Life in Shirley

Moving soon?

I was distributing my leaflets today when I met a trio: one councillor, one elderly man and a young one with a clipboard. The latter seemed to give directions to the other two and the two knocked on doors. 

I do not knock on doors unless I have a special message to give. Residents ring or email  me if they have questions. I will stop and have a chat if they are in their front garden. My leaflet is self-explanatory, anyway. They know me and what I stand for.

Now, there is a resident in a main road in Shirley who is against all the Polish, the Irish, the Arabs, the Indians et cetera who pollute Shirley when they move to our area. 

I moved on as I have no time to waste (I have to walk the Ward and my leaflets are paid by me, not a party with a rich non dom) and left the councillor with her. That resident will probably vote for the BNP candidate. She has not been in the property that long... and, with a bit of luck, she will move to a compound of like-minded freaks soon.

Apart from this, it was a very good day.

Clean up at Shirley Church Road Recreation Ground in the morning.

and a concert with the Gospel Choir at Shirley Community Centre in the evening.

where I met my favourite ladies so I could give them a copy of their picture with Andrew Pelling at the lunch on Wednesday. Andrew came to the concert too.

I am ready for bed now. 

  

Pigs can fly

I read and heard a lot of rubbish today.

There are people who do believe that pigs can fly.

Depressing but true. 

My dream is a Pinocchio's day: plus 1 cm per lie, plus 2 cm for deception. 

Croydon  (and many other places) would be a desert.

However, there are politicians/officials who no longer know what  honesty, accountability, dignity and decency are.

Even more depressing.

 

 

Waxy

I watched the debate yesterday night after a longish local meeting.

The leader of the cons was waxy and was definitely offering nothing new to the audience. Moreover, it looked as if he knew it when he was interviewed afterwards.

Brown is a surviver: the media is cutting him apart but he will not disintegrate. I remember the long period with the cons in power and, when I compare it with the incumbent long labour period, I believe that the average person is better off today in spite of all the problems we are going through.

Let's not forget that there is a global recession. Other countries are going through it too. We need changes in our lives, not cosmetic but real ones.  Clegg has a few things to offer. As an Independent, I would like a coalition government with a plurality of inputs.

We need pragmatic solutions with competent operators and fewer politicians running the country.

I had a glimpse at the launching of the BNP manifesto earlier on. There was a man in a helmet and dressed up in an English flag. He reminded me of Bossi and his Lega in Italy. There are no international borders for clowns. We owe respect to national flags.

 

Just a few words

At least one of the residents who received the 'personalised' leaflet has complained to the local cons. They said they knew nothing about it: it came from headquarters. They then asked her if she was going to vote for their candidate.

They received a flat no. 

There are people intelligent people around, after all.

Not for sale

A long day but interesting. I went to the Wednesday lunch as it is becoming a fixture. Andrew came too and it was good to see him in great form. He has a lot of support because people see him as one of us and not a shallow puppet like many others. The cons are getting so worried that they are sending out 'personalised' , glossy leaflets that must cost them the earth. 

Independent candidates have not got the money to compete and do not get much help through the media. However, something is moving: I have seen people who had never been interested in politics become keen to show that they cannot be swayed by spin.

My own leaflets have a lot of text because I want people to know exactly where I stand on issues. The cons will not change anything.

I read that their leader was angry because somebody had thrown an egg at him. His own lot will do worse after a little while... they are very good at stabbing one another.

  

I went to Oak Gardens to take pictures today. Green Acre have written to the residents that the disconnections of the services from the existing properties and demolition works would start on 19th April 2010. They did and huge lorries appeared trapping residents in the cul de sac. Another piece of Shirley is going.

 

First time

When I saw my picture on a resident's window, I nearly had an accident. Not a good idea as my car is being repaired in a garage in Beckenham. Somebody hit the rear door/tyre hard whilst reversing from an alley on Easter Saturday. 

The feedback I receive on what I wrote is rewarding. People are tired of hearing lies and sick of meaningless answers. They know I mean what I say and that I keep my word.
Margaret phoned today to tell me that the demolition of 5, 6 and 7 Oak Gardens is approaching. It is so sad that money can buy people.

Shallow letter

A nice Shirley resident got Cameron's letter out of his recycling box for me this afternoon. Another had put it in the bin, where it belongs.

It is incredible that a man who fancies himself as the next PM should stoop so low and display so much bad taste. Negative politics is the only product the cons party seems to be capable of.

I was in East London tonight and the posters against Gordon Brown were appalling and so alien to the good old English way of doing things.

Audi Quattro poster that I have only seen on the web: how many 'real' people can afford to buy, insure and service an Audi when they struggle to pay their mortgage?

A simple question: how much money are the cons using to hide their lack of substance?

Hot and sunny

I came back half frozen yesterday night and I had to strip today. 

Not only that, I did an extra road as residents were out in their front gardens and wanted to talk. I was prepared as I carry a spare 100 leaflets at all times.

People say that I do lots of things. Well, I am resilient and, above all, I enjoy what I am going. Sometimes I get home  so tired that I go to sleep for a couple of hours. Then I get up and can start again.

I love walking.

Thank you

A big thank you to the residents who phone and offer to deliver my leaflets. 

I am grateful for the offer but I wrote I was doing it myself and would walk the ward. 

Four years ago I had written that my campaign was not funded by any person or organisation and asked residents to phone or email me if they wished to help my campaign. A few offered money and I was surprised as I had not thought that my plea could be interpreted in this light. I hope that my message is clearer this time round: we need a real change in the way we tackle our problems. We must not be afraid of real change and need to reassess our priorities. I was offered help with canvassing (and printing of leaflets) by  individuals who are not Shirley residents and I refused it. How could they campaign for me if we do not share anything? People in Shirley know that I put Shirley First and do not do politics. My leaflet (attached) explains my views. I will answer any questions that I may be asked but will not try to impose my views on anybody. I demand the services I pay for and have no intention to accept disservice of any kind.

When I walk I look at kerb stones, pot holes, trees, lack of trees, mini flower beds and learn a lot. 

It was cold tonight and I got back home half frozen, but I was not afraid to walk around. It was peaceful and I had time to mull over the great debate (?). I was not overly impressed and will wait before I express an opinion. 

I do have an opinion, however, on a letter I have not received personally but that was received by many. Or on a letter, signed by conservative councillors, published by the Advertiser last week. Fear and only fear is behind both letters: the fear that people may make their own choices and not obey a party. The fear that people may start asking questions, analyse the answers they receive and reject them. Andrew Pelling is a person who cares about his constituents and works hard for them. As an Independent, I salute his courage in standing against a powerful machinery fuelled by the money of a privileged few. 

We shall overcome.

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Walking

I started walking and am on target for the day. I had a few laughs. 

I have decided not to deliver leaflets to people who are displaying posters. I pay for my campaign. I have no lord x behind me. Why should I waste my time and money?

It is frightening to think that some believe everything has a price and that they can buy everything with money.