Callum Ringer

NNDC - Walking backwards into the future?

2012-01-16T08:53:00.000-08:00

It was with disappointment, but ultimately not surprise to see that North Norfolk District council have refused permission for buried cabling from Weybourne to Great Ryburgh connecting the offshore dudgeon wind farm to the National grid.

It is of great concern that NNDC is apparently quite happy to reject this massive investment into the local area, especially with the great success of the Sheringham Shoal project, I challenge anyone to identify the exact cable route now that all the areas have been returned to agriculture. What do our district councillors want? Masses of pylons? It worries me that North Norfolk District Council is becoming somewhat of a NIMBY council, turning things down because it might not fit with individual councillors personal tastes, rather than what is ultimately best for the people they represent.

Any person looking at North Norfolk as a place worth investing in must surely be questioning weather it is worth it, given the ease at which the proposal was turned down. Just what do NNDC want to do? In one week the announcement is made that they will invest £25,000 to enable skills training to those workers being made redundant by the Cromer Crab company, and in the next, refusing permission to a project that will no doubt create jobs and boost investment?

No doubt Warwick Energy, who are hoping to construct the wind farm will appeal the decision, ultimately costing the council more money, putting further strain on services. Just where is the forward thinking from our councillors?

Car Parking Fee Increases - My Thoughts.

2011-11-28T13:31:00.001-08:00

It is with some concern that I learnt of the proposed increase in car parking fees in some of North Norfolk's apparently more "affluent" towns. While NNDC is perhaps correct to charge less in towns which are suffering some what of a commercial stagnation, as appears to be the case with North Walsham, It is unfair to up the prices of car parking in areas due to their apparent affluence.

In towns such as Sheringham most of this apparent "affluence" is within walking distance of the town centre and is completely unrepresentative of what would make up the people who actually use the car park. It is people from outlying parishes and the outskirts of the towns who are those most likely to use the car park and in these areas it is not the picture of coastal affluence that NNDC is painting. The housing on the outskirts of Sheringham is made up of a mixture of younger families (much of it social housing) and elderly bungalows. These are the people most likely to drive into the town centre either because of young children or in the case of the elderly, a lack of mobility.

In outlying parishes, such as here in Bodham we are caught between two towns which will see increased parking fees (Sheringham and Holt) I suspect that a greater percentage of people here use the towns' car parks than those in the towns themselves. Yet, here we do not have the same affluence, with the village made up of predominantly social housing (both young families and elderly), however we are still expected to pay a greater charge for shopping in our local towns. Bodham is fortunate enough to have a decent bus route and a fantastic village shop, but many others are less fortunate and there are serious issues about rural isolation, which an increase in car parking fee's will do nothing to solve.

Whilst I recognise that the towns are considerably busier in summer, rather than distinguish between towns due to affluence, why not operate seasonal tariffs instead? In the winter months NNDC could encourage trade across the district by reducing the car parking from October through to Easter, and increasing the parking fees in the season so as to capitalise on the tourists? NNDC would receive the same income, but not towns would be looked upon as "second class". Just and Idea, of course, and surely there are numerous ways to make it a fairer deal. I would like NNDC to look again in future and approach its decision in a more thoughtful way.

Unfortunately with the "freeze" in council tax, NNDC is using parking fee increases as an indirect rise in tax revenue which unfortunately, will hit those in the most rural and deprived parts of Norfolk the hardest.

An amusing, simplified version of the economic crisis (thanks to Tom Cornwall's Facebook for this)

2011-11-23T03:06:00.000-08:00

A simplified story to explain the current economic situation to those of us who just can't understand how it happened;- Christine is the proprietor of a local pub She realises that virtually all of her customers are unemployed alcoholics and, as such, can no longer afford to patronize her pub.
To solve this problem, she comes up with a new marketing plan that allows her customers to drink now, but pay later. Christine keeps track, in a ledger, of the drinks consumed and of the customers' loans so they can keep on drinking. Word gets around about Christine's "drink now, pay later" marketing strategy and, as a result, increasing numbers of customers flood into Christine's bar
Soon she has the largest sales volume for any bar. By providing her customers freedom from immediate payment demands, Christine gets no resistance when, at regular intervals, she substantially increases her prices for wine and beer, the most consumed beverages. Consequently, Christine's gross sales volume massively increases.
A young and dynamic senior manager at the local bank recognizes that these customer debts constitute valuable future assets and increases Christine's borrowing limit. He sees no reason for any undue concern, since he has the debts of the unemployed alcoholics as collateral!!! At the bank's regional corporate headquarters, expert traders figure a way to make huge commissions and transform these customer loans into DRINK BONDS.
These "securities" are then are bundled and traded on international securities markets. Naive investors don't really understand that the securities being sold to them as "AAA Secured Bonds" are really debts of unemployed alcoholics. Nevertheless, the bond prices continuously climb!!! The securities soon become the hottest-selling items for some of the nation's leading brokerage houses.
One day, even though the bond prices still are climbing, a risk manager at the original local bank decides that the time has come to demand payment on the debts incurred by the drinkers at Christine's pub. He so informs Christine. Christine then demands payment from her alcoholic patrons, but being unemployed alcoholics, they cannot pay back their drinking debts. Since Christine cannot fulfil her loan obligations she is forced into bankruptcy.
The pub closes and Christine's 11 employees lose their jobs. Overnight, DRINK BOND prices drop by 90%. The collapsed bond asset value destroys the bank's liquidity and prevents it from issuing new loans thus freezing credit and economic activity in the community. The suppliers of Christine's pub had granted her generous payment extensions and had invested their firms' pension funds in the BOND securities. They find they are now faced with having to write off her bad debt and with losing over 90% of the presumed value of the bonds.
Her wine supplier also is placed into bankruptcy, closing the doors on a family business that had endured for three generations, her beer supplier is taken over by a competitor, who immediately closes the local plant and lays off 150 workers. Fortunately though, the bank, the brokerage houses and their respective executives are saved and bailed out by a multibillion dollar/pound/euro no-strings attached cash infusion from the government. The funds required for this bailout are obtained by new taxes levied on employed, middle-class, moderate or non-drinkers....... who have never been in Christine's pub.
Now do you understand?

My Thoughts on 11/11/11

2011-11-11T02:29:00.001-08:00

Today we remember all those who fell fighting for our freedom. The Poppy should never be a symbol for racists and today we remember those from all nations who fought alongside us in the World Wars; French, American, Polish, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Russian, Belgian, Dutch, South African, Mexican, Brazillian, Yugoslavian, and many others. Don't get racist about the poppy, or turn on an entire race just because some attention seeking numpty burns a poppy. We only won the wars, and continue to win wars because we help and accept help from foregners of all colours and religions. If You want to tell people to "get out of our country" it sounds just a little bit like that German fella we were all fighting to defeat, and we don't want anyone like him around again. 11/11/11 My respects to those who fight for freedom.

Bodham Parish Poll - Why we shouldn't bother.

2011-09-28T03:14:00.000-07:00

At the parish meting on Monday, it was proposed by some parishioners that a Parish Referendum be held to determine the real feeling of Bodham Parish. Initially you may think, oh, what a lovely Idea, and how wonderful for democracy. The reality, however, is far from democratic and, although useful in some circumstances, this is most certainly an abuse of the Law.

Firstly, there is the cost. Approx £1300 for a parish the size of Bodham. Bodham simply does not have that kind of money. The result of holding a parish poll equalls bankruptcy for the council. Of course, legally the council would have to hold the poll, and the cost of it would result in an increase in council tax owing to the extra unexpected expediture. This money, even if it was available could no doubt be spent on something of far more benefit to the community.

Members of Bodham parish council have a mandate to represent their village. They were elected this may, and they should, if they are doing their job properly, have spoke to as many residents as they could, to guage public feeling, and be aware of what the mood of the village is. I suspect that the winner will be apathy, as a great deal of people do not mind either way. However, aside from a vocal minority against the development, it is my belief that most people are sympathetic to the cause, and recognise the need to contribute to reducing C02, and improving our sustainability.

If a parish poll is called, then, the hours for it are not the same as a conventional election, and would be held from 4pm - 9pm. This is, in itself, going to reduce turn out. Alongside this, there is no Postal Vote facility with a parish poll. This means many elderly, or disable voters may be ut off coming out to vote. If a poll is called it will take 28 days from the date it is called, until the poll itself. by which time, it will likely be early November. On a cold, dark and potentially wet and windy November evening, I cannot imagine that anyone except the most deadicated campaigners will be out to cast a vote. Turn out will be low, and there will be no conclusive result.

On a side note, neither NNDC or Bodham Parish Council have to listen to the result. It is not binding, merely an indication. But for the reasons outlined above, it will likely not be a clear indication. It will be a costly waste of time.

If, however, for some reason there are 10 people crazy enough to propose such a costly waste of time, then, I am not sure weather I will even recognise it, and it is possible that there will be an orchistrated boycott of the vote. Similarly, I may well fight the poll, and aim for victory, a more than realistic target in my view.

I hope that it will not come to this, and we will be able to get on with a serious campaign without any distractions of meaningless Parish Polls.

I do, however, feel tempted to push for my own poll, merely in the interests of spite, and call for a poll to change the name of Bodham to NIMBYINCOMERSAGAINSTEVERYTHINGVILLE. I Might be an interesting poll that. (I imagine the Nimby Incomers will be agains that aswell, just proving my point.)

Bodham Parish Meeting.

2011-09-26T17:26:00.000-07:00

Well, What an interesting day. Aside from working until 2, I then endeavored to discover the true feeling of Bodham, regarding the Wind Turbine project, for pond farm, Bodham.

The NIMBY's re-iterated all their usual rubbish, this time the actually invented their own statistics and government legislation to back up their opinions. Good on them, eh?

Dangerously, however, some called for a Parish Poll on the turbine plan. Now, I will make it clear, I do no fear this. I believe that Bodham Parishioners generally support the proposal for a Turbine, however, I do certainly care for the fact that it will almost certainly bankrupt Bodham Parish Council, and it will divide the community completely.

It was very evident from the meeting, however, that of all the people that were present, if the meeting was held in 10 years from now, then, the Parish would have been even more in support. The Demographics were fascinating. Indigenous and young members of the community were supporting, whereas predominantly incoming retirees where against the proposal. There were, of course some incomers who spoke in support, but, I do not recall a single local voice speaking against.

Thanks to all those who came out in Support, we certainly equaled the NIMBY's of the area. Indeed, I do not recall a situation ever, when so many young people took an interest in village politics! It is just such a shame that their opinions were dismissed by self interested Luddites.

If those who want a Parish Poll, feel the desperate urge to bankrupt a village, then, so be it. We do not fear a Parish Poll. But, I wouldn;t want to be one of the 10 attempting to bankrupt the council. They deserve to be named and shamed.

Back to Bodham!

2011-09-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

Good day to you all. It's been a while, I know. Having had rather a complicated couple of months, I am now once again back in the world of Blogging, and hope that I shall not have any hiatus' anytime soon! In the last weeks a few local issues have been brewing including the hugely contentious issue of the Bodham Wind Turbine!

I didn't think it would be long until I was back campaigning for something (surprise surprise). Having fought (and won) with Tesco, Then went on to fight the District Council for Labour (achieving a rather nice 22.6% swing to us) I am now establishing myself as a campaigner for a Wind Turbine in my own back yard! It is a really great application, and something the community can be proud of.

Of course, there is the usual NIMBY opposition, spreading the usual rumors, scaremongering and general barrel scraping in an attempt to justify there selfish opinion all backed up by hearsay and articles from the Daily Mail.

The fact is, this is the highest arable land in the whole of Norfolk, and is the Ideal location for a Wind Turbine. It would reduce carbon emissions by 1200Tons per year, and power on average 600-700 homes. The equivalent of all the surrounding parishes. The applicant has also pledged to plant 3km of hedging around their farm land, plant woodland and also re-instate ponds, which would do wonders for the local ecology, biodiversity and also absorb C02.

I will update more in the coming days! In the meantime, I have letters to write, and a Local Labour Party meeting to prepare for!

Positive day, hoping for more!

2011-04-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Just had chance for a quick 90 minutes on the doorstep today, really positive feedback. Had a few undecided voters, but, in the whole time we had just one person voting for another party! Converted a tory on the doorstep, and heard some brilliant tales from Ex Liberal Democrat voters, who will never again! I really hope we get more of the same!

This ward is going to be very tight I think, and whatever the result, I am heartened by much of the good feedback from the doorstep. I have met some very rude Liberals, and some even ruder conservatives (surprise surprise) but most are polite, friendly, and wish us well.

Tomorrow is another day, and I should get another couple of hours in. Things are really getting tight, and it is exhausting, but I am really enjoying it, and I already am looking forward to the county council elections in 2 years from now!

Boards Battle and the Lib Dems

2011-04-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

When it comes to building momentum, getting Vote Labour boards up is rather important. It is not as important of course, as winning votes, but it is a good start. Of course seeing Liberal Democrat boards up is a shame. As people may Know, I was once a Liberal Democrat, and I want to say a little about why I am not any more, and why people who still are, frustrate me so much!

I used to agree with what the Liberal Democrats said. I agree with scrapping tuition fees, creating more of a "green economy", and I agree with many of the Liberal policies regarding Immigration, and Europe. I agreed with Nick Clegg when he said that no serious economist would make deep cuts so fast . . .

I still stand by my principles. I still want to scrap Tuition Fees, I want more emphasis on environmental issues, and I Don't want to make deep cuts too fast . . Or raise VAT, or scrap EMA . . .

Leaving the Liberal Democrats was not, initially, and easy thing to do. I had put a great deal of time and energy into helping local Liberal Democrats, and Norman Lamb. My heart had been with him in every campaign he had ever fought, I had a Liberal Democrat Board up outside my house, and I stayed up watching numerous election results coming in.

Last year, I was in the EDP each week, commenting on exactly what I thought about the election, and mostly it was in support of Norman and the Liberals . . .

Right now, All that has changed. In less than a year, I have gone from one of Norman Lambs biggest fans, to someone who I am fighting against on the doorstep. I am the Youth officer for the Local Labour party, and I am a candidate, fighting 2 sitting Liberal Democrats, in Sheringham South in the next district council election.

I admit, I do not always like having to defend a Labour party that I was at the time, not a member of. But I am not interested in the past. I study it, and I learn from it. But I am certain that No mistake that Labour ever made, was as big as the Liberal Democrats have made in the last months. They have dropped all their values for which I fought for. They have let down young voters who trusted them to help them fulfil their dreams and ambitions, and lived up to the old "whatever you want" party . . . But just changing their tune completely . . . When allowing the Conservatives to have a majority. . . .

I cannot trust a single Liberal Democrat any more. Any of them, with any pride in their beleifs, or desire to achieve them, should have walked, with me, to Labour.

I have greater faith that Labour remain truer to their beliefs in times of power, than the Liberals . . . Who have broken so many promises, and bought so much hardship upon those most vulnerable in society. We know the Tories bring hardship, but the Liberals promised so much, and delivered so very little . . I feel a great amount of distrust for anyone who remains in that party . . .

Ed Balls and more

2011-04-25T04:36:00.000-07:00

A nice day, on Saturday 16th when we had Ed Balls come and support our North Norfolk campaign, he was very pleased to see so many young candidates, and also, that some of used to be Lib Dem voters . . and I got a special welcome, having been a former Liberal Democrat member! Myself, Sam Rushworth, and Ed Balls Press the link for a picture.

That was just part of my rather epic 16 hours spent out doing various party related things, had great help from the Suffield Park guys, Scott and Greg, along with Cromer Town council candidate Tim Adams, who gave me and Sam some good hours on the doorstep.

The days since then have seen more door knocking, leafletting, and general hard work, aswel as a 50 hour working week, being Easter and all . . . However now, the work level on the doorstep will increase, and every household will get a knock on the door. . .

The most ineresting thing so far, has been the Lib Dems I have met, 2 with boards up said they do not even know if they will vote for them, and another in Sheringham North, was conviced that Brian Hannah was Labour! She now has 2 Labour boards up, and is even delivering leaflets for us!

Busy day

2011-04-16T00:22:00.001-07:00

3 Weeks or so until election day, and we have a 12 hour shift on the doorsteps today. Plus a little something extra special in the morning . . . Which I am sure I will update you on later.

Progress so far is good, and the Liberal Democrat vote is falling away. From our early polling, it is clear that Sheringham south is a two horse race between Labour and the Tories . . . We need to get every vote we can, this one is going to go down to the wire.

And we're off!!!

2011-04-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

Nominations have gone well for Labour in North Norfolk, we are the only party to secure a candidate in every ward. 48 out of 48. A Fantastic start.

As for Sheringham South, our polling is putting us in a good position. We are going to push this all the way, Posters will be going up, leaflets going out, and many many doors to knock on!

I will keep all up to date with goings on! It looks to be a very interesting interesting month full of some pretty amazing opportunities . . .

For now, ciao.

Sheringham Community Centre

2011-04-01T01:36:00.000-07:00

Well, this long running spat with Sheringham Town council continues as after a "consultation" have decided that what would be really nice is some extra car parking and to REMOVE the half size Astro Turf pitch . . . It is a very strange decision and I shall elaborate on my objections below:

Sports: Although perhaps carpet Bowls is more important to the type of people that turn up to a consultation than football, hockey etc, that does not mean that it is not beneficial to the community. One of the most talked about things on the doorstep has been a lack of facilities for young people in the Town, and now we are seeing another one, promised, but not even going to get built. It is the same Town Councillors who said "Tesco makes kids fat" that are now getting rid of the Sports element of the community centre.

Location. The New community centre although not at the heart of the Town itself, is at the heart of "residential" Sheringham, and there are no sports facilities for some way for the people who live at this end of town. Indeed, Splash is over a Mile away from here!

Youth Club: Sheringham does not have a Youth club at the moment. A great shame but something that in the next 50 years (the minimum life span of the community centre) I expect Sheringham will regain. An Astro Turf facility will be a fantastic addition, and attraction to any people in the town considering forming a youth club. Removing it for the sake of more car parking spaces would hit the "forgotten generation" much more than those who, nothing against our town council, but they wont be around for 50 years . . .(and if they are, then, they can have a glass of wine, on me)

Computer room: A room with Internet hook up points would be valuable in this day and age, this importance will only increase! Although they say that they have no computers, that is not to say that they cannot 1) get grant funding for some, and 2) remember that people often bring there own Laptops. The New community centre should have wireless internet throughout if it is going to be the modern building that is so desperately needed.

Cost: Apparently the Astro Turf will cost £100,000 to re lay in 10-12 years time. Firstly, having done a little research, a half pitch would cost rather less than that! and secondly, grant funding can be obtained, especially if it is used by a Youth Club.

At this "consulation" only 80 people out of 7,000 turned up. The Sheringham Town Council has no mandate to change these plans based on those measly numbers. It is not the Job of our elected councillors to just sit and wait for people to come to them. What a lazy approach. They should be out there on the doorstep, talking to people, and they will know that the changes they propose are very very wrong

Well . . A bad week to be away!

2011-03-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

First of all, I had a lovely week in Austria with Kati and Nico, and they will be staying in Vienna for the next fortnight without me, as I am back here working hard! Was a lovely week again, and the weather was nice . . .

. . . But I understand the weather was also nice here! And a little something called the Budget happened. Seems a lot of unhappy people regarding the Budget . . . But, What else did I expect to be honest!

The week ahead is when my campaign will step up into a new gear. I shall be on the doorstep for, probably 3 days this week, and the momentum is building. First posters already up and more to go up in the coming days.

Also been talking with candidates in other places, Holt looks very winnable for Jono Read, I hope he wins. It would be appalling if UKIP won the seat there.

Did you Know?

2011-03-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

Our District Councillors take an allowance of Nearly £5000 per year, plus expenses. Of the people canvassed so far, not one single person has Known the name of their district Councillor! Disgraceful! Indeed, some people thought that Norman Lamb was their District Councillor!!!

It has been very responsive so far in Sheringham south, Straw Polls of doors knocked on show us faring well. Let's hope so!

Momentum

2011-03-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

After the good feedback from my leaflet deliveries from my ward, I am mobilising my campaign team this week, in preparation for a hard six weeks or so on the doorstep!

For people who are unaware, Labour have not had a candidate in Sheringham south since the ward was created in 2003! Therefore I am faced with one of the toughest seats in, not only the district, but, the country! even if I get just 1 vote it is an improvement on anything before!

The interesting thing is, I BELIEVE that Labour can win in Sheringham south. With the backlash against the Liberals, and the disaffection towards the conservative led coalition, we look set to gain a lot of votes. With an active campaign, and working hard, I am convinced that against all odds, we can do well.

People in Sheringham south can expect a knock at the door over the coming weeks . ..

Voter feeling

2011-03-11T06:51:00.000-08:00

Having been out today with a few hundred more leaflets in my ward, I had much positive feedback from people on the streets. I was quite astonished about how many people only voted Lib Dem to keep out the conservatives, and therefore, wont vote Liberal again, and also I came across 1 Tory (only 1) who said even he thinks that what the coalition is doing is damaging. He wont vote for the Liberals or Conservatives now.

What we need to ensure is that all these people come to Labour. It wont be easy, it has to be said. I get the feeling that to get the best turn out for me in Sheringham south, I need to knock on as many doors as possible. I plan to, indeed, it is the only way. The candidates who work the hardest with the clearest message, will get the most votes.

The Liberals have lost all of their identity, and the Conservatives have reminded everyone just how useless they really are. In North Norfolk, things are changing, and we wait with great interest to what level of change we see . .

Just enough time . .

2011-03-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

. . . for a quick update on what is going on!

Today I walked about 15km, cold, but bright blue skies, followed by Schnitzel! Baby now stirring, so better go look and make sure he is ok! Lovely area, but nothing on Sheringham!!!

Bring it on!

2011-03-03T13:15:00.000-08:00

i have been a little silent on this blog, this last few days. Aswell as having a good week at work, (very busy for a february) I have since arrived in Vienna, Austria for a week. Good to have a week Away with Kati and Nico before the busy easter rush, oh, and the small matter of an election aswell!

In my absence I have been reading online about something a heard last week, something that concerns me slightly.

Many reading this will know of the 14 year long Tesco saga in Sheringham. Which was concluded in October with Tesco winning approval, with conditions regarding the construction of a new Fire Station and a new Community Centre prior to commencement of work on the store itself.

The Town council is now attempting to delay the commencement of work on the new community centre, months after the plans for the centre were approved. They are holding a "consultation" about the design of the centre, which many may see as a good thing, on the face of things, but, why now?

Surely the town council had ample opportunity to do this BEFORE the plans for the new community centre on the Hilbre site on the Holway road (in Sheringham south) were approved by NNDC? Why also did the Town Council go along with the NNDC reccomendation of a "like for like" community centre with imporved access aswell as a new car park and all weather sports area? Why did the idea of finding out what the community think not cross the mind of (unelected) Mayor Doug Smith long ago?

It is clear, to me at least, that this is a badly disguised delaying tactic, and I think it will backfire on Mayor Smith in a similar way to how the Parish Poll (which he wrongly thought that he would win, and ended up losing). People are not stupid, and even many people who did not want a Tesco, simply do not want the town war to continue any longer.

Continuing the Store wars will do the Town no good at all, and Mayor Smith and the other Councillors should be sure to remember that they are up for election in May aswell!

Let's Please start work NOW on the new community centre, so we can do away with the old one, which is inaccessable to the elderly and disabled, and in my view, looks rather hideous aswell! Bring on the new community centre! Let's not wait another day!

It feels like it's nearly (double)summertime!!

2011-02-25T00:29:00.000-08:00

After dishing out another couple of hundered leaflets yesterday afternoon, around sunway park, I was feeling rather pleased in the sunshine. Even had to ake off my coat! what a nice change that is. I bumped into the local Conservative chairman on my rounds aswell! Despite his best efforts to keep me talking, I made good progress and managed to just about make it to the Crown for my 4.15 beer appointment. Of course, Drinking before work is not the best idea, but as it was jus the one pint, and on such a nice day, it was hard not to!

Work is steady, certainly this is good new for february and the Hotel is as busy as february has ever been. Credit to the work that goes into making North Norfolk such a tourist friendly place! It is out of season, like this, that we need to encourage as much as we can, aswell as in the season. So many local people are made unemployed through the long and winter months, and despite valiant efforts, the best any of these workers can expect is 4/5 months on the dole with a maybe 3 weeks christmas work if they are lucky!

In the current slash and burn economy that we have, with so many public and private sector jobs being cut, it is job creation and retention that is one of the biggst issues facing so many local people, be it from redundancies in he public sector, the building trade, or out of season for people in the tourist trade, much more needs to be done to promote jobs in the area.

But in the meantime, we can atleast all enjoy the sunshine!

"We'll cut the deficit not the NHS"

2011-02-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

"we'll cut the deficit, not the NHS" - David Cameron's words here upon election as Prime Minister. However, he seems to have forgotten this "pledge" and has announced that 50,000 NHS staff are to lose their jobs. (full report: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12548153 )

Although I am not a big fan of Labour's increase in "middle managers" and the increase in administrative staff, etc, it is inevitable that a redundancy list as long as this is going to hit the front line services as well as back room staff. There has been much talk about the the coalition health reforms taking "National" out of the National Health Service, add to this 50,000 fewer staff, and can we take the "service" away as well?

The unsettling Issue for me is the apparent state of ease for many of our Liberal Democrat MP's in letting this, and more damaging legislation through the commons. Stifling economic growth and recovery and pushing many more below the poverty line.

These cuts in the NHS and the Reforms are not acceptable. We need to be IMPROVING the NHS and CREATING jobs. Not Cutting.

Nice few beers

2011-02-22T02:56:00.000-08:00

Had a couple of pints of Guinness and then was lucky enough to get my 3rd free on account of me completing my Kings Head loyalty card! Today, after making myself a full English as a treat to myself for it being my day off, I shall crack on with the leafleting and hope to get it all finished. I shall report back later.

In other news look at what else this dammed coalition is trying to cut. .http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/politics/norwich_passport_office_faces_axe_1_808505

It's bitterly cold!

2011-02-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

Had a little wander around today, got another 100 or so leaflets out! Looking forward to tomorrow when I shall have a small team off helpers to ensure I get the rest of my allocation out into the ward. I would have delivered a few more but with the easterly breeze my hands felt like they were nearly about to fall off! Better luck tomorrow I hope.

I shall now get myself warm before venturing out to Holt for a Pint with the prospective candidate for Holt, Jono Read! Thinking of treating myself to a Guinness tonight!

New Blog!

2011-02-20T11:39:00.000-08:00

Good evening all (or afternoon or morning, depending on when you are reading this)! And welcome to my new Blog. Before I begin, I should really be polite and Introduce myself.

My name is Callum Ringer, and I am 21 years old (22 in just over a week). I live in the small North Norfolk village of Bodham, between Sheringham and Holt. I spend most of my waking hours in Sheringham where I work, drink, socialize etc. I do say I "live" in Sheringham, because although I may not have my bed there, that is where I spend most of my time!

I am standing, prospectively in the Sheringham South ward in this Mays local elections. And I shall be doing so as a Labour candidate. Considering the Local nature of these elections, I am adamant that my campaign focuses primarily on Local issues, and hope, as a result to attract voters from the local area, regardless of weather they usually vote Conservative or Liberal Democrat (I used to be a Liberal, pre-coalition!). Although, given the unpopularity of the coalition I hope that many may see me as a new alternative in what is currently a Liberal and Conservative dominated area. This is part of the reason I have started this blog, so that I can keep people informed of how my campaign is going on, and as a way to "connect" with the electorate in this age of "New Media"

Aside from my Political activity, I have an allotment and generally like the out doors. I am keen to grow as much as I can, for the benefit of being in the fresh air, and the savings I can make by growing my own food! It's been in my blood since birth and Growing things is something I have just always done . . .Got some chickens as-well, they are a bit funny.

In my personal life, me and my Girlfriend Kati, have a little baby boy called Nico, who was born on January 8th 2011, and he is adorable, bless him. As much as I love to get involved with things in the community, and I get engrossed in elections as-well as having a full time job, Nico and Kati are still the most important things in my life, and I love them to bits.

The full time work, aforementioned is my bar/waiting job at Sheringham's Burlington Hotel. It might be seasonal, and might not get me anywhere, but it pays the bills, and I can't complain, especially when so many people my age have no work at all . . . Something I wish I could change . . . .

Sport wise, I am a Norwich City fan, Like Formula 1, and Cycling! Though at this time of the year with a stiff easterly breeze I think taking the bike out is a bit much until the sun starts to shine! Let's hope the sun starts to shine soon!

All the best!

Callum Ringer