tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55190882011-10-04T20:04:38.904+01:00Musings on political opposition and politics in general from a former Conservative Party adviser, now Director of the Centre for Opposition Studies and Deputy Leader of the Opposition on Greenwich Council.Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.comBlogger3331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-51262925949734139602011-07-22T00:29:00.007+01:002011-07-22T02:08:26.824+01:00

This Blog is closedIn case you hadn't noticed, this Blog has closed. It has ceased to be. It is no more. Never a blockbuster in terms of readership, and suffering frequent lapses in its frequency of updates, I have nevertheless enjoyed writing it, and thank those of you who have visited from time to time.I am not disappearing from t'interweb, though. I have signed up to blog for the new "Dale

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-90216740210762611772011-01-28T17:24:00.005Z2011-01-28T18:04:18.640Z

Woolwich Crossrail- What's the hold-up?The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that potential bureaucratic problems were putting the Woolwich Crossrail station project at risk. The story said construction must begin within the next six days if the station is to be ready in time to connect with the rest of the network. However, "officials from the Department for Transport and Transport for

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-80763082955429758112011-01-24T21:40:00.003Z2011-01-24T22:15:34.098Z

How to resign from Parliament...There have been a spate of resignations at Westminster this week - Alan Johnson, Andy Coulson, Brian Cowen... and Gerry Adams. Or not, in the latter case. Newsnight's political editor Michael Crick has a fascinating blogpost about the Sinn Fein leader, who on Friday informed the Speaker's office at the House of Commons that he is resigning his seat in order to

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-70961072398120694722011-01-20T12:53:00.013Z2011-01-20T14:11:58.304Z

Greenwich Council destroys what the Blitz could notLast night Greenwich Council gave approval for a housing development on the old Thames Water site in Plumstead. I am a member of the planning committee for the area, and was therefore involved in the decision. There were objections from neighbouring residents about the loss of light and privacy it would cause, the over-development of the site

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-19477630659138641532011-01-16T14:46:00.005Z2011-01-16T15:35:43.691Z

The flaw in Ed Miliband's "Concede and Move On" strategyThis week Ed Miliband has been attempting a classic and necessary opposition strategy- "Concede and move on". His speech to the Fabian Society yesterday was heavily briefed as being the moment when he would criticise the previous Labour government and distance himself from its mistakes. However, as the BBC's Nick Robinson noted, the text

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-19839001125018081622011-01-06T15:20:00.003Z2011-01-06T15:40:35.048Z

What does Ed Stand for?Ed Miliband was today fielding questions on BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine Show, and it's fair to say it wasn't a wholly comfortable performance. He faced embarrassment when asked about his perceived slow start to the job, the fact the public think he "shafted" his brother in the Leadership contest, and some aspects of his domestic arrangements. But what I thought was the

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-90153540537931933002010-12-29T17:04:00.003Z2010-12-29T17:17:00.999Z

A very Privy Counsellor As I noted in my post before Christmas, three Lib Dems, including Deputy Leader Simon Hughes, were made members of the Privy Council earlier this month. This is a great honour in politics, entitling members to call themselves "The Right Honourable" for the rest of their lives. Odd, then, that there has been no formal press notice announcing the fact, and it has gone

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-34896470429095433422010-12-23T08:19:00.008Z2010-12-23T09:29:16.565Z

Lib Dems - the Government's in-house Opposition?The Daily Telegraph's sting operation has focussed attention on tensions within the coalition government, by revealing the less-than-startling fact that Liberal Democrat ministers don't agree with their Conservative colleagues on everything. For anyone who considers for a moment what a coalition is, that isn't really a surprise. Vince Cable's

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-45980590184409234942010-12-20T14:33:00.006Z2010-12-20T14:44:36.134Z

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...If the snow wasn't festive enough (as well as highly inconvenient for those trying to get anywhere), I've had a very Christmassy weekend. On Saturday night I went to the Tudor Barn for the "Carols by Candlelight" event, and joined many local residents singing along with the Choir, which I noted included Labour Councillor and former Mayor Steve Offord

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-44536044445096604532010-12-15T23:30:00.007Z2010-12-16T23:42:13.977Z

Rumours of blogging's death...What a momentous week it has been for political commentary - first Harry Cole killed off his "Tory Bear" alter ego, then Iain Dale stunned his readers by announcing he is giving up his trailblazing Iain Dale's diary.. Eh? Those who don't follow such things closely will wonder what the fuss is about, but the announcements are important in what they say about the state

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-79597136043186205082010-10-04T19:04:00.003+01:002010-10-04T19:26:03.686+01:00

Yep, we're all in this togetherHaving arrived in Birmingham yesterday for the Party conference (my own party this time, rather than Labour), I've been rather restricted in my blogging and tweeting thanks to my phone dying and laptop refusing to pick up wi-fi. Both problems are thankfully now sorted, so here I go...I got to the main hall to hear George Osborne's speech, and found a seat up in the

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-34750581320654811992010-09-29T15:20:00.004+01:002010-09-29T15:41:28.210+01:00

Farewell to the old generationI was in the hall at Labour conference for the first time yesterday, to hear Jack Straw make his final platform speech before retiring from Labour's frontbench after 30 years. He had to endure a series of jokes about his age from his colleague Alan Johnson, who spoke before him. The best of these was that the Shadow Cabinet have clubbed together to buy him a leaving

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-74398060743522093922010-09-27T19:13:00.003+01:002010-09-29T15:44:39.426+01:00

To the Left?As part of a TV stunt, Charlie Whelan of the Unite union is put in charge of where on the spectrum the party should be. Make your own jokes. UPDATE: When this Channel 4 News report was shown, Whelan moved the entire spectrum, on its board, to the left.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-46026062634945312072010-09-27T19:01:00.001+01:002010-09-27T19:01:26.751+01:00

Interesting Dod's fringe meeting at lunchtime today with Hazel Blears, the Mirror's Kevin Maguire, Left Foot Forward editor Will Straw and (making her conference debut), Sally Bercow. Blears announced she will not be standing in the Shadow Cabinet elections, saying she wants to take a bit of time out having felt like a 'hamster on a wheel' as a frontbencher. Significantly, she mounted an

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-9652863112512231112010-09-27T14:35:00.001+01:002010-09-27T14:35:02.325+01:00

In my role with the Centre for Opposition Studies I'm this week at the Labour Party conference- an unusual experience for me, but plenty of familiar faces with Labour friends of mine plus the travelling media circus and other external people. Last night a former colleague got me into the New Statesman party, where new Leader Ed Miliband spoke. He got a warm but not overwhelming reception, and

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-80317492117950955842010-09-23T10:33:00.005+01:002010-09-23T11:44:08.807+01:00

Cutty Sark- A groundbreaking moment (Photo (c) Cutty Sark Trust)Yesterday afternoon I went for a meeting with the Cutty Sark Trust to get an update on progress with the conservation project. Afterwards we went down to the site for a tour of the ship, and I'm pleased to report that work is proceeding apace.A few weeks ago I was quoted in a Bexley Times story calling for reassurance that the ship

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-26400455935856174342010-08-28T16:38:00.002+01:002010-08-28T16:43:49.038+01:00

Mindless vandalismVery depressing to hear that the Andrew Gibb memorial shelter on Blackheath has been vandalised. What a mindless thing to do. Greenwich.co.uk has the full story. Let's hope those responsible are caught, and that we can get the shelter repaired soon.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-26967122436544123792010-08-28T15:22:00.003+01:002010-08-28T16:34:52.581+01:00

Free speech or a platform for bigotry? Quite a furore has erupted over a letter published in the Lewisham and Greenwich editions of the News Shopper this week. The author describes gay people as "perverted" and "unnatural" and calls on the paper to "stop advertising lesbian, gay and bisexual clubs". Offensive stuff, certainly. But everyone is entitled to their view, however bigoted most people

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-83936217049287087852010-08-26T20:39:00.009+01:002010-08-26T21:24:32.857+01:00

Property in Woolwich: River views, vacant possession.I went to an interesting presentation earlier in the week by an archeologist from the Thames Discovery Project, which is working to explore hidden treasures on the foreshore of the river. They mentioned work they've been doing in Woolwich, including the above WW2 pill box. Apparently not a pill box, in fact, but a mine-watching station. .

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-6879210312375073672010-08-24T20:32:00.004+01:002010-08-24T21:05:25.220+01:00

A Cornish CameronMany congratulations to the Prime Minister and Samantha Cameron, whose holiday in Cornwall has been interrupted by the happy arrival of a new baby daughter. Twitter has been alive with suggestions for names - (Cornish) Patsy, Pamela ('Pam Cam'), or perhaps given the economic climate, Prudence? Tim Montgomerie has a few more suggestions on Conservative Home, and the Telegraph

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-34193558092848746432010-08-24T12:05:00.002+01:002010-08-24T12:10:07.688+01:00

The real 'Graduate Contribution'There has been much talk about a 'graduate tax' in recent weeks, and the independent review of HE funding chaired by Lord Browne is soon to report. But it struck me that a particular form of 'graduate contribution' has not received much attention. Here is my article on the subject at ConservativeHome.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-11609523069385340802010-08-20T21:06:00.009+01:002010-08-25T00:33:48.358+01:00

100 days: Some more changesOK. so it's rather later than planned, but here's the next part my list of 100 things that are different since the Coalition took power:34. ASBOs are being abolished35. Liberal Democrats actually matter36. Simon Hughes THINKS he matters37. Following IDS' appointment as Work & Pensions Secretary, he is no longer the only Conservative Leader not to have served as a

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-11516081647057949342010-08-18T22:03:00.003+01:002010-08-19T00:11:22.464+01:00

100 days of Liberal ConservatismIs it really 100 days already? It feels like only a short time ago that we saw David Cameron walk into Number 10 and the coalition begin its work. I certainly haven't quite got used to the new regime. After 13 years of opposition I still find myself thinking of our top table as "Shadow Ministers" and the man in charge is still "DC" in my mind rather than "Prime

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-4756603355266314952010-08-17T21:36:00.005+01:002010-08-17T22:57:29.082+01:00

Tony's Help for HeroesTony Blair's announcement yesterday that he will donate the entire proceeds of his book to the Royal British Legion was astonishing. It took the media by surprise, and I can't be the only person who saw the headline on Twitter and said "Blimey!" (or words to that effect). I certainly saw a similar reaction from people picking up the Evening Standard, which splashed on the

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-25315412194956447902010-08-17T19:09:00.003+01:002010-08-17T20:55:13.709+01:00

A long hiatusSo, rather a long time since I last posted. In common with a number of other bloggers I've found my blogging has given way to rather more focus on tweeting in recent months, so visitors to this site (not that there are very many!) will at least have been able to see some of what I've been up to.I've thought a bit about the future of the blog, given the various things I'm now involved

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-52350159769824491242010-06-19T15:44:00.001+01:002010-06-19T15:44:15.441+01:00

I'm at Eltham Palace today for the ' Eltham at War' World War 2- themed event. There have been military displays, a parachute drop, and the slightly odd sight of Nazi soldiers chatting to American GIs and British Tommies. Also present is Mr Churchill, or at least someone who bears a passing resemblance to him!

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-27364848636695205582010-06-18T18:27:00.001+01:002010-06-18T18:27:08.605+01:00

Some good news for Eltham residents this week as the swimming pool reopens, four months after the fire. There is still work ongoing to bring the centre fully back into use, and still questions to be answered about how a small fire could do so much damage, and other rumoured problems. But for now, it's welcome news, and I hope to be using the pool soon!

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-35508995506283608642010-06-06T11:54:00.001+01:002010-06-06T11:54:03.383+01:00

I've just been to the Italian Market in Passey Place in Eltham, where Sunday shoppers were entertained by a singer dressed as PavarottI as they browsed. I'm going to a friend's picnic this afternoon, so have bought some delicious cheese- hope the good weather holds!

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-3884075181613245622010-05-12T11:36:00.005+01:002010-05-12T11:47:40.701+01:00

Thank you, Eltham NorthI am delighted to have been elected by the people of Eltham North for a third time, alongside my colleagues Spencer and Dermot, on what was a great night for the Conservative Party nationally. It is an honour to serve local people on the Council, and there is nothing like an election campaign and the tension of the count to remind us how privileged we are. I was very sorry

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-85194650066571854092010-05-06T12:08:00.001+01:002010-05-06T12:08:06.613+01:00

An early start today after a frantic final few days of campaigning. Now it's over to you to decide: Five more years of failure and broken promises with Labour, or change with a new team under David Cameron, with the energy, ideas and values to get the country moving again. I and other candidates could almost recite those words in our sleep, but they remain the best summary of the choice in what

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-52602301618856036302010-05-05T08:50:00.003+01:002010-05-05T08:54:15.534+01:00

Future and the past...Another street stall session in Eltham on Saturday saw us head to head with Labour. It was good to be able to meet local people, and answer their question and concerns. Two people I met had been concerned by Labour's scare tactics about tax credits and benefits for pensioners, and I was able to show them our manifesto proving Labour is lying. We're sadly used to this now,

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-4694607777105497472010-05-05T07:55:00.003+01:002010-05-05T08:40:27.043+01:00

Willetts turns the tablesMy first political campaign was standing as Conservative candidate in my college's mock election, which coincided with the General Election of 1997. Not a great year for the Conservatives, that one - and indeed I came third after the Lib Dems and Referendum Party (but beat Labour and the Socialist Labour Party...)..My local MP then was David Willetts, and I helped out on

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-83130982126766536262010-04-27T22:06:00.003+01:002010-04-27T22:34:27.350+01:00

Francis Maude in ElthamThe great level of support we've been getting in Eltham continued yesterday, with a visit from Francis Maude, the Shadow Cabinet minister responsible for drawing up the detailed plans to implement Conservative policies if we form a Government. I worked at Conservative HQ when Francis was Chairman, and it was good to catch up with him as we canvassed with David Gold and Mo

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-7090258700085979552010-04-27T21:48:00.005+01:002010-04-27T22:40:43.084+01:00

Taking to the streetsOn Saturday David Gold and the Conservative campaign team set up stall in Eltham Town Centre. The Labour Party and Clive Efford were also there, and it was good to be able to take our case to the streets and for the choice at the election to be on show, as we handed out our respective leaflets and talked to shoppers. If elections were won with balloons, I think we had the

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-51628333112066969902010-04-24T23:44:00.010+01:002010-04-27T22:48:59.889+01:00

Style - and substanceOn Thursday I watched the second Leaders' debate at a "Watch Party" at Conservative HQ with Party Chairman Eric Pickles, party staff and supporters. It was a great atmosphere, with the press conference room taking on the feel of a cinema or theatre - we even had popcorn and a vendor dispensing tubs of ice cream. After the drama of the first debate the stakes were high, so

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-70341180179742669032010-04-24T23:17:00.006+01:002010-04-24T23:43:39.187+01:00

Inclined to vote... I've been pleased during this campaign to help out in the Shooters Hill ward, where Mo Burgess, Richard Chandler and Simon Emmett are campaigning hard to win against the Labour incumbents. Having been the candidate there in the 2004 by-election, I have a lot of affection for the place, and campaigning on the steep hills certainly helps work off the effects of too many

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-43052580231116037342010-04-16T21:55:00.003+01:002010-04-16T22:12:12.653+01:00

Borismania comes to Eltham!Quite a day on Wednesday as the Mayor of London joined David Gold's campaign in Eltham. Along with Shadow Minister for London Justine Greening, council candidates and activists, Boris met businesspeople and shoppers in Eltham High Street, where his presence soon caused quite a stir, with people clamouring for photos, waving from across the street and generally giving

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-55057175806563098562010-04-13T18:28:00.006+01:002010-04-13T19:57:07.958+01:00

Manifesto launched in Battersea... and ElthamThe Conservative manifesto was launched today with an event at the old Battersea Power Station. I was there, along with a number of fellow Greenwich activists, to hear the compelling case for giving power back to the people, the vision behind the manifesto's title "Invitation to join the Government of Britain".Afterwards, we headed back to Eltham,

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-62106975229574364422010-04-12T20:28:00.003+01:002010-04-12T20:42:02.498+01:00

On home turfOne of the positive effects of the General Election being held on the same day as the local elections is that I get to campaign in my own Council ward with the huge number of supporters who are coming to Eltham to support David Gold in his bid to become our next MP, and help get David Cameron into Downing Street. Today we were joined by David Evennett, the Shadow Higher Education

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-91724352806416531172010-04-10T20:18:00.009+01:002010-04-11T13:16:27.875+01:00

Super Saturday!A fantastically energetic and productive day in Eltham yesterday, with teams out in every Council ward, and support from the LGBTory group. I spent the morning in Eltham North with my colleague Councillor Dermot Poston and activists (above), before a stop for lunch in New Eltham, then an afternoon in Shooters Hill with our council candidates there. We were joined there by our

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-66767544557288604572010-04-07T22:47:00.005+01:002010-04-07T23:29:16.213+01:00

Change at ElthamDay one of the campaign saw lots of activity in Eltham, with activists at all the main stations handing out leaflets and talking to commuters as they came home from work. Labour MP Clive Efford and his pals were also there, standing right in front of the exit in a frankly rather intimidating way!This Labour bunch didn't seem very happy, and oddly, none were wearing red rosettes.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-77466101413705033392010-04-07T22:37:00.004+01:002010-04-07T22:47:39.894+01:00

Jack Straw locked out of Downing StreetWith a bit of luck this will be a sign of things to come. Yesterday morning, as the Cabinet gathered in Downing Street ahead of Gordon Brown's announcement of the election date, I walked past on my way to work. Along came Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who marched up to the gate. Unfortunately the policeman on duty had wandered off for a moment, leaving the

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-39322608927966003002010-04-06T14:27:00.007+01:002010-04-08T09:04:58.960+01:00

Off to a frying start!Even before Gordon Brown had officially called the election, we were up and ready to do battle in Eltham. I went for a very early breakfast at the Tudor Barn with David Gold and other members of our campaign team, including my fellow council candidates Adam Thomas and Matt Clare (Eltham South) and Maureen Burgess (Shooters Hill). As David says on his website, the perfect way

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-55975676517197891282010-03-31T11:01:00.007+01:002010-03-31T11:34:45.808+01:00

Severndroog Castle I was delighted to see last week that Severndroog Castle on Shooters Hill has received Lottery Funding towards its long-awaited restoration. I have been a supporter of the project and the Preservation Trust's work since I fought my ill-fated by-election campaign in Shooters Hill ward in 2004. I still remember when, shortly after moving to the area, I stumbled across the Castle,

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-37218325561441620212010-03-24T12:07:00.004Z2010-03-24T16:53:07.253Z

Oh No! Coe and NoGOE go toe to toeSorry, couldn't resist that headline. Last night's meeting of the Planning Board, to consider the application to use Greenwich Park for the London 2012 Olympics, was always going to be a big event. There were protesters from the NoGOE group outside, singing "we shall not be moved", and hundreds of people crowded into the Public Hall, where the meeting was held.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-612270032937908332010-03-23T09:58:00.003Z2010-03-23T10:41:29.514Z

Knees-up in a breweryI was delighted to attend the official opening last night of the 'Discover Greenwich' visitor centre at the Old Royal Naval College, which has been renovated and improved in a multi-million pound project. It includes a new micro-brewery, echoing the one that existed on the site hundreds of years ago for residents of the Naval Hospital. Mayor of London Boris Johnson did the

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-30992487957631942842010-03-23T08:49:00.007Z2010-03-23T10:36:03.787Z

On the campaign trailAlthough Gordon Brown has yet officially to declare it, the election campaign is to all intents and purposes underway already. Having fixed the blogging function on my phone, I can report that in Eltham our activity is well advanced and we've stepped up the pace since the New Year. On Saturday in Eltham North our Parliamentary candidate David Gold and I were joined by London

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-31546492021329754972010-03-23T08:49:00.005Z2010-03-23T09:52:19.711Z

Learning the lessons of historyOn a Friday earlier this month I went on a trip to Medway with Cllr Harry Singh (Chairman of Sustainable Communities scrutiny panel) and Cllr Mary Mills, who is working with me on a scrutiny review of the Borough's heritage. We had a really interesting, if busy, day- meeting with Medway's council officers to discuss how they manage and promote their heritage, then

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-87468782959708213912010-02-28T14:13:00.001Z2010-02-28T14:13:55.902Z

The leaflet handed to members arriving in the hall sets out the central issue facing the country at the election. Couldn't agree more.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-84503461634782561332010-02-28T13:43:00.001Z2010-02-28T13:43:08.435Z

An apt sticker campaign from the Terrance Higgins Trust as David Cameron prepares to give the speech of his life(an overused phrase, but surely correct today). I've had the honour to have known the man for years and there is no-one I'd trust more to bring it home. Come on David...

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-22321749559110237662010-02-27T19:01:00.001Z2010-02-27T19:01:10.185Z

After a fascinating lunch with a polling expert(conclusion: current polls not the full picture, and marginals looking good), I made it to the hall for a good solid speech from Phillip Hammond, a brilliant destruction of Brown's record by Ken Clarke, and George Osborne's keynote address. The message from George was clear- voters face a clear choice between five more years of Brown or a

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-68872974954983054952010-02-27T11:47:00.001Z2010-02-27T11:47:59.618Z

A fun time last night on Brighton Pier as Spring Conference (Spring? Still feels like Winter!) opened with a quiz night hosted by Party Chairman Eric Pickles and special guest Christopher Biggins. I sat with our Eltham Parliamentary candidate David Gold on a table with Chris as we scoffed Fish and Chips and were entertained by his wonderfully naughty banter. When we got to the actual quiz, the

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-14046625480028005392010-02-25T23:57:00.002Z2010-02-26T00:22:26.951Z

Talking Rubbish at Council Yesterday night at Council, members from all parties talked rubbish. Yes, it's an old joke, and one I used to open my speech on our motion about recycling in the borough (to their credit, everyone groaned). We were attempting to draw attention to the fact that although there has been good progress in increasing household recycling in Greenwich, there remain

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-28801098070815155042010-02-25T22:35:00.005Z2010-02-25T23:56:29.683Z

Celebrating East Greenwich LibraryOn Monday, I went along to the celebration of East Greenwich Library's 105th Anniversary. It was organised by the Friends of East Greenwich Library group, who some years ago mounted a campaign to prevent its closure. The library was built as a gift to the people of Greenwich by Andrew Carnegie in 1905, a great tribute to the tradition of philanthropy in this

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-90464559582868750642010-02-25T22:17:00.002Z2010-02-25T22:34:08.178Z

Mystery shopping reportOK, I know the whole world was on the edge of their seats waiting to hear what council service I was going to use, and how I got on. Well, it's not hugely exciting, but we were getting rid of a sofa, and phoned the Cleansweep service for them to come and dispose of it. After paying the £12 fee over the phone, we were given a timeslot for the following day, and told to

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-6067145713031523742010-02-22T11:57:00.003Z2010-02-22T12:01:22.778Z

Mystery shoppingI always enjoy it when I have reason to use a Greenwich Council service myself, as it gives me the chance to see how easy (or not) it is for our residents to make use of them. I'll report back at a later date on how I got on...

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-57142884905166718192010-02-21T18:51:00.003Z2010-02-21T19:13:03.078Z

Prime Minister's wife advises him to calm downFollowing Andrew Rawnsley's revelations today, a letter from the Prime Minister's wife has come to light:"My Darling, I hope you will forgive me if I tell you something that I feel you ought to know. One of the men in your entourage (a devoted friend) has been to me and told me that there is a danger of your being generally disliked by your colleagues

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-36558973237701603192010-02-15T20:23:00.001Z2010-02-15T20:23:05.213Z

This afternoon I visited the Eltham Centre to meet Council officers and see the extent of the fire damage. In the picture above you can see the boarded up front doors where the Fire Brigade had to break in, but other than that there is little outward sign of damage. Inside, however, there is a strong smell of smoke, and the Fire Brigade investigators are still working in the blackened room under

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-48648564393501388912010-02-14T19:56:00.005Z2010-02-14T20:20:42.095Z

Fire at the Eltham Centre I've just heard that there was a fire last night at the Eltham Centre on Archery Road, in my ward. It is thought it was caused by an electrical fault, and although the fire was contained and structural damage is slight, there has been severe damage to the building's electrics in places. This means the centre could be closed for some time.Council staff have been on site

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-68481821970561231722010-02-04T11:15:00.007Z2010-02-04T16:02:35.752Z

Cutty Sark saved (again)Greenwich Council's cabinet committee has a meeting this afternoon (called at short notice) to agree £3m of extra funding for the Cutty Sark. I was briefed on it yesterday, and it seems there have been ongoing discussions for some time to close the remaining £12m funding gap. This will now be made up by £1m funding from the Mayor of London (thanks Boris!), £3m from the

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-78924597410894877902010-01-09T18:59:00.004Z2010-01-09T21:22:56.148Z

Royal Greenwich: Let's make it mean somethingLast night the Mayor of Greenwich hosted a short-notice reception at the Town Hall to raise a glass to this week's announcement of our impending Royal Borough status. It was a happy event, and everyone is understandably proud at the news. I was also, incidentally, pleased to see The Queen's portrait now proudly displayed in the Mayor's parlour, rather

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-39255296506798597822010-01-07T18:34:00.005Z2010-01-07T18:56:13.165Z

True GritAfter battling into work and back yesterday, I had to concede defeat today with trains failing to run on the Dartford line. I had a long piece of work to do, so stayed home, logged into my work email and got on with it. Fine, until my central heating stopped working. I'm glad to say the 'Doctor Who' approach of delivering a sharp whack to the side of the boilder got it fired up

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-91314400187038008022010-01-06T17:34:00.003Z2010-01-07T00:11:42.001Z

Beating the snowFed up with the chaos on the trains, I escaped Westminster and travelled back to Greenwich tonight on a Thames Clipper. The service was running normally, and as ever it's a great way to beat the crowds and travel in comfort. Ironically, leaving work early I will now miss the launch tonight of a report by Policy Exchange on river transport. Making better use of the Thames was a

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-3677539035431670202010-01-05T15:18:00.004Z2010-01-05T15:53:13.736Z

The Royal Borough of Greenwich!The news has just been announced in the House of Lords by Lord Mandelson that Greenwich is to be made a Royal Borough by Her Majesty The Queen to mark her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. It is fantastic news, and I am overjoyed.Although I had no advance knowledge of the announcement, I have taken a particular interest in this issue over the years since becoming a

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-91210264739469116442010-01-04T09:14:00.001Z2010-01-04T09:14:53.797Z

I'm just catching up on the Christmas edition of Private Eye and spotted this in the 'Rotten Boroughs' column. It just about sums up the hypocrisy of Labour's 'Tory cuts' attack. We all know savings have to be made nationally and locally. Let's be honest about it.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-53169926732942223782009-12-29T22:46:00.006Z2010-01-05T00:45:30.625Z

Changes planned for Firepower museumIt wouldn't be a Christmas break without an unexpected interruption, and this year I've been lured away from the leftover party snacks and TV specials by a last-minute item being added to the agenda of the Council's Cabinet Committee tomorrow. The Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich ("Firepower") has faced significant funding difficulties for several years, and

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-76369750378711484912009-12-22T09:44:00.006Z2009-12-22T10:28:47.844Z

Slip-ups in the snowWell, I certainly wasn't alone in my rant last night. The papers this morning all had a similar theme:Much as I feel uncomfortable joining the grumpy "all-gone-to-hell-in-a-handcart" tone of the Daily Mail, their headline is apt: Why can't we cope? I didn't rush to blame Greenwich Council last night for my having to walk the last part of my journey, as clearly the problem is

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-12469928853985715222009-12-21T23:27:00.008Z2009-12-22T00:30:22.148Z

Snow way backExcuse the rant, but really - why oh why oh why does the transport system in this country seize up at the first suggestion of cold weather? It's not as though coldness is a rarity in the UK, and yet every time the temperature plummets the railways and roads collapse.On Friday it took me five hours to get from London to Portsmouth - I left on the 6.02pm from Victoria , which was then

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-56572984482251487232009-12-21T16:45:00.001Z2009-12-21T16:45:54.284Z

Well, last week's snow didn't make it to SW1, but now it's coming down fast and settling. This is the view from my office window, looking towards Westminster Abbey. Not promising for getting to a friend's party in Forest Hill tonight!

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-25389693429041735982009-12-18T11:24:00.002Z2009-12-18T11:36:50.304Z

Labour says no to scrutiny by the OppositionWednesday's Council meeting included a motion tabled by my colleagues seeking a fairer political balance in the way Chairs of Scrutiny Panels are allocated. At present all the Chairmen of these panels, which are intended to scrutinise the executive, are held by Labour councillors. We have long felt that it would be appropriate if at least some of them

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-43856818662524596672009-12-18T11:01:00.005Z2009-12-18T11:10:23.888Z

Eltham Wonderland!Eltham looks very pretty this morning- shame I had to go to work and couldn't spend longer taking photos. Here are a few from my walk to the station anyway.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-54681082981989060272009-12-15T21:51:00.003Z2009-12-16T13:17:11.980Z

Greenwich Park: A fair debateThere has been renewed focus on the use of Greenwich Park for the 2012 Olympics' equestrian events, now that the planning application has been submitted to the Council. As I am not a member of the planning committee, I am free (unlike those who are) to give my view publicly. Firstly, I think we should recognise and give credit to LOCOG for the efforts they have taken

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-52915472708052378742009-12-10T10:23:00.004Z2009-12-10T10:52:14.560Z

Labour's election budget So now we know what Labour's masterplan for winning the next election is - a shameless return to the class war, soaking the rich and helping the poor. Right?Well, that's what they wanted us to think. The clumsy (and probably ineffective) raid on banker's bonuses, combined with the uprating of pensions and er, cutting bingo tax, were supposed to be what caught the media

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-11391570767454982542009-12-09T11:02:00.003Z2009-12-09T11:09:50.393Z

Backdrop to the Pre-Budget ReportWhatever rabbits Alistair Darling attempts to conjure up this afternoon, CCHQ's stunt last night reminds us all of the reality of the situtation the country finds itself in.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-92211531480007605852009-12-02T21:04:00.005Z2009-12-02T22:37:47.164Z

Changing TrainsA very timely poster campaign has made an appearance recently. Tonight I saw the above message 'It's Time for change' on several billboards on Woolwich Arsenal station. Not an early attack by the Conservatives, but an advert from Southern rail about their new timetable. Let's hope the message gets through to local voters, anyway. It's certainly amusing to think Labour councillors

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-10560758615216589332009-11-23T09:41:00.004Z2009-11-23T10:57:01.491Z

Flood: Could it happen here? The floods in Cumbria have been absolutely dreadful, with the tragic loss of policeman Bill Barker, and millions of pounds of damage. Down here in London it may all seem a little remote , but should act as another warning to us. Just imagine the devastation and loss of life if a flood of that scale were to hit the Capital.In fact, you don't need to imagine it - there

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-53859532126058320512009-11-18T13:19:00.012Z2009-11-18T13:59:05.622Z

The Queen's Speech: Was that it? The State Opening of Parliament is always a wonderful day of pageantry, with swords, robes, silly hats and the fantastic procession bringing the Queen to the Palace of Westminster to play out the symbolism of our Parliamentary system.But as Her Majesty rode back to Buckingham Palace today across Horseguards' Parade (shown in my picture above), she might be

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-28311903816134773502009-11-17T11:59:00.004Z2009-11-17T12:56:38.082Z

Happy 80th Birthday to the CRDToday marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Conservative Research Department (CRD) by Neville Chamberlain in 1929. This curious old institution has existed within the Party in various forms, despite the changing whims of successive Leaders, and the changing demands of political life. The Department tends to inspire huge loyalty and affection from its

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-4077671567988569562009-11-09T22:58:00.008Z2009-11-10T00:04:22.264Z

Berlin: 20 years after the wall The scenes in Berlin tonight are impressive and evocative, as world leaders gathered to mark 20 years since the dramatic night that the wall began to come down. It was particularly poignant to see former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev taking part in the commemorations, 22 years after President Reagan's famous speech calling on him 'Mr Gorbachev, tear down this

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-71382432126915609392009-11-08T12:09:00.004Z2009-11-08T15:18:03.600Z

We will remember themI'm currently away staying with friends in Deal in Kent, so observed the Remembrance Sunday service at the local war memorial here. This year I think there's an added poignancy with the last of this country's First World War veterans having passed away, and troops still being killed and injured in Afghanistan. Never has it been more important for us to pause and reflect on

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-48796773498752614792009-11-05T15:55:00.004Z2009-11-05T16:51:00.982Z

Europe debate comes to Eltham Eltham residents had something of an exclusive preview of the current debate on Europe when Shadow Europe Minister Mark Francois came to address a public meeting at St Luke's Church Hall (just a few doors down from my flat, conveniently!).Mark began by apologising for the fact he couldn't at that time reveal what the Party's plans were should the Lisbon Treaty be

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-71257999963387321542009-11-05T15:54:00.003Z2009-11-05T16:25:22.857Z

Lunch, Tudor-styleOne of the hidden gems in Eltham is the Tudor Barn in Well Hall Pleasaunce, near to Eltham Station. It is the only remaining building of the original Well Hall manor, home to Thomas More when he was Henry VIII's Lord Chancellor. In recent years it had become rather run-down and was a fairly scruffy pub, until the Council (to their credit) took away the lease and put it out to

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-32921993281954797802009-11-05T15:50:00.004Z2009-11-05T16:26:29.206Z

Fighting the BNP There was a lot of debate about the BBC's decision the other week to invite Nick Griffin onto Question Time, with some arguing that his loathesome BNP should be denied the oxygen of publicity, whilst others pointed out that they must be confronted and defeated in debate.I am instinctively in the latter category, believing that 'no-platform' policies such as those operated by the

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-19483953427901320642009-11-05T12:24:00.001Z2009-11-05T12:24:15.499Z

I've just been over at Westminster Abbey where the Duke of Edinburgh opened the British Legion field of Remembrance. A very moving and simple service, made more poignant by the dreadful loss of life in Afghanistan, particularly yesterday's killings by an Afghan police trainee. On leaving, heavy traffic stopped the Duke's car being able the get to the exit to meet him. A bus blocked the way, and

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-11154658883692500692009-10-12T17:42:00.003+01:002009-10-12T17:49:49.289+01:00

Miss Smith goes to WestminsterA wonderful sight this afternoon as my friend Chloe Smith finally took her seat in Parliament. Having won the by-election in Norwich North in July, she had to wait all summer until the House returned after the summer recess, but lost no time in making her debut today.She has already proved herself an effective representative for her constituency, having been selected

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-71747060041965166612009-10-11T22:22:00.001+01:002009-10-11T22:22:49.346+01:00

My phone battery expired before I could blog my reaction to David Cameron's speech last week, but my post beforehand pretty much covered it. It struck the right tone, with a sober assessment of the scale of the problem facing the country, but a positive vision of how a Conservative government could make a positive difference. The most powerful moment was his declaration that the poorest in

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-34624006034336200712009-10-08T14:13:00.001+01:002009-10-08T14:13:21.266+01:00

The queues to get into the hall for David Cameron's speech this year have been huge, stretching well outside the building. As a party staffer in previous years I had a good view of the hall from the sidelines, but this year I joined the hundreds of others in the queue, so am particularly pleased to have found a good seat for what will be an historic speech.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-47581174230158902182009-10-08T12:07:00.001+01:002009-10-08T12:07:59.045+01:00

Those of you familiar with Conservative literature, and anyone who has been to a Tory event in recent years will be familiar with the images of blue skies and trees which are now used as backdrops for speeches and on printed material. It reinforces the theme of 'change, hope and optimism' with which David Cameron campaigned for the leadership four years ago. Since then, the dark economic clouds

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-7471284584986566382009-10-07T15:10:00.001+01:002009-10-07T15:10:56.599+01:00

Merchandising triumph of the week so far- the Taxpayers Alliance are dishing out bags emblazoned with 'I love low taxes', which a large number of conference-goers are now using to carry their accumulated clutter. Not quite the leadership's message of choice for the age of austerity, but full marks for effort. My former colleague Alex Deane models them above.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-63786947665026599612009-10-07T15:01:00.001+01:002009-10-07T15:01:53.133+01:00

Ok, so it's not big or clever, but I can tell you the pork pies being sold at conference as 'Gordon Brown's Porky Pies' are absolutely delicious.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-50829825465974655252009-10-07T01:00:00.001+01:002009-10-07T01:00:05.811+01:00

It says something about how far the Tory party has come in recent years that the only hostility faced by gay Party members attending tonight's Tory Pride party in Manchester came from Labour Party activists who took it upon themselves to picket the event with banners and loud hailers to scream abuse at attendees. All credit to Tory blogger Iain Dale, one of tonight's hosts, who went outside to

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-71602530996746524612009-10-06T15:58:00.001+01:002009-10-06T15:58:53.659+01:00

As regular readers (if I have any) will know, my flat in Eltham is just down the road from the local Labour HQ. This means every morning and evening I have to endure the sight of their shopfront and a garish huge photo of Clive Efford with Gordon Brown. Today, on my way to Manchester for the Conservative Party conference, I noticed that Clive has vanished, to be replaced by 'Vote Labour' posters

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-39766543789095505082009-09-29T11:16:00.002+01:002009-09-29T11:22:58.943+01:00

Update: Clive spotted at conferenceFurther to my post yesterday, I see (courtesy of BBC Parliament's conference coverage) that Clive Efford is indeed in Brighton, seen above with Jack Straw. Shame he couldn't make it to the platform yesterday - maybe he'll be warming up for Brown later?

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-21846999588559562122009-09-28T14:55:00.002+01:002009-09-28T15:17:45.712+01:00

Eltham Labour abandons conferenceLabour's conference is clearly not a happy place to be, and has hardly been packed out - as shown by the above photo, taken during Alistair Darling's speech.Labour members in Eltham have clearly joined the exodus. Just before Peter Mandelson's keynote speech, in the debate on Business, Innovation and Skills, the conference chair asked a representative from the

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-81715446257906333652009-09-25T00:22:00.005+01:002009-09-25T01:50:10.818+01:00

Greenwich Park: Olympic update There has been some controversy about the plans for the Olympics in Greenwich, and in particular about the holding of the horse-riding events in Greenwich Park. A local campaign group* has mounted a vocal campaign arguing that the venue is inappropriate, and will have negative consequences for the park.I have a lot of sympathy for people who are concerned -

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-66271396884219070242009-09-24T10:07:00.003+01:002009-09-24T10:10:34.309+01:00

More coverage of HMThe Bexley Times has now also followed up my story about The Queen's portrait at the Town Hall- a longer quote from a Council spokesman adds that 'The Town Hall is littered with images of the Royal History of Greenwich- a history of which we are proud and which we nurture carefully'. Glad to hear it- so let's get that portrait for the Chamber then.

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-16856104624217974512009-09-02T10:19:00.001+01:002009-09-02T10:19:22.321+01:00

My call for The Queen's portrait to be put on prominent display at the Town Hall features in today's Greenwich Mercury. Council Leader Chris Roberts has responded, saying it is 'Very unseemly' to politicise the Monarchy. It's a slightly odd reaction, but then he doesn't take criticism very well. I'm certainly not seeking to politicise the Monarchy - Her Majesty is above party politics, which is

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-62061273937941141442009-08-29T12:44:00.006+01:002010-01-09T21:25:24.411Z

Her Majesty found in Town Hall cupboard At a meeting in Woolwich Town Hall earlier this week I was rather astonished to stumble upon a portrait of Her Majesty The Queen, out of sight in a cupboard between the Council Chamber and the Members' cloakroom. .As the picture was on a stand, and there was also a Union Flag stowed alongside, I guessed that it is used at citizenship ceremonies. It does

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-47053336699177301392009-08-29T11:07:00.003+01:002009-08-29T11:35:49.395+01:00

Michael Martin's peerage announced by TwitterI must admit to being something of a constitutional geek, which is why I often read the London Gazette, the official journal for state and official announcements. It's also a wonderful historical resource.That's how it was that I noticed Michael Martin's peerage had been "Gazetted", with the announcement in yesterday's edition that:'The Queen has been

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519088.post-66835834634791328602009-08-29T10:23:00.002+01:002009-08-29T11:00:46.732+01:00

Climate Camp comes to BlackheathIn common with many local people, I was very concerned when I heard that the "Climate Camp" protest had decided to pitch its tents on Blackheath. Although billed as an environmental awareness campaign, it is fair to say those organising and attending it often have a rather wider agenda. For example, their website covers "anti-bank" protests, demonstrations against

Nigelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319988144183858565noreply@blogger.com0