A theme tune for #yes2av ??

Well AV does mean you can lose and yet still win ;o).

Debunking that AV myth

I wasn’t going to say anything but frankly I’ve heard enough bunkum about how AV will make MPs work harder. What absolute nonsense. I think what they (those on favour of AV) are tryying to suggest is that it will remove many seats which are seen as safe. I get that as a concept, although there will still be more than a few seats where as I said about a seat I once stood in, you could put a donkey with a red rosette on it, and it would still win.

Now if those pro AV MPs spouting this nonsense really believe it will make MPs work harder, a) are they admitting that they themselves currently do not fight for every vote, and and work as hard as possibly representing every constituent, and not just those who voted for them, and; b) if they really believe there are MPs who would work harder due to AV – would they care to name any MP (one of their colleagues who they believe is not working as hard as possible?

I await a response, but don’t expect one, as the allegation just isn’t true.

If they are talking about campaigning, well take the 1997 election. I actually stood for the Referendum party. Millions of pounds weres spent. We fought for every vote. Candidates worked their socks off. They knew they were unlikely to get elected.

If they are talking about existing MPs well they are even more way off the mark. Are they seriously suggesting an MP will only deal with constituency casework and problems from those who voted for them? Seriously? No – of course not, and not one MP will dare make that allegation against a colleague.

What if I got elected by AV and then decided I would stand down at the next election having done teh job for 12 months. AV wouldnt make me work harder – I decided I was leaving. I would do what the hell I liked. The electoral system would be of no consequence.

Lets not kid ourselves. In ever walk of life there are some people who work hard and some less so. I am just wholly unconvinced that the likes of Clegg or Cable will be working harder for their constituents if there are elected under AV – yet they seem to suggest they wll. In which case does’t that beg the question why aren’t they working at full tilt now?

Cable opens his mouth….. again

It wasn’t that long ago that good old Vince Cable opened his mouth to some undercover journalists, which had the effect of having some of his responsibilities hived off to another Government department at great expense to the taxpayer.

Vince is at it again – this time criticising the Prime Ministers stance on immigration. But isn’t that the cowards way? Why not do the decent thing Vince and resign and then carp from the back benches?  I remember at school learning about collective responsibility. Vince may think the comments by the PM are unwise. He has a right to think that… but as a backbencher.

Zetters Political Companion

The third issue of Zetters Political Companion has now been published, and it is packed full of useful information and contact details, all checked against original sources.

The book is priced very competitively – just £20 for a single copy or £65 for an annual subscription.

You can order the book direct from Amazon here.

Seven Days Show

 

The latest episode of The Seven Days Show is now online. In episode 62 we discuss football and footballers; dignity in death; maternity and paternity leave and what impact changes may have on small business; the AV campaign; Lord Ashcroft and his research into prison policy; and the How to use politicians to get what you want book by Scott Colivin.

To listen to the podcast click the play button below

[podcast]http://toryradio.podbus.com/sevendaysshow62.mp3[/podcast]

Subscribe to Tory Radio on Itunes here

No to AV ad

How to use politicians to get what you want

[podcast]http://toryradio.podbus.com/scottcolvin.mp3[/podcast]

I don’t generally recommend books – but How To Use Politicians To Get What You Want is one of those must reads for anyone interested in politics, or how politicians operate. The author Scott Colvin has kindly recorded a short podcast for us to let us know a little bit about the book and how you can use it to solve a problem and get what you want.

It’s certainly on my reading list, and you can get hold of a copy here.

 

You never know

Today was always going to be a bit of a crappy day. It was the funeral of the Grandma of my wife. Following the funeral my father in law who had just said goodbye to his mother came to our house for a cup of tea. We laughed about how in our view funerals were all a bit strange as we’d both rather people visited or called us while we were alive than feel sad when we have died.

My Grandad once said you could p*ss on his grave when he was gone. I think my father-in law agreed with that sentiment when we joked about it. Less than 45 minutes after having a cup of tea at our house, my father in law died. He was never well in the time I knew him. He was the longest serving dialysis patient in Lincolnshire – so much so that when I had to tell the renal unit who called to see if he could come in today for an earlier slot they were completely shocked. The thing I will always remember is that not once did I ever hear him moan. There was the real possibility that the years of dialysis would have meant he would soon to have to have his leg amputated. Did he moan. No. He just planned where he would hire his wheelchair for his next caravan holiday.

You really never know what’s going to happen. Five hours after attending his mother’s funeral we didn’t really expect to have to start planning another one. So if you are putting off calling someone or perhaps visiting a relative you haven’t seen for a while, maybe just take the time to make that call or that visit. You never know when you won’t get a chance again.

Seven Days Show Episode 61

In the Seven Days Show this week (episode 61) we discuss Libya; Japan and the assumption nuclear power is unsafe; graduate debt; what may be in The Budget this week; and charitable giving.

To listen to the podcast click the play button below:-

[podcast]http://toryradio.podbus.com/sevendaysshow61.mp3[/podcast]

Subscribe to Tory Radio on Itunes here

Seven Days Show Episode 60

After our mid season break (it’s not just footballers that need one) The Seven Days Show is back. In episode 60 we are joined by Grant Tucker and Shane Greer.

To listen to the podcast click the play button below. [podcast]http://toryradio.podbus.com/sevendaysshow60.mp3[/podcast]

We discuss Japan; Libya; Spring Conference; the AV Referendum plus much more.