Another Liberal leaflet states that as their candidate lives in Sutton Park, and two of the three Tories don’t, then she is the best choice.  I have two problems with this, James Dudley and I both live in Sutton Park, and their candidate has stood three times in Aggborough & Spennells (where she doesn’t live).   If you are going to play the “I live in the ward” card, you need to be at least a bit consistent.

After nine years of neglect, the Liberals have put a leaflet out in Bewdley in the run up to the local elections next week.  They gladly state they have neglected the electorate of Bewdley, in support of Dr Taylor, I'm not sure what that has to do with local elections.....................

Liberal leaflets in Bewdley are somewhat of a collectors item (rarer than rocking horse droppings), rumours have it that they are changing hands on ebay for not inconsequential sums!

As we are in election period......... i;m allowed to be a bit political.

As it is election time, it is also the only time that Health Concern bother to contact the electorate (ie a leaflet).

In the leaflet it is, shall we say, policy light........... you would never know that they ran the council three years ago ......... there is no championing of their past successes ..... what it does promise is that they wont attack other political parties, just to get elected.  Opps, on the same page they attack proper political parties for "blindly following national policy" and the scandal of the waste of money on single site.  Else where in the leaflet it slags us off for ; single site (again) Wyre Forest Schools review (do they know its not a District function?) and the fact that we are out of touch with the electorate.

If this isnt attacking other parties, then I would hate to see it when they are.

No mention of the big policy announcement for improved funding for the rural areas .......... perhaps the visit and promises in Wolverley is now just a distant memory?

Obviously the big event of my week was the By Election on Thursday.  We had some fantastic help and I think we fought a good issue based campaign.

I can cope with the gloating from Fran, especially as they have worked the area for 30 years, and they worked hard this election, even shipping in help from their new friends the Lib Dems.  They delivered 4/5 leaflets in the run up, then an eve of poll and polling day leafet so they must have thought we were a threat.  (if Fran thought she was wining why did she arrive at the count with a face like thunder and a mood to match?  Then when the counting got under way and it was obvious Graham had won, did she mellow and return to the normal charming person she can be?)

If we weren’t to win then the Liberals deserved to win.  I am genuinely pleased for Graham.

What I can’t stomach is the gloating from Health Concern.  Their web site appears to claim some kind of support from the electorate that is giving them the spring board for success in the District Elections in a few weeks.  Are they on another planet?  Their candidate (The leader of the District Health Group) got a measly 252 votes (420 behind us, and 807 behind the Liberals).  I would say that this is an embarrassment!  They state that this is a rejection of Conservatism at County Hall, if that is the case, then why did they come third? Scraping home just past Labour, who didn’t even show up?

I believe that the electorate are recognising Health Concern for the electoral charlatans that they are.  What binds them together?  They want Kidderminster Hospital back?  So do I, and I would say that every political group in Wyre Forest wants the same thing.  The District Health Group is just hanging on the electoral coat tails of Dr Taylor.  What will they do when (as widely rumoured) Dr Taylor stands down at the next election?  Especially as it is also rumoured that the Lib Dems haven’t contested the Wyre Forest Seat in the last two Generals on the understanding that Dr Taylor will endorse the Lib Dem candidate when he steps down!(I wonder is Howard Martin knows this?)  Dr Taylor needs to come out and state what deals have been done with the Lib Dems.

At least when you vote Conservative, Liberal, Labour you know what you are getting, with Health Concern it an electoral lottery!

Whilst a full program for the day is set it, it is reported that most of the people waiting to greet these important visitors had either cancelled or not bothered to wait.  But at least they had a nice sit down in the sun shine, so not a waste of a trip then.

The main bit that interested me was the quote from Nigel Addison:

“now feel sure that when I join the ranks of the Health Concern District Councillors in May, I will have the backing of Howard in my attempts to get better funding and services for the area”

Health Concern Website April 2007

Does this mean that Nigel was not so certain that he had the support of the Health Leader?  Was he not certain he was in the right party and the visit was hastily arrange to re-assure him??????  Look out Labour, get the membership card ready, it looks like the “local man from Wolverley” is looking for another new party!

I think we should just be grateful we aren’t getting them back on body bags. 

Do I think that they should be able to sell their story?  Probably not, but it will put some press closure to the issue, and if there were national secrets that could be released there is no way the Govt would let them do it.  I hope they use the money for a big holiday for their family!

Cllr Martin said he appreciated the hard work and dedication shown by Cllr Stokes over the last two years – “Ken has done a great job for us in what was a very difficult time – he will continue to be a valued and respected member of our group until he retires” he said.

Health Concern 9^th May 2006

Full text here

Above is a press release from the Hospital group after the May elections last year.  One of the reasons quoted for Ken Stokes being ousted as leader was the fact he was retiring.

Well he must have changed his mind, as he has put himself forward for re-election.

This type of indecision sums up Health Concern.  I don’t mind this one though as I have a great amount of respect for Ken, and he is one of the few Health Concern members that is also a good councillor.  He will be missed from the Council. (and NO this doesn’t mean I don’t support our Candidate, whom I know will do a fantastic job when elected in May).

In the “special” it isn’t that bad on the whole……… it doesn’t even criticise the Conservatives too much (well ok, it does quite a bit).

One of the articles takes about the fact that Tracey is also standing for Sutton Park in the District elections.  The premise of the article is that where will her loyalties lie?  Tracey is a very capable individual, and will make an excellent District and County councillor.

This made me think………… is this not a little hypocritical of the Liberals?  So I looked at the facts:

• Tracey is the ONLY canididate in the St Chads By Election to actually live in the ward…….
• Graham Ballinger stood for the Chaddesley & Blakedown County seat in ’05, when he represents Greenhill on the District……….
• Fran represents St Georges & St Oswolds on the County, yet represents Offmore & Comberton on the District……..
• Their District candidate for Habberley & Blakebrook lives in Farfield which is in Offmore & Comberton…………
• Their Franche District candidate lives on Offmore ……..
• Their Offmore & Comberton District candidate lives on Spennels…….

So, if your are going to criticise others for not living in the wards they represent, or wanting to represent different areas at different levels, you perhaps need to make sure your own house is in order.

The Liberals have represented this part of Kidderminster for 30 plus years.  Why are they so worried about us?  I think this is the fourth leaflet since the By Election was called……… if they have given the excellent service to the people that they claim, why are they so worried about us?

The St Chads By Election has brought the County’s decision makers into the heart of the division.

The majority of the County’s Cabinet have been on the doorstep in St Chads supporting Tracey, including the Leader of the Council, Dr George Lord.

Local activist and County Councillors have been well received by the residents of St Chads.

Tracey was highlighting highways issues on the corners of Ashdene Close and Chaucer Crescent with Tennyson Way………….. apparently an issue ignored by the residents current liberal representation.

Tracey has offered to show the Liberal Candidate around the St Chads division any time he wants to know where it is and what the local issues are……….oh no, it is Fran pulling the strings and they would rather whip up a false crisis over the Wyre Forest schools review.