Lazy Sunday

I am taking most of the day off today until I attend the Euro Count in Cromer this evening. Two nights running I have been to bed at 4.30am so I need to recharge the batteries a bit today! Yesterday I spoke at a lunch in Holt, attended the Cromer High School Party in the Park and then spoke at a Conservative function in the evening. Friday was spent mopstly on the M11. I popped back down to Tunbridge Wells to do a few hours work at Politico's but it took four and a half hours to get there. Then spent three highly entertaining hours speaking to the nation on Radio 5 Live. Polling day went well. Bizarrely there was absolutely no sign of any LibDem activity at all - no tellers, no sign of any knocking up, few posters. I am told by a reliable source that LibDem HQ is none too pleased with Mr Lamb's efforts and have given him a severe talking to.

Knocking Up

Entering the final two hours of knocking up potential Tory voters. Must dash!

What an Insult!

Good God. I have just received the biggest insult I've had for years. I was booked to appear on GMTV on Sunday and I've just been informed I've been dropped in favour of Tessa Jowell! Can you belieeevvvve it?!!! Will I ever get over it? However, 3 hours on Five Live will have to suffice tomorrow night. Listen in from 10pm on 090 and 693 medium wave.

Last Time, This Time

Last time the European elections were held in 1999 the turnout in North Norfolk was 32%. The result was:-

Conservative 11,111 (43%)
Labour 5,649 (22%)
LibDem 3,706 (15%)
UKIP 2,132 (8%)

This time we have the Martin Bell factor to contend with. Despite the EDP's attempts to portray him as some sort of Messiah figure his campaign has failed to catch light, but he will no doubt attract the votes of the disaffected. The electorate has increased a little since 1999 to about 82,000. The LibDems can hardly fail to do better than their miserable 15% of the vote last time, although they have fought a curiously lacklustre campaign in North Norfolk. Even their usual barage of posters has failed to materialise. Their literature has been significantly lower quality than usual and I haven't seen a single LibDem canvasser on the streets - and neither has the electorate from what I can gather. Labour has been equally anonymous and I expect their vote to decline sharply. I worry that the BNP will do well. Last time they only got 300 votes - 1% of the vote. UKIP will also do better and attract votes from across the political spectrum. If they do well, expect Kilroy Silk to attempt a putsch. But of course the only person left with a grin on his face if UKIP do well is Tony Blair. Just remember that if you're at all tempted to vote for them!

UKIP and the BNP

Sorry about the lack of posting since Sunday. This week has been spent mainly on the doorsteps of North Norfolk. Yesterday evening I went to Happisburgh Parish Council. The Deputy Leader of the local council, Clive Stockton (a LibDem) is the chairman of the council. He owns the Hill House pub in Happisburgh and is a political opponent who also happens to be a genuinely nice guy.

Today I have been in Southrepps, Northrepps, Sheringham and Holt. It's been very interesting how the political climate has changed. Up until last week I had barely come across a UKIP supporter. Sadly I cannot say the same today. Bizarrely several LibDem voters say they are voting UKIP. I even had a UKIP voter who quite liked the idea of the euro!!! How I managed to keep a straight face I just do not know. But this evening I experienced a first. I've been doorstep canvassing for 20 years but I have never - never - had anyone actually look me straight in the eye and say they are considering voting for the BNP. It happened tonight. Twice. In Sheringham of all places. Yesterday it happened once, in a very sleepy North Norfolk village. There is a real sense out there that the main parties are not addressing people's concerns, so they therefore look elsewhere to lodge a protest. If our national leaders do not start addressing this soon there could be terrible consequences. I actually think I persuaded the two potential BNP voters not to do it, but it makes me wonder how many others there are out there who I will never get to.

Winning one for the Gipper

I just received an email from one of my best friends, who lives in Washington. I met Daniel in 1992 when he was over here working for Patrick Thompson MP in Norwich North. We hit it off instantly and even though he is 3000 miles away he remains the friend how understands me best of all.

In 1994 Daniel and I took our fathers to the Normandy beaches just before the 50th anniversary events. It was one of the most moving few says of my life. Daniel's father died four years ago yesterday. Here's an email he sent me last night. In the subject line he wrote "You've got to win North Norfolk for the Gipper, Iain!"

"I am sad beyond words. Today is the day four years ago that Ed died and today we lost Reagan. I am now off on vacation through the June 18th but look forward to talking to you upon my return. Nancy and I are now back in DC-- home again if you will. We will remember and honor both of them on the campaign trail as you speak truth, think boldly and simply be yourself."

Well said.

Ronald Reagan RIP

Ronald Reagan died tonight after a ten year fight against Alzheimers. He, more than anyone, was responsible for the West winning the Cold War and the fact that the countries of Eastern Europe are now free. He, Mikhail Gorbachev and Margaret Thatcher were the political giants of the latter quarter of the 20th century. Reagan was a truly great American President and I cherish his memory. I remember his truly inspirational speech at Pointe du Hoc in France on the 40th anniversary of the D Day landings. I remember his words of comfort to the relatives of those who died on the ill-fated Space Shuttle of 1987 and I remember his speech in Berlin where he said "Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall." A truly great man.

On the Campaign Trail

A day on the doorstep today in the east of the constituency - Stalham, Ludham and Horning. Got absolutely drenched in Stalham. Tomorrow I shall be in Sheringham and Wells.

Being Interviewed by a Guinea Pig... all Part of being a Candidate!

If you'd like to read my interview with Giggle, the editor of the Sheringham Guineapendent CLICK HERE. I promise you, you won't regret it!

Why vote Conservative on June 10th? Here's why...

I've just read Michael Howard's speech on Europe. Well, what else can you do to escape Big Brother? It really is worth reading if you're even contemplating voting anything other than Conservative next Thursday. I've uploaded it onto my website so CLICK HERE to see what he had to say.

How illiberal can you get?

I see from today's papers that the LibDems are going to come out in favour of a ban on smoking in public places - even parks. William Ewart Gladstone must be turning in his grave. It makes you wonder what they think the word Liberal means. Personally I hate smoking - they say kissing a smoker's like licking an ashtray. Naturally I couldn't vouch one way or the other, of course... The bigger issue here is the Nanny State. We're constantly being told how to live our lives by people whose own lives are often pretty shambolic. I'd rather trust people to make their own informed decisions. Isn't that what a true Liberal should believe?

On 909 & 693 on Monday Night!

For those who just can't get enough of my dulcet tones, tune in to the Matthew Bannister Show on Monday night on Radio 5 Live from 10pm to 1am and I'll be on for the whole three hours. Radio 5 is at 909 or 693 medium wave, channel 855 on Sky Digital and also on Digital Radio. It's usually quite lively!

Website Updates

I've been catching up on some of life's chores today and having some time with my little dog, who hasn't seen much of me lately. For those who don't know, I have a 7 year old Jack Russell called Gio. CLICK HERE to see a picture of Gio. This evening I've added quite a few bits to the CAMPAIGN WEBSITE. Click on the following to find out more, and see a few pics...

Iain Comperes Wresling Match
Iain Views Traffic Concerns in Fakenham
Iain supports UEA students
Iain Campaigns in Norwich North
Iain Meets Diet Target
Iain Visits Fakenham Laundry

Awful Awful Awful

Why didn't I listen to that little voice that said to me as I woke up this morning at 6am "Stay in bed, you know you don't really want to go to Cardiff"? A mere eight hours later I arrived at the Millennium Stadium, only half an hour before kick off. In one of those spooky coincidences, I was listening to my iPod and the song playing was 'Cutting it Fine' by Asia. Indeed I was. By quarter to five I was in the depths of despondency having watched a terrible West Ham performance. The entire forward line was subbed, which says it all really. Not a pleasant journey home, as you can imagine. Oh well, back to politics tomorrow!

WRESTLING FOR CHARITY

Well I've just come back from one of the more surreal experiences of my life as a candidate. Eight months ago today I was being selected as Conservative Candidate for North Norfolk at Holt Community Centre. This evening I was also at Holt Community Centre....compering a wrestling match. Astonishing. Actually it was quite good fun. I even got a good round of applause when I was introduced. Good job most people were out of their brains! I also presented a cheque for £500 to the East Anglian Air Ambulance as a result of my sponsored diet. I'll post some pics on the website over the weekend.

Earlier in the day I went canvassing in Sheringham and Holt. We picked up quite a few new members in Sheringham, which encouraged the local people no end. For some reason Sheringham has got a reputation as a LibDem stronghold. Well, that wasn't my experience this afternoon. Had lunch at the Hunworth Bell with Michael Brunson, ITN's former political editor. Great to see him again and catch up on some political gossip.

Tomorrow I am getting up at 6am to drive tgo Cardiff to cheer on the Hammers. COME ON YOU IRONS!

A Busy Day Ahead

Last night I attended Gunthorpe Parish Council. I met an old friend from my days at UEA, John Corney. His mother has been Norman Lamb's election agent in the past. Small world.

Today is going to be a hectic one - a visit to Fakenham Laundry, attending a consultation meeting at the Dementia Unit at Rebecca House, a visit to Aldborough School, canvassing in Roughton and then I'm popping down to Norwich North to help them canvass for the City Council elections in the Catton Grove ward. I stood for the Council there in 1985 - 19 years ago! It was a memorable experience as polling day was the day before my finals. Indeed, it proved to be extremely memorable as I was involved in a car accident while taking three ladies to vote. A motorbike tried to overtake me as I turned right and he broke his leg. I ended up directing traffic wearing my blue rosette. It turned out he was a Catton Grove voter, as I went to see his parents later and they were displaying a VOTE LABOUR poster in their kitchen window. Honestly, the lengths candidates go to to prevent people voting! That was a joke, by the way...

Nothing Much Happened Today...

Nothing much happened today is the title of an X Files episode. I really miss that programme! About the only notable event today was a ten minute appearance on Sandi Toksvig's radio programme on LBC. They wanted me to talk about my views on Iraq. I guess to sum up I was in favour of the war and still think toppling Saddam was justifiable. But I am horrified that we were lied to about the real reason for going to war and for a British Prime Minister to send our soldiers into battle without the vaguest idea of what would follow the war is just unbelievable. I'm reading Bob Woodward's book PLAN OF ATTACK and it is clear that Bush and Blair were so convinced they would be received on carpets of rose petals that no contingency plans were ever made. But the fact remains that the Iraqi people are enjoying a freedom which they haven't seen for years. I think the key is what happens when sovereignty transfers back.

LibDem Shame

CLICK HERE to see the most shameful election leaflet ever put out by the LibDems. They haven't gone quite so far in North Norfolk yet, but their Euro leaflet has prompted me to write to the EDP. Here's the text.

Sir,
The LibDem manifesto which dropped through my letterbox the other day
should win a prize for fiction, as well as negative campaigning. The
LibDems pretend to be slightly eurosceptic yet they would sign up to the
Euro and the constitution which would create a United States of Europe.

They have a picture of an empty chair, alleging that Conservative MEPs
have been absent from key votes in the European Parliament. Yet records
show that Conservative MEPs have voted in 85% of divisions and LibDems
81%. Andrew Duff paints himself as a European campaigner yet he missed a key
pesticides vote. Norman Lamb tells us in the manifesto that he has
campaigned for a referendum on the European Constitution. Good for him.
But if you ask him if he is in favour of it he admits he hasn't even
read it. If you're in North Norfolk and ask Mr Lamb if he's in favour of
the Euro he avoids saying yes or no. Yet speaking to last year's LibDem
conference he waxed lyrical about the benefits of the Euro. There's a clear choice on June 10th. Voting Labour or LibDem will mean we're one step closer to the Euro and a United States of Europe. If you want to keep the Pound, protect British sovereignty, withdraw from the Common Fisheries Policy and are against the European Constitution vote
Conservative. It's as simple as that.

Bleating Won't Help

I see from yesterday's EDP that North Norfolk LibDems have complained about the amount of coverage the EDP gives me. Quite astonishing, and a sign that my campaign must be seriously worrying them. I do find it amusing that they can complain about the coverage I get when the EDP has a policy of giving Norman Lamb equal coverage with the 4 Norfolk Conservative MPs put together. If anyone has cause to complain, it certainly isn't the LibDems.

Lazy Days & Sundays

For once had a lie in this morning before getting my usual stash of the Sunday papers from Coltishall. This afternoon went into the office for an hour before girding my loins to mow the lawn. Well, when I say lawn I should say 'bumpy patch of grass'. As you can see, my technical wizardry has managed to restore the COMMENT facilities but in restoring the coding I seem to have wiped out the ARCHIVED posts. Hey ho. Interesting YouGov poll in the Sunday Times. It puts us 11% ahead of Labour for the Euro elections.

UEA Closure of Language School 'A Disgrace'

To read what I said to UEA students yesterday CLICK HERE. Today I've been at Fakenham Farmers' Market, looking at the site of the new Tesco, speaking at Mundesley Conservatives AGM and then spending three hours doorstepping in Mundesley. Again, a very encouraging response. Just off to dinner in Little Walsingham - one of my favourite places in the constituency.

Teach me to Fiddle...

I have had a few emails from people saying they couldn't read the Blog because of the deep blue background. I have therefore spent about an hour putting together another template. However, in the process the COMMENT facility seems to have disappeared. Got to go to the Farmers' Market in Fakenham now so I shall continue fiddling tommorrow when hopefully, normal service will be resumed. In the meantime use the email address iain@iaindale.com

On the Picket Line

Tomorrow I shall be joining Labour MP Ian Gibson and comedian Eddie Izzard in a protest at UEA. Now there's a sentence I never thought I would write. UEA are planning to shut the school of languages, the school from which I received my degree in 1985. Apparently the school is being "subsidised". I ask you. When did that word enter a university lexicon? More tomorrow...

David Cameron Day

A very enjoyable and useful day which was dominated by the visit of David Cameron MP, our local government finance spokesman to North Norfolk. However I started the day off in Norwich doing an interview with Radio 4's Today Programme on political egg throwing. Seemed to go quite well, especially when I told Jim Naughtie "you're showing your age". With David we did an interview with the EDP, half an hour on North Norfolk Radio and then a stint with the marvellous Sheringham Independent. Did a bit of street campaigning in Sheringham before a meeting with Conservative Councillors. This evening David and I spoke at a party fundraiser at the hugely imposing Hanworth Hall. About 100 people were present and there really seems to be a spring in the step of North Norfolk Conservatives at the moment. And about time too! While I write this I am watching a very depressing issue of Question Time which is concentrating on Europe. If this is the level of debate we are going to have God help us. I wonder if everyone else agrees with me about that awful Patricia Hewitt. I imagine every time she appears on TV she turns people off Labour. Good.

Seconds Out Round Three

It's been a great day out on the campaign trail in Corpusty, Saxthorpe and Aylmerton. There really is genuine enthusiasm for the Conservative Party out there now. We had more than a handful of LibDem-Conservative switchers and several from Labour too. I'm hugely encouraged by the reaction at the moment. This evening I went to Kettlestone Parish Council's meeting. A beautiful little village not far from Fakenham. Did an interview with North Norfolk Radio today on my integrity pledge. Tomorrow we've got David Cameron MP coming up for the day. Here's another bit of fun I'm involved with. At least, I hope it will be fun. Not sure why I have this sense of trepidation... Anyway, here's a press release I have just sent out. Read and enjoy...

Iain Dale, the Conservative Candidate in North Norfolk takes on a new career next week (on Friday 28 May at 7.45pm) when he will be co-compering a wrestling tournament, THE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS put on by the Sheringham-based UK Pitbulls at Holt Community Centre in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Details can be found at www.ukpitbulls.co.uk and tickets can be obtained from Roys Snack Bar or Videoscene in Sheringham or by phoning 07979342659. Iain will be compering a celebrity tag match. He will also be presenting a Giant sized cheque to the East Anglian Air Ambulance for £500, from the proceeds of his sponsored diet. In less than two months he has lost two stones in weight. Iain has promised that he will not be in 'wrestling uniform'. "I don't think I'd look very good in spandex," he grimaces. Iain says: "I am delighted to support the East Anglian Air Ambulance and if I can help them raise money by compering part of this wrestling tournament I'm only too delighted to so. It will certainly make a change from my career as a political commentator. I would also like to wish the UK Pitbulls well when they open their new gym in Cromer. I grew up in the 1970s and remember watching wrestling on the World of Sport with Dickie Davies on a Saturday afternoon. My grandmother was a great fan of Giant Haystacks and Kendo Nagasaki. I imagine the sport has changed a bit since then!"

Two Nil to the Cockney Boys

I'm forever blowing bubbles, pretty bubbles in the air... What a night! Tunstead Parish Council were very lenient with me and didn't mind my whoops of delight when I received text messages with the score. In fact, I think they were just as pleased as I was as they all hate Ipswich anyway. Now I have another dilemma. The play-off final is on Saturday week when I am supposed to be campaigning. Should I stay or should I go? I feel a song coming on...

Come on you Hammers

Tonight I am making the ultimate sacrifice and foregoing the pleasures of watching West Ham thrash Ipswich Town in the playoffs. Instead I shall be meeting the good burghers of Tunstead at their Parish Council meeting. However, I have warned the Clerk that if I look slightly distracted at any point it might be because I have received a text message with a score update. I hope they will be understanding!

Making the BBC Website

My Integrity Pledge has made the BBC News Website!

A Bit under Par

Lord Strathclyde visited us today. We took him to East Coast Plastics in North Walsham, which is one of the area's biggest employers. I then drove over to Sheringham to play in a golf tournament between Mid Norfolk Conservatives and North Norfolk. Having not played for about 8 months I was a bit rusty to say the least. I played with Cllr George Barran against George Eve, the chairman of Mid Norfolk and one of his members. We were 4 down after 5 holes, but recovered to draw level, only to lose by 2 & 1. Tomorrow I'm visiting a school in Mundesley and then going to a campaign meeting in Dereham. Probably do a bit on the doorstep later in the day.

New Labour New Candidate

The North Norfolk Labour Party have picked their candidate for the next election. He's Phil Harris, a former Labour Norwich City Councillor. I understand he beat a local candidate from Trimingham to win the nomination. It's going to be interesting to see what kind of campaign he runs as last time Labour hardly bothered fighting at all. Mr Harris was quoted in the EDP as describing North Norfolk as "a three way marginal". At least he's a optimist!

Personal Integrity Pledge

Here's a press release I have just issued before setting off to Wells for a campaign day. I'd love to hear comments on this. By the way, my fingers are being crossed for a West Ham win in the playoffs this afternoon!

In a speech this evening (Saturday) to more than 120 Blakeney Conservatives Iain Dale, Conservative Candidate for North Norfolk will make a Pledge of Integrity to the people of North Norfolk. He will become the first party politician ever to make such a pledge

In his speech he will say:

"People have lost trust in politicians. There are two comments I hear time and time again, which are not directed at me personally but to politicians in general. They are "We don't believe a word any of you say" or "why should we vote, you're all the same". Politicians from all parties have got to address this growing cynicism otherwise we will end up like a banana republic. This week we have had the unedifying sight of a Conservative MP being sacked over expenses claims and a Labour Party Political Broadcast for the European elections which did not mention the subject of Eurppe but instead devoted itself to the bitterest personal attack on a party leader seen for years. So much for fighting the European elections on a positive agenda.

"I have given a great deal of thought in recent months to how I can personally address this cynicism about politicians and show to people that in me they will elect someone who is different - who has a high personal moral compass, a person of obvious integrity and complete openness. I have therefore started drawing up a Pledge of Integrity which I will make to the people of North Norfolk. I will publish it in full in a future issue of my newspaper, North Norfolk Matters, and people can draw their own conclusions about what sort of person they are voting for. I will pledge:-

* never to solicit or accept a company directorship while serving as an MP
* to publish in detail any expense I reclaim while in the pursuit of my parliamentary duties
* to tell people my real views even when I know they will disagree with me
* never knowingly to claim credit for something when the credit is not mine
* never to employ any member of my family in my parliamentary office
* to live in the constituency (as I do now) and make my main home among the community I serve
* never to promise what I know I cannot deliver
* never to waste taxpayers' money by tabling pointless Early Day Motions or asking Parliamentary Questions for the sake of it (Note: each written PQ costs the taxpayer £250 and EDM's at least £500)
* never to use taxpayers' money via the Parliamentary Office Cost Allowance to promote party political activity

Iain continues: "I make these pledges so people can see that I intend to be honest and transparent. As public figures our conduct not only has to be impeccable, it has to be seen to be impeccable. By making this pledge to the people of North Norfolk I am doing something that no politician has ever done before, so far as I am aware, and I realise I am setting myself up to be judged. I will not let people down."

INTEGRITY, TRUTH & HONESTY

I was taken to task a couple of days ago (see below) for my suggestion that LibDem MEP Andrew Duff's expenses might come under close scrutiny. I was pleased to see the EDP confirm my suspicions his morning. And he didn't even have the good grace to admit being caught out. Integrity is the most important thing a politician has. I am going to make a speech tomorrow night in Blakeney highlighting the importance of integrity, truth and honesty in politics. I shall be making a commitment that if I am elected I shall not solicit or accept outside directorships and I shall publish all expenses and expenditure I make through my parliamentary activities.

PUT A TENNER ON IT

I have a very strong feeling that Tony Blair might go in the next few weeks, not because of the Iraq war or any political issue. I heard something today which really took the wind out of my sails. If I were a betting man I'd certainly have a flutter on a new PM by the end of July. Last time I was tempted I put £20 at 80-1 on a Tory majority of 21 in the 1992 election. As I had never been in a betting shop and wouldn't have a clue what to do I asked a friend to put the bet on for me. There I was on April 10th slobbering at the thought of £1600 when my friend (who's also my solicitor, based in Wroxham!) told me he had forgotten to put the bet on. And what's more I believed him. Far too trusting for my own good sometimes.

TA TA PIERS

It seems our suspicions were correct all along and that the pictures in the Daily Mirror were fake. If Piers Morgan doesn't resign there will be little justice in this world. He would be the first to call for a politician to resign in a similar situation. However, the point Alex Salmond made on Question Time this evening (which I managed to listen to in my car - now there's one to ponder on), about the irony of the fact that the only people to resign over the war so far would be the chairman and director general of the BBC and the editor of the Daily Mirror, was very aposite. I sometimes wonder how Geoff Hoon can look himself in the mirror every morning.

DIGGY LOO DIGGY LAY LIFE IS GOING MY WAY...

Thursday is going to be very bitty. Haircut, two new tyres on the car, meetings in London, hosting an evening with Ann Widdecombe in Chesham and then back to Swanton Abbott. Friday I am seeing some very go-ahead graphic designers in North Walsham who have come up with some very innovative campaigning ideas. I'm then going to two primary schools before a major campaign planning evening. Saturday it's an advice surgery in Wells and canvassing in Walsingham. Maybe I'll pop into the shrine to repent some sins... Not that I have any of course! (he added just a little too hastily...). And Saturday evening? Eurovision Song Contest! Hurrah! I actually went to Eurovision twice. My big claim to fame is that I was the first person to get Dana International's autograph after she (he?) won in Birmingham in 1998. Strange thing was I didn't even ask for it. She just grabbed my programme. Highlight of the evening was the BBC bash where I met Wogan. Must stop this namedropping... Did I ever tell you about my talk with the Queen in Buckingham Palace? No? I'm sure I'll get round to it eventually...

NOW LET'S GET ON WITH THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN...

It hasn't been a good few days for Eastern region Conservatives with the Bashir Khanbhai affair hanging over us. But the decision has been made now and we must buckle down to fighting a proper election campaign and make sure that we return at least 4 Conservatives on June 10th. I hadn't met Bashir until a few weeks ago but I spoke to him on Monday evening. No doubt our political enemies will think they have got a scalp, but let us not forget that there is a human element to this. And let us also not forget that Bashir was singled out because of his apparently non-existent address in Wroxham. I hope our friends in the media will now have a close look at the expenses of people like the Federalist LibDem Euro MEP Andrew Duff, who was only too happy to defend MEPs, presumably himself included, who claimed attendance allowances when they were on their way to the airport. I don't say this to diminish the Khanbhai issue because I think this had got to the point where even if he had come out and publically defended himself, few in the outside world would have been convinced, as they had already made up their minds that he was guilty. I'm sure that we, as a Party, have learned a lot of lessons from the handling of this, especially on the PR front. It must never be allowed to happen again. End of story. Time to move on and fight the Euro Federalists.

LIBDEMS LAUNCH LOCAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN

The LibDems appear to have conveniently forgotten their pledge to knock £100 off council tax. Indeed, when the Chancellor recently proposed the same thing they described it as 'tinkering'. Must have learnt that from Claudio Ranieri. The LibDems are basing their whole local government campaign on a pledge to axe council tax and introduce local income tax. Methinks this might not be the vote winner they imagine. I wonder what the young couple in North Walsham will make of it, who earn £35,000 a year between them and will face a tax rise of more than £650. Not please I should think. They'll be even less pleased when I tell them about LibDem plans to put VAT on new houses. The solution to the council tax problem is to restore central government funding to its proper levels and actually look at some of the functions local councils are carrying out. There is nothing wrong with the principle of a property based tax. It's only in the last few years that people have found it unacceptable and that's because of the levels it has reached. If Labour hadn't cyphoned off money from Norfolk and given it to their Labour cronies in the North things wouldn't have reached this stage. I've got our local government finance spokesman, David Cameron, coming up on May 20th.

A REMINDER FROM IRAQ

It's nearly 2am and I have just got back from doing a newspaper review at the BBC on News 24. 150 mile round trip for the glory of appearing on a digital channel for 5 minutes. I had to speak about the American who was beheaded by thugs in Iraq. Truly horrifying, but it serves to remind us of what we are there for. I imagine this was a regular occurence under Saddam's regime. It's probably not a politically correct thing to say (but since when has that worried me?) but those who carried out this act and brandished the head to the camera are little more than sub-human. These are people who cannot be reasoned with, cannot be negotiated with. There is only one language that they understand and we shouldn't be afraid to speak it. While we worry about the odd incident of apparent brutality these people are running amok. I have increasing doubts about the veracity of the Daily Mirror pictures which apparently show British soldiers mistreating Iraqi prisoners. If they do turn out to be faked I look forward to the resignation of Mr Piers Morgan.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR LISTENING CANDIDATE

I have finally mastered the technology and worked out how to add a COMMENT facility onto each of my BLOG posts, so if you have something to tell me, or have a comment on my ramblings, please feel free to add it. Please keep it reasonably polite! I'm not big on censorship and I will only delete a posting if it contains insulting language. I will never delete a comment which contains views different to my own. We're the inclusive party, see?!

IS TONY RATTLED?

Did you see the Labour Party PPB tonight? Talk about a sign of Labour being rattled! I have never seen anything like it. To spend a whole PPB decrying Michael Howard was quite astonishing. And it unfortunately will make people even more cycnical about politics. I hope we manage to fight a slightly more positive campaign than that. And what do you think of the new design to this Blog then?

THE RIGHT TO DEFEND YOURSELF

If you have the Sunday Telegraph today make sure you read Page 20. It tells the story of Brad Osborn who was sent to prison for 5 years after being attacked by a drug crazed man who gained entry to his house and was threatening his pregnant girlfriend before attacking him. Brad stabbed him in self defence. The law is an ass, and this story makes me even more determined to make this one of my priorities in Parliament if I am elected. And that's a promise.

A DAY IN NORTH WALSHAM

Spent the whole day out on the stump in North Walsham, firstly talking to shoppers at Sainsbury's and then in the market place. In the afternoon we went canvassing on the outskirts of the town. Had an amazingly good reception and signed up a few new party members. I'm amazed at the number of people who recognise me or tell me I have written to them. I was pictured today in the EDP with Margaret Thatcher alongside an amusing article, which several people mentioned. The main topic of conversation on the doorstep was the European election campaign. I have yet to meet a single voter who believes we should either sign up to the European constitution or join the euro. Sensible people in North Norfolk. Met a LibDem councillor and had a very friendly chat. I always take the view that just because someone is a political opponent that doesn't mean they should be looked upon as an enemy. In the end we all want the same thing, we just differ on the best way to go about achieving it. And on that positive note, it's thank you and goodnight!

EURO ELECTIONS - WHY BOTHER VOTING?

I'm getting very concerned about the likely turnout at the European elections on June 10th. The number of people you talk to who have absolutely no idea that an election is about to take place is frightening. With the furore over the European constitution and the implications of joining the euro you might have thought there would be more interest. Not a bit of it. Once you engage people in conversation everyone has a view on these issues, but the European Parliament is such a remote institution that people just don't care. I make the point that if we adopt the constitution we are on the slippery slope to losing our independence and if we adopt the euro we might just as well sign away all our economic sovereignty. We are the only Party to address these issues rationally. Unfortunately at the moment everyone's attention is being diverted in this region by the press stories about one of our euro MP candidates and his expenses. I'll keep my views to myself for the moment on that one, but this situation cannot be allowed to drag on for much longer as it is preventing any discussion of the real issues in this campaign. There's a new Blog aimed at increasing voter turnout at Coralbark. A worthy mission, but will anyone choose to accept it? Let's hope it's not Mission Impossible. Enough puns for tonight...

WHAT A POLITE PM - NOT

Remember I wrote to Tony Blair inviting him to spend his summer holidays in Noth Norfolk? Well, some flunky has written back (with a photocopied signature, mark you) saying: "The Prime Minister has asked me to thank you for your letter and for the suggestion you make. Mr Blair appreciates you writing to him." I bet he does!

PUDDING NORTON, SAINSBURY'S AND MAGGIE

I've just got back from Pudding Norton Parish Council. What a truly lovely bunch of people. The meeting took place at Fakenham Race Course, which was different! Earlier in the day I went to have a tour of Sainsbury's in North Walsham, where I was shown round by the very enthusiastic Mike Green. They've redeveloped the store in recent weeks and it really is the best Sainsbury's I have ever been in. The difference is that the staff all talk to you in a really friendly way. In London all you get is a grunt. And that's if you're lucky!

On Tuesday I attended the dinner at the Savoy to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Margaret Thatcher's first election victory. She inspired me to get involved in politics and it was great to see her in such good form. She made an impromptu 5 minute speech which was vintage Maggie. The best laugh of the evening was when they showed a video about how awful life was in the 1970s. Up came a caption "Britain was the sick man of Europe" quickly followed by a picture of Ted Heath. Not a dry seat in the house.

Tomorrow I'm visiting a primary school, going to Blakeney to get a briefing on yet another local healthcare closure, then it's a Council Group meeting.

A DAY WITH WIDDERS, EGG & CHIPS

Friday was one of those days when a candidate chases his tail. Ann Widdecombe was due at 2pm but she took the wrong turning off the M25 and ended up coming to Cromer via the A1. When she got here I took her to Paston Sixth Form College in North Walsham. Peter Mayne, the very bouncy Principal explained how 6th From Colleges get about a third less funding per student than High School 6th Forms, which really is iniquitous. We then went to talk to an A Level History Class before driving over to Stody to appear on North Norfolk Radio. I thought we were going on for 5 minutes but ended up being on air for 45 minutes... which was nice (as they say on the Fast Show). But that made us very late for Walsingham Catholic Shrine, where we were shown arund by Father Noel Wynn. Back to Swanton Abbott to change before dinner. Ann rather astonished me by saying how she wouldn't mind a plate of egg and chips prior to leaving for the dinner. I thought she was joking, but she wasn't! Bear in mind this was about 6.45pm and the dinner started at 7.30! I don't think Harvey off Celebrity Fit Club would have approved! Being a true gentleman, I wouldn't have mentioned it but Ann proceeded to tell every person she met about it, so I feel entirely unconstrained! The dinner went very well and we raised a tidy four figure sum for party funds.

On Saturday I was out on the door knocker in Melton Constable and Briston, before attending the wedding of the Mayor of Cromer, Keith Johnson. In the evening I went to the best restaurant in Cromer, Jacque, which is in Garden Street. The fod and service are superb and apparently myb recommendations have brought them a bit of custom, so that's good! Today I've been in Swanton Abbott doing some campaign planning and then I popped over to see Keith Simpson in Reepham.

THE SAINTLY MARTIN

How nice it was to see Martin Bell on the BBC's Politics Show talking about MEP expenses. It's especially touching that he was filmed down the line from London, yet his whole candidacy is based on being committed to Norfolk and Suffolk. So committed is he that he doesn't even live here. Indeed, I am told that since his campaign was launched he has spent less than two days in the area. Obviously not househunting yet...

A QUICK RECAP

Tuesday: My first trip to London for some time and then down to West Sussex to buy some remainder books to sell on the Politico's website.
Wednesday: Spent the morning working in the office before leaving for Manchester for An Evening with Ann Widdecombe. I meant to leave at 2pm but in the event couldn't get away until 3, which meant that any traffic holdup could be rather disastrous as I had to be on stage for 8pm. I got there with only 20 minutes to spare after spending about 20 minutes negotiating a particularly ridiculous one way system. Got back to Swanton Abbott at 2.45am!
Thursday: Visited a special school at Sidestrand in the morning and spent the rest of the day in campaign planning meetings and interviewing for a new Admin Assistant.
Friday: Today I am visiting a junior school in North Walsham and then Ann Widdecombe is coming to speak at a fund raising dinner this evening. Tickets sold out months ago. I'm also taking her to Paston 6th Form College in North Walsham and to the Catholic Shrine at Walsingham, which I was rather surprised to discover she had never visited.

A HEART STOPPING MOMENT

Took the train to London today and on the way back (standing all the way of course) I started reading Private Eye. I turned the page and there, staring out at me was my name. Gulp. Oh God, I thought, what have I done now. Racking my brain to think of anything that would have warranted a mention in Private Eye I felt as if everyone was watching me! It turned out to be a report an attack I made on Labour MP Austin Mitchell about him accusing me of shutting Politico's purely because I wanted to be an MP. Phew!

On Saturday night I went to dinner with some old schoolfriends near Saffron Walden and on Sunday spent the day working on various business and Norfolk related matters. Dreaded going to London today. It's amazing how little I have missed it.

COME ON TONY, COME TO NORTH NORFOLK!

I wrote to Tony Blair today urging him to forego his taxpayer aided holidays this year in some sunny climbe and instead come to North Norfolk. Fat chance, I know, but it's about time he gave a lead and took a holiday in this country. His last jaunt to Bermuda cost the princley sum of £27.50 a night. I know a good B&B in North Walsham that could compete with that very well.

SOMETHING OF THE FRIGHT

Got a mention in Ann Widdecombe's new Agony Aunt column in The Guardian today. She says she is scared stiff of my driving and that I have a bag of crisps in one hand and a mobile phone in the other. What a gross exaggeration... She forgot to mention the can of Fanta between my knees! She even rang me up to ask if I had seen it. No wonder she is driving herself to Manchester to our next Theatre gig on Wednesday! On Friday she's coming to address the North Walsham Conservatives annual dinner. It sold out two months ago. I wonder whether I dare present her with one of our car stickers - it says "Going Howard's Way"!!!

A VISIT FROM THE BOTTI

Who? Well, my friend Mark Fox, the candidate in Great Yarmouth informs me that the plural from Bottomley is 'Botti'. Who am I to argue. I collected them from the Furzedown Hotel in Yarmouth after breakfast and while Peter Bottomley went out on the streets of Hoveton with half a dozen of my colleagues, I took Virginia to visit an Abbeyfield home in Sheringham. On the way we stopped off at Potter Heigham and met a few people who were about to go out on the Broads. Somehow I found myself serving burgers in a burger van (at 9.30 in the morning!). As the diet's still going well I thought I'd beter not stuff my face. By the way, on the diet front I have lost 1 stone 9 pounds now in less than 2 months. Not bad eh? At last a politician who delivers on a promise...

A DAY IN THE WEST

I spent this afternoon in Fakenham campaigning with one of our Euro MPs Bashir Khanbhai. We stood outside Safeways first of all for an hour meeting shoppers - very worthwhile. We then went into the centre of Fakenham to talk to shopowners about their views on the possible new Tesco. Then had a hilarious encounter with a dozen or so young lads who were having a drink outside one of the pubs. Having promised them I would campaign for longer pub opening hours it wasn't that difficult to persuade them to vote for me! This evening we had a CPF dinner in Blakeney with Bernard Jenkin - great turnout.

TODAY - HOVETON LADIES, GUINEA PIGS AND SPANDEX

Just about to leave for the Hoveton Conservative Ladies Coffee Morning, then to Sanders Coaches in Holt to learn abou their operation. This afternoon I have a meeting at Kelling Hospital before attending a campaign strategy meeting in Cromer. My life was described on the Today programme on Tuesday in the following way: "Iain Dale is in his North Norfolk Constituency doing the things that Candidates have to do, like being interviewed by a guinea pig for his local paper and attending a wrestling competition with people clad in Spandex." Well I remember the first one, but for the life of me I can't remember the second... Sounds like the stuff of political nighmares, not to mention News of the World headlines!

MIXED BAG

Had to get up at 5.30am to make my debut appearance on the ITV News Channel doing a paper review. Got a parking ticket for my troubles too. God I hate London sometimes. It's the first time I've been to London in three weeks and I have to say I hated every minute. Drove up to Norfolk this afternoon and did an hour on the doorstep in West Runton. They're a right wing lot there! I felt a positive liberal leftie, and it's not often I have ever said that! Later on I went to Smallburgh Parish Council. And to round off the day I hear the Daily Express has defected to the Conservatives. Hurrah! It'll be The Sun next...

RADIO FOUR APPEARANCE TRAPS LAMB

Last Thursday the Today Programme came to Cromer to interview me about the Listeners' Law poll on which I was a judge oiver Christmas. You may remember the so-called Tony Martin law won the day, yet Labour MP Stephen Pound reneged on his promise to introduce whchever law topped the Radio 4 poll. The aim of the interview was to ask what I as a candidate could do to promote the law now. I made the point that people do not feel the current law protects them and cited examples of where that has undoubtedly been the case, although was careful not to rise to the bait of promoting the use of firearms. They then had a clip with Norman Lamb who accused me of being "populist". Er, actually I was reflecting the strongly held concerns of ordinary law-abiding citizens. He went on to say rather pompously that "the law already gives someone the right to defend themselves if they use reasonable force". Try telling that to the Policeman who was sued by a burglar who attacked him and he fought back. I ended the interview by saying that if I am elected next year I will introduce a Private Member's Bill on this issue. It's a promise I aim to deliver on.

THE BATTLE OVER THE CONSTITUTION REFERENDUM STARTS HERE

It is to Tony Blair's credit that he has done the most astonishing U Turn and agreed to have a referendum on the European Constitution. But let's not crow too quickly. He will no doubt try to put the referendum off until after the next election and then come up with a question which invites only one answer. Spin is not dead in Downing Street. It does make me wonder if an election might now be earlier rather than later. I'm keeping October free in my diary...

TODAY ON MONDAY

I shall be on the Today Programme on Radio 4 on Monday talking about householders' rights to defend their property. Hopefully it'll be on at 10 past 8 rather than 6am!

FARMERS' FORUM A SUCCESS

Yesterday we had a visit from Shadow Agriculture Secretary John Whittingdale. We did an interview on North Norfolk Radio and then went to visit a farm near Saxthorpe run by Peter Seaman, who it is safe to describe as a real Norfolk character! We talked about his business and diversification and he showed us a new venture he has started - worm farming! It's all to do with composting, and obivously hugely successful. We then went on to the Farmers' Forum Maureen Cushing and I had organised at Holt Rugby Club. To be honest I wondered if anyone would turn up as the weather was so superb. I thought that most of the farmers would have better things to do but to my amazement more than 70 showed up. We had two senior officers from the council to talk about planning issues relating to farming and the reaction seemed to be hugely positive. In the evening I went to a dinner party in Tunstead. All in all a very satisfying day. Today I was out on the doorsteps of Bacton and Happisburgh. Recruited several new party members. Great stuff!

BACK IN HARNESS

I spent most of the Easter period getting the new Politico's internet and mail order business up and running. Last weekend was the first weekend in six months that I hadn't been on the campaign trail, so I hope I can be forgiven for that! Yesterday evening I attended the inaugural meeting of our new Conservative Branch covering Overstrand, Northrepps and Trimingham. It was a very enthusiastic meeting and I know I'm going to get a lot of support from the people there. Today was mainly catching up with correspondence, interrupted by a visit from Radio 4's Today Programme who did an interview with me about law and order issues. It'll go out on Saturday I think. This evening I went over to Wicken Green on the far west side of the constituency to meeta few people. Tomorrow it's agriculture day as we have a visit from Shadow Agriculture Secretary John Whittingdale.

WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE...

I read in the EDP how the LibDems have been indulging in a typical piece of character assassination against the South Norfolk Conservative MP Richard Bacon. They seem to think they are in with a chance of winning hi sseat next time. I think not. Apparently they started off a recent conference in Norwich with Bacon Rolls (very droll) and their candidate jested "We're looking forward to eating the opposition". I sense a career on Have I Got News for You - or not. Perhaps they have forgotten the name of their representative in North Norfolk? Now of course, I would never stoop so low as to make fun of Mr Lamb's name. No Siree. Have to rise above that sort of thing. Wouldn't do. Not cricket. I'd be slated. It'd be like taking a Lamb to the slaughter...

FAME AT LAST FOR THIS BLOG

I didn't realise the nation's national newspaper journalists were avid readers of this Blog, but if you read today's Sunday Times you'll see I was wrong. It reports on my previous posting...

"Is Iain Dale, owner of Politico's, absolutely sure he wants to swap the gentle pace of bookselling for the thrusting world of politics? On his web diary the Tory candidate for North Norfolk recounts what seems a fairly typical candidate's day: visit to a police station, discussions at a health truyst, school governors meeting, talks with business leaders. And how do you think that all went Iain? He reports simply: "I'm knackered." Guilty as charged m'lud. Perhaps I should have mentioned the four hours paperwork and 300 miles I drove that day as mitigation! I never realised "politician admits being tired" would make the Sunday Times, but I suppose it must have been a light news week on the Sunday Times diary.

HOW'S THE DIET GOING THEN?

Regular readers of this Blog will know that I have embarked on a sponsored diet. It's been going for 5 weeks now and I have lost well over a stone, so I'm already half way there. My bathroom scales say I have come down from 18 stone 2 to 16 stone 7, but I'm not sure I trust them. I have an official weigh in on 15 April, so more news then! I must say I feel very much better for it. I'm almost half way to having a flat stomach for the first time in 10 years, not that I'm vain... The downside to losing this amount of weight is that I am going to have to buy a lot of new clothes. Try not to picture this vision in your mind but I put a pair of jeans on the other day, did them up and they prompty fell to my ankles. Not a pretty sight.

THE APPALLING BEVERLEY HUGHES

Beverley Hughes must be one of the most useless Ministers in living memory - although with this lot she's got a lot of competition. But to hear her bleatings in the debate about not being incompetent and acting with total integrity you wonder whether she was pulling an onion out of her pocket. I know Ministers have a lot of paperwork but put yourself in her place. If a fellow Minister wrote to you alleging the kind of scam that was going on in Bucharest and you then replied to that Minister promising action, don't you think it would stick in your memory? That's why I believe that she is not only incompetent but a liar too. And that's par for the course with New Labour.

BUSY BUSY

What a day. BBC News 24 paper review at quarter past midnight then off to Norfolk for an early start visiting Norfolk Police HQ at Wymondham where I was given a tour of the forensic labs, firearms section, control room and fleet control. Fascinating. Then to Norfolk Mental Health Trust to meet the people responsible for planning the future of Rebecca House in North Walsham. At 3pm I met the former North Norfolk MP David Prior for a chat - he now runs the University Hospital in Norwich so I wanted to talk to him about the new Cromer Hospital. Then off to Sheringham for a word with sme local business people and finally back to Cromer for my first meeting as a governor of Cromer High School. All in all I'm knackered. Tomorrow I'm visiting Broadland High School, a printing company in North Walsham and then speaking to the South NorfolK Conservative Association Annual Dinner for Richard Bacon MP.

REPORT ON MICHAEL HOWARD'S VISIT FROM THE EDP

The leader of the Conservative Party began a two-day tour of Norfolk yesterday with a keen eye on the next general election. After visiting Cromer he faced questions from the Eastern Daily Press and took in a whistlestop tour of Norwich Market. ADAM GRETTON and KEIRON PIM report. Tory leader Michael Howard yesterday declared North Norfolk as a "must win" seat at the next general election as he embarked on the first leg of his county tour. Mr Howard went on a charm offensive on his first ever trip to Cromer, meeting patients and staff at Cromer hospital and greeting shoppers and traders in the town centre.
The Conservative leader highlighted the importance of his party's plans for the National Health Service in regaining the traditionally core Tory seat of North Norfolk. He also pledged his full support behind Iain Dale, who has been charged with overturning Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb's slight majority of 483. "It is a very important area and it is a seat we need to win," he said. "We have an excellent candidate in Iain Dale but we must not take anything for granted. I am confident that if people want to get rid of a failing and discredited government then there is only one party to put in place." Mr Howard began the day at Cromer Hospital where he toured the wards and brightened up the day for some patients. "When are you taking over?" asked Alan Baxter, from North Walsham, who has a fortnightly blood transfusion at the hospital. "Very soon," replied Mr Howard. Dennis Reinman, 77, who was waiting to have his appendix removed, said he was impressed by the Tory leader and the North Norfolk prospective parliamentary candidate. "They have an uphill battle but I hope they give Tony Blair a good beating," he said. He than meet local GPs, surgeons, hospital officials and members of North Norfolk Primary Care Trust to discuss health provision in the area and the plans for a new Cromer Hospital. Speaking later in Norwich, Mr Howard later said he was impressed by the work of the area's voluntary ambulance drivers. "Something that I was very impressed by in Cromer this morning was the voluntary drivers for the regional ambulance service. "They work five days a week for modest mileage and I don't think we celebrate these volunteers enough." The Conservatives plan to give patients health passports, slash red tape and bureaucracy and commit an extra 9pc increase in the NHS in their first two years of government, if they win the next general election. Mr Howard said plans to give hospitals more independence would have prevented continued delays over the proposed £17m hospital for North Norfolk, which goes before regional health chiefs in May. "I think Cromer has an excellent hospital doing a great job for North Norfolk but it does have a great cloud of uncertainty, I find it difficult to find why the decision has taken so long to make," he said. Sue Tuck, hospital matron, said the MP was "delightful" and was "interested in the patients foremost." He later received a whistlestop tour of Cromer high street, seeing the regeneration works of the Pavilion Theatre and pier and talking to Tory supporters.

MICHAEL HOWARD VISIT

I'll post a full report on Michael's visit to Cromer sometime tomorrow!

SAVING A LOCAL BUS SERVICE

Here's a press release I put out on Friday...

Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for North Norfolk Iain Dale has
learned that two key bus services from Norwich to Cromer, the Runtons
and Sheringham are being cut at the end of next week. The X50 service to
Sheringham via Aylsham will not run on weekdays after 7.15pm. This means
that the North Norfolk Coast is effectively being cut off from Norwich
in the evenings. The 9.15pm and 11.15pm services will in future stop at
Aylsham. The 11.15pm service will only run through to Sheringham on
Saturdays. Iain uncovered the plans following representations from
constituents.

Iain comments:-

"I have had several letters and emails from residents in Sheringham and
Cromer who work in Norwich and often have to work late. After next week
they won't be able to use the bus to get home. I appreciate that Norfolk
County Council are picking up the tab for loss making services and
haven't got an endless pot of money, but I am concerned that Sheringham
and Cromer are being treated as peripheral areas in Norfolk. The Council
rightly point out that the Bittern line rail service is receiving large
public subsidies and is being used by more people, but if you are on a
low wage, the extra cost of a rail ticket (£4 single as opposed to £2.40
on a bus) will cost a commuter from Sheringham an extra £800 a year. I
am today asking all users of the 9.15pm and 11.15pm X50 services to
contact me on 01692 538180 or iain@iaindale.com. I have already spoken
to Adrian Gunson, Cabinet Member for Transportation and will be writing
to him asking him if he will reconsider the level of subsidy on these
routes. It is important that links into Norwich from the North Norfolk
coast are enhanced rather than reduced and I shall make every effort to
see if there is a way through this."

MICHAEL HOWARD VISIT

Tonight I'm chairing a public meeting in Hoveton on policing issues and then tomorrow morning we have Michael Howard coming to Cromer. I'm taking him round the hospital, then for a walkabout in the town centre. Should be an interesting day!

EMAIL

Sorry if you have had emails to me bounce back. I've been switching to new email software so anything you have sent me over the last 48 hours will not have got through.

TROUBLE FOR THE LIBDEMS

Now far be in from me to intrude into the LibDem leader's problems - and he has plenty of them - but I was most interested to see a piece in today's Guardian by Sarah Hall in which she takes Norman Lamb to task for not fulfilling his proper role as the leader's PPS. Read on...

Some senior figures also believe Mr Kennedy should appoint a political secretary who could be wholly dedicated to his welfare and stop him making political misjudgments - such as choosing to watch the euro statement in his office last June. This role was partly filled by the former party chairman Mark Oaten, but since the October reshuffle he has had to concentrate on his new brief as home affairs spokesman. Norman Lamb, his parliamentary private secretary, who has been working hard to improve relations between the leader and his parliamentary party, is also unable to fulfil this role, since his North Norfolk seat is being closely targeted by the Tories.

It seems I am keeping Mr Lamb from his leader's side. I hate to revel in another party's leadership woes, but it does make a pleasant change from crises in our own Party. Thankfully those days are well and truly behind us.

RANK HYPOCRISY

Press Release issued yesterday...

North Norfolk Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman Iain Dale has hit out at the "breathtaking hypocrisy" of Local LibDem MP Norman Lamb after he criticised Gordon Brown's £100 award to pensioners to help pay Council Tax. Dale pointed out that only a year ago North Norfolk LibDem councillors were elected on exactly that pledge - a pledge they have since ignored.

In a press release posted on his website Norman Lamb says: "Giving pensioners over 70 an extra £100 this year to help pay their Council Tax is merely a sticking-plaster operation."

"Only twelve months ago it was LibDem policy to cut £100 off Council tax. That was the pledge they made to the electorate before the district council elections. Did Mr Lamb refer to that as a sticking plaster operation? Of course not. Upon taking power he and his LibDem councillors conveniently forgot all about it. For Norman Lamb to criticise Gordon Brown for implementing a LibDem pledge is the sort of comment that gives politics a bad name."

BANGED TO RIGHTS

Had a great two hours this lunchtime on the Sandi Toksvig show on LBC. But then my day took a turn for the worse on my way back to Westminster... Here's a press release I've just issued...

Iain Dale, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for North Norfolk was at the centre of a dramatic road rage incident this afternoon (Wednesday), which culminated in Dale chasing after a man who had attacked his car and smashed his car window with a D-Lock metal bar window. With the help of a passer-by Dale apprehended the culprit and the Police were called. The man was arrested and charged with causing criminal damage. The attack caused a car window to be shattered and several dents were left in Dale's car. He estimates that the repair bill will be more than £1000. There were three witnesses to the attack and Dale spent nearly three hours at the Police Station making a statement. It just wasn't his day - while making the statement he received a parking ticket. The Police promised to help get it cancelled!

Iain Dale commented:

"On reflection it was a horrifying incident, but at the time you don't think - you just react to being attacked. I had tooted my horn to warn a cyclist that I was behind him. He had two supermarket bags on his handlebars and was swerving all over the road. At the next junction he caught up with me and slapped the roof of my car with his hand. I thought about stopping to remonstrate with him but decided not to and carried on with my journey. About a mile later I had stopped at some traffic lights and he appeared again beside my window. He was screaming abuse at me and wanted me to wind down my window. I declined. I was about to move off as the lights turned green when he produced a metal D-Lock and proceeded to hit my wing mirror with it. He then tried to smash the driver's side window and also hit the paintwork on the door frame and door. The window didn't smash. If it had done so I would have been badly injured. He then turned his attention to the rear window, which after two blows did indeed shatter. The man then proceeded to cycle off. I immediately leapt out of my car and gave chase. As I began to catch up with him I shouted to a passer by to help me stop him, which he did. We both grabbed his handlebars and prevented him from moving away. He continued to shout and scream while the Police were called. The Police arrived after only three minutes and immediately arrested the man, handcuffed him and put him in a police van. There were three witnesses to the incident, one of whom had followed me all the way and had himself noticed how erratically the cyclist was riding his bicycle. I am indebted to all three for coming forward and in particular to the man who put himself at risk to assist in apprehending the cyclist.

"Only four weeks ago I was the victim of another crime - in the same car - when my mobile phone was stolen. I just hope these things don't come in threes!"

THE DAY AFTER

Quite how I managed to talk about poor Clare Barnes on News 24 last night I don't know. I was given a tip by a North Norfolk friend to think of pleasant things, then you get through it. The press coverage of Clare's death has been astonishing. It's interesting that the media concentrate on the fact that she's Carol's daughter, rather than Denis's. More evidence of the media's interest in celebrity over politics? I can't help pondering over the fact that had she been the daughter of Mr & Mrs Average from Cleethorpes she would have barely rated a mention.

Today I have been at Politico's all day packing things up for our move. Last night was spent at a Conservative History Group meeting (I'm its director, before you make any snide comments....) on the Macmillan Years. We had the editor of the Macmillan Diaries Peter Catterall and Sir Peter Tapsell MP as the speakers. Peter Tapsell is a great speaker and full of hilarious anecdotes.

Tomorrow I am on LBC with Sandi Toksvig for a couple of hours. Hugely enjoy her show. It's totally spontaneous and you end up talking about the oddest subjects. Right up my street reaaly.

Great opinion polls today. I really feel we are on the verge of a major breakthrough both nationally and locally. There's an optimism in the Party I haven't experienced since the late 1980s.

DEVASTATING NEWS

Maybe this isn't the appropriate place to write about this, but I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face having learnt that one of my former employees has been killed in a sky-diving accident in Australia. Clare Barnes was the daughter of my friend Denis MacShane (Labour MP and Minister for Europe) and the former ITN newsreader Carol Barnes. BBC Online are carrying the details.

About four years ago Denis MacShane asked me if I would give some work experience to his daughter, Clare. He felt she was drifting in her life. What was meant to be a three week stint working in our bookshop turned into a year. She worked as a publicist for our publishing company and was really learning the job well when she decided that she wanted to go travelling again. She was a girl with a tremendous wanderlust. Clare had a terrifically bubbly personality and everyone liked her. Even when she had done something wrong it was impossible to tell her off without feeling guilty yourself. We were very sorry to see her go as she had taken to the work very well but it was clear that travelling was her first love. I am devastated for Denis & Carol and can hardly imagine the pain they must be feeling. The world has lost a smiling face and at Politico's we all grieve for her.

THE STRIPLINGS TAKE OVER NORWICH SOUTH & NORWICH NORTH

On Friday Norwich South selected Anthony Little to fight Charles Clarke at the next election. Anthony is a 25v year old teacher and is a great campaigner. A few weeks ago Norwich North selected another 25 year old, James Tumbridge to fight Norwich North. God, I feel old.

A NIGHT WITH ANN WIDDECOMBE

Now there's a sentence you never thought you'd read. Tonight I am at the Little Theatre in Sheringham hosting A Night with Ann Widdecombe. Apparently they've sold all the tickets and could have sold another 100. I wonder which one of us they're coming to see! Typically the LibDems tried to get the show cancelled because they didn't think a Conservative politician should be appearing in the Little Theatre. The local populace seems to disagree. The hypocrisy stinks. They didn't say the same thing when former Liberal politician Clement Freud appeared there recently. What a surprise. Right, off out now onto the streets of North Walsham to do a day on the doorstep.

EASTERN EVENING NEWS PREDICTS ME TO WIN

Last night's Eastern Evening News has predicted that I will win North Norfolk. I'm told that the East Anglian Daily Times has done the same this week. Obviously very discerning newspapers. Perhaps the Easter Daily Lamb (oops, Eastern Daily Press) will follow suit. Mind you, after the last week perhaps we should rename it the EDB, the Eastern Daily Bell. There was half a page today promoting the sainted Mr Bell. Apparently he has been endorsed by David Soul, who you may remember was Hutch in Starsky & Hutch. On the face of it a good endorsement, but not if you remember reading recently of Mr Soul's squalid living conditions. If I were Mr Bell I might choose my friends more carefully.

EASTERN EVENING NEWS

Nice to see that the EEN is a reader of this blog - thanks for the mention in last night's paper go to Alex Gore. I never realised my interest in Footballers' Wives (should I rephrase that?!) was so interesting!

HARROGATE

I've been at the Conservative Spring Forum in Harrogate all weekend. A very positive conference and Michael Howard's speech sent us all off in good heart. Took 4 hours to get back. Just about to catch up on the latest episode of Footballers Wives...Well, you've got to keep in touch with popular culture haven't you?

HELLO FROM HARROGATE!

It's 1am and I'm downloading 24 hours worth of email, so I thought I'd type this in the foyer of the Moat House Hotel in Harrogate. This hotel typifies what's wrong with British hotels. It's a specialist conference centre hotel yet you can't even access the internet from your bedroom. And all for £106 a night. Scandalous. It took me 4 hours to drive up here this morning from Swanton Abbott. It was 111 miles from SA to the A1. The A17 is a road that seems to have no end. And it was very foggy, so not a very pleasant drive. Went out for dinner with two Sunday newspaper journalists and Guy Black, Michael Howard's press secretary. Also did a piece for Radio 4's World Tonight in which I said that we have to go into the next election showing a clear difference between us and Labour - and that means promising responsible tax cuts. I'm very clear about this. We have accused Labour of increasing taxes sixty times so we have to promise to reverse these increases over the term of a Conservative Government. Someone once said "The Conservative Party is a tax cutting Party or it is nothing". Anyone know who? Cutting tax does not mean cutting public services.

HOLKHAM

Had a day in the office (yesterday, Wednesday)arranging meetings and writing letters, followed by a spot of doorknocking in Cromer. A great reaction. People really seem to be fired up by Michael Howard at the moment. This evening drove over to Holkham to go to their Parish Council meeting. Also popped into the wonderful Victoria Hotel, which is part of the Holkham estate. Met the owners, Tom and Polly Coke. Tom is the son of the Earl of Leicester. They have turned it into a truly magnificent place and I can't wait to go back to sample the food. CLICK HERE to visit their website. Tomorrow (Thursday) I have to go to speak at the Stalham Conservatives AGM. They're becoming a very strong branch with some very go-ahead people.

THE JOYS OF SUGARBEET

Just got back from a meeting of Holt NFU who were discussing sugarbeet. My background is in arable farming so I haven't needed to be an expert on sugarbeet beyond knowing that we're being threatened by cheap Brazilian sugarbeet and that the government is threatening the industry's future by opting for huge price cuts in the price of sugarbeet when the EU changes the system in 2006. However, sugarbeet is a core part of the Norfolk farming scene, which is why I went tonight. There were about 25 local farmers there. Spent more than 5 hours in the car today. Unbelievably it took two and a half hours to get to London from Kent and then a further three and a half up to Norfolk. Tomorrow I'm visiting Holkham Parish Council.

CLARE SHORT

I've just been watching Clare Short on the Dimbleby Programme where she suddenly produced a fax from the Cabinet Secretary warning her not to do any more interviews and that he reserved the right to take further action under the Official Secrets Act. Mindblowing stuff. It was one of those moments where you are quite taken aback. John Pienaar described her on 5 Live this week as a 'loose cannon with direction'. I wonder how Tony Blair will wriggle out of this one.

I LOVE NORTH NORFOLK RADIO

North Norfolk Radio is a brilliant new station covering the whole of North Norfolk (as you might expect!). They play Radio 2ish type music and cover local news superbly. I particularly like their website poll today. Visit it at www.northnorfolkradio.com and you will see why! Ahead of their time, or soothsayers? Talking of which, I discovered a talent yesterday I didn't know I had.... water divining! Visited a colleague in Tunstead and she had a water leak in the ground. Out came the metal sticks and she found the leak. I then gave it a go and much to my amazement I found that I could do it too. It's a gift. Some of us have it, some of us don't. Spent today out on the streets in Cromer. Great reaction. There really seems to be a sea change in people's political views now. For the first time in probably 15 years Labour voters are coming over to us. That bodes very well for me. I've asked a few of these people why they have disregarded the LibDems and they all say that the only way to get rid of Blair is to vote Conservative. I like it!

Spent this morning meeting senior council officials at North Norfolk District Council to get briefings on their work. A nice bunch of people with a genuine commitment to public service. This afternoon I met a group of local Cromer crab fishermen. They are very worried about the effect on their trade of the proposed wind farm off Cromer. But the big news of the day was my weigh-in - a massive 18 stone 2! Aaaaaagh! Unbeknown to me I was weighed in by a professional dietician who proceeded to give me my orders for my diet. It's going to be a hard four months... This evening drove through a blizzard to the Fakenham Conservatives AGM. One of their committee used to own the farm in Stibbard which my mother and her parents farmed in the 1950s. Small world. Funniest moment of the day was when I walked into the office to overhear the end of a telephone conversation. My colleague said to the caller, would he like to speak to me as I had just walked into the room. He declined saying he had to go and walk the dogs and put the phone down. Apparently he'd called to say what on earth qualified me to stand for parliament and wasn't the picture of me in the newspaper terrible. And he finally exploded: "And what about those dreadful dimples!!!" Quirk of nature, mate.

WIDDERS & WEST HAM

Just doing this before going to bed, waiting for my email to download. Just got back to Swanton Abbott from an evening in Colchester hosting A Night with Ann Widdecombe. We had 400 people in the audience so it was a great evening. These events are always slightly dependent on audience response. On March 13th we are in Sheringham Little Theatre. It seems they have sold out and have a lengthy waiting list. Very encouraging. Did an interview yesterday with the BBC World Service on the growing influence of Blogs. I think it goes out this weekend on the People & Politics programme. Tomorrow I have a meeting with North Norfolk District Council officers, a meeting with Cromer crab fishermen and the AGM of Fakenham Conservatives. Had a very bad night last night. Went to see the Hammers for the first time since Christmas. They were playing Fulham in an FA Cup replay. They played them off the park for 75 minutes then let in 3 goals in the last 15 minutes. Just like my dreams, they fade and die...I'm forever blowing bubbles... (and if you don't follow football you probably think I have just lostmy marbles...)

COUNCIL TAX

Norfolk County Council today announced a cut in their planned council tax rise. It will now be 5.7%, a cut of 2% on their original plans. This should ensure an end to the threat of capping. I've called today for LibDem controlled North Norfolk District Council to follow suit today and written to Norman Lamb to ask him to bring his influence to bear on them. It really is a scandal that a Group D house is charged the same in North Norfolk as it is in London. £1131 is what we pay. My house in Swanton Abbott is Group D and I'd love someone to quantify exactly what services we get for that amount. I'm going to do a lot of research on this in the coming months because I feel just as angry about it as other people. Watch this space.

THE REAL FACE OF THE LIBDEMS

You may have read in the EDP about Breckland Councillors awarding themselves a 40% increase in allowances, something I believe is an utter disgrace. But that pales into insignificance when compared to what Torbay LibDem councillors have done. CLICK HERE to read the full shameful facts...

KEEPING AN EYE ON THOSE PESKY LIBDEMS

I've just come across a brilliant website called LibDem Watch. It keeps an eye on the various lunacies perpetrated by LibDem councils and politicians. You won't be surprised to learn that there isn't exactly a lack of material on it....

THE DIET

Talk about making a rod for my own back. As weigh-in day approaches and the diet starts, it's very funny that people keep telling me I've already lost weight. If only. Anyway, if I lose the anticipated 2 stones I have already got £1500 in the kitty, so only £500 to go. I think I am going to revise my target upwards to £5000 as it is going so well! If you'd like to sponsor me you can download a sponsorship form by CLICKING HERE! You know it's all in a good cause!

CATCHING UP

Spent most of the day catching up on letters and admin after a very hectic few days in the constituency. Had a very good meeting with the NorfolK Chief Constable Andy Hayman on Thursday lunchtime. He's very dynamic and has some very innovative ideas. In the evening I spoke at the Norwich South Conservatives AGM. I first joined Norwich South 22 years ago, which made me feel rather ancient. They are a good group and most of the officers are in their twenties. I think they're going to run a very good campaign in this year's local elections and then against Charles Clarke. The Liberals, of course, are trying to say they stand the best chance of beating Charles, but they have never done well in Norwich South. They also have a candidate who seems to have amnesia about where he actually lives. Friday was about the busiest day I have had for some time (see below). The Today Programme interview sparked off five or six others which I had to fit in between everything else. Spent a very enjoyable hour and a half at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve near Fakenham. A superb example of a community project. It was then on to Fakenham races where I met people from the Countryside Alliance before popping back into Norwich to do more radio. I then had an hour to finish off the preparation for my speech at North NorfolK Conservatives' Agm, held at Pinewood Leisdure Complex. I spoke for about 25 minutes, which is about the longest speech I have given in Norfolk. I've never had a standing ovation before and to be honest didn't quite know how to react! It was good to see so many people there. It's very encouraging that so many are committed to helping me win.

A DAY IN THE LIFE...

Just come back from an excellent meeting with Norfolk Chief Constable Andy Hayman and tonight I'm speaking to the AGM of Norwich South Conservatives. Just so you get a flavour of a typical day in the life of a PPC here's tomorrow's schedule...

0730 Drive into Norwich for interview on BBC Radio 4 Today Programme
0900 Meeting with Norfolk Mental Health Trust Chairman in Hellesdon
1100 Visit Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
1230 Visit Fakenham Races
1430 Meeting with North Norfolk District Councillors
1600 Office admin session
1900 Speak to North Norfolk Conservatives AGM

And I love it!

TO AND FRO

Had a hectic day at Politico's yesterday doing several media interviews about moving the shop. I even did one for German TV. Having done a degree in German and lived there I ought to have conducted the interview in German but I chickened out. Pathetic. Then it was off up the A11 to Norfolk to go to Mundesley Parish Council. Mundesley is a great little resort on the North Norfolk Coast (for the uninitiated). I sat there during the meeting thinking that it was an ideal example of local democracy in action - no party politics, just people talking who are totally committed to the improvement of their local community. Today it's back South to prepare for the Politico's move to Kent.

WHAT A CANDIDATE IS UP AGAINST

Those of you who read of my involvement with the Rebecca House Alzheimers Unit in North Walsham will be interested to learn that Norman Lamb has now taken up the case, two weeks late. He's in the press proudly proclaiming he is meeting the Norfolk Mental Health Trust today and expressing great concern. Bit late Norman. Several of the relatives I met at Rebecca House told me he hadn't even replied to their letters. I have to say I was a tad annoyed that the EDP printed an article today about Mr Lamb's new found concern in this issue without mentioning that it me who brought the whole thing out into the public domain a fortnight ago, but that's what you're up against as a candidate. As the EDP journalist put it to me, "MP meets Health Chiefs" will always be more of a story than "Candidate meets Health Chiefs". I mustn't get too hung up on things like this because compared to many other candidates I know of I do get a very fair crack of the whip in the local media.

MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE

Just had an extremely busy few days in North Norfolk and last night I was guest speaker at Wantage Conservatives' Valentine's Day dinner. My friend Ed Vaizey is the candidate there. It was a hugely successful event and bearing in mind they had never heard of me, it was great that they managed to sell all the tickets. Just a quick recap on events last week. On Wednesday afternoon I drove to Norwich to record an hour long programme for Anglia TV called Table Talk. Essentially they film 6 people having a discussion over dinner. Jerry Hayes, the former Harlow MP was one of the participants. I greatly enjoyed it and the arguments were quite lively. When I watched it on Thursday night it even seemed to come over well on the screen. The Channel 4 Political Awards qwent quite well, although when I presented the book award to Peter Riddell of The Times I nearly forgot to give it to him! It was most amusing that my LibDem opponent Mr Lamb wasn't given a seat and had to take someone else's. I'm told his face was a picture when John Snow introduced me to present the book award. On Thursday morning I visited Cromer Hospital for a tour and a briefing from the Matron, Sue Tuck. Sue, it turns out, is related to my parents' neighbours in Saffron Walden. Small world. The rest of Thursday was spent in campaign planning meetings and meeting the chairman of Cromer High School governors. Friday was even busier with a briefing from the NFU in North Walsham, followed by half an hour on North Norfolk Radio, a speech to Norfolk County Councillors and speaking at the starting of a new branch of the Conservative Association. We had our Association Executive on Friday evening and I then went for a drink in a Cromer pub with Matt Lane, the Norfolk and Suffolk Area Campaign Director. Saturday was spent campaigning in Holt before driving 210 miles to Wantage. I like to live the high life! Today I will be mainly speechwriting. On Thursday I'm meeting the Norfolk Chief Constable to talk about policing issues and later on speaking at Norwich South Conservatives AGM. On Friday it's our own AGM in North Norfolk. which I'm told is usually very well attended. In between times I have to pop up to Mundesley (a mere 350 mile round trip!) to go their Parish Council meeting.

TABLE TALK

Just got back to Swanton Abbott after recording an hour long programme for Anglia TV called Table Talk. It's being transmitted at 11.30pm tomorrow (Thursday) and is essentially a dinner party where six of us discuss the great issues of the day. I was on with a Cambridge Don, John Cushing who runs the Thursford Christmas extravaganzas and Fakenham Laundry and former Tory MP and all round funny man Jerry Hayes. After a bit of a slow start (well, we did begin by discussing Valentine's Day!) I got into my stride on the compensation culture, Asylum and the revival of the Conservative Party.

OFF TO THE CHANNEL 4 POLITICAL AWARDS

This evening I'm presenting an award at the Channel 4 Political Awards. It seems I am to be about the only Conservative allowed near an award tonight as no Conservative has actually won one. Don't ask me how I know - I just do. It's my job to know these things! The programme goes out on Channel 4 at 7.30pm on Friday night. Betcha can't wait. Watch out for the rather severe haircut I have had today.

IS TONY BLAIR LOSING IT?

A few years ago I mulled over the possibility of writing a novel (as you do...). The plot would have centred around a Prime Minister who gradually loses his marbles. I wouldn't dream of suggesting for one minute that the Blessed Tony could suffer such an indignity...alright I will. He's always struck me as having it in him to go a bit starey-eyed. And now I have the proof - well anecdotal evidence. I gather he was giving an in-depth interview the other day to a hack who had better remain nameless (strangely it wasn't Andrew Gilligan) and was rattling on about how wonderful the economy was when he suddenly stopped and looked the journalist in the eye and continued: "Did you know I have toppled 4 regimes since I came to power?" and then carried on talking about the economy. Stranger and stranger said Alice.

LIKE BEING AT YOUR OWN FUNERAL

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could attend your own funeral? Having announced yesterday that Politico's will close its doors I have been inundated by very nice emails from people saying the most lovely things. However, if one more person calls either me or the shop an 'institution' I think I will deck them.

THANKS FOR THE PRAISE KIND SIR

Quote from a fellow blogger, Jackalpe Pursuivant "Iain Dale for North Norfolk is a very entertaining site, in a strange way. More importantly, it is the blog, more than any other, that convinced me that the Conservatives might have a future. They have an energetic, well-spoken MP candidate in Iain Dale. And what's more, he seems genuinely interested in speaking to his prospective constituents and serving them. It's so crazy it just might work."

POLITICO'S GOES TO THE COUNTRY

A letter written to my customers at Politico's today...

I am writing to tell you that Politico's is relocating to Kent on 12 March and continuing as an internet/mail order business at www.politicos.co.uk. Our shop in Artillery Row will close on 12 March. Nearly 50% of the bookshop's turnover is now "not over the counter" and comes through website orders and through orders by post and telephone. Politico's will continue to organise book events in Westminster and run the shops at the three party conferences. This has been a difficult decision to make, but we know it is in the best interests of our business. Obviously we would prefer to keep our shop in Westminster but a huge rent rise, the effects on trade of the congestion charge (we estimate this has caused a 12% reduction in retail turnover) and extra national insurance costs, have meant that we have had to consider the best way forward for the longer term. We felt unable to sign a new ten year lease on our Artillery Row shop when faced with such huge increases in our overheads. We have looked at all options including selling the business and moving to smaller premises in London, but we have decided that moving out of London and operating an internet/mail order business is the most sensible way forward. I want to make this clear. We are NOT closing down. We are NOT disappearing from the Westminster scene! We will be holding regular events in Westminster and we intend to continue to run the bookshop at all the party conferences, as well as producing regular new titles catalogues. On a personal note, Politico's Bookstore has been my life, seven days a week, for the last six years and I have enjoyed every minute. I know many of our customers will be sad at our departure from Artillery Row, and I share those feelings. But life moves on and so must we. I know we're doing the right thing both for the business and our customers. I would like to thank all our customers, who have helped make Politico's such a success over the last seven years. I hope that they will all remain customers of our new business Politicos.co.uk. I would also like to place on record my thanks to our bookshop manager Jon Shipley and his assistant Abigail Allen. They will both be leaving the business at the end of the transition and I wish them well.

SEARCHING FOR THE BODY BEAUTIFUL

Released this today...

Iain Dale’s Pound for £1 Challenge

He may look a fine figure of a man, but believe it or not, North Norfolk Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Iain Dale weighs in at a phenomenal 18 stones – yes, 252lbs. Between March 1st and June 26th he aims to lose 28lbs, a whole two stones. But he needs an incentive. He’s decided the best way to achieve the body beautiful (Ok then, the body adequate) is to raise money to fund his election campaign and is asking you to sponsor him to the tune of £1 for every Pound he loses. So if he loses a stone you pay £14. If he loses two stones you pay £28. He doesn’t want to bankrupt anyone (or become a pale shadow of his former self) so he promises not to lose more than two stones! And the aim? To raise more than £2000 for his campaign fund. The weigh in on June 26th will take place (fully clothed – phew!) at the Worstead Branch Champagne & Strawberries function at Iain’s house in Swanton Abbott. He’s currently taking tips from Ann Widdecombe on how to shed the stones… To pledge money email iain@iaindale.com!


SATURDAY & SUNDAY

On Saturday morning I went to Hoveton (in which Roy's of Wroxham is bizzarely situated) to attend a Councillor's surgery. Rita Massingham, is everything a Conservative Councillor should be. She is deeply involved in the local community, respected by everyone but is quite political and a thoroughly nice lady. There were thirty or forty people there which was an excellent turnout. They were very excercised about the lack of visible policing in the area so I shall be talking to the Chief Constable about that when I see him soon. I then spoke at the AGM of North Walsham Conservatives, who have elected an excellent new chairwoman. It's going to be a key area for us. After some campaigning in the afternoon I drove down to London to do News 24's paper review at quarter to midnight. Trouble was, there was nothing worth talking about in them. Still, you know me, I managed to drone on about something!

A VERY BUSY TWO DAYS

Drove up from London on Wednesday night and this week I didn't even manage to have my mobile phone stolen. On the way up stopped off to speak to Cambridge University Conservatives on the subject of The Tories & the Media. Had a good and lively audience of rather unsterotypical Cambridge students. Much enjoyed the dinner afterwards where the subjects of discussion ranged from the merits of Dallas (the TV series, not the town) to the worst speaker they have had to speak to them. No amount of money would drag the name out of me of course. As you know, I'm not one to gossip! On Thursday I drove over to Titchwell RSPB Reserve on the Norfolk coast for a briefing on bird matters and a look round. The first two people I saw on the reserve were members of North Norfolk Conservatives. Small world. Then drove to Holt for a meeting with the local NFU before visiting Rebecca House, the subject of the press release below. It was an amazing experience to meet the patients and relatives, who explained to me what a disaster it would be if the unit were run down. We had half a page in the Eastern Evening News, who made out they had discovered the wholoe story. Typical. But it was good coverage and they even wrote an editorial. This morning I was shown round Paston College (a sixth form college) in North Walsham by the highly enthusiastic Principal, Peter Mayne. Incredibly sixth form colleges receive only a third of the funding given to sixth forms within secondary schools. This evening I spoke to Blakeney Conservatives AGM. An extremely good turnout. A guy came up to me at the end and said: "I wasn't convinced about you before but I am now". I'll settle for that any day...

PRESS RELEASE ON MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN NORTH NORFOLK

I issued this today.

North Norfolk Conservative Spokesman Iain Dale has slammed plans to run down three of Norfolk's specialist dementia care units for sufferers of Alzheimers. The three units at Rebecca House in North Walsham, Cygnet House in Long Stratton and the Ellacombe Unit in Norwich will all be affected within the next 18 months, with acute patients all being transferred to a central facility at Hellesdon Hospital on the outskirts of Norwich. Iain Dale has learned that last week the North Norfolk Mental Health Trust appointed a 'Project Manager' at a cost of more than £50,000 to manage the running down of the three units. Although less acute patients will remain at Rebecca House with reduced levels of nursing care, the facility will not take on any new patients and it is not clear if the other two facilities will remain open on the same basis. The future of Rebecca House is dependent on North Norfolk Primary Healthcare Trust gaining ownership of it and discussions are underway at the moment says PCT Chief Executive Diana Clark. Rebecca House and Signet House are purpose built, modern facilities, specially designed for the care of patients suffering from dementia. If patients do not get transferred to Hellesdon they will either remain at Rebecca House with a reduced level of nursing care or put into care homes who lack the specialist nursing staff to cope with them. Patients suffering from acute dementia need proper trained psychiatric nurses and these are only available in facilities such as Rebecca House. Patients in Rebecca House and the other facilities have been guaranteed an NHS bed for life. The units also take temporary patients in order to provide what is termed 'respite care' for their home carers. Under the new plans it is thought that Rebecca House would not take on any new patients and any 'respite care' patients would have to go to Hellesdon. If the plans go ahead relatives and friends of acute patients from North Norfolk face a potential round trip of 60 miles to visit. Staff at the facilities have been instructed by the Norfolk Mental Health Trust to say nothing to outside enquiries about the plans and there has been no formal consultation with carer groups. The reason given by the Trust for the move is its £1.8 million budget deficit. Iain Dale comments: "At first sight this decision is a scandal. I am appalled that the long term future of such an excellent unit as Rebecca House is under any sort of threat. The patients there need specialist care which only trained psychiatric nurses can provide. The Mental Health Trust appears to have made this decision with no consultation at all and is riding roughshod over the views of the carers, carers' groups and the staff in these facilities. I am today seeking assurances from North Norfolk Primary Care Trust and the Norfolk Mental Health Trust about the three facilities, and Rebecca House in particular as it affects primarily the people of North Norfolk.

HISTORY, TOILET TROUBLE & PRESS

Had the AGM of the Conservative History Group, of which I am the Director, this evening. We've only been going a year and already have 370 members. There's a real appetite out there to learn from our Party's history. Had a disaster at work today - yes, candidates do still have to earn a living! - when the sewerage pipe underneath the shop decided to go into reverse. I'll spare you the details but I ended up having to fork our £450 for a plumber when the problem was not even in our demise. I can see some nasty battles ahead to recoup it. I hope to have a major story in the EDP tomorrow. Fingers crossed it turns out right...

PENSIONS, CHOCOLATE AND A CHRISTENING

On Friday afternoon I held a pensions forum with David Willetts, which went very well indeed. He's such an expert on the subject. It's a hugely important issue in North Norfolk and we invited a range of pensioner groups to participate. I am appalled that the EDP, despite sending a reporter to interview David, didn't feel it warranted a single word in their Saturday edition. Words will be had. North Norfolk Radio had him as the lead story. Nice to see at least one media organisation has its priorities right.

On Friday evening I attended Keith Simpson's (Mid Norfolk) constituency dinner with Liam Fox as the guest speaker. He gave an upbeat speech which will encourage most there to redouble their efforts to help win the next election. It was held at Wensum Valley Golf Club which is a great venue. Often these places serve the most dire food but the food was very good indeed - especially the chocolate dessert!

On Saturday I went to the NNCA's auction of promises which raised a four figure sum for party funds. I can easily spend that! The replies to the survey on my first newspaper are flooding in with some very interesting and encouraging comments.

Today has mostly been spent at a christening in Sussex and now I have to spend the evening writing three speeches. Might just catch Coronation Street though!