What a difference a day makes!

As you'll no doubt be aware, my and my wifes lives changed unbelieveably just over two weeks ago. I don't think I was really prepared for the physical challenge that parenthood brings! However, we have a great team behind us and having someone help with the washing or hoovering is an absolute godsend.

You'll be pleased to know that my paternal break from work and politics ended last week and I am getting back up to speed with the real world outside of my front door. Big thanks must go to my colleagues within the local party who have been so supportive, with special mention to fellow Millbrook Councillor Dave Furnell, who has been covering in my absence.

Yesterday Team Millbrook were out and about in Regents Park hand delivering leaflets on behalf of our MP Alan Whitehead. During these fiscally challenging times, I do still wonder how other partys can afford to pay for their to be delivered by someone else, but...it was a lovely day - one of those crisp autumnal jobbies - and as we've beeing door knocking since June, I was nice to deliver some leaflets again! Variety and all that.

Lastly, in the past few days I was made aware of a letter going out in the Henry and Edward Roads, just off Foundary Lane. In short the new Conservative candidate was blaming Labour for issues around parking and over development in the area. In response:

• Any issues of planning are taken before the planning committee - one which is controlled by the Conservatives...who have the numbers to make whatever decision they see fit...subject to taking into account all relevant planning considerations of course.
• Councillor Furnell worked extremely hard on getting the original Hendy Ford development plans changed;
• The plans were changed no less than 3 times because of Labours intervention; including the removal of a footpath from Shirley High Street into Henry & Edward;
• The Conservative Councillor for the area decided not to attend the Committee meeting;
• No less than 3 separate hand delivered letters went out to residents, specifically on this development issue in Henry and Edward Road; 
• Countless emails to concerned residents;
• And continuing representation made to the committee on the new developments taking place on the Bald Face Stag site.

So...if its action on issues you want, then get in contact with team Millbrook. If you want a nice headed letter coming months later, after the decisions have been taken, then I think you know the alternative. They're good at writing letters and talking to the media. Lets see them knocking doors and actually solving problems, not just blaming others.

So thats my first real blog back as a new father. Thank you to my friends and family for their continued support - opposition partys had better watch out. I'm a man with a mission to change Southampton for the better, as a concerned citizen, as a husband and now as a father. What a difference a day makes!

The best news ever..!

On Tuesday afternoon, at twelve minutes past midday, our little family in Maybush got bigger. Four days late and wanting to make an entrance in style, Lucy Thorpe arrived weighing in at 8lbs 11ozs. A quick labour, so I'm told, and we were lucky enough to be allowed home the same day. Thank you to Jeanette and Jen, our wonderful midwives and to our friends and family who have been so supportive.

I'm going to spend just under two weeks getting to know my daughter, so things may be a little quiet for the next few days blogwise - but rest assured in between nappies and feeds, I may get the chance to catch up on emails; even if it is at four in the morning!

Tongue-in-cheek, I've attached a photo. maybe she'll stand for next years election, eh? Lastly, and most importantly, words fail me in my love for my beautiful wife, whom I have to thank for our little miracle.

But its not Sunday

Good morning. As you know I usually post early on Sunday morning, but given the upcoming activities I thought I would get ahead of the game.

For those of you who wonder why I don't talk about some of the casework which I get, it has nothing to do with data protection or the amount; I would say someone contacts me with an issue about every two days or I go out and find an issue! It is the case that I think that if I was down and needed help, the last thing I would want is someone putting my details up on his website.

However, an example of a piece of casework sorted out over two days this week revolved around a vulnerable adult being chased for money by bailiffs. It would be worrying for you or I to have to deal with that type of situation, but made worse by the fact that the consituent needed that little bit extra humanity due to their conditions. Suffice to say after conversations with baliffs, the housing office, portsmouth city council and support workers - common sense prevailed. Sometimes its not the big things that make the papers, that make it worthwhile in helping our community.

Today I have taken the day off from my normal job to work on a number of council jobs; visiting a local school, as they have school council elections; attend the demonstrations at the civic centre; have a party meeting; and round it off with a local policing meeting this evening.

Additionally you may have seen my latest letter in the Echo this week - I'll put the webaddress on later as it looks as though the daily echo website is down at the moment!

I hope that I'll be able to update you on Sunday; either politics or personal.

No Change!

Good morning. Lovely weather we're having for October, eh? Not long to go before Fireworks Night! I don't know what you got up to yesterday, but I took the wife and dog out to Calshot to have a wander on the beach, have a sandwich in the car and enjoy the free vitamin D. A nice time was had by all, and all for the price of a parking ticket. It really is amazing to be able to spend time on the shoreline, looking at the sea. Maybe one day for us in Southampton...

On Tuesday evening I attended the Southampton Test meeting of the party. We had a discussion on the new Localism Bill. It was a difficult discussion as some of the ideas within the new bill appear contradictory, some nonsensical and some pointless. But we have to work with what we're given and so the debate on how we can maximise the benefits to Southampton took place.

On Thursday afternoon I attended a consultation event at Chilton Green. It was great to see the local housing officers, tenant participation, neighbourhood wardens, police and fire service represented. Had some really useful chats with residents and was able to put right some of the myths being sold by other people in attendance. Knowledge is power and we need to give more of it to the people, so that they can make informed choices - not just those who change there message according to who they're speaking. But this is a Labour Blog not a Liberal democrat one! I will be chasing up the casework both myself and Dave picked up; we're hopefully of getting some changes made for our community.

Yesterday Team Millbrook were out and about in Millbrook. We met some colourful characters, some disenchanted people and quite a lot of p*ssed off members of the public. As I eluded to earlier, the lack of information seems to be the biggest issue. As I said yesterday; I try to get out onto the doorstep every week, we deliver by hand our leaflets, and have a number of ways for people to contact me. At least it means people can get information from me - assuming I've been told.

This morning its off to the MP3 Centre in Redbridge ward for our annual policy discussion with party members. Its a good session, with good discussions and good turnout. A real opportunity for the work of out policy forums to be discussed and debated with those members who are newly joined or couldnt contribute.

Additionally, I have attached a copy of a letter I sent into the Echo. Lets see if they print this one? So far five sent in, only one printed!

If “we’re all in this together”; the public service, the criminal justice service, the armed services, manufacturing and locally based businesses all suffer cuts and job losses – not the super rich though, who can expect to pay less tax according to Tory plans.

We’re told the council has sold off our assets to balance the books, but the books are in a worse state than ever! During this time of financial “prudence”, the Conservative administration decides to borrow even more money to prop up the sea city museum. All this against a backdrop of industrial action without a negotiated settlement in sight.

People up and down the country now know about Southampton. Big statements, grand plans and no change! 

The Self Preservation Society