Sandy 4 St Albans

Sandy Walkington campaigns with the Liberal Democrats across St Albans

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Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt

November 30th, 2011 · Sandy's blog

SOSA Ciara McKennaIt was such a privilege (and such fun) to be invited to present some of the awards at the annual prize-giving for young athletes from St Albans Special Olympics (SOSA).  The event took place at the Old Town Hall.  The room was buzzing.

The first picture shows me presenting the Terry Carter Award for Swimming to Ciara McKenna.  In the background you can see Susi Williams, the human dynamo who both runs SOSA and acted as compere for the evening.  I like the way that the photographer has got her break-dancing while I have a flying saucer coming out of my head…

Ciara’s dad by the way raised a fantastic amount of money for SOSA by organising a charity golf day.  All sorts of people dig deep as volunteers and in raising money to make sure that SOSA can run on an absolute shoe-string.  One of the other people asked to present the prizes (much more deservedly than me) was Cllr Maxine Crawley, last year’s mayor, who had made SOSA one of her mayoral charities for the year.

SOSA Mitchell CampThe second picture shows Mitchell Camp who won the Rowland Shield for being the best exemplar in terms of sportsmanship, commitment, dedication and sheer enthusiasm of all that the Special Olympics stand for.  It shines out of him, just as it shone out of all those present.

If you want more information about SOSA, I have blogged about them previously at http://bit.ly/tLDLPf

PS The title of this posting is SOSA’s mission statement – it sums up their ethos beautifully

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George Osborne needs some animal magic

November 29th, 2011 · Sandy's blog

I’m leery about making an instant pronouncement about today’s Autumn Statement from Chancellor George Osborne before I have read tomorrow’s analysis.  Clearly we are in a real hole.

No-one really knows how the global economy is going to play out.  It almost has the feel of August 1914 when people watched helplessly as the trains left on a relentless timetable which could not be stopped.

We have to keep our nerve and make sure that there is intelligent and co-operative international action rather than a return to the beggar-my-neighbour economics of the 1930s, but no-one really knows what to do.

In these circumstances, and with personal debt still at very high levels, maintaining a macroeconomic posture which comforts the markets and keeps our interest rates at a record low clearly makes sense.  Likewise investing in the nation’s infrastructure if it adds to future productive capacity.

It is a good day for A-roads and the London Underground.  It is a good day for railways too with planned rail fare increases pegged back to RPI+1 percent – still a very unpleasant six percent given recent inflation but no different to what it would have been under the previous Labour government.  That’s a partial win for the Fair Fares Now campaign.

But as the great Liberal economist John Maynard Keynes observed, no amount of government action will make up the gap if the essential ingredient of entrepreneurial “animal spirits” is lacking.  He defined this as when “the thought of ultimate loss … is put aside as a healthy man puts aside the expectation of death”.

It’s inside people.  Cheerful words from doctors to a sick patient or politicians to businessmen in a sick economy are not enough.  The fundamental reforms to the economy being introduced by the Coalition Government are necessary preconditions to long-term stability and a return to some sort of growth path.  But the way there is going to be painfully stony until genuine confidence returns.

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Banning the sale of scrap metal for cash

November 29th, 2011 · Sandy's blog

I have just had brought to my attention an e-petition on the government website calling for the banning of sale of scrap metal for cash.  The explanatory preamble explains the issue perfectly:

Due to a significant rise in value, metal has become a much sought after commodity. This increased demand has resulted in a sharp rise in metal theft nationally. Metal fencing, gates, manhole covers and other metallic items are stolen on a regular basis. Property is raided for lead, copper and cabling. War memorials and statues have been taken. Overhead power lines are stolen at serious risk to personal safety with huge costs for replacement and major inconvenience to the public. Historically the scrap metal trade has been a cash in hand industry. This creates difficulties as there is no audit trail, making identification of individuals who may be trading stolen metal or who may be committing tax or benefits fraud, a difficult proposition. An amendment to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964 to prohibit cash transactions would make payment by cheque or directly into a bank account mandatory and would be a significant component in reducing metal theft.

Thinking of the way that the roof of St Michael’s church in St Albans has been stripped so many times of its lead, the disruption caused to local commuters when railway cable has been stolen (causing delays which are neither the fault of  First Capital Connect nor Network Rail), the personal hurt caused by the theft of garden ornaments and gates, this seems a simple idea which should be progressed.  As with all these things, the more signatures the better.  If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it has to be debated in Parliament.

Just visit http://bit.ly/qZwCy2 to sign it.

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A re-opening of the previous public inquiry still makes the most sense if we want to stop the Helioslough lorry terminal

November 25th, 2011 · Sandy's blog

Along with other witnesses to the previous freight terminal inquiry, David Parry and I were invited to comment on the latest submissions from Helioslough arguing that the Park Street freight terminal should go ahead.  St Albans District Council also submitted a critique which is an excellent piece of work and STRiFE offered their own arguments as to why Helioslough’s plans should continue to be rebuffed.

But we need more than the various parties sitting in trenches and lobbing legal mortar bombs at one another.

There are new arguments which deserve examination but they will only get credence if they can be tested and cross-examined.  This will only be possible if the Inquiry is re-opened.  It’s not a third Inquiry, it is simply a re-opening of the last one to allow the new material to be introduced.

It is clear from the submission from Helioslough and the comprehensive rebuttal of their arguments by St Albans District Council and to some extent by STRiFE that there is little agreement as to the importance or relevance of particular changes in circumstance since the Public Inquiry, or indeed of the effect of ongoing changes in planning policy.

For David and myself, we want an up-to-date picture of the impact of M25 widening on local traffic flows and an understanding of the implications of the recent joint decision of the two local authorities to the north of us to back a freight terminal at Sundon.  They want one, we don’t, it’s the same railway line, that must count for something in the brave new world of localism.

Submitting the various new circumstances to the glare of open inquiry would also minimise the chance of continued legal claims at the end of the process.

It may seem to prolong the agony to local residents.  There have been suggestions that some of the participants want to avoid further cost.  But the cost to our district of allowing the Helioslough scheme to proceed by default would be even greater.  I hope the Secretary of State is listening.

PS If you want to catch up on the history, see previous blog-postings at http://bit.ly/rJt6R0

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Who is Justin Bieber?

November 24th, 2011 · Sandy's blog

You’re part of a panel in front of 600 sixth formers filling St Albans Abbey nave.  The young questioner poses the question, “Justin Bieber and the media are promoting underage sex.  Does this mean teenage pregnancies are acceptable?”  The chair turns to me.  “Sandy?”

The stuff of nightmares, except this was the actual final question in the exhilarating 6th form conference held today at the Abbey and I was asked to respond first.  I was a last-minute stand-in when Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood had to leave at half-time.  My fellow panellists were Chris Bryant MP, Giles Fraser (the resigning Canon Chancellor at St Paul’s), and Judge Andrew Bright from St Albans Crown Court.  Former Channel 4 presenter Samira Ahmed in the chair.  I just wish she hadn’t picked out that question about Justin Bieber and then fingered me to answer.

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The Os-borne Identity

November 22nd, 2011 · Sandy's blog

The real George OsborneI’m not the biggest fan of spoof videos on U-Tube but The Os-borne Identity launched today by the World Development Movement made me laugh.  It stars Rufus Jones as Mr O.

As the series continues, it will make some serious points.  Go, watch and enjoy at http://therealgeorgeosborne.com

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Time to rethink how rail fares will be increased – and how compensation for delays is triggered and paid

November 22nd, 2011 · Sandy's blog

Thoughtful rail fare briefing and follow-up discussion with the Campaign for Better Transport (CfBT) yesterday afternoon at the House of Commons.

Some people argue that crowded peak hour trains and rising passenger numbers suggest that fare rises are not a problem. But not everyone who uses the railway is wealthy – particularly if they are buying property in St Albans…

As transport commentator Christian Wolmar, one of the speakers at yesterday’s meeting, said, “railways have fantastic externalities” – ie they make a contribution to the environment and economy which far outweighs any direct economic loss or surplus.

Much was made of the perversion of rail fare regulation. It was initially designed to prevent rapacious private monopolies from exploiting the captive traveller. Thus the initial fare rise regime of RPI-1 percent – ie that fares should rise by less than inflation each year.

Then the Labour government introduced the RPI+1 percent formula – making fares rise faster than inflation.  The new government has now determined it will be RPI+3 percent. These are eye-watering figures, particularly given current inflation rates and current lower than inflation pay rises for normal workers who are not FTSE 100 directors.

In two bounds the regulatory regime has moved away from any notion of providing protection to the rail traveller from rapacious monopoly.  It’s a case of regulatory gamekeeper turning into Treasury poacher, using rail fares as a stealth tax.

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Doves of remembrance at St Albans Abbey

November 20th, 2011 · Sandy's blog

Dove releaseThis afternoon  saw the annual ecunemical service of remembrance organised jointly by St Albans Bereavement Network (SABN – http://www.sabn.org.uk/) and St Albans Abbey.

It was a glorious November afternoon before the service for the release of a flock of white doves at the west end of the cathedral.  The birds soared into the dazzling blue sky, then circled in great arcs over the Abbey Gateway and the west front.

Tree of dovesThe nave was packed for the actual service.  Some of the many local children, who have been recently bereaved through the loss of parent, grandparent, sibling or other close relation, brought up white paper doves written with prayers and names and hung them before the nave altar on two “Trees of Life” .  Later everyone had the opportunity to light a candle and place it in front of the high altar.

Dr Mary Groves, who both conceived SABN and is a founder member of Grove House, gave the address.  Some moving words were spoken by a bereaved child and a recently widowed young mother.  The Abbey Girls’ Choir sang.

SABN offers listening and support to the bereaved.  The Abbey offers a place for prayer and reflection.  Both experiences offer the opportunity for healing.  This is a partnership truly made in heaven.

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Was Gladstone a paragon of mastication?

November 19th, 2011 · Sandy's blog

My recent visit to Gladstone’s Library at Hawarden dredged an odd piece of historical flotsam from the recesses of my memory.  It was back in the 1970s, I was campaigning for the Liberals in Cambridge, and a middle-aged lady explained why the family would never vote for the party.

Her grandmother had been made to chew every mouthful one hundred times “just as the Prime Minister does”.  This by itself did not dispose her to like him.  The family were great Liberal supporters – thus their enthusiastic endorsement of Gladstone’s chewing habits.

SW at Gladstones CastleOne day the Grand Old Man came to their house for lunch, in the midst of one of his epic campaigning tours.  The little girl was determined to check out the paragon and peeped through the crack of the dining room door as he ate his lunch.

Of course he was in a tearing hurry to get away to the next speaking engagement, so he gobbled his food down, and spilled crumbs over his shirtfront.  The disgusted girl decided all politicians were liars and hypocrites, and particularly Liberals.  Ho hum, another vote lost.

PS The picture shows me standing in front of Gladstone’s family home, Hawarden Castle, preparing to defend his reputation

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European countries should take a lead from France and ban the burqa?

November 18th, 2011 · Sandy's blog

Debating mattersThe scene was the library of The Queen’s School, Bushey.  The event was a qualifying round for the schools’ Debating Matters competition organised by the Institute of Ideas.  I was there as one of the judges.

As well as debating the pros and cons of the burqa, other topics tackled in this particular round were whether The British Press Requires Tougher Regulation? and whether The Government Should Take Tougher Action On Unhealthy Behaviour?

The student teams are provided with wide-ranging background briefings, relevant op-ed articles from the whole spectrum of the national media as well as short think tank essays.  If you look at the Debating Matters website http://www.debatingmatters.com/ , you can get a quick education in a whole range of highly current and knotty issues.

In the debate on the burqa, Neelam and Salma from the host school (both wearing hijab) argued cogently and forcefully why it would be right to ban the burqa and that tolerance had to be applied critically.  Their opponents from Newham 6th Form College, a splendidly combative Mahommed and Robbie, were perhaps disadvantaged as males in putting forward their arguments for the other view.

These debates are not about flash arguments but whether the students can see round the problem, anticipate counter-arguments and defend their position.  After the opening three-minute speeches from each student, the judges take turns in trying to pick holes in how they have presented their case.  Then it is opened up to the audience to question and harry, and there was some pretty vigorous cut and thrust on all the topics.  Finally each team is allowed to challenge the other team’s arguments, before the speakers have a final one-minute summing up.

I think it is a brilliant undertaking – but it depends on the generosity of sponsors.  If anyone reading this has access to sponsorship monies, please consider pointing some at this excellent cause.

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