The latest video blog... enjoy.
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Hewitt and the Vote
For those of you who are not avid watchers of the Parliament channel let me tell you that there has been a debate and a vote of no confidence in the Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt this afternoon.
If a Minister is subject to a vote of no confidence they suffer a pay cut of a MASSIVE £1000. Patricia Hewitt makes £59,000 Parliamentary Salary and £74,000 Ministerial wage. I am sure that she would be devastated. What we really need to do is get rid of her.
In the end she was saved, so I guess the point of this post is to suggest that the vote was a waste of time and would still have been a waste of time even if the vote was successful. Once again, let's just get rid of her, she is aweful. Fortunately (and this is the first time I have ever said this) I think that Gordon Brown realises that too.
If a Minister is subject to a vote of no confidence they suffer a pay cut of a MASSIVE £1000. Patricia Hewitt makes £59,000 Parliamentary Salary and £74,000 Ministerial wage. I am sure that she would be devastated. What we really need to do is get rid of her.
In the end she was saved, so I guess the point of this post is to suggest that the vote was a waste of time and would still have been a waste of time even if the vote was successful. Once again, let's just get rid of her, she is aweful. Fortunately (and this is the first time I have ever said this) I think that Gordon Brown realises that too.
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Ben At Work
This is a short clip of me hard at work in the Conservative Office at Maidstone Borough Council...
Monday, 21 May 2007
Parish Council AGM
I know it looks like I am in a Queen video but I was in my car because I was cold!
Thursday, 17 May 2007
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
And the Council goes to...
The invitation stated that the Mayor's breakfast would take place in the Great Hall of the Archbishop's Palace so naturally I assumed that it would be some sort of Hogwarts-esque affair. Plates of the most amazing food would magically appear before us as we sat at tables beneath floating candles.
Not exactly.
We all crowded in and stood around chatting, drinking coffee and eating the bacon and sausage rolls provided by the good people of the Archbishop's Palace Catering Dept. Only on the way out did I notice the chocolate muffins! Poor reconnaissance work on my part there. After this we were led in procession to All Saints Church. I was stuck right at the back as the new boy.
The service was great. It was led by the Revd. Canon Christopher Morgan-Jones and the Chamber Choir of the Maidstone Girls Grammar sang. It was an interesting feeling for me sitting in the pews instead of the choir seats I sat in for seven years when I looked far more angelic than I do now.
The service was also attended by children from the Archbishop Cortenay School. They went outside into the courtyard of the Palace and waved us off as we left. I asked if we got a group of small children waving at us wherever we went but unfortunately we don't. Never mind.
Our first act as a whole council was to piss off the drivers of Maidstone when the traffic was stopped so we could walk from the Palace to Town Hall. The streets were lined with literally tens of people watching as we made our way, led once again by the Mayor and the Mace.
I took my place in the chamber. I don't want to sound like a Muppet, but it was a very proud moment for me. Surrounded by the names of every Mayor dating back to the 1500's and portraits of the Rt. Hon. Benjamin Disraeli I was taking a moment to take it all in as I stood at my seat. My place was marked with a sign saying 'Cllr Sherreard'. I won't lie to you, I was chuffed. Trying to recognize that this was maybe in the top three proudest moments of my life as I sat down was a mistake because as I was trying to take it all in I dropped my folder and pen all over the floor. Not the best start. Hardly anyone noticed.
I missed a lot of the Mayor making because I was desperately trying to focus on what was coming up in the meeting. However my congratulations and very best wishes to Mayor and Mayoress Ash for the upcoming year. I thoroughly enjoyed the Mayor's speech and look forward to him presiding over the Council.
The Liberal Democrats offered a cabinet position to ex-Mayor Cllr Fitzgerald and made policy promises to Cllr Hull and the Labour group. The Council is now run by a Liberal led coalition of Liberal, Labour and Independent although Cllr Hull was determined to point out that the Labour group supported the Liberals today but will not necessarily do so in the future. Let us just see if those policy promises are kept.
After the vote for leadership it was a fairly standard procedure for assigning committee places and positions on outside bodies. Though congratulations to Cllrs Blackmore, Wooding and Pollington on keeping their places on respective bodies despite the best efforts of the new coalition.
The meeting was all over to quickly. Call me a maniac but I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to working on the council, the environment and leisure overview and scrutiny committee with Cllrs Balckmore, Ring and Wooding, and of course serving the residents of Loose over the next four years. I have well and truly caught the bug. However that may be due to the beer that Cllr Garland bought me after the meeting.
Not exactly.
We all crowded in and stood around chatting, drinking coffee and eating the bacon and sausage rolls provided by the good people of the Archbishop's Palace Catering Dept. Only on the way out did I notice the chocolate muffins! Poor reconnaissance work on my part there. After this we were led in procession to All Saints Church. I was stuck right at the back as the new boy.
The service was great. It was led by the Revd. Canon Christopher Morgan-Jones and the Chamber Choir of the Maidstone Girls Grammar sang. It was an interesting feeling for me sitting in the pews instead of the choir seats I sat in for seven years when I looked far more angelic than I do now.
The service was also attended by children from the Archbishop Cortenay School. They went outside into the courtyard of the Palace and waved us off as we left. I asked if we got a group of small children waving at us wherever we went but unfortunately we don't. Never mind.
Our first act as a whole council was to piss off the drivers of Maidstone when the traffic was stopped so we could walk from the Palace to Town Hall. The streets were lined with literally tens of people watching as we made our way, led once again by the Mayor and the Mace.
I took my place in the chamber. I don't want to sound like a Muppet, but it was a very proud moment for me. Surrounded by the names of every Mayor dating back to the 1500's and portraits of the Rt. Hon. Benjamin Disraeli I was taking a moment to take it all in as I stood at my seat. My place was marked with a sign saying 'Cllr Sherreard'. I won't lie to you, I was chuffed. Trying to recognize that this was maybe in the top three proudest moments of my life as I sat down was a mistake because as I was trying to take it all in I dropped my folder and pen all over the floor. Not the best start. Hardly anyone noticed.
I missed a lot of the Mayor making because I was desperately trying to focus on what was coming up in the meeting. However my congratulations and very best wishes to Mayor and Mayoress Ash for the upcoming year. I thoroughly enjoyed the Mayor's speech and look forward to him presiding over the Council.
The Liberal Democrats offered a cabinet position to ex-Mayor Cllr Fitzgerald and made policy promises to Cllr Hull and the Labour group. The Council is now run by a Liberal led coalition of Liberal, Labour and Independent although Cllr Hull was determined to point out that the Labour group supported the Liberals today but will not necessarily do so in the future. Let us just see if those policy promises are kept.
After the vote for leadership it was a fairly standard procedure for assigning committee places and positions on outside bodies. Though congratulations to Cllrs Blackmore, Wooding and Pollington on keeping their places on respective bodies despite the best efforts of the new coalition.
The meeting was all over to quickly. Call me a maniac but I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to working on the council, the environment and leisure overview and scrutiny committee with Cllrs Balckmore, Ring and Wooding, and of course serving the residents of Loose over the next four years. I have well and truly caught the bug. However that may be due to the beer that Cllr Garland bought me after the meeting.
Friday, 11 May 2007
Media Me!
It is a very strange feeling I have had since yesterday. The Adscene came through the front door whilst I was watching the TV and instead of throwing it in the recycling pile like I usually do I read the front page. I did so because I saw my name on the front page. That is when the strange feeling began.
If that was a shock what met me on the next page blew my socks off. There on the page staring back up at me was my own ugly mug. Little old me got my picture in the paper. Very strange.
Then in the Kent Messenger I appear again (although thankfully not my image) being described as the ‘shock win’ in Loose Ward. The KM even quotes me. ME! Couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t remember it. I spoke to about four journalists immediately after the announcement of the result and I was on another planet. The KM quotes me as saying “I want to get the message out that not all youths are hoodie-wearing people to be afraid of”.
This is true. The majority of young people are good people. The VAST majority. Those avid readers of my blog will remember this post of mine about the KYCC and the young people involved in that. People need to remember that it is a very vocal minority of young people that are creating problems.
This is not my ‘hug a hoodie’ moment. My point is that being tough on crime doesn’t necessarily mean throwing all young people in prison or issuing ASBO’s left-right-and-centre (especially as they do not work). Being tough on crime means doing what works. It means doing what cuts crime. It means doing what makes people safe. I think the way to start is by recognising that fearing all young people is a bad thing.
These people are not born wanting to break the law. They were not born wanting to take drugs and scare residents. Let’s not just give up on them and throw them away. Let’s try and work out what will work and then do it. Until then you can always fill your time reading the election reports in the local papers or by drawing a moustache and comedy glasses on my picture.
If that was a shock what met me on the next page blew my socks off. There on the page staring back up at me was my own ugly mug. Little old me got my picture in the paper. Very strange.
Then in the Kent Messenger I appear again (although thankfully not my image) being described as the ‘shock win’ in Loose Ward. The KM even quotes me. ME! Couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t remember it. I spoke to about four journalists immediately after the announcement of the result and I was on another planet. The KM quotes me as saying “I want to get the message out that not all youths are hoodie-wearing people to be afraid of”.
This is true. The majority of young people are good people. The VAST majority. Those avid readers of my blog will remember this post of mine about the KYCC and the young people involved in that. People need to remember that it is a very vocal minority of young people that are creating problems.
This is not my ‘hug a hoodie’ moment. My point is that being tough on crime doesn’t necessarily mean throwing all young people in prison or issuing ASBO’s left-right-and-centre (especially as they do not work). Being tough on crime means doing what works. It means doing what cuts crime. It means doing what makes people safe. I think the way to start is by recognising that fearing all young people is a bad thing.
These people are not born wanting to break the law. They were not born wanting to take drugs and scare residents. Let’s not just give up on them and throw them away. Let’s try and work out what will work and then do it. Until then you can always fill your time reading the election reports in the local papers or by drawing a moustache and comedy glasses on my picture.
Thursday, 10 May 2007
Blair's Resignation Announcment
I don't think we will ever see a speech in the manner of Churchill ever again. That is a sad thing. If we do, this certainly was not it.
It was neck-jerky, it was cringe-worthy. I don't think he mentioned the hands of history which means I owe James some money.
What did stand out is that he said 'I did what I thought was right.' You don't usually say that unless you have messed up and you know it.
Countdown to June 27th. Did anyone hear a champagne cork?
It was neck-jerky, it was cringe-worthy. I don't think he mentioned the hands of history which means I owe James some money.
What did stand out is that he said 'I did what I thought was right.' You don't usually say that unless you have messed up and you know it.
Countdown to June 27th. Did anyone hear a champagne cork?
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
Loose Ward 2007 - The Figures
Liberal Democrats 358
Conservative Party 413
Green Party 48
CONSERVATIVE GAIN
Votes - 413 up from 319 in 2003 (+94)
Majority - 55 (From -70)
Swing -125
Turnout - 819/44.5% (2003 - 41.1%)
For all results go to http://www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk/Default.aspx?page=5440
Conservative Party 413
Green Party 48
CONSERVATIVE GAIN
Votes - 413 up from 319 in 2003 (+94)
Majority - 55 (From -70)
Swing -125
Turnout - 819/44.5% (2003 - 41.1%)
For all results go to http://www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk/Default.aspx?page=5440
Friday, 4 May 2007
Election Day (part 5) The Count
We left home after a full day of leafleting and canvassing and met Ed and James Ross, the candidate for Fant at Zizzi's for some dinner. This is Jen, James and I before we left. Notice the smartness and the reasonably fresh look. After dinner at Zizzi's it was off to the count.I have never experienced anything like it in my life. A sports hall in Mote Park was filled full of tables and big signs dictating which tables were counting which ward. The tension in the place was massive and that was before most of the action! Loose looked to be on a knife edge the entire time. I couldn't watch and neitehr could James. A large group started watching my table towards the end as it became clear that it was a really close call. The first time I realised I was winning was when Jamie Devlin gave me a big hug and asked me if I realised what I had just done. I had no idea. I 
went and whispered in James ear that I thought I was winning and he, well frankly he swore at me and mumbled something about tempting fate.
went and whispered in James ear that I thought I was winning and he, well frankly he swore at me and mumbled something about tempting fate.Before I knew it I had shaken hands with Hugh Laing and I was signing a declaration. I was swarmed by journos (which was really strange) and they were asking me how I felt, how long I had been working, where I 
went to school and what I wanted to focus on. I was in a different world and basically told four different people the same story over and over. Tom (my little brother) called me from the States so I interuppted one conversation to talk to him. I overheard one journo telling another that I was the guy that likely kept power in the Conservative's grasp. I am not sire about that but it began to sink in then just what had happend. The rest is a blur. Note in these photos the untidy, tired look. Finally here is a photo o
f me and my lucky charm Frederick the Frog!
went to school and what I wanted to focus on. I was in a different world and basically told four different people the same story over and over. Tom (my little brother) called me from the States so I interuppted one conversation to talk to him. I overheard one journo telling another that I was the guy that likely kept power in the Conservative's grasp. I am not sire about that but it began to sink in then just what had happend. The rest is a blur. Note in these photos the untidy, tired look. Finally here is a photo o
f me and my lucky charm Frederick the Frog! Thursday, 3 May 2007
Election Day (part 4)
Well that's it. It's out of my hands. It's up to the electorate.
It has been one hell of a day and not one I will forget for a while. Thank you to Mum, Dad, Auntie Hazel, Nanny, Granddad, Jen, James and Jaques. It has been a great experience and hopefully it will all be worth while. These last two photos are Mum telling me how she used the 'Ben is my Son' speech to get voters out and the final photo is the reward James and I will enjoy no matter what happens later.
Election Day (part 3)
We have had a good morning it seems. All the leafleting was done before lunch which is awesome. My Mum and Auntie Hazel finished their 1st area then went telling in South Ward for a couple of hours. Think they are just back now for some lunch.
This is Dad and Steve out leafleting for me this morning.
The rest of us went to the Chequers for lunch and a break where Jaques Arnold joined us before setting out for the afternoon with James. Now it is a case of going back round and trying to get people out to the polling station!
This is Mum and Auntie Hazel looking gorgeous in the kitchen of an old friend of theirs in Valley Drive!
Election Day (part 2)
James and I have just finished leafleting the fiddley little areas at the four corners of the ward and now are back at Campaign HQ for a re-fuel and a last minute run through of the plan for the day. Doesn't James look busy!
You wouldn't believe the amount of planning that has gone into coordinating the day. Throughout the day we will have a total of 9 people helping in different areas. It is a bloody good job that Jen and James were here to help me sort everything out last night. If it wasn't for them I would probably be walking around a field aimlessly wondering what to do next! I will be drinking a lot of this today to keep me going! Do you like my customised mug?
Election Day (part 1) - oh how very West Wing!
This is a photo of me taken by my increasingly handy campaign manager James about 5 minutes ago. Not sure what my hair is doing but I doubt it will attract the media attention Dave's did!I am just about to go vote and then it is the 'Encourage People to Exercise Their Democratic Right' push. I have people out helping me all day and hopefully I will find time to keep you updated every now and then, but please forgive me if I appear absent minded today.
Before I really get into the day I want to wish all the candidates good luck. Jamie has done a great job coordinating this effort and hopefully all our hard work will be rewarded. The unsung heroes each year are the office staff at MWCA. Sue and Ed have helped all of us at certain points and I think I can speak on everyone's behalf when I say, we owe you a lot of beer!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
