Nathan Hartley

It's all to play for...

2010-04-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

Those people who have written to the press recently to point out that North East Somerset is a brand new constituency are spot on.

In Dan Norris’ literature he is giving misleading information to residents suggesting that the contest to become our next MP is between himself and the Tory. In fact, I don’t think Dan has mentioned the boundary changes at all publically because statistically he could be the big loser.

North East Somerset is a completely brand new constituency which sees the loss of an area to the north of Keynsham, which has had a Labour MP for 13 years, and the gain of over 10,000 people from the former Bath constituency – which has elected a Liberal Democrat MP, with a huge majority, for almost two decades.

Thanks to the boundary changes, this really now is a three-horse race.

In a modern day democracy people shouldn’t be told who they can and can’t vote for. The Labour Party’s tactic of bullying people into voting for them, because anything else is a ‘wasted’ vote is a complete infringement of our democratic rights.

In all the literature I’ve received from Dan Norris he doesn’t tell me anything he’s done over the last 13 years – his only reason to vote for him is to ‘stop the Tory getting in’. I agree, that’s why I’m voting Liberal Democrat!

I’m voting for Gail Coleshill, not just because as Lib Dems we share the same beliefs and values such as fairness, fighting for the underdog and community empowerment, but because she is the only candidate who actually has a track record of action and getting things done in our area. Last week, 34,000 households received a leaflet from Gail outlining many of her success stories over the last 10 years.

Her campaigns to save post offices, invest in better facilities for young people, protect the greenbelt from mass housing development, save the mobile library from council cuts, to set up a new health park in Keynsham and her part in setting up the successful Farmers’ Market in Midsomer Norton are testament to her belief in building a fairer, more equal society.

On May 6th people must be given the chance to make their own choice. Here in North East Somerset it’s all to play for.

Gail ready for election fight

2010-04-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

After 18 months of uncertainty, the Prime Minister has finally called a General Election.
Here in North East Somerset, the Liberal Democrats have re-selected well respected political activist Gail Coleshill to contest the election, which will be fought under brand new parliamentary boundaries.

Gail, who has worked for ten years on community projects and initiatives in the area, said:

“A lot has changed here since the last General Election. Not just do we have new boundaries, but our Labour MP has become even more unpopular and the Conservatives have selected a candidate who has no track record of doing anything in our area.
I’m 100% ready for the election contest and hope the people of North East Somerset will elect me as their new MP.”

The new constituency, previously known as Wansdyke, will be losing the Bitton, Oldland Common area to the north of Keynsham – which has had a Labour MP for the last 13years.
New additions to the constituency include Batheaston, Bathampton, South Stoke and Freshford (a total area of around 7,000 voters) – which have all been served by the Lib Dem MP Don Foster for the last 18 years.

Today, Gail Coleshill has published her four pledges for election to Parliament:

1. Economy: I’ll work with Vince Cable to help working families by raising the individual tax free allowance to £10,000. We’ll cut out tax loopholes for the rich and reduce income tax by taxing pollution.
2. Environment:
· I will continue to campaign to protect the environment, particularly against plans to build thousands of houses on the greenbelt.
· We do need more low cost housing, so I want to bring empty homes back into use for affordable housing and increase the energy efficiency of all houses to save money and keep homes warmer.
· I’ll work with other Lib Dem MPs to push for planning decisions to be taken away from central government and decided locally.
· I would like to make buses and trains affordable and reliable so that people have a real choice on how to travel. Re-open railway lines and stations such as Bathampton, Saltford and Radstock to Bristol.
· I support the local Lib Dems plans’ to give all young people free bus passes so they have better access to services.

3. Education: I plan to give teachers more time in the classroom by cutting administration. Raise standards in every school with a pupil premium for every child. Reduce and eventually eliminate university tuition fees.
4. Democratic Reform: The expenses scandal in parliament has put people off politics. I want to change this by using local groups to bring democracy closer to the people, to give people the freedom to sack their MP, and introduce a fairer voting system where every vote counts.

Gail believes the contest locally is wide open:

“Our canvass results are looking very good, with Labour finishing in third place. Every week I am meeting new people on the doorstep, and they’re telling me they want a change from the old-style politics and break from the two older parties.
As we get closer to polling day, election fever is sure to heat up in North East Somerset.”

To watch Gail’s General Election Campaign video visit http://www.nes-libdems.org.uk/

The people have taken democracy into their own hands

2010-02-28T11:36:00.000-08:00

For almost a year now I have been continuously inspired by the hard work of campaigners in Midsomer Norton to create their own Town Council. For years, there has been a growing dislike for Norton Radstock Town Council – an organisation that is increasingly out of touch with residents and has no public mandate to serve the community.

Last Spring, over 900 people in Midsomer Norton demonstrated their growing anger towards the current Town Council by returning a petition card calling for a Local Governance Review to take place. Later in the year, a further 700 people in Westfield signed a petition calling for the same for their area. That’s more than many B&NES Councillors get in their own elections!

These petitions and surveys were carried out by people who are passionate about the place they live in. By people who believe so strongly in local democracy that they’ll do anything to ensure that residents stay at the centre of our democratic system.

Not once, during the last 12 months, has our Labour MP helped or at all showed an interest in this matter, and it’s only recently (with a General Election just 8 weeks away) that he decided to call a public meeting – at 2pm on a Friday afternoon! This was only advertised in one local newspaper a week before the meeting was taking place.

As a local Councillor, I know how difficult it can be at times to encourage people and inspire them to feel passionate about their community. It isn’t something that happens overnight – it takes year of work and relationship building. To push in at the last minute and claim to have done a survey asking for residents views on the future of local democracy in Norton-Radstock is just cheap and tacky. Mr Norris claims in his column in last week's Somerset Guardian newspaper that he has had the lowest response ever to this survey. Did he deliver this survey to every house in Norton-Radstock? Did he put petitions in all the shops and businesses? No! He expected residents to take part in the survey on his website – which gives him the total freedom to decide which results to release to the public and press.

Ideally, as an MP serious about getting elected he should be encouraging residents to take part in the consultation by writing to B&NES. If residents want to keep the status quo, as does Dan Norris, they have every freedom to express that in their submissions to B&NES.

Dan needs to be reminded that a) it was his government that introduced Local Governance Reviews – so people can shape their own democratic future and b) all political parties, including Labour, voted in favour of the review at a B&NES Full Council meeting last year.

I agree that B&NES has dithered over when the consultation papers were to be sent out – but their recent arrival on door steps has nothing to do with any intervention by Dan Norris.

I really struggle to understand why Dan Norris doesn’t support the movement for change in Midsomer Norton, Westfield and Radstock. The only answer I can come up with is that it will finally end the unhealthy, undemocratic hold the Labour Party has on the current Town Council. Dan Norris has had many chances over the last 13 years to address this. He hasn’t, so the people have taken democracy into their own hands.

Tories arn't as 'Christian' as she assumes...

2010-02-04T00:10:00.000-08:00

Julie Trollope’s letter in last week’s Bath Chronicle newspaper implies that the Conservatives are promoting and practicing biblical values – the true Christian party of British politics!

Ms Trollope needs to be reminded that there are many things that are also un-Christian about the Tory Party. For instance, their support for the illegal invasion of Iraq, their lack of support for the poorer members of our society and their general disinterest in social reform programmes which foster better communities.

She writes to suggest that the Tory plans to give tax cuts to married families is biblical. I completely disagree! No Bible I’ve ever read says that only children of married parents are loved by God.

These Tory tax proposals are unfair. In a society that truly wants to help those that need help, shouldn’t a tax cut be given first to the single mother, or father, living in a social housing estate with four kids?
What about the individual who is the subject of domestic violence and is abused daily by their spouse? Under a Tory government this person would be better off in a violent marriage than he or she would be if they left.

These plans also indicate how little the Tory Party has come in accepting change in the 21st century. Couples who live together, and love each other, but chose not to marry and gay couples wouldn’t even get a look in.

And finally, Ms Trollope’s attack on the Liberal Democrats as being un-Christian is insulting to many Christians who vote Liberal Democrat, and the many Liberal Democrats who are Christians.

For many, Christian values and principles and a desire to see a more liberal democratic society go hand in hand. Both advocate a fairer society where the less well off have more opportunities and both believe in fighting for and defending the underdog. Jesus himself had a reputation for challenging the establishment and questioned the conservative status-quo of doing things.

Julie has ever right and freedom to support the Conservative Party if she chooses. But she shouldn’t do on the premise that other parties are wholly un-Christian.

Wannabe Tory MP should stop giving false information

2009-11-27T04:42:00.000-08:00

Does the Conservative candidate for North East Somerset think we are all idiots in this part of the world?

In a letter to Newton St Loe residents he gives the false impression that the Conservatives are doing all they can to defend the greenbelt and how deeply they’re opposed to the proposal of 2,000 houses being built next to the village.

Mr Rees-Mogg needs to be reminded that it was HIS party that voted in favour of the Core Strategy Spatial Options Consultation document in October. In the document there are two main options. Both of them conclude that building 2,000 houses next to Newton St Loe is favourable to building them anywhere else. If his Conservative Councillors were so opposed to it why did they vote in favour of a consultation that gives no choice to Newton St Loe residents?

At that same meeting, the majority of Liberal Democrats did not take part in the vote because we did not (and still don’t) believe the document was ready to go out for consultation. Some Lib Dems actively voted against!

Mr Rees-Mogg also needs to note that the Lib Dems have run successful campaigns in defending areas such as the Haycombe and Englishcombe Vales from development.

I rarely write letters to the newspaper these days, but when politicians give out completely misleading information, I think it is important that they are corrected.

From what Newton St Loe residents have told me, their wannabe Tory MP has been less than helpful in supporting them and listening to their views.

I don’t intend to score political points, but it’s actually Prospective Lib Dem MP Gail Coleshill who has put the residents first. She’s the one who has met with residents, liaised with the press on their behalf, attending public meetings in the village, presented petitions in Bristol and written on their behalf to the Government Office of the South West.

Don't let the Tories airbrush history!

2009-09-26T12:27:00.001-07:00

Click on the TV to watch the video:

Spending almost £1m on a 700yard bus lane IS a waste of money!

2009-07-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

In this week's edition of the Radstock Journal Labour Councillor for Paulton, John Bull, claims that spending almost £1m on a 700yard bus lane is a good use of our money!

John needs to be reminded that in 2005 the Conservatives were in charge of transport in B&NES – they have been for the last six years!

It’s a shame that he is such a keen supporter of the new Oddown bus lane, because I have been overwhelmed with emails and phone calls from residents who support my argument that spending almost £1m on a 700yard bus lane really is a waste of money.

To be clear, not in any of my TV or radio interviews have I said that I’m opposed to bus lanes in their entirety. Those that serve a purpose and encourage people to use their cars less and public transport more are great. The new bus lane on the A367 going into Bath does not do either of these.

To date, on the numerous occasions that I have travelled to and from Bath, I have not seen a bus use the lane. Money well spent? I think not! John Bull’s claim that this is not at the local taxpayers’ expense because it’s funded by central government is madness! Don’t people pay their income tax? It does not matter if the money comes from local or central government – it’s still from taxpayers’ hard earned wages.

I would also like to respond to Charles Gerrish’s comments a few weeks ago in The Journal where he claims that the Lib Dems have not come up with any solutions to Bath’s traffic problems. Where has he been for the last four months?

The Lib Dems have said on many occasions (including on national TV) that we would like to provide every single young person with a free bus pass – so their parents don’t have to take and collect them from school. Instead, many can catch the public bus. If you travel into Bath during the school holidays there isn’t any traffic! A clear indication that school traffic cause of congestion in the mornings.

The cost to provide these passes would be just half of the cost of the bus lane. Our proposals are both beneficial with easing congestion and better for the taxpayer.

I would like to invite both John and Charles to come to Peasedown St John one afternoon, and I would be more than happy to introduce them to a lot of people who are fed up with their money being wasted in this way.

Support the Lib Dems on June 4th

2009-05-23T01:35:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago a letter appeared in the local newspapers from Sara Box, one of the English Democrat European candidates, advocating her desire to create an English Parliament.

She is absolutely right in referring to some of the great things that have happened in Scotland over the years which include the abolition of student tuition fees and free personal care for the elderly.

These achievements are not necessarily the result of Scotland having its own Parliament though. Instead, they are a result of Lib Dems being in coalition government – introducing a much fairer society for the Scottish people.

I do not believe that creating an English Parliament, as she does, is going to address some of the key problems that our country faces. The English Democrat idea of creating another layer of government will just result in another set of elections with low turnout and huge amounts of voter apathy.

Instead, what we need is strong and effective local government – where local people feel inspired and enthused to get involved with the democratic process. If we can’t get people to vote in local elections (the layer of government closest to the people) then what benefit will an English Parliament have?

The best thing Sara and the English Democrats can do is support the campaign to create an independent Town Council in Midsomer Norton – as does my party!

The Liberal Democrats have a strong track record of supporting local people in their communities. The South West Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson has worked extremely hard since he was first elected in 1994 for a better, and fairer, deal for the South West.

Instead of supporting a party that wants to create more bureaucracy, residents can vote Lib Dem on June 4th - a party that believes in putting people before politics.

Hard hitting campaign video

2009-04-15T00:20:00.000-07:00

This week, the Lib Dems in the European Parliament have released a hard hitting campaign video in the run up to the elections on June 4th.

The film really brings home the importance of living as part of a community and standing up for one another.

In the end, if we don't stand up for others who will stand up for us? -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcridvxfLBo&feature=related

My three-point plan

2009-03-28T02:45:00.000-07:00

Many people lose weight in different ways, and some people find it more difficult than others.

As many people will have read in the newspapers recently I was 18 stone when I left school. It was awful – I was very unhealthy, and only ate fatty foods.

Last week, a resident wrote to me asking for advice and practical suggestions to loosing weight. In response, I wrote back with three key ideas. Let's call it my three-point plan:

1) Self discipline and will-power
2) Exercise
3) Eating sensibly

I’ll go through these one at a time –

1) Self disciple and will-power. I would encourage you to take a photo of yourself now, and stick is on the wall in your house. That way everyday you will look at it and feel encouraged to lose weight. You’ll need to mentally commit yourself to changing the way you look. This also involves changing the way you think. Often we put on weight easily because we are not very self-confident and have low self-esteem. If you start to think positively and always say to yourself ‘I can do this’ and ‘I will do this’ your attitude to life will start to change

2) Exercise. It’s always difficult to start exercising. Our bodies often get into a rut and like to do things ‘the same old way’. Start by choosing an exercise that you enjoy. For instance – if you like walking then commit yourself to walking 1 mile per day. Each day walk faster and speed up the amount of time it takes to walk the mile. Gradually, over time you will feel the walking getting easier and easier. From then try other forms of exercise.

3) Eating sensibly. Dieting does not have to be boring. Start dieting by choosing healthy foods that you like. I started with banana, yoghurt (the healthy varieties) and cereal. The good news is you can eat as much of these as you like. Eat these kinds of foods with one hot healthy meal per day. Try to completely avoid chocolate, crisps, cake, chips, burgers etc.

If you can commit to this you should see the weight drops off over a few weeks.

Ultimately, if you really want to lose weight it’s all about will power and self-discipline. I believe that we, as individuals, can do anything as long as we put our minds to it and believe in ourselves.

Remember change can happen – you just have to believe in it!

MP fails to help... again!

2009-03-01T06:54:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I spent the afternoon visiting some of my residents in Peasedown St John – helping with various issues and listening to their concerns.

On my rounds I bumped into a young mum who is struggling to find somewhere to live. She is currently staying on her Mum’s sofa and desperately needs to find a place of her own.

She told me she had been in contact with the Council’s Housing Department to ask for her old reference number (the housing application system has recently changed) which she had lost. I was horrified to hear that they had told her ‘It’s in the basement and we’re not going down to look for it’ – If this is true I am going to go mad! A council is a public body, its councillors and staff are there to serve the people in the area it covers.

This young mum’s plight for somewhere to live re-iterates just how frantic the social housing situation has become. There are currently over 6,500 households in our area waiting for a ‘council house’. My party has been campaigning for months for many of the empty properties in the district to be brought into social housing use (similar to the case in Mendip District Council where landlords are given financial help to bring properties back into use).

At a meeting in January the Conservative in charge of housing confessed to me that he did not have any idea of the number of empty properties in the area and seemed uninterested in trying to tackle the 6,500 (and growing) waiting list.

Since becoming a Councillor in May 2007, helping with social housing problems has been a huge challenge for me. But, I got involved in politics to help people just like this young mum. It is they that need that extra bit of help, support and encouragement.

This same conversation also sparked up another issue – something else that has been bugging me for some time. The young mum started by telling me she had been to see our local Labour MP – Dan Norris. Her words to me were ‘he’s s#@t’. She had been to visit him some months ago but since has had no response and has been completely unhelpful.

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this. Over the past two years this is something that I hear more and more often. People go to visit our MP and he is no help at all – in fact, does not even appear interested.
It is when I meet people like this young mum and hear her story that I realise how useless and ineffective our MP is. It’s upsetting to think that the Labour Party, which was founded over 100 years ago to fight for and defend working class people can no longer be bothered to even help those that need it the most.

I must thank Dan Norris for one thing though. It was through meeting him in 2000 (when he visited my school) that I felt inspired to go into politics… and join the Liberal Democrats.

Meeting him made me realise that we had little in common and if I wanted to join a political party that really did stand up for people then the Labour Party was no longer it. (Just like this young mum, I didn’t feel he was at all interested in what I had to say and he couldn’t even give a straight answer to a question I asked him.)

My conversation with the young mum left me feeling more than ever that we need a definite change at the next General Election. Our Labour MP and our Labour government are clearly not working!

I know this won’t come as a surprise to anyone but my support will whole-heartedly going to Gail Coleshill – someone that for the last ten years has stood up for hard working people and believes in the same kind of change as I do.

Change can happen – we just have to believe in it.

For information about Gail Coleshill visit www.gailcoleshill.co.uk or www.nes-libdems.org.uk

Dad at 13!

2009-02-14T01:15:00.000-08:00

The news that a 13-year-old boy has become a Father is all over the newspapers.

Understandably it is causing debate amoungst people about the 'rights' and the 'wrongs'.

Perhaps, way over due, this will allow us - as a nation - to have a full and open debate about the taboo subject that is.... sex.

Statistics show that the UK has the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe. Whereas The Netherlands, who have a much more open and liberal approach to sex, can boast the lowest teenage pregnancy rate.

Is it now time to adopt the Dutch model and talk with young people much more openly about sex from a young age?
Below I have copied an article that appeared in the The Times newspaper last November. It's a bit long but well worth the read.

----------------------
Sex education: why the British should go Dutch

Britain's Schools Minister plans to introduce sex lessons for five-year-olds. They already have them in the Netherlands. Is that why they also have the lowest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe?

The children of De Burght School in Amsterdam walk past the red-light district to their classrooms every day, past the “Peep Shows, Live Girls,” the risqué underwear shops and the newsagents selling teen magazines with free condoms. At school the five-year-olds play mummies and daddies in the playground knowing what their parents did in bed last night.

Next year, 12-year-old Sasha explains to me, they will learn how to put a condom on a broomstick (she says this without a trace of embarrassment, just a polite smile). Across the city, nine-year-old Marcus, who lives in a beautiful 18th-century house on a canal, has been watching a cartoon showing him how to masturbate. His sister, 11, has been writing an essay on reproduction and knows that it is legal for two consenting 12-year-olds to make love. Her favourite magazine, Girls, gives advice on techniques in bed, and her parents sometimes allow her to stay up to see a baby being born on the birthing channel.

Then there is Yuri, 16, who explains to me in perfect English that “anal sex hurts at the beginning but if you persevere it can be very pleasurable”. When I ask whether he is gay, he says “no” but he has watched a documentary on the subject with his parents.

Sex is everywhere in the Netherlands, yet the country has the lowest teenage pregnancy rate in the West and the lowest rates of sexually transmitted diseases among young people. Now Britain, with almost the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Europe - five times higher than the Netherlands - wants to emulate its success.

Ministers are planning to introduce compulsory sex and relationships lessons for children from the age of 5 by 2010. There will be a “naming of parts” session in which children learn the correct words for vagina and testicles, and many will receive a sex education comic called Let's Grow with Nisha and Joe.

The Government has chosen the Dutch model rather than the Nordic way of tackling the subject of sex because the Netherlands, unlike Scandinavian nations, also manages to have one of the lowest abortion rates in Europe. In Britain, the number of abortions performed on under-16s rose by 10 per cent last year to 4,376.

So how do the Dutch do it? Siebe Heutzepeter, the headmaster of De Burght School, laughs at the idea that sex lessons are all children need to stop them becoming sexually active too young.

“We don't have formal sex education in primary schools,” he says. “The children talk about sex when they feel like it and when they want an explanation. We treat sex as a healthy physical activity between two adults who are in love. Every year we have teachers who are pregnant or getting married, whether they are gay or straight, so it is a good way to talk about adult relationships.”

Heutzepeter says that the Dutch are more relaxed than Britons in every aspect of their lives. “The English are embarrassed to talk about sex. They are too squeamish. Here adults and children are better educated. It would be unthinkable for a Dutch parent to withdraw their child from sex discussions. I have had only one Muslim mother who left halfway through a parents' talk on sex.”

He believes it is important to talk to children in a relaxed way about sex before they become self-conscious and embarrassed. “It is all about self-respect,” he said. “There is no point in telling children just to say ‘no' - this is a liberal country; you need to tell them why they are saying ‘no' and when to say ‘yes'.”

A series of books by Sanderijn van der Doef provides Dutch children with all they could need to know about sex. The book for five-year-olds has pictures on the cover of toddlers kissing each other on the lips. Inside, children are told why their mothers have breasts and shave their armpits, how smiley-faced sperm travel, how human beings prefer to lie on top of each other but dogs mate from behind, and what their father's penis looks like. The book for 11-year-olds shows a girl examining her genitals in a mirror, and explains about periods and the Pill. Van der Doef is a star in her country and her manuals have become classics. Dutch parents read them to their children at bedtime, for information and enjoyment. “Here sex is a normal daily part of life, like shopping or football. In England it is a joke,” says the author. “My books teach children what adults do when they love each other and how babies are created. Children as young as 4 should know if they were born by Caesarean section or after artificial insemination. It is vital to be honest.”

John van der Woning, the head of one of Amsterdam's leading schools, Willemspark, says: “We teach children about all sorts of sex. We have lots of homosexual teachers and they celebrated a marriage of two female teachers recently. But we also try to teach the older children about the darker side of sex, about prostitution and child abuse. It's important to be open about the world.”

At secondary school the sex education is formalised and children are shown how to use various types of contraceptive, how to have “safe and pleasurable sex”, the importance of responsibility and how to recognise the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases.

This openness seems to work. In Britain the average teenager loses his or her virginity at 16 - more than a year before the Dutch average of 17.7 years. About 93 per cent of young people in the Netherlands use contraception, compared with 53 per cent in Britain. A study of teenagers in both countries found that while boys and girls in the Netherlands gave “love and commitment” as the main reason for losing their virginity, boys in Britain cited peer pressure and physical attraction.

But Laura Watts, a British mother who has lived in the Netherlands for the past ten years, thinks that the lower rate of teenage pregnancy there may have more to do with family structure than with sex education. Dutch children are five times less likely to be living in a family headed by a lone parent, divorce rates are far lower and fewer mothers are in full-time employment.

“I think my eight-year-old son has probably learnt more about sex from David Attenborough than from school,” she says. “It is the family that makes the difference. Parents leave the office by 5pm in Holland and eat dinner with their children at 6pm. They then watch TV or play sport together, so they tend to be closer to their children and can guide them to do the right thing.”

Trudie, a fashion stylist, has always talked about sex with her daughter. When, at 16, her daughter asked her what sperm looked like, Trudie asked her husband to provide a sample. “My daughter walks past sex shops every day, the family watches sex scenes together on television and we try to be as open as possible. It's not considered smutty, as it is in England.”

Henny de Barbarison, a teacher at De Burght School, agrees: “My 18-year-old son still walks around the house naked - that's healthy. Everyone here is more relaxed.” Her female students are taught about “lover boys” who flirt with girls just to have sex with them, then pressurise them to sleep with other members of their group. Male students are taught about homosexual sex. There are no “no-go areas”.

Another reason why the teenage pregnancy rate is so low may be that in the Netherlands there is still a stigma attached to having a child before the age of 20. In Britain, a baby who can offer unconditional love, a free home away from parents and a cheque every month is not considered a disaster for a teenage girl. The Dutch Government still penalises single mothers under 18, who are expected to live with their parents if they become pregnant. Until six years ago the Government gave them no financial support.

Dutch children are taught that getting pregnant in their teens is a barrier to success. “I'm not prepared to risk messing up my life. I am strong enough to wait,” says Ruby, 12. “I want to be 19 and in love before I have sex,” says her friend Grace. Julia, 11, says: “My mother's best friend is gay, my hairdresser is gay, half my family seem to be gay. It's not an issue.” Children in their final year of primary school have not been shielded from anything, but their teachers have continually reinforced the message that sex is about love and commitment. The pupils all agree that they will not sleep with anyone until they have finished secondary school and are in a serious relationship.

Vanessa Storm de Grave, a mother of four who works part-time for a publishing company, thinks that her compatriots may be more responsible about sex than the British because the Netherlands is a more religious country. “The family is very important here,” she says. “Almost no mothers work full time; they see their main role as educating their children.

“I hope I will teach my eldest son how to become a responsible man by example, but I tell him anything he wants to know. I have talked about homosexuality and why it means that you can't have babies, but he is more interested in sport.”

Doortje Braeker, a Dutch mother who works in Britain for the International Planned Parenthood Federation, says: “We are not scared of young people being sexually active and we want to make sure that their first experiences are safe and pleasurable. We are a Calvinist country so it is important that we don't have too many abortions, but the postwar generation also wants to have fun.”

Braeker was shocked when she first came to Britain. “Young girls here seem to have babies to prove that they are adults. In the Netherlands it would just prove how uneducated and naive you are,” she says. “There you can have a boy as a friend, here it's almost always about sex.” Mena Laura Meyer, who produced the seven-part documentary series Sexy for Dutch TV last year, says that sex education is the least relevant aspect of the country's success. “All the children I talked to were quite dismissive about their sex education at school,” she says. “They appreciated knowing how to put on a condom but were more interested in the emotional than the physical side of sex.”

Her series, which addressed every issue from anal sex to S&M, was watched by more than a quarter of Dutch households. “All you watch in Britain are your soaps, which are all about single mums, and your wildlife documentaries, which just cover penguins mating,” she says. “Sex and relationships aren't government issues. Until the British can sit down together and watch programmes about masturbation and birth, you will never have a healthy attitude to sex.”

In Britain the Government has decided that schools must bear responsibility for sex education. Jim Knight, the Schools Minister, insists that from 2010 schools must make time for the new personal, social and health education (PSHE) syllabus. Children aged 5 to 7 will learn about feelings; those aged 8 to 11 will be taught about the biological aspects of sex. At secondary school they will learn about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases.

But maybe it's up to parents. Perhaps we should all be buying our toddlers Mummy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole, leaving condoms around the house, as one Dutch mother suggests, “to prompt discussions”, and sitting down to supper each evening to discuss our relationships. One colleague attempted this, and her 12-year-old son asked her “how many positions are there?” in front of the babysitter. My eight-year-old asked me if it was more painful to wax my legs than to give birth. But after my few days in the Netherlands, my children now understand where babies come from. It has marred the beginning of Dumbo when the storks come down from the clouds, but I hope it will turn them into more responsible adults.

Maybe, instead of expecting schools to teach children morality and the missionary position, the British should adopt a few other Dutch lessons. Employers could encourage staff to go home at 5pm for a family supper, parents could discuss contraception with their children, and the BBC could ask David Attenborough to turn his attention to human reproduction.

----------------------
(Printed 24/11/08)

Lib Dem support goes up, Labour support goes down!

2009-02-08T04:26:00.000-08:00

Good news in this morning's lastest opinion poll in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Labour's support amoungst the masses has fallen to its lowest since Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling's bail-out of the banks.

Whilst at the same time, Liberal Democrat support has shot up from 16% to 22% - showing that more people are turning to the Lib Dems for real solutions to the financial mess we are in.

People just don't trust this government anymore. They were elected in 1997 on the promise of real change and a fairer society. But look what's happened - the gap between rich and poor is now wider than it was under Thatcher and Brown has allowed rich cats in the City of London to pay, proportionally, less tax than every one else.

Let's hope at the next General Election people really tell Labour what they think of them.

To read today's article in the Daily Telegraph visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/4548307/Labours-support-falls-to-lowest-level-since-bail-out.html

Tories (still) in disarray on Europe - 6th Feb '09

2009-02-06T00:18:00.000-08:00

The Conservatives still can’t decide where they will sit in Europe!

Readers may remember that David Cameron pledged in 2005 to withdraw British Conservatives from the European Conservative political grouping in the European Parliament. The European Conservatives are the largest political group in the Parliament. Leaving the group would mean a serious loss of influence for British Conservative MEPs who, not surprisingly, are split on the issue.

Now Cameron has said he is going to wait until after the European elections on 4th June this year before deciding whether or not to pull out.

The president of the Group in the European Parliament, Wilfried Martens, has said he wants Cameron to make up his mind before the election campaign starts in April.

However ‘The Parliament’ magazine points out that “any signal by Cameron before the European elections that Conservative MEPs might stay in the EPP-ED (Euro Conservatives) group would infuriate eurosceptics within his party and likely damage the Tory vote in June”.

While Conservative MEPs waste time discussing where to ally themselves, Liberal Democrat MEPs have no such identity crisis. The Liberal group in the European Parliament is widely seen as one of the most forward thinking and hard-working forces in the EU, with British Liberal Democrat MEPs to the fore!

UK Youth Parliament Elections

2009-01-24T05:57:00.001-08:00

This Thursday teenagers right across Bath and North East Somerset will have the chance to vote for the person they want to represent them in the UK Youth Parliament.

Now in its 8th year, the UK Youth Parliament is a growing body with represenatives from every Council authority in the United Kingdom.

Here in B&NES we have twenty young people that have put their names forward as candidates (you can view the manifestos here: www.dafby.co.uk) - of which all are extremely skilled and very capable of representing their peers.

For me, it's a great priviledge to have been asked to spend the day at my former school, Writhlington, manning the polling station and trying to encourage as many of the pupils to vote as possible.

More so, because it was with the UK Youth Parliament that I started my political life in 2001 - under the banner of the popular young people's campaign group - DAFBY (Democratic Action for B&NES Youth). Still going strong with almost 40 members, DAFBY is a place that allows young people to learn more about the political process, to take part in the decision-making-processes, and to learn new skills in self-confidence and team-building.

If you are aged 11-18, there is a very good chance you will see a polling station in your school on Thursday. If you do, please go and vote - it can make all the difference!

Sick Tory Activist

2009-01-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

I was sickened by the news last week that a youth activist in the Tory Party dressed up as the missing 4-year old Madeliene McCann at a fancy dress party.

What made it even worse is, as well as wearing pink pyjamas and holding a cuddly toy, he painted fake blood onto his face - implying to be the victim of some sort of abuse.

This could be the kind of behaviour we would expect from fascists - but not a member of a mainstream political party that obviously had ambitions to progress up the political ladder.

Anyone who didn't see story can find out more here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7820727.stm

People of the Year Awards

2009-01-02T00:37:00.000-08:00

I am extremely pleased to have been a runner-up in the Politician of the Year category of the first every People of the Year Awards.

This new venture of the Bath Chronicle is a great way to recognise and pay tribute to various people who have, over the past 12 months, worked hard in their communities, work places and particular fields of study.

It brings a smile to my face to see people like Tim & Sharon Ball, Julie Peacock and Nicholas Coombes listed. They have all made their mark during 2008. I agree completely with the Editor's recognition of Nicholas Coombes - he is definately an MP in the making. Watch this space!

I would personally like to thank Editor Sam Holliday and his team for listing me in the Politician of the Year category. My work in Peasedown St John is for the good of my constituents and I get a genuine buzz out of serving others.

Happy New Year!

Wellow Lane Development - yet more houses for Peasedown!

2008-12-18T09:22:00.000-08:00

I am saddened by the news that, despite public opposition, B&NES Council’s Development Control Committee has given approval for 95 dwellings to be built in Wellow Lane, Peasedown St John.

At present, our village does not have the infrastructure or amenities to cater for such a development and the potential extra 350-400 people that would live there.

Already, Peasedown St John is the largest village in B&NES with over 1,000 houses being built in the last 20 years. It is great shame that despite this huge amount of growth planners and developers still want to ‘squeeze a few more in’.

The Labour Government’s ill-thought out proposals to build an extra 21,000 houses in the authority by 2026 will see many communities turned upside down with no consideration to existing infrastructure problems or residents’ concerns.

I would like to thank the residents of Wellow Lane and the surrounding streets for their hard fought campaign – which has certainly shown that community spirit is alive and well in Peasedown. I would also like to thank my party colleagues for not supporting this unpopular application at the committee meeting.

60th Anniversary

2008-12-09T23:55:00.000-08:00

Today (10th December) is the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

A lot can be said about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is the foundation of international human rights law, the first universal statement on the basic principles of human rights, and a common standard for all people and nations to follow.

It is because of this declaration, and the commitment of national governments to stick to it, that we enjoy many of our freedoms today.

When I think of human rights and our personal freedoms I think of the sacrifice that many of our war heros made in both the 1st and 2nd World Wars so that future generations could live in a society where everyone is born equal and everyone has the same basic rights to education, health care and welfare support.

Today Bath and North East Somerset Council will be planting three trees (one in Keynsham, one in Midsomer Norton and one in Bath) to commemorate this day and remember its importance.

Each of the events will be led by the Council's Human Rights Champion (and my co-Councillor) Sarah Bevan who has worked for many years raising awarness of human rights within the area.#

For a full list of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights visit: http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/lang/eng.htm

Don't be fooled by the BNP!

2008-11-21T10:04:00.000-08:00

I was having a conversation with someone the other day who shared with me that they might consider voting BNP at the next General Election. After picking myself off the ground and recovering from my shock I urged this person not to be fooled by a party that appear friendly and concerned for people when in fact they are quite the opposite.

The problem with the BNP (British National Party) is that they confuse people into thinking that if you are proud to be British, and believe in British ideas and values you should vote and support them.

By taking the British flag and using it as their party logo it lures people into a false sense of understanding of what they are about.

Do not be fooled by the BNP! In reality they are a fascist political party that promote racism and are no different from the Nazi's who ran Germany in the 20th century.

Remember the Nazis? They killed 6 million people during their reign in power. These were largely Jewish citizens but also included black people, homosexuals, the disabled and the less intelligent members of society.

Is that really what we want in Britain? A modern equivilant of the German Nazi's who would stop at nothing to ensure the only people living in this country are people with white skin and intellectually capable of doing well?

As a nation, as a group of proud people we need to take back the British flag. Our fathers and grandfathers fought two World Wars so we could be free to live in a country irrespective of our religious belief, background, sexuality and appearance.

The British National Party would throw away these freedoms, and create a country very similer to that of Nazi Germany.

Don't be fooled into voting for them! They really stand for many of the things that the rest of us dont.

Racism:
noun
- belief in or doctrine asserting racial differences in character, intelligence, etc. and the superiority of one race over another or others: racist doctrine also, typically, seeks to maintain the supposed purity of a race or the races
- any program or practice of racial discrimination, segregation, etc., specif., such a program or practice that upholds the political or economic domination of one race over another or others
- feelings or actions of hatred and bigotry toward a person or persons because of their race

Facism:

noun
- the doctrines, methods, or movement of the Fascisti
- a system of government characterized by rigid one-party dictatorship, forcible suppression of opposition, private economic enterprise under centralized governmental control, belligerent nationalism, racism, and militarism, etc.
- a political movement based on such policies
- fascist behavior

Obama Wins!

2008-11-09T23:52:00.000-08:00

I stayed up as late as I could last Tuesday night to watch one of the most highly anticipated U.S. Presidential Election nights ever.

Barak Obama's victory was not just the making of American history, but the making of world history - becoming the first African-American to become President.

Barak's story is an inspiration to many. He grew up in an working class area with his single Mum. He was an everyday guy who was no more special than anyone else, but his dreams and determination to succeed has got him where he is.

The idea of the American Dream, where anyone can achieve the best in life is not something that can just happen in United States, but something that can happen anywhere - you just have to believe in it.

Barak's victory was certainly an inspiration to me. Perhaps a Lib Dem Prime Minister really is possible?

Pizza... with a hint of politics!

2008-10-31T13:28:00.000-07:00

Today I had the privilege of spending the day with a group of young people from Peasedown St John as they met the Chairman of B&NES Council and the Mayor of Bath.

So often young people tell me they don't know a lot about politics and when they see politicians on the TV they're just arrogant and not in touch with their views.

As a young politician myself I want to try and change that formed opinion. I want more young people to feel engaged in local politics and that actually local politicians do take an interest in them.

Tomorrow is the start of National Youth Work Week - an event designed to encourage young people to 'get involved' more. I hope that today's trip to the Guildhall in Bath aided in some way to achieveing that... or if not they at least liked the pizza.

Little things please small minds!

2008-10-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I couldn't think of anything else to put for the title but it got your attention though didn't it?

The majority of phone-calls or emails I get from residents are generally about a problem they have, something that needs to be done or to express their concerns that something that has happened they don't like.

That often can be the content of my week - much of the above! So, when something good happens, no matter how insignificant it may be to some people, it makes all the difference to me.

Here's an example - I was out this evening delivering my Lib Dem Focus newsletter in Frederick Avenue when I saw the litter bin I had requested, brand spanking new! Yes, I know for some it's just a litter bin but for me it's the result of a combination of a Youth Community Council meeting, emails to Council Officers and a visit to the site where the bin would be put in.

So, the next time you see a litter bin.....

Conservatives and the Church

2008-10-19T00:17:00.000-07:00

Both joining the Liberal Democrats and becoming a Christian happened around the same time in my life. It was a time when I started to see a lot of social injustice around me and at the age of 17 I wanted to play my part in trying to make the society in which I lived a better place.

For me, Christian values and principles and a desire to see a more liberal democratic society go hand in hand. Both advocate a more fairer society where the less well off have more opportunities and both believe in fighting for and defending the underdog. I also see Jesus, in his ministry, as a radical liberal. He sought to challenge the establishment and questioned the conservative status-quo of doing things.

As a political party, the Liberal Democrats have a strong Christian influence within it and currently 25% of the Party's MPs are active in their local Church.

I believe that there is a roll for Christians in each political party - promoting Christian values and working along side others.

No political party should falsely boast a greater 'right' to have Christians within it or claim that it's policies and ideas are more 'christian' than anothers.

I am writing this because over the past 12 months I have found an increasing intolerance from conservatives in the Church - particularly it's more evangelical forms. Some Evangelical's find it difficult to believe that a Christian can support something other than the Conservative Party. They believe that the Conservative Party is more 'closer' to the ideas of God, biblical teaching and thus all Christians must support it.

I find this view not just 'tunnel-visioned' but actually quite insulting. I believe, as Liberal Democrat Councillor, I have been able to practice Christianity and promote it's values in the area I represent. I treat everyone the same (just like Jesus did), I activity campaign for a better deal for those that do not have it (like Jesus did) and I believe in the 'specialness' of all people (as Jesus did).

The next time a conservative in the Church seeks to unfairly challenge my liberal demoratic views I will fervantly yet quietly remind them it is 'their' Conservative Party that supported an illegal war in Iraq killing thousands of innocent people.

I guess you could say it works both ways really doesn't it?

A week in the life of....

2008-10-12T23:38:00.000-07:00

...me

Having a glance at my diary this morning I'm starting to get the feeling that this week is just going to be 'one of those weeks'.

Don't get me wrong, I knew when becoming a Councillor that I was no longer going to have a social life and everything I did I would have to be accountable to the public for but I would love to know what having a day off feels like.

Here's a quick glance at my diary as it stands at the moment:

Monday:
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
5.30pm-8.30pm, attending an Open Evening with Somer Housing for Councillors

Tuesday:
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
8pm, 'Better School Transport' campaign meeting in Bath

Wednesday:
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
5-7pm, canvassing in North East Somerset
8pm, Transition Peasedown planning meeting

Thursday
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
6.30pm, Lib Dem Council Group meeting, Guildhall

Friday-Sunday
Attending IDEA Leadership Academy Conference in Warwick

And of course there are things to fill in the gaps such as; the path that needs resurfacing next to Bloomfield Cottages, those newsletters that need delivering, those residents who want a speed bump in Lincott View, that canvass information that needs to be put onto the database, more work on the youth homelessness campaign, preparation for my tree planting event... and don't forget the gym.

So, all in all, just another normal week really!

NRR development - get on with it!

2008-10-04T05:16:00.000-07:00

It upsets me when I read letters from Radstock resident Stephen Porter moaning about things but unwilling to get up and make a difference himself in this week's Journal newspaper. It’s letters like this that put people off local politics and any desire to get involve in their local community.
I’d like to respond to some of the inaccuracies in his letter.
Firstly, the previous administration on Bath and North East Somerset Council was not a Lib Dem administration but a coalition between the Lib Dems, Tories and Independents. The Liberal Democrats have never had a majority on the Council with having no more than 30 seats at any one time.
Secondly, it is not Lib Dem policy to ‘dump as many houses as possible in the Norton Radstock, Paulton and Peasedown areas’. If he had done his homework he would know that Lib Dems in Peasedown, Cllr Bevan and myself, are working with residents to campaign against the current application to built 95 extra homes in our village. Peasedown does not have the infrastructure to cope with any more houses and until we see an increase in local amenities any new housing development is out of the question.
Thirdly, much of the expectation to build excessive amounts of housing in B&NES is actually dictated by the Labour Government. It is they who want to see an additional 21,000 houses in the District by 2026 – not the Liberal Democrats.
As for the controversial NRR development – get on with it!

Government's Plans to put 21,000 extra homes in B&NES!

2008-09-27T04:20:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought this Government couldn't be more insane they have recently revealed plans to build an extra 21,000 homes in Bath and North East Somerset by 2026.

Two years ago, following guidelines from the Government Office of the South West, B&NES Council commissioned research to found out how many extra dwellings could be built in the area at a maximum. The research camE back with the figure 15,000!

Despite B&NES not having sufficient infrastructure for many more houses the Council was willing to acknowledge the figure of 15,000 as 'acceptable'.

After submitting this to the Government, the fantastic Hazel Blears MP (Sec. of State for Local Government and Communties) tells us she wants to see 21,000 in total not 15,000.

I am pleased to say that at the 11th September B&NES Councilmmeeting Councillors from all parties (including Labour) voted to send a strongly worded response to the Government.

Liberal Democrats are not completely opposed to new housing we just believe that before the Green Belt is even considered for development all possibly Brown Field sites must be built on first. Houses should only be build where road networks and jobs already exist - not elsewhere.
We also believe that many of the empty properties in B&NES need to have people living in them - we have plenty so let's get people in them!

As a matter of interest I have been counting the number of empty properties in Peasedown St John. I havent't quite finished yet but I have 10 so far. Im sure if every Councillor in B&NES counted the number of properties in their ward we could reach 500 across the whole of B&NES.

Lib Dems and the media

2008-09-21T23:39:00.000-07:00

It's always encouraging to see the Lib Dems doing well in the polls.... but that's what we always see after the Party Conference!

All year round the two bigger parties do well (perhaps with the exception of Labour in this instance) because the media always gives them attention and is intrigued about 'What has David Cameron had for breakfast?' or 'Where is Gordon Brown going on his holiday?'

I am convinced that if the media gave all three parties the same attention and coverage all year round the Lib Dems would always be showing at (the least) 25% in the polls.

Unfortunately I could not make the Party Conference in Bournmouth this year but I have heard it was one of the best. We have a fantastic Leader in Nick Clegg and our new plans to cut income tax from 20% to 16% really will help those on middle and low incomes (who Labour have negleted for so long).

Our message is simple - we want to tax pollution, not people! All we need now is the media is to give us and our ideas more air-time.

Youth Community Council

2008-09-16T23:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the first PSJ Youth Community Council meeting of the new term. We'll be meeting at 7pm at the youth centre giving young people an opportunity to voice their opinions.

I try to advertise and promote each meeting with a different theme. This one is 'Tell Nathan...'.
Quite self-explanatory I know, it's about encouraging young people (who often feel alienated from the political and decision making processess) to share with me their concerns about the area they live in.

What I enjoy about working with young people is they are never afraid to speak their mind and tell you honestly what they think.

I've bought lots of crisps and biscuits, so we should be in for a 'productive' meeting.

Holburne Museum

2008-09-11T23:54:00.000-07:00

Last night at the Bath and North East Somerset Full Council meeting I voted against the proposal to give a one of grant of £200,000 to the Holburne museum in Bath.

The Holburne approached the Council asking for a sum of money, contributing to their educational courses and the re-development of the centre.

It's not that I am opposed to the Holburne, museums or the Arts in general I just believe that with the current financial climate, departments having tight budgets and some services being cut we should not be giving Council money to something that is not a priority.

What about the youth service? They received a £400,000 cut last year - wouldn't they like some money? What about spending the £200,000 on more important things such as fulfilling some of the PACT priorities in our Wards, filling in pot holes, more litter bins etc.

Spending £200,000 on a Museum that clearly can generate its own cash is not in the best interest of Peasedown residents.

Unfortunately, the proposal was voted through!

Council Officers do work hard you know!

2008-09-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

Too often Council officers get a bad press - they seem to get blamed when there isn't money to spend on a certain project and when new infrustructure isn't put in on time.

Here in Peasedown St John my job is always a joy because Council officers reply to my emails, they phone me, and will be honest with me if there is something I cannot do!

The Council Officers that Sarah Bevan and I work with are un-sung heros! They have helped us install new traffic bollards, speed reductions, and litter bins. They have organised and worked with us on Environmental Clean-Up days and have helped us with longer term projects such as BMX tracks, graffiti removal and tree planting.

Peasedown residents are some of the luckiest because of the commitment of our Officers.

Young Councillors Leadership Academy

2008-09-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

I am half way through a training weekend in Warwick with the IDA (Improvement and Development Agency).

The Leadership Academy is an intense training course for Councillors under the age of 35 to put us on the 'fast track' to political leadership.

It's not so much about learning new skills but developing those we already have (but perhaps did not know it).

What's different from this course than others I have been on is it's not party political. I am working with young Conservative, Labour, Green and Independent councillors.

Putting aside party politics for the weekend is a great opportunity to learn from each other and share ideas of best practice.

It has been so encouraging to share the highs and the lows of local politics with people who also go through the same thing.

One common thread that has appeared is the big challenge we all face - which isn't the threat of opposition parties but ageism! There are 'older' politicians in all parties who still feel that young people are not capable, or at least shouldn't be, of making decisions.

We work in a 'business' where being 'old' is seen to be the norm and those that are 'old' still haven't got used to young people/Councillors having an active engagement in their communities.

In a 21st century Britian we need Councillors/MPs from all age groups - reflecting the diverse range of people we all represent.

Delivering with the Mayor and Mayoress

2008-09-02T23:35:00.000-07:00

It's not often you get help delivering leaflets from such nobility.

Yesterday the Mayor and Mayoress of Bath, Cllrs Tim and Sharon Ball came to help out in the Norton Radstock Town Council by election.

Despite the rain and thunder we delivered, between us, to over 400 houses.

You can never go wrong though with the Balls. Tim is one of those seasoned campaigners whose 17 years 'in the business' makes him one of the very best. I have learnt a lot in a short period from Tim - how to be a good and effective Councillor and how to campaign meaningfully so that the end result is the achievement of your goal.

Anyway, that's enough praise for Tim. We are now only one day away from the by election. All I've seen from the opposition is one Conservative leaflet and a magazine from Dan Norris (I didn't know he was standing), both giving the impression that there hearts aren't really in it. Midsomer Norton residents are now receiving their fourth leaflet from the Lib Dems! Has it paid off? I guess we'll find out tomorrow!

A Liberal Bank Holiday!

2008-08-26T00:06:00.000-07:00

The campaign for the Norton Radstock Town Council by election is going extremely well.

I spent most of my bank holiday weekend in Midsomer Norton pouding the streets with leaflets, glossy flyers and meeting local people.

It was quite encouraging to hear from a resident on Saturday afternoon that ours was the first leaflet they had received. Where are the other parties? Are they not putting much effort in because they think they'll win (or perhaps won't win) or was it just that the street we were in the opposition had not covered?

Just when we thought no one else had made a show two men in suits were spotted wearing blue rosettes (in a car with a boat on the roof rack!).

Having now covered the whole of Midsomer Norton North with our first leaflet there is still no sign of the party that called the election - Labour. Are they feeling a little foolish now? I guess we'll find out in ten days time.

BMX Campaign Continues...

2008-08-24T00:32:00.000-07:00

The campaign for a BMX bike track continues in Peasedown St John. For many years a group of local people have believed that more facillities should be provided for young people to stimulate them, keep them active, and steer them away from boredom and potential anti-social behaviour.

Despite continual 'interventions' from members of the Parish Council trying to slow the process down we are determined to carry on with getting the job done.

Unfortunately the the best field to have such a track belongs to the Parish Council - so we need to get their permission and support before anything can begin to take shape.

I was really encouraged to see to in this year's Olympics that 'BMXing' is now part of the games. Could Peasedown St John provide an athlete for this sport at the 2012 games in London? It would be fantastic and good for village morale but unless the Parish Council identifies the need for this project and is willing to show signs of change and modernisation our hopes will not become reality.

By Election Campaign Underway

2008-08-17T02:06:00.000-07:00

We are now just under three week's away from the Norton Radstock Town Council by election on September 4th.

I thought the Journal last Thursday gave a very fair outline of the three main candidates which clearly showed that the Lib Dems had the most active and electable candidate.

Mike Jakins will be fighting the Lib Dem corner at the by-election with a history of community action and leadership under his belt. Living in the ward for over 20 years Mike is a Head Officer in the Boy's Brigade and Local Preacher in the Methodist Church.

I have the priviledge of heading up Mike's campaign as Campaign Manager. I mean it when I say 'priviledge' because Mike is an asset to the Lib Dems and will be to the people of the Midsomer Norton North ward once elected.

Quite amusingly, if the Lib Dems win the first person we have to thank will be Labour Councillor Eleanor Jackson who told the world in the local newspapers that there was going to be a by-election. Thanks Eleanor!

A Level Results

2008-08-15T00:23:00.000-07:00

I think it's a great insult each year when some say the A Level courses are getting easier - what's really happening is our young people are getting brighter.

When I did my A-Levels six years ago I have to say they were some of the hardest exams I had ever sat. I would do another degree any day over A-Levels.

I had the priviledge of celebrating exam results last night with a group of people from Ralph Allen School in Bath. It's so encouraging to hear they are all going to their chosen Universities - they all deserve it and had worked so hard.

I wish them all the best of luck in what they do in the future. In particular, Rachel Morgan who achieved 3 'A' grades and is now off to Imperial College London to study Mechanical Engineering. I am so proud of her - well done Rachel!

Home at last...

2008-08-13T00:14:00.000-07:00

It's only when you leave this Country that you realise how good it is - how beautiful the countryside is and how much we have in terms of personal freedom and social welfare.

I have just spent two weeks relaxing in southern Turkey. The weather was excellent, one day the tempeture rose to 52 degrees 'C'. The locals, on the whole, were friendly and everything was well priced.

It is good to be home though. The end of our holiday was marked by a 16 hour delay because the plain engine had broken down, so 180 of us were put into hotel accomodation for the night. I'd seen these kind of things happen on TV programmes such as Airport and Airline but you never think it'll happen to you. I have to say Thomas Cook dealt with the situation very well and I will definately be flying with them again in the future.

The Dark Knight

2008-07-27T01:47:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was a little kid I have been a Batman fan - the thriller and suspense is enough to capture anyone's imagination.

So, seeing the new Batman film last night - The Dark Knight - was a must!

As would be expected the Odeon cinema was packed with many Batman fans and others wanting to honour Heath Ledger in his last film.

I have to confess Ledger was not an actor I had really come across in the past and it's only since his prematuture death that I have become familier with his work.

I would certainly recommend this film to everyone and anyone. It has you on the edge of your seat the whole way through - the graphics are amazing and the all-star cast provide real value for money.

I can't believe it's been almost 20 years since the first Batman film - doesn't time fly?!

It's reassuring that Gotham is still being protected after all this time.

Labour Defeat in Glasgow

2008-07-25T00:22:00.000-07:00

I have to confess I am actually quite surprised that Labour lost the Glasgow East by-election. I didn't think that things were going that bad that a Labour majority of 13,000 could be overturned. But, obviously it has so my congratulations go to the SNP.

What next for Labour? If they can't hold onto one of their safest seats what can they hold onto? The New Labour project has now come to an end and even many of the 'safest' Labour MPs in the Country must counting down the days 'till defeat.

Goodbye Gordon!

Mis-informed Radstock Resident

2008-07-24T00:35:00.001-07:00

It's a shame to see Stephen Porter from Radstock writing in today's Journal that the Lib Dems once controlled B&NES Council. The Lib Dems have never had a majority on the Council and since the creation of the authority in 1996 the other parties (if working together) have always been in a position to out-vote us.

As for the regeneration of Radstock. The town has suffered at the expense of other areas over the years that have gone ahead with development and progression into the 21st century. Surely it's now time for Radstock to move forward - the NRR development can only be a good thing.

Blogging at last!

2008-07-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

After weeks of debate with.... myself, I have started my own blog.

The purpose of setting up my own blog is two-fold. Firstly, just to have a rant. Secondly, to express my own views without conflicting the views of any organisation or group I belong to (not that I really would anyway!)

Happy reading.