Let me pay my share!

Apologies for irregular posts. I am not losing interest in the blog - I have lost connection with technology!

I have a few days of annual leave and am floating up and down the River Thames, eating and drinking to excess. Sadly, rivers being the lowest point of any landscape, mobile and internet connections are generally poor.

Today I am in Windsor and posting this from the library - which bring my nicely onto one of my favourite rants. Why we continue to fund libraries the way we do.

Two years ago there was an perfectly pleasant and usable internet cafe in Windsor. Some chap had invested in a lease, bought the equipment and opened a small business. Last year, he was gone and the shop boarded up. I spoke to the man in the newsagents next door. The reason he (internet cafe man) went under was the local (taxpayer funded) library had expanded it's IT section and provided the service free of charge. I went to the library to use the facilities as there was nowhere else. Eighteen brand new computers in a row, of which only five were being used. I asked if I could use a machine and explained that I was not a resident of the Royal Borough, but was willing to pay. "Of no need for that" said the librarian. Would you like an hour or two hours? "An hour will do, but I would like to pay..." "Oh, don't worry. It's a free service..." And there's the problem - it's not free. The Council Tax payers of Windsor and Maidenhead - many on lower incomes than me - are paying for it.

Today I am back, and I am pleased to see in the age of austerity they have introduced charges for non-residents, but the token charge (50p) is not in any way a commercial rate.

Even now, when every local authority is cutting services, the old and poor of this Borough are still subsidising me to use the internet (whilst our £45,000 boat is moored alongside the river bank). It's wrong. Today the 18 computers are still in a row, and I am the only user.  Sitting behind me at several scattered tables are a collection of middle class retired gentlemen reading free copies of broadsheet newspapers, which they could easily afford to buy.    A lady has just entered and asked to use the photocopier. I heard her tell the librarian that at 5p a copy it's half the price of the local photocopy shop.   

In many libraries the establishment costs and salaries are so high that it costs more to lend a book than to buy it new.

Next time we hear of a cash-strapped council trying to close down or merge a local library, instead of signing petitions and writing letters of disgust to the local press, perhaps we should spare a thought for the internet cafe owner in Windsor who lost his business due to municipal do-goodery.  Or to the owner of the photocopy shop which is losing profit as the taxpayer funded library can undercut him as they don't need to cover their capital costs. Or the local newsagent whose newspaper and magazine sales are falling because the family on a breadline in the poorest end of Maidenhead are paying more Council Tax than they need to pay so retired colonels in Windsor can read the Telegraph free of charge.   Even spare a thought for a relatively comfortably-off boat owner who is able and willing to pay his fair share but isn't allowed to do so.

Or perhaps we should just admit that libraries are a relic of a bygone age and turn them all into community-run trusts, thus freeing the hard pressed taxpayers (most of whom use the services least) from the obligation of paying for them?

The Old Avenger

It was good to see Tunbridge Wells Lib Dem Councillor Dave Neve (Never Say Neve), along with his fragrant sidekick, Ben, plying his trade in West Malling & Leybourne last Thursday. According to one of our volunteers, who was trapped at a polling station with him, TW Lib Dems had come across 'mob-handed' to 'avenge themselves for the Tunbridge Wells East result of a few weeks earlier'! This statement opens up all sorts of delicious questions. Firstly, what would be the collective noun for Liberal Democrat activists? I shall start the ball rolling with a 'pomposity'. Any better suggestions, please leave a comment. My second point is the 'avenge' bit. First we had Honor Blackman in The Avengers. Then we had Joanne Lumley in the New Avengers. Now we have Cllr Dave Neve and the TW Lib Dems in 'The Old Avengers'. I suppose, without being too sarcastic, the TW LibDems, with five seats out of 48, are marginally more successful than their T&M counterparts with four seats out of 53. But that's really like saying Eddie the Eagle was more successful than the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team. It'[s a straight choice really. Now, what do they say...? Winning HERE!

Breaking News - Colonel Tim Collins OBE endorses Craig Mackinlay

Iraq war hero, Colonel Tim Collins OBE, has endorsed Craig Mackinlay for Kent Police & Crime Commissioner.

The full edorsement can be read here: TIM COLLINS ENDORSEMENT


Colonel Collins, who led 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, gave a rousing speech to his troops on the eve of the Iraq War. He was widely expected to stand for the Conservative nomination in Kent, but withdrew after business commitments prevented him attending the various meetings.

"We go to Iraq to liberate not to conquer. We will not fly our flags in their country. We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Show respect for them.

There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly. Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send. As for the others I expect you to rock their world. Wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory.

Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham. Tread lightly there. You will see things that no man could pay to see and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis. You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing. Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country. Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you.

If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day. Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves.

It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive but there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign. We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back. There will be no time for sorrow.

The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction. There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam. He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done. As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity.

It is a big step to take another human life. It is not to be done lightly. I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts, I can assure you they live with the Mark of Cain upon them. If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family.

The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please.

If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer. You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation.

[Regarding the use by Saddam of chemical or biological weapons] It is not a question of if, it's a question of when. We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself. If we survive the first strike we will survive the attack.

As for ourselves, let's bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there.

Our business now is north."

Cllr Sophie Shrubsole

Well, we did it! It was a tough fight, and there were times over the last few days I felt it might go to the wire, but in the end we won by a far larger margin than I thought possible. The full result:

Labour: 123
Green: 43
Sophie Shrubsole Conservative: 769
Liberal Democrat: 472
UKIP: 127
English Democrat 57

Conservative majority 297

Sophie was a super candidate; hard working, credible on the doorsteps and willing to accept advice and guidance from her team. Her speech of thanks after the count was exemplary and she won warm applause from everyone present, and deservedly so.

Judging by the resources they poured into the campaign I suspect the LibDems thought they might just pull it off. I won't shed crocodile tears. In one of our leaflets we described some of their positions of local issues as disingenuous. According to the dictionary:

      Not noble; unbecoming true honour or dignity; mean; unworthy; fake or deceptive.2.      Not ingenuous; not frank or open; uncandid; unworthily or meanly artful. [quotations ▼ 3.      Assuming a pose of naivete to make a point or for deception.

In hindsight, I could think of no better adjective.

In the end, we won the Leybourne ballot box by a significant margin, we won the postal vote by a country mile, and whilst the LibDems won today's vote in West Malling, I suspect (with the postal vote included) even there it was a close run thing.

However, no candidate or agent can win alone, and once again I have received the support of a truly super team, many of whom have been fighting elections by my side for over a decade. Here is the roll of honour (with apologies to anyone I have missed off the list):

From London: Phil Thomas, Steve O'Connell and Simon Hoare

From Tunbridge Wells: Greg Clark MP, Frank Williams, Bob Backhouse, William Rutherford, Caroline Derrick, Philip Young and James Tansley

From Rochester: Craig Mackinlay and Chris Irvine

From Brighton: Steve Bell and Maria Caulfield

From Chatham & Aylesford: Kathy Doody, Mike Franklin, Adrian Gulvin, Allan Sullivan, Peter Homewood, Dave Davis, Roger Dalton, John Balcombe, Joyce Gadd, Mike Parry-Waller, Russ Taylor, Jeannett Bellamy, Carol Gale, Anne Moloney and Stephen King

From Tonbridge & Malling: Jacques Arnold, Matthew Dickins, Gill Levine, Richard Brown, Edward Pugh, Monica Blight, Gill McDermott, Ann Charlton, Edward Pugh, Ella Weaver, Pat Baines, Jon Botten, Matthew Balfour, Sasha Luck, Howard Rogers, Jean Atkinson, Pam Bates, Owen Baldock, David Cure, Lynne Cure, Ben Elks, Jessica Elks, Russell Lancaster, David Evans, Nicolas Heslop, Maria Heslop, Sue Murray, David Godfrey, Sarah Hohler, Alice Hohler, Valerie Dagger Glynis Coates, Harry Rayner, Karen Stannard and Sir John and Elizabeth Stanley and Ann-Marie Nelson.

From CCHQ: Stacey Ingram, Victoria Goff, Stephen Ion and Stacey Siggins

And, of course, to David Hughes, Richard Beesley, Jackie Geddes and all the Officers and staff at T&MBC for their  outstanding professionalism and efficiency.

Getting Out the Vote in West Malling & Leybourne



Getting Out The Vote in West Malling & Leybourne
From left: Jacques Arnold, Lynne Cure, Cllr John Balcombe, Cllr Allan Sullivan,
Sophie Shrubsole, Cllr Caroline Derrick, Benjamin Elks and Cllr Mike Parry-Waller.

Blogging 'live' from the home of Jacques Arnold (former MP for Gravesend and now Association Chairman in Tonbridge & Malling) who is kindly hosting the Campaign HQ. The latest news is the West Malling ballot box is too close to call, but we appear to be well ahead in Leybourne, and the postal votes too.  Still over 5 hours until close of poll, but we have visited every pledge once and are about to start calling a second time.

My thanks to a massive team of friends and supporters who have come from across West Kent to assist our GOTV efforts.  

Here are a selection of photographs taken today

With Lynne Cure (Tonbridge) and Cllr Chris Irvine (Rochester)

Jacques Arnold, Sophie Shrubsole and Cllr Caroline Derrick

Another vote in the right box

A Day in the Life of a Constituency Agent

In the train en route to the office:

• Call around Mackinlay for Kent Campaign Team for briefings and feedback on yesterday''s activity, including briefing on last night's "big happening"
• Speak to shortlisted print providers re quotes and time frames
• Exchange texts with CCHQ staffer re data management requirements

9am-Noon

• Book venue for Special Meeting of TW Executive Council 
• Print off and distribute Notice Convening Executive Meeting
• Book venue for meeting of TW Local Government Committee
• Circulate Notice Convening Meeting and copies of candidates' CVs as part of Kent CC selection process
• Unplanned meeting with Kent CC hopeful who was bemoaning his lack of opportunity due to bed blockers. Listened sympathetically whilst guillotining Sophie Shrubsole "Don't Forget To Vote Today" leaflets. After he stopped moaning I sent him off with 150 GOTV leaflets with a cheery "the harder you work the better chance you have of finding a seat".
• Opened post and found the two anticipated medical emergency proxy vote forms. Persuaded next volunteer to take them to Council and hand to ERO.  
• Printed off canvassing packs for Cllr Phil Thomas who was driving from Croydon to do some last minute canvassing of 'out's
• Prepared Return of Election expenses for TW East KCC By Election and sent to candidate for signature

Noon - 3pm

• Long discussions with Solicitors re planning permission for sale of basement at TW
• Further discussions with trustees and Association Treasurer re same
• Conversation with Mackinlay Chief of Staff re Kent are meeting on Friday
• Write briefing note for Graham Riddick, Craig Mackinlay etc for Kent Area meeting
• Confirm Sir John Stanley's next surgery and return calls to 5 constituents awaiting appointments
• Dispatch 6 sets of volunteers with Sophie Shrubsole GOTV cards

3pm - 8pm

• Write detailed handover note for Jon Botten who is on holiday this week and returning next Monday when I will be away
• Circulate email chasing stragglers for Patrons' Club Garden Party with Charles Hendry
• Circulate note to Association and Branch Officers thanking them for supporting 2012 Summer Draw (both TW and T&M increased sales compared with last year - the only two Associations in Kent to do so)
• Write thank you notes to various members for successful fund raising events or campaign support
• Buy Phil Thomas cup of coffee (least I could do as he travelled 80 mile round trip!)
• Prepare Campaign HQ supplies
• Drop tellers pads and rosettes off with 7am tellers
• Catch train home.

Get Out The Vote - but leave the emu behind!

Tomorrow, we enter the final GOTV phase in our campaign to retain West Malling & Leybourne, and Thursday will hopefully draw to a close 5 months of solid campaigning, which begain in February with the Cowden & Hever by-election, followed by the usual round of local elections and the Boris Johnson Mayoral campaign in April and May, then the Tunbridge Wells East Kent CC By election in June and finally the West Malling & Leybourne By Election on Thursday.

Each of these campaigns has run into the next, with the opening leaflet of one campaign being designed, printed, folded and packed during the closing days of the one before it. I invest an enormous amount of physical and emotional energy in every campaign, and I cannot pretend that workload has not taken it's toll. I should also record the burdens placed on my home life, too. Having a partner who comes home at 9.00pm, eats dinner, then spends 3 hours in front of a laptop designing leaflets, emailing volunteers and plotting strategy, before collapsing in bed in the small hours has been no fun for Steve. I am so fortunate to have a partner who understands and supports me through everything I do.

As I am in a reflective mood I thought it would be fun to look back at my various posts on Twitter to capture my mood on previous election days. Blog posts like this are thought through and planned, but Twitter is much more a 'snapshot' of the time it was posted.  Here is a classic Tweet from Cowden and Hever at 5.30pm on polling day, Thursday 29 March!

In closing, I know I promised some "big news" from the Mackinlay for Kent Campaign. Afraid it's still embargoed - but hopefully out soon!

Dancing on the Head of a Pin

I don't feel that I stopped today, but at the end I'm not sure I actually did anything specific apart from talk, type and arrange.

The day started with the weekly meeting of the Mackinlay for Kent Campaign Team. Pulling together a brand new campaign covering 1.4 million people across 17 Parliamentary constituencies is an enormous undertaking. We seem to have spent countless hours on the phone, in meetings, emailing, texting and at times driving miles across Kent countryside to rendezvous in the most bizarre places - the most memorable of which was in a leaking medieval barn, accessed across a courtyard full of cow poo.  Don't ask!

So much progress has been made in just two weeks and I hope to be in a position to announce major news very soon, but not quite yet!  However, here is where we are

• New campaign website launched and live - take a look!
• Twitter and Facebook up and running. 
• Campaign phone number launched - phone us on 01622 235000
• Campaign email addresses live - email me at campaign@craigmackinlay.com
• Three Regional Campaign HQ identified and established (North, West and East Kent)
• Mail processing and data management centre identified with lease under negotiation
• Funding initiative written which, if agreed, will reduce burden on Associations
• First leaflet of the campaign in draft form and will be sent to print next week
• Campaign strategy meeting with all Kent Associations 'pencilled in' for end July.

Not a bad start for a group who met together for the first time just two weeks ago!  And I must place on record what a super team it is. Everyone has been selected for a specific skill they bring to the campaign, we all respect each other's abilities and allow each other the space to fulfill our roles.  It's a pleasure to work with such a strong, motivated and skilled group of people.

Back at the ranch, my long suffering assistant, Jon, has buggered off on holiday, so I was greeted by a pile of post and countless emails and answerphone messages. Today was also the last day for the Summer Draw, and I had to pack and despatch the T&M and TW raffle ticket counterfoils to HQ. I can report that both of the Associations I work for showed a small increase in tickets sales compared with last year.  Given the political and economic climate, I am pleased about this as I am not aware of any other Association in Kent to have increased sales.

I also finalised today the local re-selection timetable for next year's Kent CC elections. I passionately support the Party's new Mandatory Selection Guidelines which ensure every councillor must be re-approved and re-selected, with the wider membership having the final say in who is chosen. As I wrote in a previous blog post, the councillors who object most strongly to these changes are those who have the most to fear by having to defend their record and justify their re-selection!

Then a blow - a call from Marion Little, one of the Party's national campaign strategists. "Hello andrew - we're still waiting for your analysis and report on how we won Tunbridge Wells East. We're all looking forward to it."  Urgghhhhhh.   Vague promise about having it ready "after my holiday".  She told me that she has a good memory and won't let me forget.

Finally, amongst the detritus of administration, a very exciting phone call from Craig regarding a meeting he is having tomorrow (Tuesday) evening which will lead to a major announcement. Sorry to be a tease - but watch this space!

Bromley, Barleywood and Barges

Without exception, everyone we have told that we are packing up our comfortable lives in suburban London (or is it urban Kent) and moving onto our boat, has greeted the news with enthusiasm. Comments range from "lucky you" to "how exciting" and "sounds wonderful".  Neither of us, however, are under any illusions of how big a transition this will be. Moving out of a five roomed garden flat with high ceilings and plenty of space (including cellars) and onto a 50 ft narrow boat, is a massive step (even if it is a temporary one as our new Dutch Barge will have 4x as much living space).

Steve and I have both lived full lives and each of us had a home before we got together ten years ago.  As a consequence we have more accumulated 'detritus' than most. For example, have you ever met a couple with five silver teapots, three Wedgewood dinner services or three fondue sets? And that's just the contents of one kitchen cupboard!  The situation is not helped by the fact we are both bibliophiles, neither of us has ever thrown away a book since childhood. Apart from books, I am quite minimalist, but Steve is a hoarder. Our cellar was filled with things we mustn't throw away as they might one day come in use. The fact that we have carried this junk from one home to another, and none has ever been useful, does not seem to have dampened his enthusiasm.  Personally, I cannot imagine that anyone would ever find use for broken lawn strimmer or 26 quarter full pots of paint (not to mention a wobbly artist's easel or a wicker basket filled with Tupperware tubs with missing lids).  

The impending move has forced us, however, to rationalise our lives. Slowly but surely we have moved from room to room sorting our belongings. Today we sent the first van load to the tip and another van load has gone into storage. We have started writing and emailing the multitude of companies we deal with informing them of our new address. Next week Barleywood is lifted from the water and transported by road to Rochester, by the end of July we will have moved on board, with two cats, just one silver teapot and no lidless Tupperware!

Barleywood, taken a few weeks ago at Godalming Wharf

Our new Dutch Barge will be the same model as this one

My name's TANSLEY, JAMES TANSLEY

Our recent by-election victor in Tunbridge Wells East is James Tansley.  James is a former diplomat and served, amongst other postings, as UK Rep in Southern Iraq.  During the campaign a rumour circulated that he was an MI6 agent. I raised this with James who strongly denied the internet-based rumours but added, "there's little point denying it as no-one will believe the denial anyway". His subsequent comment, "and if anyone wants to confirm that I wasn't a spy I suggest they phone the MI6 Press office!" did little to convince me!

James has just sent me this marvellous mock-up of a James Bond poster, produced by his brother, which he has given me permission to publish on my blog!  For the sake of those who don't know, his LibDem opponent was called Dave Neve! 

Now James, do you really think this will dampen the rumours?