Spot the Difference

Guido Fawkes takes a look at Labour's new set of Anti Semitic posters and compares them to one from the Third Reich. CLICK HERE and you'll see what he means. I nearly posted them on this Blog but got cold feet... If this is the sort of election campaign we are in for, then God help us all.

Canada Road Surgery in Cromer

I've spent much of the day trying to get to the bottom of what on earth is going on regarding the closure of the Canada Road surgery in Cromer. A lot of people are very concerned at how this has been handled, with the staff not being informed properly and the sequence of events leading to the announcement not quite adding up. More on this tomorrow.

I'm now looking forward to watching the Channel 4 programme on the man who spent 19 years in a coma and then woke up. At least he missed Bros...

Caption Competition!

I'm probably going to live to regret this, but this photo from the dinner last night amused me, so I thought you all might like to come up with some captions (in the style of Private Eye speech bubbles!). I'm not going to allow direct postings on this just in case the mischievous among you take things a little too far. But you can email me at iain@iaindale.com and I'll publish the best ones over the next couple of days. 

John Major Dinner

Last night John Major came to speak at a dinner organised by Stalham, Hoveton and Horning Conservatives at the Hotel Wroxham. It was the biggest turnout for such a dinner for ten years I was told. My campaign coffers are filling nicely! John and Norma were in excellent form and he made a superb and very wide-ranging speech which was in places quite inspirational. For the full story CLICK HERE 

Campaigning in Horning

On 22 February there is a North Norfolk District Council by-election in the St Benet's Ward, which includes Horning. We had two teams out this morning leafletting and canvassing. Chris How is our candidate - he's the one pictured in the middle. This afternoon I'm out in Cromer and then this evening we have John Major speaking at a dinner at the Hotel Wroxham - it's the biggest event they have ever held, and certainly the biggest dinner organise by my local party for probably a decade. I think after this we should just about be able to pay my election expenses! 

Today's Ereignisse

A very lively debate tonight at Sheringham. Probably my best performance of the three so far. Two UKIP voters came up to me at the end and whispered they would be supporting me. I also had a Labour voter call the office today pledging support. I had three delegations of people come to see me today to talk about the closure of the Canada Road surgery in Cromer. I spent some time trying to get to the bottom of the situation. This afternoon I spent some time preparing some election literature. I am becoming slightly uneasy about May 5th. If there is an early budget I reckon it could be 7th April. Call me paranoid...

Sheringham Debate

Tonight at the Community Centre in Sheringham 7pm. Myself, Phil Harris (Labour) and Stuart Agnew (UKIP). Chaired by Richard Lawson of North Norfolk Radio. Be there or be square. Next Friday's we're at Stalham Town Hall.

Today's Morsels

I've had a lot of phone calls, letters and emails about the closure of Dr Ding;s surgery in Cromer. It is a one man surgery with around 1800 patients.

This evening I attended a house meeting in Letheringsett. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Tomorrow I'm starting to write my election literature - there is a lot of talk about April 7th. I don't want to be caught out!

The Three Wise Monkeys

Tabitha van der Does, Erica Mildmay and myself taking a well earned rest! 

The Promised Pics 1

Throwing a bag onto the container 

Loading a Container

This afternoon I spent two hours helping load a 40 foot container full of blankets and clothes destined for South East Asia. The container didn't arrive till 4pm so much of it had to be done in the dark. But it was a job well done. There were about 15 of us and it didn't take as long as I thought, although I had to leave before the end as I had to got to the Runtons Parish Council this evening. I'll post a couple of pictures when I'm less tired.

Phone Mast Case May Go to the High Court

I was pleased to see today that North NorfolK District Council may appeal to the High Court against the Planning Inspectorate's backing for the O2 Tetra Mast in North Walsham. LibDem Council Leader Simon Partridge said: "It came back onto the joint development committee which met last Thursday on emergency business and they have agreed to seek legal counsel opinion as to the likelihood of success in the High Court. We need to have a little bit of advice to see if its worth us going to a High Court appeal or not. If we lose, it won't just cost the council, but we will have to pay costs on the other side as well. But if we get a positive result that would, without question, open the floodgates." He added: "It's the cost which will be the real killer. We've got to be very, very careful about using public money. It's 50-50 as to whether or not we go for it." I think the Council is taking exactly the right approach. And it's not often I say that.

Prime Minister Portillo...

Just been flicking through my copy of Liberal Democrat News (essential reading for those tired of life) to find a glowing book review of Prime Minister Portillo & Other Things That Never Happened which I co-edited with my LibDem friend and all round nice guy Duncan Brack. Now available in paperback at £8.99! It's a collection of political counterfactuals. I wrote the title chapter, and rather naughty it is too. Not sure if El Senor will ever forgive me... 

Wind Turbines at Guestwick

Last night I attended a meeting at Foulsham to discuss the new wind turbine plans at Guestwick, which would have a great impact on the villages of Hindolveston, Wood Norton and Thurning. I pledged my support to fight the plans. North Norfolk District Council, the MoD and the RSPB have already lodged formal objections with Broadland District Council, which is the planning authority concerned. If anyone wants to object to the plans they should write to Mr P Courtier, Senior Planning Officer, Broadland District Council, Thorpe Lodge, Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, NR7 0DU. Every letter will count. I am all in favour of renewable energy but I do not believe land based wind turbines are the answer – especially in areas like North Norfolk. Germany has 16,000 wind turbines and hasn’t closed a single power station. The Labour Government is trying to railroad local authorities into approving these schemes in a vain effort to meet another one of their unachievable targets. It’s typical that Norman Lamb is trying to play both sides on this one. Can he never see a fence without sitting on it? 

District Council By-Election

On February 22nd there is a District Council By-Election in Horning. It's arisen due to the death of our Councillor Colin Haddow just before Christmas. Colin was the must respected leader of our 16 strong group on North Norfolk District Council. Our Candidate Chris How has lived in the ward for twenty years. At least he shouldn't have to put up with the kind of LibDem dirty tricks found HERE. At least, I hope not.

Tsunami Containers Arrive

The containers I arranged to pick up the clothing and blankets collected in Sheringham arrived today at Stratton Strawless. We're packing the second container tomorrow afternoon. If anyone wishes to join us please email me at iain@iaindale.com.

What do You Think of the New Website Design?

Take a look at the new www.IainDale.com. Hope you like the new design. I've added a few new sections, especially quite an expansive one on our national policies. I'm sure you'll all let me know what you think!

Sausages, Sausages

Now there's nothing I like better than a Great British Banger - no, not a stock car, but a sausage! Someone has alerted me to a great website Sausagefans.com. It's quite a find! A friend of mine runs a butchers in Saffron Walden, Grayson & Start, who keep winning prizes for their sausages. You can even order them online now at Sausagesbypost.co.uk. Enough about sausages, I hear you cry!

A Poster that Says It All

 

Funny Site

Just about to leave to go canvassing in Stalham. But before I do, take a look at this new satirical site which looks as if it might be one to add to your favourites! It's called Bolitics.com. Highly amusing. Must go, the voters of Stalham wait expectantly!