Hurrah For August!

Posted by David Sudworth on July 30, 2007 3:26 PM

EVEN though silly season - that time of year when daft stories start creeping up the news agenda - is now upon us, I doubt there'll be any let up in West Lancs.

Instead, there'll be alot of talking going on, or to be more precise, consultation.

The Ormskirk Bypass and Edge Hill uni plans are now out for people to give their views. These are two thorny subjects which a lot of people seem to have an opinion about.

With the bypass, there's quite a few putting themselves into the 'no' camp already.

Which reminds me, earlier today, I was flicking through a copy of an Advertiser from 1964 which had a headline saying 'Ormskirk Bypass to be built in four years' Err...

However, what puzzles me is how come the consultation process is taking place in August - the month when only serving prisoners, put-upon airport staff and people with horrendously large mortgages are still in the country.

Annoyingly though, TV bosses don't seem keen to take the opportunity of when I'm away to pump their tosh programmes (Strictly Come Dancing being one of them) into my front room. Instead, they decide winter would be a better time - making the miserable days a damn site more miserable.

So here's the deal - go away in August and run the risk of coming back to a massive dual carriageway being built across your driveway. Stay at home and be tortured by GMTV's pre- Bank Holiday reports.
Just you watch - I predict that the Friday before (August 24) you'll switch on your telly at 8am to be greeted to the sight of three shiny roving reporters, one stationed at an airport, one at a ferry port and one on a motorway bridge all telling us how we will all be stuck in traffic jams in a 'weekend of travel chaos.'

Where's that Thomas Cook brochure again?

• add or read comments (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit

A New Take on Liverpool

Posted by David Sudworth on July 27, 2007 8:13 PM

TODAY I left the green pastures of West Lancashire for a meeting in Liverpool.

Having been dragged there many times (usually by my wife who has the sole intention of blowing my wages within 60 minutes of parking at St John's), I wasn't really going there with anything in mind.

However, I arrived a little early so to kill time I decided to take a walk round. I went via the Pier Head to some of the backstreets that don't tend to be frequented by other than those who are on business or work in the city.

And what a fascinating walk it was too. Loads of building work taking place, massive regeneration and some fantastic old buildings. I can see now why it got its Capital of Culture win.

It made me realise there's so much more to Liverpool than Anfield, Goodison etc..

Everytime I go I tend to drive through the depressingly poor areas but going on the train brought a whole new perspective to the place. It's got a real self-confidence nowadays and the streets were full of young professionals, sharp-suits and jazzy mobile phones (usually glued to the owner's ear).

I have to say too that I didn't realise how red-blooded Scouse blokes are. Nearly every man I saw in the street was 'checking out the talent'- or but more plainly, ogling. I've been to many cities but for some reason Liverpool blokes top the list for this sort of thing. Must be something in the water...

However, I was very impressed by the place - it's coming on leaps and bounds. But more crucially, I really hope this new-found prosperity filters through to the more poorer parts quickly.

The likes of Toxteth and Kensington are some of the most deprived places in Britain.

It's always been London's failing that for all the billions earned in the City, just a few miles away some families don't have enough to put money in the electric meter.

At this early point in its rebirth, Liverpool has a golden opportunity to ensure it doesn't become a London of the north - a place where for every 'have', there are probably 3 or 4 'have-nots'.

• add or read comments (2)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit

A Real Smokescreen

Posted by David Sudworth on July 22, 2007 7:25 PM

I HAVE a confession for you.

In the past, I'm ashamed to say that despite my best efforts, I've sometimes not returned my library books on time. It was a foolish thing to do and I thoroughly deserved my 10p fine.

It IS a difficult admission but I feel that I can no longer forge ahead in my chosen field of The Written Word without cleansing my soul of such as terrible misjudgement.

Phew, I'm glad that's over.

Yes, it's certainly been a week for owning up to past misdemeanours (government ministers, BBC etc) so I thought I'd enter into the spirit.

I don't know about you, but I found all this apologising just a little toe-curling. It seems that we're never satisfied in this country unless people are getting clubbed across the head for their past mistakes. And then as sure as eggs is eggs, you get the calls for resignations.

Of course, all this does nothing other than to fill the gaps on the rolling 24 news channels (I'm not joking, the other day a 'news flash' came across the screen saying "Rain in Berkshire").

For the record, I couldn't give a toss whether government ministers took their Bob Marley obsessions a bit too far. In fact, I'd actually like Jacqui Smith to come clean and tell us whether she went the whole hog and actually sported dreadlocks, wore tie-dyed T-shirts, or ate nothing but tofu for a year. That for me would be a damn sight more cringeworthy than indulging in some Jamican Old Holborn while listening to No Woman No Cry.

But seriously, all this 'fessing up to what happened donkeys' years ago is to trivialise politics to the point where it becomes about as meaningful a debate as whether the world is flat or round.

So there, put that in your pipe and smoke it.

• add or read comments (5)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit

Alf Doran selected for Chorley

Posted by David Sudworth on July 19, 2007 8:17 PM

THE Tories' 2005 candidate for West Lancs has been selected to fight the Chorley seat.

Alf Doran, who was beaten by Adrian Owens here just a few weeks ago, beat off four other contenders including, coincidentally, Thelma Matuk, who tried also to get West Lancs.

I'm not suprised Alf Doran has got a seat. In my article in last week's Advertiser, I predicted that he'd get a seat somewhere in the North West, and said that he was unlucky in West Lancs to be pitted against someone like Adrian Owens.

Adrian has been among the first to congratulate the Formby councillor, telling the Conservative Home blog: "Congratulations Alf. With the clear-focused Conservative council now in control in Chorley working with you, you stand a great chance."

Indeed, Adrian told me prior to my interview with him last week that the cycle of selection meetings is a gruelling process and despite the rivalry between them all, there is a genuine empathy for anyone who's trying to find a seat.

Strangely though, Doran faces a similar task in Chorley as does Owens in West Lancs. Both are fighting seats which are currently held by Labour with 6,000-plus majorities.

As I was telling somebody today, in all honesty, I can only see these types of seats changing hands if a) there's a Tory landside nationally or b) a really local issues-based campaigns.

We live in interesting times....

• add or read comments (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit

Labour councillors attend public meeting shock horror!

Posted by David Sudworth on July 17, 2007 7:41 AM

TRY as I might, I really can't get worked up about the fact that two Labour councillors went to last week's Tory Open Primary and voted.

Nobody batted an eyelid when David Braid, the Clause 28 candidate at the last general election, stood up and asked a question, so why get all hot under the collar about Alan Bullen and Steve Hanlon?

At the end of the day anybody who lives in West Lancs could have attended and voted. So there was no 'infiltration' and nobody whose jaw dropped at the sight of Mssrs Bullen and Hanlon walking into Ormskirk Civic Hall that Friday night.

Indeed, I was myself asked if I wanted to vote - as was my right - but declined on the grounds that I was there to observe, not take part. The Labour councillors could have said the same if they wanted. Admittedly, I was surprised to see them but not shell-shocked.

When all is said and done, they were just two people in a large audience which, coincidentally, was made up other members of other political parties as well as people with no affiliations either way.

If the Labour group had turned up en masse in a blatant attempt to sway the outcome, then you're talking. But just two of them?... it would hardly have been worth the petrol money.

UPDATE:July 23... Steve Hanlon talks about the episode on his blog

• add or read comments (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit

Off The Record Live - with Adrian Owens

Posted by David Sudworth on July 12, 2007 6:01 AM

AS YOU'LL see from today's Advertiser interview with Tory PPC Adrian Owens, it's a big day at Off The Record HQ.

That's right, I'm going a slightly out of my comfort zone (words, ink and paper) and delving into the world of audio by launching Off The Record Live.

It's basically a Q&A format where I interview local decision-makers about topics of political interest.

In a 20 minute interview with Adrian, we cover everything from Iraq to wheelie bins - and a lot more inbetween!

I'm certainly nowhere near as polished as the likes of Eddie Mair and John Humphrys, but nethertheless I hope it gives you a bit more of an insight into the world of local politics.

As ever, post your comments on what you think of this new venture, or what Adrian has to say, on the link below.

Happy listening!

• add or read comments (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit

Fun and Games

Posted by David Sudworth on July 7, 2007 8:24 AM

LAST night's open primary gave a fascinating insight into what people want from their candidates.

Certainly, those in Ormskirk Civic Hall weren't there just to put bums on seats, they were quite adept at asking searching questions of the final four. Put it this way, if you think journalists are cynical in their line of questioning, you should go to an open primary.

Even though it was billed as open to everyone, even I was a bit surprised when I spotted Labour councillors Alan Bullen (Skem North) and Steve Hanlon (Moorside) taking their seats, albeit with a hint of mischief in their eyes.

Cllr Bullen, tongue firmly planted inside his cheek and ever the joker, told us that he'd "seen the light" adding that he'd decided to wear a suit for the occasion just to look like a Tory.

When association chairman Rob Bailey got onto the stage he greeted everyone and then made reference to Labour blood in the room by quipping: "We'll be doing conversions afterwards" to which Cllr Bullen replied, to much amusement from the gathering: "So will we!"

As it turned out, both Messrs Bullen and Hanlon had some interesting questions with the latter asking each candidate what private members bill they would table if they had the chance (the reply which got the biggest laugh and even applause was Alf Doran's bid to ban chewing gum).

Cllr Bullen saved his grand inquisition for Adrian Owens, the final candidate and overall winner, who was asked about the woman's right to choose whether she has an abortion.
Alan had clearly done his homework on this as Adrian is an arch pro-lifer.

As soon as Adrian heard each of them were about to ask a question, a massive smile swept across his face as they're old sparring partners in the council chamber week in, week out.

They may attack each other politically, but personally there's great cameraderie between many councillors on both sides.

On the whole, I think Adrian Owens was a worthy winner - confident, articulate and polished. He was a man who looked most at ease and had the air of a professional politician - someone who could definitely give the Tories a fighting chance at the next election.

As for my views on the other candidates, don't miss this week's Advertiser where I'll be doing an indepth report of the night, warts and all.

• add or read comments (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit

Adrian Owens Wins Tory Open Primary

Posted by David Sudworth on July 6, 2007 10:32 PM

NEWSFLASH: 10.30pm, Friday June 6

HOT-FAVOURITE Adrian Owens has been voted in as the Conservative candidate to fight Rosie Cooper at the next general election.

Around 150 people packed in Ormskirk Civic Hall to see the Ormskirk councillor win after a second round ballot, with Thelma Matuk being the first to drop out.

Cllr Owens told supporters after his victory was declared at 10pm: "I hadn't even prepared anything because I didn't see it as a forgone conclusion.
"I promise you this - I will not let you down."

His candidature was announced after two hours of question and answers with all four candidates.

Of all four, both Owens and Doran put in very strong performances but Owens, seem by many locally as a Tory star of the future, came through.

Afterwards he told me that being favourite had preyed on his mind a little, as he feared it could work against him.

He also confirmed he's set to hold talks with council leader Geoff Roberts soon about his future as cabinet finance chief at West Lancs District Council.

• add or read comments (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit

Tory Open Primary Tonight

Posted by David Sudworth on July 6, 2007 10:22 AM

MY TICKET for the Tory open primary arrived in the post this morning from West Lancs party HQ (printed on blue card, of course).

There's even talk about moving it to another venue because of the amount of people who've put their name down.

It's bound to be a fascinating evening as it's the first time the West Lancs Conservative candidate has ever been chosen by a public vote.

Both Alf Doran and Adrian Owens are strong candidates, but as little is known about the other two, Veronica Horman and Thelma Matuk, they could easily prove to be the dark horses of this contest.

It starts at 7pm and, at the moment, is due to be held at Church House, Church Street, Ormskirk. To attend you must register quickly by calling 01695 572306 or e-mail office@westlancsconservatives.com with your address and phone number.

• add or read comments (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit

Newsflash: Frank McKenna to advise MP Rosie

Posted by David Sudworth on July 5, 2007 11:46 AM

BREAKING NEWS: 11.46am, Thursday July 5.

LABOUR big hitter Frank McKenna is to take up a part time post as communications adviser to MP Rosie Cooper.

The return of Mr McKenna, a former deputy leader of Lancs County Council and a big name in West Lancs politics, comes as party bosses revealed Ms Cooper has been reselected unapposed to fight the next General Election.

As such, she's now restructured her office to form a new campaigns and communications team, spearheaded by constituency manager Chris Mawdsley.

She said: “Frank left full-time politics five years ago, and has gone on to build a very successful business in Liverpool. I am delighted he has accepted my invitation to take up this new role. He was recognised as one of the most effective campaign co-ordinators in the North West, and delivered many election victories for the West Lancashire Labour Party.
"His experience, alongside Chris’ energy, will provide us with a formidable platform to articulate the many good things the Labour Party is delivering to the local community.”

The news comes as popular constituency secretary, Pauline Roughley, has announced her retirement after 15 years at Burscough Street, first working for Colin Pickthall.

• add or read comments (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit

The Politics of Fear

Posted by David Sudworth on July 3, 2007 7:20 AM

IT'S amazing how events can press on at an almost breakneck speed.

On Saturday, we were transfixed to our TV screens beaming back pictures of the fireball car crashing its way into Glasgow Airport - and by the next morning everyone's talking about 90 days detention for suspects again!

It never ceases to amaze me how people - in this case the government - use events such as this to further their own unpopular ideas.

However, the stats don't warrant any more stringent measures at all.

Look at it like this, since July 7 2005 there have been just two attacks plus a handful of foiled plots - call it 20 in all (I'm feeling generous today).

Yes, they are blood-curdling, yes they are dramatic but in terms of impact on our day-to-day lives, they are heavily outweighed but other issues.

In that time, I'd bet that there's been hundreds killed or injured on Britain's roads. Ditto for alcohol-related deaths. And what has been done about that? Have they banned us from using our cars every other day or rationed the amount of booze per household to just 1 litre a week?

Personally, I don't care how long I have to wait in airport queues or even if there's CCTV on every street corner - but that doesn't mean I want even more of them.

Terror is the big bogeyman of the 21st Century and the government is filling the void by saying: "Don't worry, we'll keep you safe - all we need is some more legislation/prison places/money/time (delete as appropriate)"

However, look back 10 years and you realize ministers have already taken a large chunk of our civil liberties in the name of fighting terror.

I honestly don't see why we need to give up any more - I'm already treated like a potential member of Bin Laden's inner circle everytime I go through airport security.

Policy made up in the heat of battle makes for poor legislation. You'd have thought the government, having just had 10 years of that with Blair, would have realised that by now.

• add or read comments (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit