At Tuesday’s Council Meeting the Administration made clear that they are still sticking to this idiotic theory.  Do residents really want a Council run like a budget airline?

They also refused to sanction any real joined up thinking between Barnet Brent and Camden in the Cricklewood area.  However it does look as though we may get the ‘No drinking zone ‘pushed by my clleague Cllr Monroe Palmer which is very good news.

Splendid dinner in the new Rickett Quadrangle with entertainment from musical students and food introductions from the Chef!  I usually find dinner table conversation difficult but it all went with a swing.  I hope it will prove to be an annual event (and that I will be invited!.)

Book now published and available from bookshops etc. Cover price £9.99.  £7.99 from me (postage £1.50).  I am doing a signing/demonstration at Borders Brent Cross 2.00 on Sunday 22nd November.  To order send an email to susette@susetteknits.org.uk.  You can pay by cheque or Paypal.

There will be a book signing for my book ‘Cozy Gloves’ 30 different patterns for knitted gloves and Mittens, at Borders at Brent Cross (the bit across the road from the main shopping centre) on Sunday 22nd November at 2.0′clock.  A perfect Christmas or Channukah present for a knitting friend.

I had mixed feelings about Thursday’s Question Time which I watched with friends.On the whole I think it was better to have Griffin on the programme where he was clearly held to account by the panel and the audience but I feel that a more varied set of questions would have shown up the BNP on other issues.
I am not altogether surprised that they appear to have made members from the programme-a fact I deplore.
As Chris Hunhe said there clearly are social problems to be answered and where other political parties make an effort to deal with them they can beat the BNP. The BNP didn’t increase their vote to win the Euroseats-Labour lost it.

I have just received a preview copy of my book, ‘Cozy Gloves’.  Very exciting.

Inspiring Conference and good to see the opinion polls rising – the Sunday Times commented we were neck and neck with Labour.  It is clear to me , though I don’t suppose it will be to the politically otherwise committed people reading this, that the combination of Nick Cleg and Vince Cable with Chris Hunhe at the Home Office would be far better for this country than Cameron and Osbourne.

The latest people added to those who need to undergo security checks are to be parents who take a group of children to Youth Clubs or after school activities.  This is suspicion gone mad.  As author Philip Pullman says it is “corrosive to healthy social interaction”.  I am glad to say that the Liberal Democrat shadow Home Office Minister Chris Hunhe has come out strongly against such a requirement calling it, quite rightly, “a disproportionate response that risks deterring volunteers.”

I rarely (never? well hardly ever!)approve of shadow Chancellor Osbourne but ‘The Times (Fri 11 Sep, p.28 notes “George Osbourne cited a number of Conservative Councils yesterday but Barnet which has been dubbed ‘EasyCouncil’ admits to a relentless drive for efficiency was not one of them.’ “

Quite right too. Their ‘no frills’ airline scheme of which the Tory Leader Cllr Mike Freer is so proud will cut services in all directions and, as usual, with this administration people who can pay will jump the queue of the merely needy

I do feel that at a time when the administration are cutting grant to outside bodies that the granting of an additional £7500 to a Cabinet member for 4 extra Meetings a year is untimely to say the least.