Physican Heal Thyself

Coun Andrew Carter, Leader of the Conservative Group and indeed Leader of Leeds City Council thinks we should defend the Christian meaning of Christmas. I and the rest of the City knows this because of his "Dog Whistling" letter to the YEP in early December attacking the Royal Mail and "Political Correctness" for not having any Christian images on this years Christmas postage stamps.

How odd then to receive Coun Carter's official "Christmas" Card. I put the C word in italics because it sported a picture of the Civic Hall with the tempory Ice rink outside ( Which happens in January) and inside was wished "Season Greetings". Not a mention of the C word or the Baby Jesus anywhere.

Surely Coun Carter can't have fallen hostage to the forces of secular liberalism over running the foundations of our Culture? What Pray tell has happened?

World AIDS Day

I don't know why I have got into the habit of going to the Annual Leeds Vigil. Until this year it has always been a worthy candle lit vigil on the steps of the Town Hall. This year it went upmarket and a little corporate.

Firstly congratulations to the Corn Exchange for agreeing to host it. Secondly (he says taking his life in his hands) thank you to Hillary Benn MP ( Lab, Leeds Central) for being the lead speaker. Obviously as International Development its very much his field but I couldn't help but think that he is a class act. 20 erudite and passionate minutes to a knowledgable audience without notes. He deserved the warm applause at the end. I staid till the intermision and left a promise ribbon on the Christmas tree. I shan't say publicly what my promise was but its a nice idea that they will all collect over the years and be archived.

A predictable feature of the event was gawping at Leeds' Gay Glitterati. I suspect some organisations much insist on only employing people who are pretty and have a couple of grand of Designer gear in the wardrobe. I did enjoy the childrens dancing. I think the event will take a while to settle in its new home. The lighting and acoustics were awful and the direction dire but I warmly welcomed the flashing out of the event to have an african dimension. The speaker from Banardos was really moving talking about people from immigrant communities being HIV + away from home.

I said at the beginning I don't know why I end up going every year. Thats not actually true. HIV/AIDS is seared into the Urban Gay Identity. Particularly anyone growing up in the 80's. Solidarity isn't a very liberal word but for the time being I can't think of a better one for what the event so passionately stood for.

Headingley Lights Switch On

We have neither the budget or a big enough display to justify a push button "Switch On" of the Headingley Christmas * Lights. However yesterday we had what must now be the "Traditional" switch on party for local older folk at the Headingley Parish Hall. As ever Volunteers from Leeds Metropolitan Universities " LS 6" project did the honours and about 40 people enjoyed a free buffet and entertainment.

Anyone who thinks that writing letters to there local Councillors is a waste of time should think of me 6 years ago. I have only ever received one letter from a constitiuent complaining about the lack of Lights in the Town Centre but it caught my Imagination and 18 months later we had our first display in 2001. Ironically the woman never got a reply from me as I lost the letter! As long as noone reads this post and cleverly writes to me asking for World Peace.....

A project like this is an example of what Councillors can achieve with a fair wind and a bit of luck. You get a report on how much it would cost , identify a funding source, gauge potential opposition, build a coalition of support and finally in this case shepherd it through Area Committee. There is an opportunity cost to everything. How many extra Housing cases or ASB complaints could I have handled if I hadn't diverted myself with a "Legacy" project like Christmas lights?

Who really knows but somethimes its just refreshing to do something positive rather stop things happening. In this case although time consumming the Leisure Services officers did all the hard work. Leeds is the only Council in Britain to make its own lights ina special workshop employing people with disabilities. A small project under spend ment we could send a design team into the then St Michaels Hostel for Homeless women and translate some of there designs into Unique lights for the area.

However before I get too sentimental this years lights also demonstrates why Elected Members need to watch officers like a hawk. We have clearly been palmed off with some older and often mismatched lights and two of our "Unique" lights have been put in the city centre display. Some times symbols of renewal need renewing and in January this will be one of them.

* I have committed the thought crime of calling them " Christmas" lights. Leeds City Council follows the politically correct nonsence of calling them "Festive" lights. In fairness it does the same thing to the Eid and Dwali displays as well. Why spend a fortune of lights for a festival that you won't even name?