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The Magic of MERLIN
At the recent Conservative Spring Forum I understand Lord Feldman announced the possible phasing-out of Merlin. This was subsequently picked-up by The Times newspaper. There is now great excitement and...
View ArticleLet me get off the Euro Hustings Merry-go-Round
It's that time of the electoral cycle when our hard working Euro MPs are keen to raise their profiles and win the hearts and votes of those whose support they need in the members' ballot to keep them...
View ArticleWinning hearts and minds, not buying them
When Sir John Stanley first announced his retirement, many of my colleagues were quick to infer that we were in for 'good times'. "All those wealthy hopefuls willing to pay to ingratiate themselves",...
View ArticleIt's time to move on...
I POSTED THIS AT 10.30AM ON SUNDAY 1 APRIL 2013. NOT FOR ONE MOMENT DID I BELIEVE THAT ANY OF MY FRIENDS WOULD FALL FOR IT, HOWEVER I WAS INUNDATED WITH EMAILS AND CALLS OF CONGRATULATIONS. BY THE...
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Embarrassed by your kindness
When, at 10.30am today, I realised that it was not only Easter Monday but also April Fool's Day, I couldn't resist using my blog to play a small joke. Now, having received so many good wishes and...
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An Easter Journey through Middle England
Steve and I returned home last evening after three days away; a short Easter break including a visit to our favourite restaurant (a family-run traditional Italian in Abingdon called Bella Napoli), a...
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Carrots, sticks and timesheets
One of the biggest frustrations of any Agent / Campaign Manager or Deputy Chairman Political is how to focus the minds of elected councillors towards campaigning, especially when it's not their name on...
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Notes and Advice from the 1935 Election Agent's Handbook
I have just bought a book, published in 1935, entitled "Rules and Conduct for Agents in a Parliamentary Election Campaign". The opening chapter includes the following priceless advice:"A Candidate's...
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Don't tell him your name, Pike !
Highly amused to receive this in today's post:The letter was an invitation to our former Association Secretary to attend a world-wide conference on Counter Terrorism, with sixty interactive workshops...
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Freezing cold Tonbridge will not warm the cockles of any Labour heart
Despite the freezing weather and what many feared would be a hostile reaction on the doorsteps, twenty activists were out and about in Tonbridge this evening, canvassing for our two excellent County...
View ArticleFurther Notes and Advice from the 1935 Election Agent's Handbook
I am reading a book entitled 1935 Election; Notes and Advice to Parliamentary Election Agents. A few days ago I published an extract about how agents should secure hay carts in rural constituencies to...
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Don't pull your punches !
After a shakey start, when I had 20 - 40 visitors a day, my blog suddenly and unexpectedly 'peaked' over the weekend following the Eastleigh by-election, when my post on the importance of reviving the...
View ArticleGreg Clark MP, Dan Hannan MEP and the Elephant Man
This time yesterday I was looking forward to a busy and well choreographed day of membership building, political and fund raising events, with two senior and highly regarded politicians touring two of...
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Kent's Youth Police Commissioner; a question of judgement
Kent's 'Independent' Police & Crime Commissioner Anne Barnes,with her new Youth Commissioner, Paris BrownToday's Mail of Sunday carries a story about Kent's new Youth Police Commissioner, Paris...
View ArticleSpecific questions for Mrs Barnes
1. During the PCC Campaign, I (and many others) clearly recall you stating that you would appoint a Youth Police & Crime Commissioner and fund his or her salary directly from your own £85,000 pa....
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Now we have the N word, too
During the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner Campaign Ann Barnes courted and received the support from many of Kent's gay rights and equalities pressure groups. I wonder how they now feel at seeing...
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Margaret, The Baroness Thatcher LG, OM, PC, FRS
I have occasionally thought how I would react when I heard today's inevitable news.Now I know. I am sitting in my office, numb, and typing this with tears in my eyes. Jon, who was born in 1987, has no...
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Meanwhile...back of the River.
With the weekend dramas over abscesses and the Sunday furore over Ann Barnes' Youth Commissioner appointment, followed by today's sad and moving news of Baroness Thatcher's death, it is reassuring to...
View ArticleAnn Barnes still has questions to answer
Kent's newly appointed Youth Police & Crime Commissioner, Paris Brown, has done the honorable thing and resigned today, after it was announced that Kent Police were investigating tweets and social...
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