Holier than Thou

So we have a Full Council meeting this week. As is often the case with the budget meeting it should clash with Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Over the years a small number of people, including me, have complained at this clash. Council meetings start at 2pm but can go onto 10pm and so you often have to miss the traditional "Imposition of Ashes" services held in an evening. Now part of me thinks the Christian Calendar gets more than enough protection from Bank Holidays and so people shouldn't grumble. But then we move Council meetings for other religious festivals so why not this one?

The point is its just something to have a whinge about. However this year it seems we have got our way and the budget meeting is being held on Tuesday. And am I happy? Well not really because although I no longer have to make an awkward choice I now miss my friends superb annual pankcake party. I mean these are AMAZING pancakes. I appreciate my thoughts should be on higher things but that was my ininital reaction. Of course I complain about these things but I don't expect people to actually do something about it.

As if a message from above I was just listening to the excellent "Something Understood" on Radio 4. I'm pleased to report that Mark Tully is back and we had a hard core half hour on the meaning of feasts and fasting. Beautiful music and thought provoking readings from early Church and Hindu Mystics. The juxtaposition of these two events mean I'm really going to have to "do" Lent Seriously this year or I'll be consummed with guilt.

So the moral of this story is this. Be careful what you wish for children because it might actually happen. Or indeed Pray for.

What does a councillor actually do? (1) Paper work

Today I have been doing my "paper work". Twice a week the Council delivers large brown envelopes (not stuffed with cash sadly) to my house with my mailing. When I'm having periods of self doubt I pretend these arrive in "Red Boxes" to feel more glamourous.

So I sit with the most enormous pile of paper that it would take all week to read and adopt the triage principle. Straight in the recycling pile go

1. glossy brochures from the Council about how wonderful they are.
2. glossy brochures from every one else about how wonderful they are
3. spurious consultation excercises where I know that the decision has been made.
4. anything from mobile phone companies
5. the insane ammount of junk "cc'd" to every Councillor with no apparent purpose
6. Invitations to networking events and media launches cc'd to every councillor unless its a ward matter.

After this first trawl I then scan my press cuttings, typing copies, internal party documentation and policy documents. Occasionally there is something interesting that makes the final pile. Only after these two rounds am I left with anything that i want/need to read.

And this is what councillors do. Letters from constituents, funding requests from local groups, replies from officers to queries, most crucially planning applications and genuine proposals from the Council for our area. The problem with the triage principle is that IF they are going to dump Nuclear waste in your ward or turn the A660 into a three lane Motorway then they won't be upfront about it. The Nuclear waste for instance will be on page 334 of a telephone directory sized document called " Improving Recycling ". The new motorway will be on page 445 of the "Improving traffic flow strategy: North Leeds 2006 to 2016"

Of course if you don't spot this, when in 6 months time the work starts you'll be told in all sincerity "well, you were consulted". My personal favourite is when clauses are inserted saying " if we don't hear back from you with 14 days we will assume you have no objections." By the time you get it 6 of those 14 days have gone and 3 of the remaining 8 might not be working days.

While this is slightly tounge in Cheek its less so than you might think... Apart from being eagle eyed you do have to prioritise things that directly impact on your constituents including there letters. It never ceases to amaze me how a large public sector body can so often fail its consumers by astonishing bureaucracy. Its also slightly disturbing how quickly things can be put right by a Councillor, its an ego trip and useful for a "case work" politican but it shouldn't be thus. I tend to SAE another brown envelope to our group office and post a lot of stuff back to them with hand written instructions attached to documents. I also tend to highlight with marker things I want more info on or challenging. One brown envelope then goes to the Green bin and another to the Post Box.

Its less glamourous than a Ministerial car picking up a red box but at least I mainly feel it effects real people with real problems.

An Email from David Steel

Now according to David Steel in his email today Ming Campbell was unfortunate not to reach the Commons until 1987. If he had got there earlier he would have already been leader instead of Charles Kennedy, or even Paddy Ashdown. While I'm flattered to have had emails from Shirley Williams, Paddy Ashdown and David Steel in the last 4 days I have to ask two questions

1. how on earth does David know this?

2. what difference does it make now?

We could all have Counterfactual fun predicting the result of the 1989 (or was it 88) and 1999 leadership elections but I can't see how an extra few years as an MP would have made much difference as he wasn't a candidate in either election. And there in lies the problem I think. All of this last minute flurry of emails from very well known names have the same subtle tone. Perhaps the membership hasn't quite realised how wonderful Ming is so we, the important people, are going to remind you.

Having listened to Ming on Any Questions? on Friday I'm sure he would be a great leader and a liberal to boot. However we are having this contest after a palace coup by the parliamentary party which seemed to think we are drifting. If thats the case I'd be more impressed if David, Shirley and Paddy emailed me with some policy and strategy for a third term labour government. Not acting as the political equivalent of a famous actor doing a voice over for a failing brand of washing powder.

I know this is a bit harsh but I'm cross!

Is that it?

I am really not impressd with the BBC and Michael Crick over tonights Newsnight. The piece on Chris Huhne was a chaep hatchett job unworthy of a public service broadcaster. Apart from a bit of cheap sneering about his student days the only "shock" revelation was a handfully of slightly controversal articles in a campaign tabloid. As it would appear to have already been investigated and the complainant is a former Tory MEP you have to ask wether this is worthy of BBC 2's flagship news programme. Or is it a case of having commissioned a hatchet job not letting a lack of findings get in the way of transmission?

I hope Chris Huhne commissions a "investigation" of how much the BBC spent on this piece and doorsteps Crick with the result. The piece reflects less well on Crick as a journalist than the campaign material does on Mr Huhne as politican.

Grrr.

Ban it!

I really struggle with a complete smoking ban. I struggle a bit more when so many liberals are not just in favour but clearly savour the thought.

I accept the health arguments. But if saving lives is the object then will we be banning alcohol or junk food? or indeed just ban smoking full stop?

I accept the argument about passive smoking for customers. But surely they can choose a Non Smoking pub while smokers choose a smoking one?

I really do accept the argument about passive smoking amongst bar staff. But can't we, if we must, have quotas of smoking and non smoking pubs? Or have defined areas for each within all pubs with a complete ban at the bar? It may be unpleasent for some people but then there are other job?

I don't smoke and never have. I have seen what the addiction does to members of my family. However as a liberal I just don't quite feel the very high threshold has been reached where you take away a liberty that has been with us since Tobbacco was introduced into this country. If health campaigners want people to stop smoking then they can persuade,cajole, frighten, educate, bribe and bully if they must. But for me a ban is a step to far.

As for those Lib Dem MP's on the airwaves proclaiming victory can I just say a liberal party should be critiquing and checking state power. Not arguing it should be used to impose the values of the Guardian rather than the Daily Mail.

Thursday

So I had retired to "bed" after a day of sea air, long walks and less healthy food. I was relaxed after a long soak in a hot bath coupled with tea tree oil induced calmness. I recommend Tea Tree Oil at all costs!

Thursday was always going to be a big day in Lib Dem land and so it proved. Firstly Question Time its leadership special edition. I'll be honest and say I was a bit disappointed and my overwhelming feeling was being annoyed that lots of good candidates hadn't stood. I was also annoyed at very poor question selection from the beeb which gave very little time to domestic policy agenda. The first killer question about wether Charlie would win if he was standing discomforted all three of them but got us nowhere. On Iraq I thought a theological argument about when we withdraw was less illuminating than a discussion about Iran might be and played into the hands of those that argue we are a one trick pony. I cheered along with everybody else when simon/chris used the "illegal invasion" phrase but its water under the bridge. Tax policy seemed no better. I think I heard Ming and Chris say the tax burden shouldn't be increased and simon say it might need to be but Green taxes? and if so which ones? and what would we do with the revenue stream from green taxes?

If you are an anorak like me you could just about pick out the differences over the dull Hung Parliament senarios but I doubt many voters could. Simon apologised to much over press intrusion and looked gutted when dimbleby called him "gay" but didn't challenge him. Ming got very disgruntled as the programme went on and appeared to loose his cool. Finally Chris seemed to get across lots of prepared points (good) but generally let the the other two talk to much (bad) if he is elected he is going to have to act on his robotic delivery SOON.

In general it rather confirmed my prexisting voting intentions Hughes 1 followed by a very close 2 for Huhne but mings 3 went even futher back. I would have liked to have seen a programme with Simon on form and not so horribly hobbled by the "gay" thing. But to be brutally honest I agree with the comment on another blog "on a good day kennedy would have wiped the floor with the lot of them...".

It defies belief but I love THIS WEEK and enjoyed the fragrant Carol Caplin who disturbingly I agreed with entirely on the TODAY programme last week. Towards the end I had radio 5 on in the background looking for the Dumfermline result. The mood music from Cowley Street had been good all week but some thing had told me it was to be another Hartlepool. So near and so yet so far.

Imagine the cheer when the result came through. I hope some of the more lurid "lib dems are finished" headlines will now receed. and with a 1800 majority, three years to the general and a nice 20% third party SNP vote to squeeze I have a feeling that young willie can expect to be an MP for a while. So drifted off to sleep happier than I thought about the future of the party and less sure about the Leadership.

Voting for Simon

I have today voted Hughes 1, Huhne 2, Campbell 3 in The Liberal Democrat leadership election. First let get the caveats out of the way. I still believe Kennedy could have been eased out of the party leadership after the may local elections in a much more dignified way. He deserved better than the way he was treated and with out his public execution the Oaten story wouldn't have been as big as it was and simon hughes wouldn't have faced the intrusion that he did. The astonishing success in dumfermline will doubtless allow some people to argue that the partys self inflicted month of hell doesn't matter. I still contend the parliamentary party needs hard questions asking of it. This has deeply coloured my voting intentions.

Secondly now we are having a election I would have liked a wider field of candidates. Nick Clegg, Ed Davey and David Laws are clearly going to spend the next 5 years campigning for the leadership and I can't help wonder if they just shouldn't have stood this time. I'd also like to have seen a female candidate. Lynne Featherstone and Susan Krammer have been MP's as long as Chris Huhne and have just as impressive CV's in the "real world".

But I have to pick from the list I have been given so why the order I have used?

I have known Simon Hughes as an activist for 10 years. In a post Iraq/Tuition Fees enviroment it seems obvious that the Lib Dems have a strong anti labour agenda. It was not always so. Before it was fashionable Simon was in inner city areas fighting labour and winning. Just from memory I have met him on the campaign trail at least 8 times. These weren't hi profile visits from an MP but real blood and guts canvassing sessions in "dead areas". He can have had no real motivation for putting in this level of efforts other than personal conviction. This may seem a sentimental reason to vote for some one but it can't hurt to have a "grass roots campigner" as leader. There are other reasons. Simon is the defining constituency MP of his generation, classically liberal, enviromentally aware before it was fashionable and I think the best person to appeal to ex labour voters. Put bluntly this is the area where the party can most easierly grow over the next decade.

Chris Huhne has impressed me with his green and taxation policies. He has also run the best campaign. I admire him for having the guts to stand and I will not complain if he pulls of a coup. My main problem is his presentaional skills but with intensive training I think this is very fixable. I did seriously consider puting him first and at 51 I may get another chance.

The real disappointment of the campaign for me has been Ming Campbell. I still think he will win and will do us proud. But I was really wanting here a domestic policy agenda and why he wants the leadership in his own right not just being a safe pair of hands for 5 years before handing over to a self appointed successor. I don't think his age is an issue but i do want a leader who will commit in principle to two elections. I certainly don't want a Ming regency while the young turks spend 5 years positioning them selves for the next leadership election in which they may deign to stand.

So I think Ming will win and will do us proud in many ways. I will certainly smile if Huhne gets it and will cross my fingers. But in the end electing Simon will throw a charimatic hand grenade into the middle of centre left politics. Unpredictable? yes, Chaotic? if I'm honest, yes. But if you look at the rotting putric corpse of a third term labour government and cameroons repackaging of "failed brand" toryism then a hand grenade is exactly whats needed.

Broadsheet Blunder

So through out yesterday I kept saying to myself "pop to the shop and buy the observer". As I get older I find myself more reliant on certain fixed points in the week. Structure, order, things that can be relied on. The Observer is one of those things. Frankly its not "sunday" without it and given sunday papers are the size of long novels it can often last long into tuesday. I feel better about myself reading middle brow social commentary, its much easier than taking direct social action. It confirms rather than challenges my prejudices, I can just about cope with polly toynbee on a weekday but I'm not having her spoil my weeknd. And it also allows me to be a voyeur of the kind of middle class lifestyle that I'm to lazy to organise (proper cooking, wine, gardening)

So for varying feeble reasons I get to the newsagents at 2000 hrs and not an observer to be found. I make the effort to walk to the coop and none there either. Finally the garage lets me down as well. I felt bereaved really which is not a healthy thing to feel about a newspaper. In the end I bought a Sunday Telegraph which seems to have gone down the pan since they sacked Dominic Lawson. Its much easier on the eye and slightly less at war with modern britain than the old one. Almost metrosexual at times but do the people that buy the Telegraph really want that? I thought at the very least I'd get some sharp right wing journalism to make me tut and think. If I wanted that much fashion and lifestyle stuff I'd have bought, er, the Observer.

Still I did mange to read the excellent article on al gore on the observer website. If, as is looking the case, that Hillary is self destructing then he is next in line for the West Wing watchers fantasy Democratic Candidate. And I suppose he has won once already...

The 24 Hour Garage

I have just been shopping at the 24 hour garage and spar franchise. I fear I have seen the future and it isn't pretty. First off is the whole guilt trip around "cash rich/time poor" shopping. My £9.85 has bought goods and services that I could have got for £7.50 in a super market. That doesn't sound a lot but I know full well that that sort of mark up across a year could transform my personal finances. Secondly is the economic impact of shopping in a national franchise. All the goods will have been shipped miles via a central distributor creating lots of food miles. And apart from the low wages paid to the staff all the profit will be sucked out of the local economy by a national chain. Finally all the stuff is either over priced basics or snack food which makes me visualise Gillian McKeith as I approach the check out.

So I'm destroying the planet, eating badly and at exhorbitant costs all becuase I'm to lazy and disorganised to walk down the road to my local shops at normal opening hours.

But it gets worse.

I can't help but almost feel the atomisation at places like these. The staff who make no eye contact and struggle with english, the numerious students who live side by side but don't know each other or the area, the long distance drivers buying flowers and cuddly toys for the end of their jouneys. And me visualising Gillian McKeith intoning about my (over priced) white bread.

Is this the future? I suspect with one retail pound in every £7.60 going to tesco it just might be. I'm offering no solution at this time in the morning, this is purely for left/liberal guilt trip purposes. But tomorrow i must commit good deeds of social cohesion by way of recompence.

Jarhead

This is latest sam mendes film with Jake Gyllenthingy.

Very good but not as good as perhaps it thinks. Its set during Desert Storm in 1990/91. The two obvious refferences are (a) vietnam war films. In fact the refference of apocalypse now is often explict and funny. (b) Gulf war 2. you get the impression hes asking subtly "didn't we learn anything the first time?". However its strongest influnces are visual. it as a very strong CNN/MTV look but I can't help but wonder if Black Hawk Down and Three Kings have done this before. It is worth seeing for the closing scenes in the burning oil fields which are visually stunning.

While the dialouge is sharp, acting good and direction pacey the story is fairly well trodden fare. Young clever college kid goes to war, gets beaten up and leaves disallusioned. The whole marine thing flirts with homoeroticism but in terms of a comment on war in general you would be better off with the very early Colin Farrell offering Tigerland. I supposethe real winner is jake thing who clocks up another vaguely art house credit at the same time as Brokeback mountain. A career to watch.

Parting of the Ways

I recall from last year the guy from waterstones who got sacked after slagging off his company on his blog. (hmm, my boycott of them on those grounds didn't last...) I have no wish to end up the same way so need to be careful on Day One.

I have just "finished" three months at a housing project in wakefield via a Housing Support Agency. Temping to be blunt. I put finished in italics because (a) they seem keen to have me back (b) in many ways I have enjoyed it. But the last run of night shifts have nearly killed me and I was foolish enough to use the Interweb to look up the research to confirm what i already knew. That Nights eventually DO kill you. However the underlying problem is really the nature of Temping. There are loads of positives but in the end you, by defination, end up at places with recruitment problems and sometimes they can be frustrating places to work. So I'm quiting while they are still asking me back and before I shout at someone important. Now for the small matter of finding something else.