CTPH D-1 perfect end to a perfect day

The response and engagement on the doorstep is truly amazing. Had a team of 8 out tonight. Well done to all volunteers.

But the real thanks goes to the residents of Camden Town with Primrose Hill.

The support for Boris and indeed myself is overwhelming.

But no time for complacency. It is close, very close, every vote is crucial.

Vote Nigel Rumble for a fairer Camden and represented Camden Town with Primrose Hill ward.

I will be out all day tomorrow and look forward to meet you and answer any questions you have about the elections.

Photo taken from Primrose Hill this evening.

CTPH D-2 Boris at Finchley Road, NW3

Boris campaigning in the Swiss Cottage area starting out from Waitrose.

The photos show in a line Boris, Richard Osley (Political Editor of the CNJ and still available for that exclusive interview!) and a very sad Brian Coleman.

The other photo shows my young Daughter with her school friend and her Father in the lower foreground all wanting to shake hands with Boris amongst the crowd huddle. Kids will be kids and that goes for my Daughter also!

CTPH D-2 HS2 is rated by MPA as Amber Red

House of Commons oral evidence given at the Public Accounts Committee on Sale of High Speed 1 Wednesday 18th April 2012 gave us a very interesting perspective on HS2.

After the recess Steve Gooding, Director General, Domestic Group, DfT gave evidence.

He explained about the gateway process with the Major Projects Authority on HS2.

He was then asked by the chair Margaret Hodge of the Public Accounts Committee of the MPA rating "And what have you got? Red?Amber? Green?"

Steve Gooding went on to explain that HS2 was "Amber Red for a variety of reasons...."

The chair stated that "Amber Red is not good enough".

Steve Gooding stated that "Amber Red is not something we aspire to stay in; it is something we aspire to get ourselves out of".

The MPA colour rating refers in simple terms to economic value for money.
With green (good), green amber, amber, amber red and red (poor).

The meeting then went on to discuss regeneration, but I will leave that for another fuller treatment.

The main point that I wished to raise is reference by the MPA rating HS2 as Amber Red.

This represents a massive milestone moment for HS2.

The government set up the MPA as a flag ship example to independently monitor large projects of this kind. HS2 Limited had better be prepared for the inevitable conclusions that may get drawn sooner rather than later.

Photo of Dumpton Place located off Gloucester Avenue.

CTPH D-2 The Village

'The Village' as it is known affectionately by Primrose Hill folks is a wonderful place to be and full of vibrancy that resonates ever so loudly on sunny days such as yesterday. And only slightly less so on this rainy day!

I was out talking to some traders last week and in connection with local book shops of how tough it can be to compete with the giant corporates.

Amazon and especially Kindle has really sucked up the market.

I my self have two Kindle's one for UK and the other for US books.

All of which means I buy fewer 'paper' books, journals, newspapers and magazines.

So returning to the local bookshop in Primrose Hill. I was talking about this conundrum. Whereupon, I came up with an idea. About Amazon offering local exclusive offers to the small book resellers to promote new books in parallel with paper book of same title and buy in the shop the Kindle edition by purchasing a special token card.

The Kindle price for the book could be similar to Amazon direct and a small percentage worked to be resale margin to the local shop.

With my consultancy company I will take my ideas and develop more fully to take Amazon and Apple.

Image (c) Amazon Kindle