Today I had a dispiriting email from a constituent who is a devoted conservative, but is being bombarded by lib dem leaflets. Hard to explain that they will do anything to win here and that we are doing our best to do the same. It just may not look like the same campaign!

I am off to another pool meeting tonight as well as kicking off two campaigns - Save our Small Shops and Save the British pub. Both vital parts of our local communities. I am determined that we keep as many services close to local people - it's the only way to keep communities together.
Email me your ideas at askme@jobarker.co.uk and if you have an issue with a local service closing - LET ME KNOW!

I see that the lib dems are now basing their whole political perception in Hall Green on information from Ladbrokes!
Me, I prefer canvassing and finding out exactly what the voters are saying. Seems to me a slightly more accurate way of doing things and after all the whole of politics is about people - not numbers.
If we haven't met yet then please do come and see me. I am in the Old Post Office Building - the Exchange on Alcester Road - most days - just phone first to check I am in - 07748 968712.
Enjoy the Spring sun this weekend!

So glad to see that Salma is supporting the Conservatives – she’s nicked our policies, dressed them in Respect clothes and then urged people to “Vote for Change”! So go for it – VOTE CONSERVATIVE – even Salma agrees!

Local councillors in Springfield (including Gerry - the lib dem PPC) were at a public meeting last night to discuss the baths. They have been closed for 18 months and the best estimate of opening must be more than a year away - if the collective finger is pulled out.
On top of the budget problems the local libs are overseeing it was clear last night that the sums don't add up. PFI might be needed - much to all our horror. This pool will be pitted against Moseley Road baths for the £15m money - which is allegedly ring fenced. The cabinet member for leisure gave to opposing answers on that. The whole thing is a mess.

I had a meeting earlier in the day with Indestructible Paints - also in Sparkhill. They told me about the latest bureaucracy affecting them and what we need to do about it. I told them that the only answer was to have an active local Conservative MP who understands SME's (as I run one) who will campaign vigorously for those who provide the jobs on which our community depends.

So my conclusion from yesterday? Yep, you've guessed it - VOTE BARKER ON MAY 6TH!!!

The Jenkins report commissioned by Tony Blair when he was PM said that the alternative vote system Brown and Mandelson are now suggesting is even less representative than the first past the post system! What are they up to? We have stuck by first past the post as the most representative system – even when a.v. would have helped us (some of us remember campaigning in those years….)

I have heard it said that labour’s avowed intent is to make sure we never achieve power again – and they seem to be trying anything they can to “fix” the system. Now is the time for us to get out there and enthuse people about what we stand for. If there was a hung Parliament a.v. is surely the price the libs would extract for their support?

Clare Short

I probably shouldn’t but I am going to anyway – wasn’t Clare Short magnificent yesterday? I have a lot of time for any politician – of whatever hue – who stands up for what they truly believe in. Great fun to see her putting the boot in to the bully boys in Cabinet with her. Bu where I really agree with her is that never again should cabinet become so banal, without real debate. I know that sofa government will be over with David Cameron – and about time to for the good of our country. I expect to have to work hard, think hard and make difficult judgments as an MP – isn’t that the least you can expect?

I went to a meeting of "Save our Swimming" before Christmas, and have another meeting with them this week. I am really concerned that locally we have 2 pool closures (Moseley Baths repairs have over-run). But the most serious threat to local people's well being is the closure of Sparkhill Baths, with no clear plan in place for what next. The local lib councillor is talking PFI (and we all know how expensive that will be in the long run). Mind you, I am told that he is not coming to the meeting because the SOS Group "press released" about another meeting he attended. What a shame we will not be able to hear his point of view!
We need all the help we can get to be fit - closing pools doesn't really help does it?

Thanks to those who turned up on such a cold day yesterday! I'll be in Sutton on Monday and have meetings at the Exchange in the afternoon / evening. If you want to drop in then I' ll be there from 4pm. Give me a call on 07748968712 and we can arrange a time!
Wednesday is Campaign Springfield with Tim - we'll be canvassing and then going to the a cafe / pub to warm up! Can you see a theme developing here? As Tim said on Saturday "I'm looking forward to May because it's warmer!" I'm looking froward to it for a different reason....