Late for New Year although we happily celebrate from 1 Jan to Chinese New Year in the Barker household.
It looks like we are in for some fun in Birmingham and the rest of the West Midlands in the next few months….super Thursday – 15th November will soon be upon us and we can all vote for some serious localism. Mayors are likely in Birmingham and Coventry and the Police Commissioner election is already set. Busy time coming up.
But the question we have to ask is how do we want our localism expressed? Do we want the West Midlands and particularly our country’s second city to become labour’s fiefdom? We need candidates who resonate with all sorts of people – not just because of their politics. We need a Boris or a Ken – who have we got who is recognised solely by their first name? That says a lot about the power which an individual can have as mayor or indeed police commissioner. The pay is not bad either!!!

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Please have a look at this youtube clip – this is what Christmas is all about really!
Nativity

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So in my last blog I said it was time the Euro crisis was sorted. Well DC certainly stood up for Britain when he used the vero. What was good for us in signing the new treaty? Very brave I think he was. The Euro crisis is still going on, other premiers are now not so sure about the treaty, any decisions won’t really be implemented until after a meeting in March! How does this sort the crisis? Only decisive action does that – just as DC has shown.
For once I agree with Romano Prodi – we have more freedom but less power. I would add – what is power worth without freedom?
I hope for the sake of all those using the Euro – and for GB that the Euro does not fail – but maybe it is time to start thinking about it? Nothign doing ’til March – how does that help?

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Over the last few months we have seen civil unrest, growing discontent between the haves and the have nots in the UK, businesses in trouble, falling living standards and a complete lack of confidence in ourselves.
There are those who think that GB plc is doomed – I am not one of them. Out of difficult circumstances come those with the resilience to innovate and the motivation to do so. I know when my back is to the wall that is when I get thinking because my family rely on me and that is my responsibility.

That word again – responsibility. The British people are once again, according to a recent survey, more likely to take personal responsibilty and stop relying on others – particularly the state. I know that there are many people who cannot stretch their cash for the whole month – with increasing fuel prices this has hit many.
However, there are reasons to be cheerful – we are not living in either W Africa or the Horn of Africa where there is strife and famine.
We can blame others but – we all borrowed too much and lived too well – look at the things which we regard as essential (holidays, Sky tv, ready meals – need I go on?) and now we need to learn again a bit of kitchen table economics. In fact start in the kitchen and see how much you can cut your budget!

Now – to Brussels! Oh, please Euro leaders, stop messing about and sort the Euro crisis. If the post war settlement is worth anything then get on with it quickly so that we Europeans stop blaming each other and descending into the kind of anarchy which the grand project was designed to prevent.

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I’ve lived in two of the areas affected by rioting – Toxteth/Wavertree and Brixton. My husband asked me if I though things would kick off in Liverpool – I said no! Oh dear – despite the money and interventions there is still a group of people who will trash their community. I am proud to have lived in Liverpool and to know something of the grit and detemination of her denizens. It wasn’t long before the community came out and started the clean up. Just because you have it tough you don’t have to be a rioting, looting destroyer of lives. Most people aren’t.

Brixton – last riots in 1995 – just before Christmas – in 1981 there were some legitimate grievances being aired. Last time and this there was an air of greed – sports shops, electrical stores…But Brixton is a hardy community – and community it is. I can think of a few Mum’s who will have hard words for their lads after this.

Now as to Lee Jasper – be ashamed – what has Curry’s done for people – well provided jobs for a start. BUT what about Lord Harris being so appalled at the destruction of one of his stores – and the flats above – he immediately offered to do all he could for the people made homeless. Now that’s what a real community leader does – he was brought up in Peckham and made good – and is putting plenty back – like this and with his academies and colleges. Lee Jasper, what have you ever done for these communities, except bleat?

People have stepped up to clean up, youth workers, street pastors and others have been out doing what they do best. David Cameron is right – there is more than a brokenness in our society. There is a malaise of entitlement mixed with impotence; lack of moral fibre and discipline. We have a chance to define NOW what we mean by the Big Society by getting out there and being counted. Get involved – don’t just rant from the sidelines. I was really moved by a lad in Manchester who when asked whether he would get involved said yes – not in the disorder but if he was listened to – in local politics – where he can properly inform the debate from the inside. I hope Manchester Conservatives were listening and have found him, talked to him and got him on board! That’s where the Big Society becomes the “Big Tent” – where all parts of our communities work together.

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First the politicians, then the journalists, the papers and the proprietors, the police and the judiciary……where do Britons now put their faith? OK, so obviously there is a pun in there relating to the Church, but what sort of societal shift have we witnessed in the last week?
My fondest wish is that politics as normal (Blair’s sofa style and cosiness) is never resumed and that the balance returns to the Commons – to those we elected to serve and represent us. Nice to see some teeth being bared and MP’s saying enough is enough.
On a really philosophical point – the end of a civilisation is often characterised by the kind of hubris see until this week of moments in time. Is it also the end of the European project as we know it – Italy is in trouble; Ireland junked; even the US may face a change in loan status. Who benefits? The lean and lithe economies of the new world order – with whom the PM and Foreign Secretary have assiduously sought to do business; India and China!

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RIP (or not) the News of the World. Welcome the Sun on Sunday – plus ca change!

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While the news is dominated by the News of the World story – what else is going on?
Jose Manual Barroso and the Euro cronies wnat to set up their own ratings agency….is that because of the Portugese reduction to junk bond status? Why can European organisations not accept any other international advice or operation? If they don’t like it they just withdraw further into the bunker.
It is already hard enough, for example, to export over the tarrif barriers into Europe. This just looks like another door being closed to the outside world. Can’t say that fits very well with our vision of global trade – and it certainly interferes with British historic links like the Carribbean.

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Despicable, appalling, underhand, immoral, illegal, unbelievable!
How far has the hacking scandal gone? Hacking Milly Dowler’s phone so the police thought she might still be alive? Listening to 7/7 families conversations?
I am really supportive of the freedom of the press – BUT – what price are we now paying for this? Do we the public need every detail of other people’s lives lived out in print?
I could not really believe what I have heard on this story – and allegedly paying the police for information.

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Ridiculously busy lately. I’ve been involved in the Conservative Party’s Leadership Development Programme as a trainer. It’s enormously rewarding but very hard work. I surprised one of my trendy lefty friends (yes I have some…) by telling them this. I think they thought that all Conservatives thought they were born to lead! At least I crashed through that stereotype.
The Job Club in Hall Green has now helped 60 people to get jobs. I am really proud of the guys and that we are situated in one of the toughest areas of Birmingham. Noone can accuse us of not being involved in areas like Sparkbrook anymore – and that gives me a kick. It’s also brilliant to see people’s lives being changed.
So much going on in the Horn of Africa – I am hoping to organise something with the Somali community to help.

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