CTPH D-7 Commitment and trust

 Commitment and trust

For the past months I have only encountered Liberal Democrats whilst out campaigning in Camden Town with Primrose Hill, Apart from the Labour candidate I have yet to meet Labour activist, which I am surprised as they had previously done well here in past elections.

If this by-election was occurring on any day other than the Mayoral and London Assembly and GLA elections I guess it would be a more traditional election with large teams out delivering, canvassing and knocking up all the 9000 voters in the ward.

In many ways I am rather pleased that this is the case, as it creates for me a more one to one and private meeting with reseidents as I campaign and canvas. Large teams of canvassers may look impressive but seldom impress the voter!

Honesty, integrity, sincerity and proven commitment to the local community in helping make a real difference, is what counts with the electorate. For example, my solid commitment for more than three years as your local school Governor to Primrose Hill Primary (OFSTED Outstanding) school, Vice Chair and member of a local SNT Police panel since 2009. Active member of the "School Places" working group for several years. The bulge class created to hold additional children unplaced are now accommodated in Primrose Hill Primary and comfortably into there second year. Co-Opted member to Camden council Housing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny committee for two years and therefore, helping to improve the Housing conditions for all the Council Tenants in Camden Housing. Co-Opted member to a large TRA part of a very large estate of over 2000+ residents. I frequently go on walk abouts around large housing estates noting areas for improvements.

Why should Council tenants trust me as a Conservative I hear some of my Labour critics ask? Simple because I have been asked by residents and tenants to represent them for the past six years even before I ever become involved as a political candidate. I have earned that trust by delivering the results that the residents deserve.

I have been told by the tenants that know me over the years that they would vote for me regardless of which party I may represent, because they know I would always put them first. It is this reason and this reason alone that I continue in the knowledge that I am doing the right things for my local community.

 At 55 years of age I believe that I have maturity, proven local goverence experience to serve you well for this 2 year term upto 2014 and again to 2018.

CTPH D-8 HS2 Groundhog Day Talks

As I reported several weeks ago after attending a HS2 Primrose Hill to Kilburn route consultation HS2 Community Forum on 28th March at Swiss Cottage Library. I made several points.

Which the HS2 meeting chair / facilitator agreed with me;

1. Consultation is not making progress and learning in what has previously been gained from previous consultations.

2. The route has endless "wriggle room" possibilities with no real drive to create an effective and minimal impacting route.

3. Engineering uncertainties skewing route on risks based on "Deep Piles" and "Boggy Pockets" along the route, creating much uncertainty for the residents Gloucester Avenue and King Henrys Road, Primrose Hill.

A few days ago circulated to all meeting participants, I received a draft "Primrose Hill to Kilburn Notes" by email.

Where I was compelled to make this reply:

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"Dear HS2 Community Forum Chair HS2 Ltd.

If this is an example of a quality document (I am taking draft edition into consideration when I say this) capturing the views and opinions expressed at this highly activated and mobilised meeting then I am now compelled to revisit all my copious notes from the said meeting.

What has been attempted here is a distillation of thoughts and real concerns into a bubble diagram of key tag words.

'Boggy Pockets', 'Deep Piles' and numerous other concerns are there but statements from representatives on the almost unanimous consensual view that no one felt that this consultation process came anywhere close to being a meaningful actual consultation process is notable by its exclusion.

Please also note you have me listed as representing a Co-Op Housing Association at Camden Council!

I am a co-opted member of Camden Council Housing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee.

Clearly, it appears that there is a cohesive luck of focus with attention to details on all HS2 Limited consultation processes this far. Which let me remind is essential to the of 'Duty of Care' and Due Diligence of HS2 consultation as stipulated in legal framework of consultative law.

Regards

Nigel Rumble
Co-Opted member of
Camden Council Housing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee."
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I received this statement from the HS2 Community Forum secretariat by email.

"I have amended the notes to cover members’ scepticism around the overall forums process."

So I have achieved a victory of sorts as I have managed to get recorded that there was members scepticism at the HS2 consultation meeting!

I will not pass judgement here of the response but just go back to my opening line "Groundhog Day Talks" you may have seen the movie, imagine every day starting again over and over. That's HS2 Consultation.

I was going to use the Möbius Loop as another metaphor, but settled on "Groundhog Day" due to its more closely fitting the point I was articulating.

Illustration by (c) Gail Gibbons. My Daughter has approved this illustration for use here!

CTPH D-8 what people are saying...

... in Camden Town with Primrose Hill really do not like or trust political parties in the traditional sense. I sense a sweeping sea of support for Libertarianism here in my now well over 150km trekking around the whole ward day in and day out.

Again may I express my thanks to my local sport shop in Camden Town for advising me so well for all my campaign survival gear!

There is almost unanimous support for an independent free thinking councillor not saddled up with with a big political machine with whips at every difficult turn.

Naturally, I encounter the dire hard party loyalists and supporters that would never deviate from their normal party voting patterns regardless of the quality and character of the candidates. They usually always apologies to me and preface that with 'we realise you may be a great guy and do tremendous work for your community, but am sorry we can't vote for you'

In a strong sense I think this is a historic reflection of the political machine in process. The brand is as important as the statement and commitment to deliver. I would venture further and say that the brand appears even more vital to many voters. Just like some folks would never wear any trainers unless Nike. I don't wear Nike, I wear what is comfortable and at the right price!

Which helps explains why an Independent candidate standing alone usually do very poorly in local elections as they even though invariably have tremendous community credentials do not posses a brand that people can latch on to. Unless they can spend years promoting there name brand. Now it is possible that if a very well known individual were to enter as a local candidate as an independent they could do very well as they have brand name association, which is why American actors often become politicians and indeed Presidents!

I am convinced that most elections would have similar outcomes in many areas with no campaigning apart from three letters sent out by post from the regional council overseeing the election to invite people to vote and list all candidates. The first letter to announce election and list candidates with introduction statements of 100 words, the second to state the mid election messages from all candidates in no more than 200 words each and third the final letter with a summary statements from each candidates in 150 words.

Cheap, effective local politics with equal opportunity for all regardless of wealth or party wealth.

It would dismantle the election machines of all parties in one stroke. .

Many countries in Europe do similar things and have a completely consensual form of politics. It is proven to work well. It also creates more trust in politicians as they are no longer seen as being door-to-door sales people selling and promoting themselves and the party lines to an ever more sceptical public.

(c) Image illustrating the brand association emotional logic and many thanks to David Armano for allowing its use here - http://davidarmano.com/

CTPH D-8 The Splendour and vibrance of Chalcot Square

A wonderful place to be with the multitudes of the rainbow colour schemes. A real favourite of mine whilst I walk to my local school of Primrose Hill School as governor.

Photo highlighting the vibrance and kaleidoscopic colour facades.