This week

27/01/07

What a week politically.

The story of the week must be the naivety of the Libdem councillors and the political impropriety of the Conservatives. The Tories at council last week were unbelievable in there approach to Travellers and Gypsy, their argument that the city did not need a transit site, that those who would use them would be nuisance and that there is room at the current permanent site in the city was ill informed and pandering to the gallery, that was full of concerned Swaythling residents.

The city does need a transit site due to the number of illegal encampements that have cost the authority and city residents money, as Councillor who has the permanent gypsy site in my ward there is not the room on it and in four years as a councillor there has never been complaint from residents to me about the site or its residents!

Then to top the issue and controversy, a residents meeting chaired by one of the conservatives' more right wing councillors, where the three Swaythling councillors were put on the spot by the residents. For some reason the word manipulation comes to mind........

So the Libdems say they will support the residents and the Echo laps it up. The problems with Libdem councillors is there constant "focus", that local comes first. I would love to be fly on the wall at the Libdem next group meeting.

New Blog or is it a "shows off " diary?

25/01/07

This is the first time I have sat down to write a diary of any sort since my twenties. I realise this not just any old diary it is very public one.

My aim is to record my reflections of Southampton local politics as I and must say, as I see it. This is not the view of Labour or the city council but my personal point view.

Why now? Well I have been a city councillor for 4 years now and face reelection and the one question I still face most often from constituents, residents and the general public. Is what do councillors do? The second is usually why do you do it?

I want to try to answer these questions as well share the experience.

I hope you get chance to check my "blog".