Some Timely Advice For Our MPs?

A lobby dog said http://lobbydog.thisisnottingham.co.uk/2010/05/mps-told-how-to-give-first-speech.html I think the bit about a slap on the back amused me. Jimmy Thomas did not follow that advice, but dived straight into the debate about railway working hours.

I hope that our MPs stand up and complain about how poorly funded Swindon Borough Council is. It would be good to hear them calll for more funding per school pupil and for the council generally. We shall just have to wait and see.

Swindon Polling Like Iraq?

There has been much gossip locally on this and interest nationally I hope the Electoral Commission will also look at polling in Swindon in light of this article.  http://www.facct.org.uk/#/news/4533029795

The Conservative MPs for North Swindon Justin Tomlinson and South Swindon Robert Buckland have told the Swindon Advertiser   that they will make sure it is brought to the attention of those seeking change  read the story here http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8154802.New_MP_praises_polling_station_staff/

I took a tour of the polling stations and found no problems at any I visited and at the times which were spread over the day. I am happy to bring it to the notice of those who can bring change. However I want my MP to make sure that he will do all he can to ensure that the Victorian polling System is outlawed in future. Vote for Change said Robert Buckland so I hope it comes to the polling system, in time for the next election.

Here is TalkTalks view http://www.talktalk.co.uk/news/pa/uknews/2010/05/07/watchdogs-vow-over-election-chaos.html

What Does www.talkswindon.org have to make of all this?

If you want to know more of what is happening in Swindon then get over to www.talkswindon.org or read komadori click side bar please. Swindon Advertiser here.  Voting Chaos http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8154801.Anger_over_vote_chaos/

Tory Leader squeezes home: http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8152950.Council_leader_holds_off_Labour_rival_as_Tories_keep_a_strong_grip/?ref=mr

Justin Tomlinson http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8152673.Tomlinson_secures_Tory_double_for_Swindon/?ref=mr

Robert Buckland http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8152641.Tears_for_Anne_as_Snelgrove_suffers_shock_defeat/?ref=mr

Labour suffers double blow http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8152677.Swindon_turns_Blue_as_Labour_suffer_double_dose_of_defeat/?ref=mr

Results round up http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8152687.Swindon_General_Election_seats__the_facts_and_figures/

Sealed with a Kiss http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8154715.Victory_sealed_with_a_kiss/

Is it Sunrise in Swindon?

No clear winner nationally, Conservatives have 2 million more votes than Labour and we now know the two party system is dead. Using the FPP system we are assured give us strong government and always ensure that the result we have as the electorate cannot happen. Well it did and we have to live with it. Labour and Libdems have more votes than Conservatives so everyone in the country has a stake in this not just Cameron.

locally the new MP for South Swindon has said the sun has risen on Swindon in his new dawn. I think the new political system were labour and Libdems have more votes than the Conservatives and is hung is something that happens in leading democracies around the world. Perhaps the reality of the situation is dawning on our newly elected MPs?  The majority government they dreamed of has not happened and as the two party system of a clear majority has failed or even ended or worse for them been rejected by the electorate?

I am sure hope that Robert Buckland MP will be making sure his leader David Cameron knows of the needs and preferences of the people of South Swindon who he represents and not like the rest of us just looking on and waiting and see what happens. We may have voted but we appear to have no input into how we will be governed or what the bones of the deal will be that our future will be fleshed out on.

I hold my breath.

Locally both parties have to face leadership elections for the next Municipal year.

Conservative leadership is consolidating this weekend.  Is Cllr Rod Bluh facing down a challenge from Cllr Nick Martin?  

Labour it is known that Cllr Montaut will face a challenge there will be a 3 way challenge for Labour leadership locally and they have the biggest mountain to climb as labour has lost its two MPs and now faces a conservative council, two conservative MPs and a possibly a conservative lead government. Is the current leadership able to cope with that change and face the future challenges and represent people of Swindon opposed a conservative council and its policies?

LibDems I would not normally think about that one as their leader has been around for donkeys years as there was only 3 of them all in the same ward, but now an experienced former councillor has been elected who has taken a seat in what was previously a Labour strong hold. Not traditional LibDem ground best describes Penhill, but with a ConLibdem partnership being a possibility I think that there may be a challenge to the current LibDem Leadership. It needs it and is long overdue, based on this cllrs previous tenure on the council, he will add a flamboyance and a new edge to the Libdems.

Anyway the weekend will for some cllrs be interesting as they jump off and over fences.

NB Conservatives Lost Cllr Graham Cherry in Parks replaced by Labour Mark Dempsey, an environmentalist, and a sharp young cookie. The conservative council leader had his majority pared back and the Labour leader did not mange to take back Penhill a ward of Deprivation and for many a tradition and natural Labour ward.

As for me I play no part in any of this for “I am the only independent councillor in the chamber”.

PS Robert Buckland MP http://tinyurl.com/32gpfb8 and as Robert Tweets A new office will be set up as soon as possible-please use 01793522123 …