What Curse?

I've just finished a very enjoyable weekend, during which my better half and I visited the Dome twice. On Friday night we saw the Scissor Sisters at the O2 arena, which was amazing (and yes, we paid for it ourselves). The band were amazing and the atmosphere was great- we were in the standing section, and didn't stop dancing all night. Then today en route to a friend's flatwarming we stopped off to catch a glimpse of the Air Race, and the area was full of people out enjoying themselves in the rare sunshine. I know there were reports earlier this week that the arrangements for people leaving the venue were chaotic, but from our experience and that of everyone I've spoken to, it seems the curse of the Dome is no more.

Labour brought to book

Labour's Ealing bandwagon booked!

Labour's Ealing bandwagon- booked!

Light relief for Conservatives disappointed at the Ealing Southall by-election result last week. Today the Labour candidate's battlebus was in Westminster to deliver the new MP to the Commons. And got a parking ticket from Westminster City Council's finest. Ha ha ha ha ha.

I've just cycled home from Eltham Station past a fire in my ward- three fire engines are on the scene, in Well Hall road. They arrived very promptly, so I hope and pray no-one has been hurt.

Update: Thankfully, as the News Shopper reports today, no injuries were reported.

Boris 4 London?

He's not ruled it out, and the deadline is quite soon for the Tory nomination. It could be interesting, to say the least...

Brown's "Clunking Fist" fails to strike Cameron

So, now we know. The Emperor has no clothes, the 'clunking fist' which was supposed to demolish David Cameron has failed to strike, etc etc.

I'm not going to overstate it, as all Parliamentarians have good and bad days. But Gordon Brown's first appearance at Prime Minister's Questions really was below-parr, with David Cameron clearly scoring points against him in an exchange which has cheered up the Tory benches after a tough couple of weeks.

For a Prime Minister in the middle of a security alert to use the excuse 'I've only been in the job 5 days' for not knowing the answer to a question is pretty extraordinary, and very weak. Seeing former Home Secretary John Reid 'helping' by offering a better explanation from the backbenches hardly looked good for Brown either. Even Ming Campbell managed a reasonably good riposte to the PM today.

David Cameron's honeymoon lasted 18 months before he hit a rough patch. On the basis of today, Gordon Brown's has not made it to 7 days. Let battle commence.

Another Liberty up in smoke

I'm not a regular smoker (honest Mum!) But I am a liberal, so I find the smoking ban coming into force tomorrow a regrettable turn of events. So I'm smoking a huge cigar tonight in a bar, and hoping that despite the terror threats these days we never forget the small things that make us free.