Big Brother's Little Sister..... Welcome Ellie!

No, this is not a reference to the latest Big Brother news, but I'm delighted to post and announce that Kate, the partner to my eldest nephew, Mark, gave birth at 1.15 this morning to Ellie!!

So, welcome Ellie to the family, to your Mum and Dad and big brother, Luke, and this great-Uncle is over happy for them all. Mum and daughter are doing just grand......

Health Secretary keeps her job.... others in NHS lose theirs or are moved around

Patricia Hewitt survived an effective vote of no confidence the other evening in the House of Commons after a debate brought forward by Tory MPs over her handling of the NHS.

Now, I'm finding this quite difficult, but perhaps if MPs had voted her out my Labour Government may finally have woken up to see the mess and chaos that the NHS is in. Staff morale gets lower every day. The wonderful PFI schemes are failing, new wards close almost as quickly as they open. Hopsital Trusts are expected to balance the books and by this force staff to be redeployed in the hope of avoiding paying out redundancy payments and lay off Doctors and Nurses, whilst expecting those that remain in the NHS to work longer hours.

Of course, we now have the disgraceful shambles of patients' details being sent off to India, Pakistan and South Africa and a colleague in the office that I work in found out yesterday that she is being "redeployed" as the majority of her work goes to India, on a personal basis, I'm relieved because if it hadn't been her, it would have been me.

Yet whilst all of this is happening, we have managers galore being appointed and their duties appear to be hold meetings to then arrange meetings to talk about targets, whilst having a sub-group to look into this, make a few lowly people redundant or freeze posts, so another manager can be appointed to sit on a task force, hold a consultation event which creates another committee, shut down a few beds, lay off a nurse or three, appoint a new manager and report that the Trust has just about broke even.

But at least Patricia Hewitt is secure in her job. She is failing the health service and has lost the plot and yes, she has lost my confidence. And you know what hurts more than anything, it was Labour that created the NHS, appeared to be saving the NHS in 1997 and now is overseeing it die off, so message to Gordon Brown, fewers managers and start caring about patient care when you become Prime Minister in a few weeks time get rid of Patricia Hewitt and some of the yes-men in the department of health (sic).

Bank holiday weekend, bound to rain

Well, it's that time again, yup the good old English Bank Holiday Weekend and the weather looks like it will pee down, typical.

Anyhow, after my surgery tomorrow I shall be popping up to Royston to join family as we celebrate my Nan's 94th birthday, so Happy Birthday to a very special lady in my life!!! After that will be going all over the houses to get back to Wood Green because of engineering works on the train lines. I'm sorry, but it has to be said, it is all well and good for everyone trying to be environmentally-friendly, but of course people will use cars rather than trains, it really is far more convenient and I believe safer in terms of personal safety. Nuff said, after getting home I will then spend time seeing my friend from Saudi. More than nuff said.

Have a good one - oh and I'll be watching Dr Who at some stage thanks to teleport replay and beware of the scarecrows!!!

When to rest, only if a difficult vote happens

It seems that the Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has shingles and I wish her a speedy recovery.

She has been told to rest, but it seems that the ever hard-working all year round MP will only take some days off, whilst working on others. For example, doing yet ANOTHER radio broadcast, oh ensuring she is seen at an area assembly meeting in Muswell Hill and being at last night's annual council meeting.

However, when it matters for her to be in the House of Commons and vote, she pulls a sickie, yes you've guessed it, Lynne was not in the House for last Friday's vote on the Freedom of Information Act exemptions for MPs.

Now I am not claiming for one moment that Lynne wasn't well, no actually, it makes you wonder. She has been our MP for two years now and sometimes you have to take tough decisions and this is what neither Lynne or Lib Dems can do, for example they are meant to be against foundation schools, yet a Haringey Lib Dem councillor who tries to pretend he is to the left of Labour sits on the fence, and why? They don't want to make the decisions and upset middle-class voters.

It's why for seven years the Lib Dems refused to sit on the Alexandra Palace Board and if truth be told, they are probably secretly delighted at not having won the council last year for the fear of having to make decisions on the Palace and Park and winding up their own supporter(s).

Another example, you'll recall how the Liberal Democrat councillors in Haringey spoke and all voted against an increase in members' allowances last November, of course they have taken the money - all 27 of them, not a single one has declined the increase, which they can do if they want.

Perhaps a few more might fall ill for key votes, at least then they can claim they were not there when the vote was taken....

We have a new Mayor

Congratulations to Tottenham Hale Labour Councillor, Sheik Thompson, who was elected the new Mayor of Haringey by 30 votes to 26 at last night's annual council meeting.

The new deputy mayor is Labour councillor for Bruce Grove ward, Councillor Dilek Dogus and our Borough's first Kurdish person in the Mayoral offices, so well done to Dilek.

All but one of the Councillors were present last night, former Lib Dem chief whip, Ron Aitken, was not present, either having got lost in coming back from Scotland where he stood in the Scottish Parliament elections (he was a "local" candidate you know) or just miffed that the Liberals have picked a new chief whip. So, Ron is now out of power, who will he defect to next? I mean he's been in almost any party that will have him, except Labour, and times may be slightly hard, but we ain't that desperate!!!

But all that aside, good luck to the new Mayoral team as they will do their best to represent the whole of Haringey in the year ahead.

More Sontarans come to DVD

Huruh!!

The BBC and 2entertain have announced more classic Dr Who DVDs to be released later in the year.

In a couple of weeks time the first story featuring fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, 'Robot' will be released - Tom has done a commentary with companion, Lis Sladen and Producer, Barry Letts, and writer, Terrance Dicks. On 9th July, 'Timelash' comes out. This is one of the best ever Dr Who adventures with classic acting, well-thought scripts, ok, actually, it's a bit crap and is actually one of the poorer stories, but eh, who cares, it's another DVD. Stars Colin Baker from 1985. Then on 6th August a double-bill starring Peter Davison, 1982's 'Time-Flight' and 1983's 'Arc of Infinity' - the latter of which was filmed on location in Amsterdam. Commentary on this DVD will feature Peter Davison and Colin Baker, who played a Time Lord called Maxil.

Janet Fielding, who played one of the Doctor's companions, Tegan, is giving her first t"to-camera" DVD interview. I've met Janet and she is a really lovely person and is a real good laugh.

And today, it has been announced that the Jon Pertwee story 'The Time Warrior' will be released in early September. This came from Pertwee's fifth and last year in the role and saw thr first appearance of a race of monsters called Sontarans. I remember this story really well when it was first shown in December 1973 (I was only 7 at the time) and really took to the Sontarans, though was not keen on the Doctor's companion, Sarah (played by Elisabeth Sladen). Oh, how times change.....

At the end of September, 26 episodes will be released from Tom Baker's 1978-79 season, 'The Key to Time' which will feature six complete stories.

And finally, just announced is the 1975 story 'Planet of Evil' also starring Tom and Lis Sladen. DVD extras are yet to be confirmed, but one thing is for certain, this Who fan is just so looking forward to reliving some childhood memories of fun and being scared....... a bit......

Now, what did I do with that sonic screwdriver? (Don't ask!)

New School will be run by the Council!!

Really excellent news has just come through that Haringey's new secondary school, which will be in Noel Park ward and the Haringey Heartlands will be really local, it will be a community school that is part of the local authority.

The decision has just been made by the School Adjudication Panel and comes after support for this from local residents, teachers, parents, governors and councillors and MPs (yes, both Labour and Lib Dem) and a brilliant performance both at the public meeting and public hearing by Haringey's Director of Children's Services, Sharon Shoesmith.

So, well done to all involved, this is a marvelous day, oh and one in the eye for acadamies. The emphasis will be on education for children, not how much money can be raised for shareholders. I am really excited by this opportunity and look forward to having a secondary school again in Noel Park ward.

Group elections #3

Last night Haringey's Labour Councillors met to elect our team for 2007-08.

Elected were;

Chair - Matt Cooke
Deputy Chair - Ray Dodds
Leader - George Meehan
Deputy Leader - Lorna Reith
Chief Whip - Claire Kober
Secretary - GMMH Rahman Khan
Assistant Whips - Alan Dobbie and Sheila Peacock

The following are being nominated to Monday's Annual Council as Cabinet members, being;

Adult Social Care & Wellbeing - Bob Harris
Children & Young People - Lis Santry
Community Cohesion & Involvement - Lorna Reith
Enforcement & Safer Communities - Nilgun Canver
Environment & Conservation - Brian Haley
Housing - Isidoros Diakides
Leisure, Culture & Lifelong Learning - Dhiren Basu
Regeneration & Enterprise - Kaushika Amin
Resources - Charles Adje

Our Committee chairs to be nominated are;

Alexandra Palace and Park Board - Matt Cooke
Audit Committee - GMMH Rahman Khan
General Purposes Committee - Eddie Griffith
Licensing Committee - Jayanti Patel
Pensions Committee - GMMH Rahman Khan
Planning Committee - Sheila Peacock

Our Scrutiny members will be Gideon Bull (chair), Pat Egan (vice-chair), Emma Jones and Toni Mallett.

I am being nominated to chair the Wood Green Area Assembly.

Sad to upset some, but quite a peaceful AGM, over by 9.30pn and having a curry by 10.

And like others, no I am not putting down the votes, so please do not ask, cos you won't get.... well, perhaps, if you're good!!!

LIB DEMS AND SNP DO COALITION DEAL!!

Not in the Scottish Parliament, yet, but on Edinburgh Council.

The Liberal Democrats, who are the largest Party, have 17 seats and have gone in with the Scot Nats (SNP) to form a "partnership administration" with their 12 members. Labour hold 15 seats, Tories 11 and Greens 3.

So, despite what the Lib Dems say about not working with the SNP in the Scottish Parliament, on the very local authority they are. Yet again, say one thing, do another. The Liberals will do anything for the taste of power, it is the only thing they are good at!

Group elections #2

Well, just a quick one then!!

Haringey Labour Councillors will be voting tonight in our Group Elections for the Council Leadership for the year ahead.

An interesting night is widely expected, with I'm sure, "too close to call", "wasn't expecting that" and a few "vote for me" pleas. Will there be upsets, will there be tears? More importantly, what do I wear???

Do we need the Lib Dems?

There is a lovely article in the Guardian today by Simon Jenkins "Nice but hopeless, the Lib Dems should call it a day".

I've said elsewhere what I think about the Lib Dems, but you know, say what one must about the Tories (and they're playing the Lib Dem card quite nicely at the moment), overall you know where you are with the Tories. The Liberals, well you name the policy you want and they'll back it to win your vote, they wanted higher taxes, now fear they won't win over Tory votes, they want to cut services, but fear of not getting Labour votes.

Sometimes, you have to make real policy and stand up for something, well at least once anyhow.

So, should the Lib Dems call it a day? You decide.... :-)

It's been a long time!

Hello there, remember me?

It has been almost a month since I placed a new entry on my blog.

Work and Council stuff has been busy, poor excuse and there seems so much to catch up on, starting with tomorrow's news that Tony Blair will make an announcement. Well, I wonder what that will be? Erm, oh yes, he will resign as Labour leader and for the next seven weeks the Party will begin the process of choosing it's next leader. It seems that the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, will be elected. Now whether he will face a challenge from the left of the party is unsure.

For my view, there should be a challange, a chance for debate, though I would not vote for either John McDonnell or Michael Meacher, so Gordon it is. However, there will be a far more interesting race for deputy leader and as mentioned before I'll be voting for Jon Cruddasm (Labour MP for Dagenham) to take over, but should he not get through it is a case of where will my second preference go? That is tricky, but it will probably be between Alan Johnson and Hilary Benn, in fact I won't really know until I get my ballot paper.

Of course last Thursday saw the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and English Council elections. Should I skip my comments, Hell no, these were not good for Labour losing almost 500 council seats, however given that we expected to lose around 750 is slightly better, in fact, yes we lost seats, however we also GAINED seats and GAINED councils, Leicester and Luton spring to mind, we made small net gains in Bristol and Southampton and we gained two seats in council by-elections in Hastings.

Yes a bad night for Labour, but to be honest ten years into government and the Tories should have been winning more. And what of the Lib Dems? A mixed night for them, though seeing Ming arrive in Eastbourne where the Liberals took control where the average age of people appears to be 102, Ming, I'm told upped the average age to 103. I'm sorry, I know it's cruel and un-PC, but hey they attack us, we attack them and given how evil and nasty Lib Dems can be (Charles Kennedy anyone??), I'll take no lectures from them about Ming. Anyhow, the Liberals who are so eager for any type of power will jump into bed with anyone if the price is right, clearly they are the prostitutes of politics. They are pretending to be shy about going in with the SNP, go on, you know you want to.... and in Wales do they go with Labour or go with the Tories and Plaid Cymru?

To quote from Simon Jenkins excellent article in today's Guardian "Coalition, the natural consequence of PR, removes the outcome of an election from the hustings to the private deal of corridors, cabals and careerism"....... "we have Lib Dem members flying around like £10 notes thrown into the wind. They carry no content, no programme, no sense of direction". Cor, wish I'd thought that bit up!!

So, not the best of night's for Labour and many good Labour people have lost their seats more for national than local issues in many cases (unless of course you have your rubbish removed every other week).

I will try and blog slightly more so we don't have these long items...

Stay tuned.