While yesterday’s kind of non-story is played, digging ‘dirt’ from years ago in a desperate attempt to discredit, most of the public seem to be realising just what comics many of our newspapers have really become.

If you want to understand what the real agenda is, the following link to an article written by a former editor of The Sun is a real eye-opener.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/18/clegg-media-elite-murdoch-lib-dem

A very thought provoking read.

The leaders debate on Thursday had only one clear winner, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.

Whilst Brown and Cameron tried to knock chunks off each other as usual, I think Nick came across as reasoned and authoritative, honest and less interested in making cheap political capital.

Cameron’s supporters seem the most upset, now saying it was a mistake to agree to a three-party debate. Last week they were crying about Vince getting the middle podium and receiving too much spontaneous audience applause. Their man was in the centre this week but it didn’t seem to help him much. Perhaps some policies instead of waffle, bluster and unsubstantiated claims would have helped a bit more!

What the Conservatives need to do, of course, is to actually change. Demonstrably change. Abandon the Thatcher/Major legacy. But they simply can’t do that, it’s beyond what they’re able to do to regain power. So they still come across as untrustworthy, seedy and spivvy. As likely to sell you a duff 2nd-hand car as an effective policy.

What we’ve seen is the first real exposure of what the Lib Dems stand for in a forum where it can be heard by everyone. The reaction speaks for itself. Our ratings may fall away as the Ashcroft-backed Tory attack-dogs set their sights on us, but as long as Nick keeps it together in the next two debates, and I have EVERY confidence he will, the outcome on May 7th is looking a lot sunnier for our party.

Paul

I’m very disappointed because politicians of all parties are currently held in such low regard by the public and incidents such as this simply confirm to everyone that politicians can’t be trusted. Everyone in politics is demeaned by such actions, so I really didn’t want to expose this situation, however I felt I now had no choice. There’s a difference between ‘spin’ and statements that all available evidence suggest are incorrect.

When I challenged Mr. Shapps and his agent about this, the response was to say they’d changed the wording they were using, but the change was simply yet another variant on the original that I’d already informed them was apparently inaccurate. They appeared to be unconcerned enough about accuracy to fully read and digest the email I sent explaining why I thought the statement inaccurate. No alternative evidence was forthcoming, despite my request for it, demonstrating support for their statement.

Yet again politicians of all persuasions have been let down. It’s a sad day for our area and a sad day for our society when someone we are supposed to look up to lets us down like this.

Of course should compelling evidence appear that proves the statement is accurate, I will be delighted. I would wonder, though, why it has not already been produced? I can only conclude because it does not exist.

I’ll try to keep you informed of developments.

Winkball Video

County Councillor Malcolm Cowan and Welwyn resident Sandy Walkington, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for St Albans, together wrote the motion on rail, proposed at conference by Sandy, which was accepted without any changes and now becomes party policy.

Sandy says ‘It shows how democratic and open our party is that policy is developed in this way from the membership. It is so different from the top-down approach of the other parties. The motion is a direct consequence of our own experiences of rail travel and those of local people.’

The motion condemned the way the government sells franchises – the right to run trains for up to 10 years as a monopoly – usually to the highest bidder. The effect is to make rail companies push up fares and charges, and the government to allow it because they are reliant on the payments.

‘Instead of the government trying to keep fares down and encourage use of this green form of transport, they sit in the opposite corner, ignoring abuses of the companies’ monopoly position and allowing people to be priced off the railways. Britain has the highest rail fares in Europe, and fares from WGC and St Albans are amongst the highest in the country’ said Malcolm. ‘I take no pleasure from knowing our residents are thus probably paying the highest fares in Europe.’

For further information, contact Malcolm Cowan on 01707-324723

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidates Sandy Walkington and Paul Zukowskyj with Borough and County Councillor Malcolm Cowan.

Or Sandy Walkington on 07802 177317