It has been announced that they are going to split the responsibilities, and create a new department.  One of the Home Offices big problems always was that it couldn’t communicate within its self.  My worry would be now that as separate entities they will communicate even less.  Law enforcement needs to be joined up, fix the bigger picture rather than just control the outcome.  It is about changing the attitude, and this is done working together.  The two previous Home Secretary’s were control freaks (ie Police amalgamations), but John Reid seems to have a better approach.

John Reid has got a big job ahead, I hope it carries it through, and doesn’t let it defeat him.

Read the BBC coverage here.

I want to remind you of the facts: 

• Millions of pounds being invested in Wyre Forest Schools to improve facilities
• Educational standards have NOT fallen thus far through the review. (apart from normal variations)
• The amount of oversubscribed schools (Primary & Secondary) is not any worse than previous years.  The process isn’t helped by local politicians in election fever whipping up a false crisis.
• Mobile classrooms are being used.  This fact is un-avoidable whilst the millions of pounds worth of new facilities are being built.  A modern mobile classroom is an adequate teaching environment, Interactive whiteboards, light and airy, bathrooms, DDA accessible etc……
• The development of school sites will see the progression of extended school, integrated into the school, to be off benefit to the society it serves.

Is the review pain free? No, but it isn’t the doomsday scenario that was predicted by some (most noticeably by Health Concern), and is doing what it set out to do, which is to drive up educational standards in Wyre Forest.

Major issues range from Highways, education, bus services and Council Tax.

We have also put out three leaflets since the By Election was called from which we are also getting a vast amount of issues raised.  Tracey is busy dealing with all issues that have been raised.

Two points really, firstly Nigel wouldnt know what positive campaigning is as he is more a "what others havent done" as opposed to "what I will do for you" type of politican.

The other point is that isnt he allowed to edit Health Concerns own website?????? or do you have to be with the party (that apparently isnt a party) for longer that five minutes before you get the password????

8.38.45pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st Mar 2007

At the Harrogate Conference in March, Ming Campbell gave his support to Wyre Forest Liberal Democrats in their campaign to select a PPC for Wyre Forest. Ming is seen in the picture with Jock Gallagher Local Campaigner for Bewdley.

Above is an extract from the Wyre Forest Lib Dems web site.  First scan I thought they were announcing a PPC, then second read I'm not so sure.......

Is Sir Ming just happy the Wyre Forest Lib Dems are still functioning and are looking for one? or that they have found one?  If you know what Sir Ming is happy about, then let me know!!

Previously the Lib Dems and Liberals stood aside for Doc Taylor.  Now they are all putting forward parlimentary candidates, does that mean they arent happy with his performance?

I would have thought that a seasoned professional, such as Graham Ballinger would want to run a positive, issue based campaign for the St Chads By Election, but no all the Liberals want to do is "slag" everybody else (or just us) off.

Is the St Chads liberal election campaign Graham’s or Fran’s??????  How long can Fran pull Grahams strings?  Isn’t it about time the apron strings were cut and Graham spoke for himself?

Cllr Marcus Hart was also elected to stand as Deputy Mayor next year.

Both appointments were un-opposed and were carried unanimously.

The team were well received on the doorstep, with lots of local issues being raised by residents.  The team will be out over the coming weeks across the division.

Local, supposedly “independent” super bloger and local activist, Tavis Pitt has come out as a Liberal Supporter.  You may know his Wyre Forest web site, The Wyre Forest Agenda.

Tavis, who was supposedly outraged at the calling of a By Election in St Chads, seconded Graham Ballingers nomination to stand in said By Election.  Grahams candidature was announced on the same day as the by election was called, so he must been selected in advance.

I am actually a little disappointed.  Independents can normally (and regularly do) take the moral high ground as they aren’t bound by supposedly dirty party politics.  I normally used Tavis’s reaction to issues as a “Man in the Street” measure, but now he too is tainted by organised politics which I thought he detested.

Well now we know I suppose.

Some further points ........ it has been pointed out that you dont have to be a member of a party to sign someones nomination.  What you do have to do is believe that the person you are nominating is right for the job.  If that person is standing under political colours, then you also have to believe in their politics.  By signing a Liberal candidates nomination paper, you are a Liberal supporter no matter how you try to dissemble!

I dont believe I am attacking Tavis, I am just pointing out that he isnt as independent as he has claimed.

I dont blame Fran & Mike for signing Dr Taylors nomination, he was seen as this independent, big white horse coming to save Wyre Forest.  I do note that they also didnt like what they nominated as they didnt sign it again in 2005!

Massive amounts of local people were keyed up about what Health Concern could deliver, now as we have seen their support decline, massive amounts of people are dissappointed with their actual performance.............

Cllr Martin has a broad election history in Wyre Forest:

Stood in Franche in 2004 and lost…..

Stood in St Marys County Division 2005 and lost …

Stood in Aggborough & Spennells By Election 2005 and lost …

He has successfully won elections in Franche (2000), Hoobrook (2001) and Broadwaters (2005).

He certainly likes to make sure as many of the residents of Wyre Forest get the opportunity to vote for him on the Ballot paper as possible……………… when he is done with Kidderminster is it off to spread the word in Bewdley & Stourport?

Well at least you have to give him points for trying, still no candidate from Labour or the Lib Dems.  Perhaps Labour has joined in with the Liberal / Lib Dem love in.

It is sad that supposedly main stream political parties (such as the Lib Dems) don’t give their supporters the chance to vote for them in all elections, they didn’t even bother with a candidate in the last two general elections.

It is also decided un-democratic for the decision to be taken in smoke filled rooms about who the electorate will be able to vote for on their ballot paper.

If this were the market place then I think an allegation of price fixing would quite rightly be levelled.

It may be an opportune time to use a new word I have learnt: Perhaps the Liberals and Lib Dems should stop dissembling!

The St Chads candidate was democratically elected by the local conservative party and will be offered to the electorate on April 12^th, when they will be able to vote for her or not.  If you were a member of the party you could have played a role.

The point I am making (and you are missing) is that the Lib Dem and Liberal voters wont get a chance to vote for the party they support as they wont stand, you have to vote for second best which isnt democracy.  You will always get to vote Conservative in Wyre Forest District, County and General elections.

We have announced local activist Tracey Onslow as our Candidate.  The Liberals have announced local political stalwart Graham Ballinger (announced the day the By Election was called...... coincidence maybe?), but where are Labour, Lib Dems, or Health Concern?  They all have web sites, but no candidates announced.

Have the other parties become such an irrelevance to Wyre Forest politics that thay arent putting a candidate up?????  They had better get their skates on as nominations close this week.

DISSEMBLING - creation or adoption of a false appearance so as to elicit a false impression on the part of somebody else.

Well that certainly told us!