Nowhere left to hide for Labour

Losing Glasgow East is on a par with any byelection loss by the Tories in the 1990s. This seat was so safe they didn't even bother canvassing in the past, but no longer. Brown is a looser and Labour now know it - the question is whether they will do anything about it?

Grass Update

Fo those who haven't noticed, the roadside verges around the district have now all been cut by Surrey County Council. Together with the open space which is the responsibility of TDC also being cut properly, Oxted South looks respectable again.

Why Labour fail

Today's speech by Alan Johnson the Heath Secrtary illustrates what is wrong with this Government.

In response to recent speech by David Cameron, Mr Johnson states that it is the government not the individual that is responsible for solving what is wrong in their lives.

Government and voluntary organisations have roles to play but it seems clear to me that primarily the individual has personal responsibility for their own actions. Johnson makes his comments in relation to obesity, but they would apply equally to knife crime, unemployment, anti social behaviour etc etc. Without restoring the idea that we have some responsibility over our own actions then we will not be able to solve society's ills.

EU Treaty Ratified

So despite the Irish 'No' Vote, the Government has today ratified the European Constitution by despositing the papers in Rome. Our only hope is that the Irish are not bullied into revering their decision.

However give it its due, (and whisper it quietly) the EU sometimes can do the right thing. Today EU countries have agreed to widen sanctions on Zimbabwe, including travel bans and asset freezes on a larger circle of officials and supporters of Mugabe, and a further review in September will examine if more measures are needed.

Taxpayers save from the Web

Tandridge has again acted to deliver its services at the lowest burden on the taxpayer. From next week the Council website will be accepting web advertising. Unobtrusive adverts from big name firms will sit alongside the current high quality content and earn money for the Council to pay in part for its costs.

I fully support this initiative and look to work with Conservative colleagues to deliver further revenue streams that do not reduce the current high quality of Council services.

Another By-election, Another Bribe

So the Government today decided to postpone the 2p increase in fuel duty. David Cameron asked the obvious question at Prime Ministers' questions today - was the increase anything to do with the Glasgow East by-election next week. The Government denies that it is, but have look at Brown's record and make your own judgement:

Autumn 'Phoney Election' - cut in inheritaince tax
Crewe and Nantwich By-election - 10p tax U-turn
Glasgow East - Delay in fuel tax rise.

Apologies

For the lack of posts over the past couple of weeks loyal readers (all 6 of you!). The combination of pressures of work, Council and family commitments have left no time for anything else. I hope to resume a more normal service for at least the next 10 days.

Changes to Parking in Oxted

Following requests by residents, trial changes have been made to parking restrictions in Ellice Road car park, Oxted. From 7 July for a trial period, all restrictions will be lifted at 5pm. This means motorists parking after 1pm can leave their car for the rest of the day and evening, as long as it has been moved by 7am the next day. This will benefit residents who want to use the car park, for example when they occasionally travel to London by train for doctors’ and other appointments or to visit the theatre.

This is good news and will hopefully strike a balance between spaces being available for shoppers and for local residents who need to travel up to town.

Tandridge - A Paradox

No Theatre/Arts Complex, McDonalds or Marks and Spencer and just a single screen cinema, but 9 railway stations (servicing 3 lines) two motorways and two airports (and a third - Gatwick just beyond our borders).

This is the paradox of Tandridge District - we have superb transport links to London, South East and for that matter the rest of the world, but have few bid attractions other than our beautiful countryside and charming towns and villages. But local residents do not miss having easy access to the West End of London for Culture, Crawley and Croydon for shopping and other leisure.

That's why the government's one size fits all approach often fails Tandridge residents. We have our own challenges, mainly preserving the character of the area for future generations, but these are palpably not the same as those larger more urban centres face. We need proper local decision making not the current central govermnment dictat to protect and enhance our district.