Wonderful Spring - let's go for real change!!!

What a great time to be out of doors talking to people - the very best way of finding out what people really want from people like me - a politician, that "dirty word". The system has changed in that the election expenses shame has been dealt with, but it needs further change in order to really clean up politics in this country.

Along with the election for the District Council elections runs the referendum on a new voting system for the UK "Alternative votes" or AV. Along with the rest of my party, I am championing this change in the way we elect our representatives. There is a lot of nonsense suddenly being spoken by both of the large parties who are terrified of AV - now, why would that be? Could it be that they would not be able to count on Safe Seats for themselves, would not be able to count on being elected even though the majority of the people who live in their constituency, division or ward voted against them? Both major parties have Leaders who were elected using the AV system - ask yourself why they want to deny you the opportunity to use it as individual voters.

The vote we all have should count for more than this. We should know that, if our MP or local councillor do not live up to their manifesto promises, we can vote them out. We can achieve political balance and stop the Punch and Judy politics we've suffered for decades - once and for all. Whoever you vote for next month - and of course I hope it's myself, vote for AV in the referendum!

Here I come Wensum!

I feel really keen to visit as many of the villages as I can today - the sun is shining and the birds are cheering me on - even my chickens seem quite jolly this morning. Isn't it odd what the weather does to our spirits? When the sun's shining people talk to complete strangers - it is very British talking about the weather isn't it but....that's what we are!!

Early Days

Well - here I am on the campaign trail again - feels easier each time I do it but there's always that "waiting in the wings, heart in mouth" feeling before banging on the first door. We are a select few who are campaigning in the Fakenham area of Broadland. We aim to back each other up and I spent some time in Fakenham South on Thursday afternoon supporting the local Councillors there.We are very short of volunteers to deliver leaflets or help to canvass opinion and if anyone would like an excuse to walk in Wensum's lovely villages just let me know - I need your help!! The villages which comprise the Wensum ward are: Great Ryburgh, Little Ryburgh, Stibbard, Kettlestone, Gunthorpe, Little Snoring and Thursford.

• The Boundary Commission thoroughly confused people here as, to North Norfolk folk, "Broadland" seems like the Eastern side of Norfolk.

I know the patch well of course as, with the exception of Thursford, I was their County Councillor.

Norman Lamb MP was good enough to come out with me in Great Ryburgh on Thursday evening and was greeted with open arms by people who haven't seen their Conservative MP since the change happened!! Great concern was expressed to us about a planning application which had, inexplicably, succeeded and is certain to be appealed against by local residents whose quality of life will be disrupted by massive earthworks and 24 hour lighting in the middle of what is now wonderful countryside. Will watch this with interest and, regardless of whatever happens on May 5th, will do what I can to express my personal opposition to it! When I campaigned for a Parliamentary seat, using tthis medium to communicate was very helpful - I hope it is equally successful in my campaign for Wensum - let me know what you think