Paul Walter

I see from David Rendell's website that Paul Walter received the Jack Donovan award for his outstanding contribution to Liberal Democracy in December last year. I can tell you that this guy deserves to have this award again! Despite not being elected this time over, he still did more work than anyone else, and all of us in Victoria Ward look to him as one of our mentors - top bloke!!!

Crikey, Lots Have Happened Since ........

Yes, lots has happened since my last post. I got in as a councillor - only just though as I had the "Donkey Vote", so David Rendell told me anyway! My name was last on the ballot paper so I got less votes than everyone else that also got in - well that's my story, AND I AM STICKING TO IT, OK!?!

We had to go to the annual Mayor Making at the Corn Exchange where we had to sit on the stage in front of all the Newbury "Notories" and then to the parish church of St Nicholas for a service followed by grub supplied by the British Legion ladies (and very good it was I can tell you!).

These couple of photos demonstrate how committed I must be to be a councillor. I mean, I didn't realise I had to dress up like Napolean and parade in front of the public!

Out For The Count!

I have just been e-mailed this picture by Roger Hunneman of us both at the count on Friday.

Really Nice People

These two lovely people signing our petition to remove the buses from Northbrook Street.

Thank You

I would like to thank all those that voted for me at the election on Thursday. I promise to do my best, for you, for all those that misguidingly voted for other candidates and for those who decided for one reason or another not to vote.

Thank Goodness That's Over!

It's over! The election has come and gone. All the hard work has been worth it - at least for my Ward. I have been elected to serve on Newbury Town Council for the next 4 years.

Mind you, I think I am entering the political arena on a down turn in the fortunes of the Lib Dems and an upturn in those bloody Tories. You should have seen them at the count. They were in their element, strutting around like a load of hooray henry's. However, I have to say that not all the Tories were like that. One of the beaten candidates in my Ward turned out to be a really nice guy. I am going to make sure I keep in contact with him. I also had a great chat with the UKIP candidate for the District election and he is someone I respect.

Mr Plonker

It's a few days since my last post, and boy, loads have happened since then!

I've been out loads of time canvassing both in my Ward - Victoria - and fellow candidates Wards. I was a little aprehensive at first. I didn't really know what I was doing. However, now I really enjoy it. It's good to see that only a minority of people, whatever their political persuasion, are rude or offensive. Mind you, I am beginning to spot voters from the "other side". In fact I think I am getting quite good at it. I can recommend another great blog for people to read which really has some great observations about this.

Last Saturday I spent the morning helping the Lib Dems in the Market Place in Newbury. They were raising a petition to ban the buses from Northbrook Street. I made a bit of booboo though. I was introduced to the leader of the Lib Dems on the District Council. He mistook me for a member of the public and tried to get me to sign the petition. Unfortunately, without thinking, I blurted out "you plonker, I'm a candidate". He went off on one. I can understand it. I think in the end I was the "plonker". We had a good chat later though. I think I probably tempered his first impression of me when he realised I seemed to be quite good at getting signatures for the petition. In fact I think I probably did as well as if not better than the others! (Sounds of blowing own trumpet in background).