UN Survey

A worldwide survey was conducted by the UN. The only question asked was:

Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world? The survey was a huge failure,
In Africa they didn't know what 'food' meant,
In India they didn't know what 'honest' meant,
In Europe they didn't know what 'shortage' meant,
In China they didn't know what 'opinion' meant,
In the Middle East they didn't know what 'solution' meant,
In South America they didn't know what 'please' meant,

And in the USA they didn't know what 'the rest of the world' meant!!!

Farnborough Airfield Consultation.

TAG Aviation, the operator of Farnborough Airport, is intending to carry out a four-week public consultation on an Issues Paper and associated questionnaire, the response to which will help them in drawing up a draft Masterplan for the future of the airport up to 2018. The initial 'Issues' consultation is due to commence on 20 May and there will be a link to the web page from the Rushmoor home page where you can respond to the questionnaire.
Following analysis of the responses and background work that TAG has commissioned on local economic impact, transport, safety and noise, the airport operator will in September publish for consultation a draft masterplan for the future of the airport. Following on from this stage a final masterplan will be drawn up.
Airport masterplans are set out in the Government's Aviation White Paper, and while airports of Farnborough's size are not required to carry them out TAG see it as good practice. The masterplan is completely separate from the Council's Area Action Plan for the Airport, although the results of TAG's background studies will be considered by the Council and its specialist consultants. An 'Issues and Options' consultation for the Airport Area Action Plan and Core Strategy is scheduled for October.

Another successful "elected" Mayor cuts crime

Home of the 'Robocop' mayor sees crime down 20% since 2002

New statistics show crime is down in Middlesborough, where one-time 'Robocop' Ray Mallon has been mayor since 2002.
Before his election as Mayor of Middlesbrough, Mallon was a pioneering police chief, known as "Robocop", and was the most vocal advocate of 'zero tolerance' police techniques. The former Detective Superintendent Mallon vowed to "take back the streets'' from the criminals and to slash crime in Middlesbrough by 15 per cent.
Mallon aimed to achieve this with a 90-strong force of street wardens, Britain's biggest single community protection force.
Now Home Office figures show that since 2002 - the year Mallon was elected mayor - the community has seen a 25 percent drop in crime. Significant declines have been seen in 'robbery of personal property,' which has reduced by 65 percent over the past four years, and 'theft or unauthorised taking of a vehicle,' which has seen a 61 percent reduction.
The Safer Middlesbrough Partnership now aims to achieve a further eight percent crime reduction over the next year and the organisation is putting in place a new Community Safety Plan to help achieve this.
For the rest of this news item from the Northern Echo click here

Only a bafoon would underestimate Boris.

Londoners did the right thing - and I think the majority did it for the right reason. The acceptance speech demonstrated immediately that Boris is very much in tune with London and aware of the mandate and responsibility he now has, and one of the most gracious and humble acceptance speeches I have ever heard from a politician.

He has the political stature and big personality that our City deserves, and it is great to see local Government getting its rightful place at last. It is interesting to note that David Cameron MP only got 26,571 votes to become an MP compared to Boris who got 1,168,738 - over a million. This begs the question - why as a modern democracy do we not have a National election for prime Minister? Is it right that only a small Oxfordshire constituency gets to vote on the prime Minister?

Anyway - great news that Boris is Mayor of London, and I hope we see more elected Mayors throughout the Country, and who knows, maybe one day here in Rushmoor.

Conservatives move forward in Rushmoor

St Peter's Polling Station - Empress

We had a very good day yesterday in the Borough Elections, tinged with sadness at the loss of councillor Nigel Baines seat. Nigel was our Planning Chairman and a distinguished councillor who had served on the Cabinet and in a variety of positions - and a pillar of the local community in North Camp. I will miss him and wish him well.

Looking good for Gareth

Despite this "freak" loss, Rushmoor Conservatives were otherwise euphoric. We took two Liberal seats very decisively in WestHeath and Cove and Southwood. And held onto the two targeted seats of St John's and Grange where we defended and returned three Conservatives including the Council Leader.

Watching the votes counted at the "Empress" table. Everyone looking worried ... except Chris who has obviously just had a pleasant thought, or is ahead of the others counting. Note: Leader and Deputy Leader in the background who have noticed that Cllr Parker has crossed the line (a white taped mark over which observers cannot pass)

Here in Empress we won again by a huge majority with Gareth getting more votes than anyone else in Rushmoor (1158 votes). More importantly, we gave vital aid and assistance to St John's, Grange, and WestHeath. So I am extremely proud of the work put in by the Empress Conservative Campaign Team, which included some new members that made a really valuable contribution especially Chris Griskell who has been an absolute star and is our new membership secretary.

For full results go to http://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=8098

The Council make up is now:

• Conservative - 30
• Liberal Democrat - 7
• Labour - 5