I have spoken with the Deputy Returning Officer who confirms that he spoke yesterday with the Labour Party Agent for these elections who had admitted the “error of fact” I complained of. The Deputy Returning Officer was unable to advise me as to what action the Labour Party will take to correct it! I promise that when (I remain an idealist) I receive their apology, I will post it here.

I spoke to a journalist to tell him of the situation. He was frank. There was nothing he could do because to publish this story ”would be seen as bias on the eve of an election”. When I countered by asking if it would therefore be foolproof to lie on the eve of an election he simply asked when an untruth becomes a lie. I hope you’ll agree with my response - it’s when you know that something is untrue but go on saying it.

With that in mind, if anyone has evidence of the “Consett’s Choice” leaflet being delivered after 1.30 yesterday I’d like to know.

 One interesting thing to note: the readership of this website has soared recently. I don’t know who you are, but if you are:

an ordinary voter in Consett; I’m pleased you’re investigating where to place your two votes

a Labour supporter; I hope you’re embarrassed about how far the once great and principled party has fallen

a Lib Dem supporter; thanks. We’ve has such terrific support throughout the last year that we are confident, with one last push, Consett will elect its first Lib Dem county councillors tomorrow.

At 8.40 this morning I went to the council offices to prove that the Labour Leaflet “Consett’s Choice” contained at least one untruth. Council officers confirmed that Lib Dem councillor Bob Cook had indeed attended the scrutiny meeting we were accused of not turning up at. The error in the leaflet is, as far as I know, undisputed even by the Labour Party.

At 9.40 I hand delivered a letter to the Labour Agent’s home address demanding that no more of these untruthful leaflets were delivered, as well as asking for a retraction and apology.

 At 11.30 the same leaflet was shoved through my door. That tells you how much the local Labour Party value truth.

On Thursday Consett will judge who to trust with their future. I hope they will judge well because the future is bleak if they re-elect Labour.

Readers may have received a scurrilous Labour Leaflet entitled “Consett’s Choice”. Liberal Democrats in Consett North should be flattered that Labour is so worried by our election campaign that they have had to resort to mud-slinging. Its sad, but common enough from politicians under pressure.

The problem with this leaflet, though, isn’t just that it slings mud. It is actually factually incorrect. Of course we didn’t “fail to show” at the scrutiny meeting in which an update was provided on the plans for Shotley Bridge Hospital. It’s true that I was in London for a work commitment that I couldn’t get out of, and had sent in my apologies well in advance. In the meantime Liberal Democrats were represented by Bob Cook, the other Liberal Democrat on that committee, who was there throughout the 5 minute presentation.

Similarly inaccurate is the claim that “your Independent and your Lib Dem councillors both received £20,000 to spend on schemes in Consett.” Actually all three district councillors, including the Labour leader of the council (Alex Watson), were allocated £60,000 to be spent on ONE project. You may remember this because we publicised it in a Focus leaflet (and on this website). Because your district councillors are decent people with the interests of Consett at heart, despite coming from three different parties we co-operated and agreed that the money would be invested in a recording studio based at the YMCA to benefit all the music-makers in the district, young and old. We sought to publicise the outcome through the Durham Advertiser and Chronicle Extra because it was a non-political decision. The project is now under way.

I could go on, but I expect you get the gist of it. The recent leaflet is a desperate last throw by people who see their days are numbered. I certainly hope they are, because Consett needs principled councillors who communicate honestly with their voters. Now that’s a pledge Natalie and I are happy to make to you.

Hows that for a catchy headline? The good news is that I know a number of you share my interest in this bill and have written to Hilary Armstrong MP urging her to back it. Sadly a check of http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=34826&SESSION=891 shows that she still hasn’t got round to it, though Kevan Jones MP of North Durham has responded to Derwentside’s appeal by signing.

I wanted to know how the bill had fared so I emailed Anne Snelgrove MP, the bill’s sponsor, to find out.

Here’s her reply:

“Dear Owen

Many thanks for your interest. Unfortunately the bill before mine was talked out by three Tory maverick MPs so I didn’t get a second reading. They also objected to my bill being nodded through to committee stage although I don’t believe they object to the bill itself. However, I have another chance on Friday 16 May as I have named this day as the new second reading day. As my bill is ‘part heard’ it should be on immediately after the Third Reading of Sharon Hodgson’s special needs bill. There wasn’t an opportunity for anyone to vote on the bill yesterday and as the Government has indicated it is now supporting my bill, it shouldn’t be necessary to have a vote in future. The Tory frontbench and the Liberal Democrats are also supporting it. However, it is notoriously difficult to get private members bills through the system as there are so many procedural issues that can trip them up, to say nothing of Tory mavericks like Christopher Chope, Nigel Evans and Philip Davies!

It’s been my normal Saturday. Amongst other activities I’ve been out leafletting and musing on three comments I’ve heard.

“Just how many reminders do people need?” was the question of one of the team as I left a bag of leaflets with her. All I could answer was that we would be doing very well if 50% of the people who can vote in Consett turn out on Thursday. She was surprised. Of course, I don’t know whether reminding people that there’s an election on will be enough to get them to vote - but realising that it’s polling day on Thursday is a necessary start.

“We’ve had two leaflets from the Lib Dems. None of the other parties do more than one so why do the Lib Dems?” was a question put to another of my helpers. The best reply to that is that although a survey we did recently showed that a majority of those who had decided who to vote for had decided to vote Lib Dem, that was still a much smaller number than those who had given their status as “don’t know”. We need to convince those voters of two simple truths.

1) Liberal Democrats are the only county-wide alternative to Labour in County Durham. So if they don’t want a continuing Labour Council they need to vote for us.

2) Liberal Democrats are the only party committed to community politics, so the only chance they have of avoiding an over-centralised new “super-county” council is th elect a Liberal Democrat council.

And finally, my colleague overheard two gentleman talking in Blackhill. “Usually we get the Lib Dems with a leaflet. Oh, here’s one now”. For an area that’s been kept in the dark for so long, it’s got to be good to get a reputation for keeping people informed.

If you’re just one of Consett’s or Bllackhill’s 6,000 or more voters, let us know what you think. Do you like getting our leaflets? Or are we in over-kill mode?

With the election looming, I thought you might be interested in a little history.

Eight years ago, Durham City had been ruled by Labour for as long as anyone could remember. It is no longer - and some of the fatal undermining of that regime was achieved by a disgruntled cobbler. The story is worth reading at http://www.newstatesman.com/200011060014

His self-appointed “apprentice” has revived the tradition at http://cobblers2dcc.blogspot.com/ 

As with anything which is anonymous it needs to be read with a healthy scepticism, and it is not clear who is behind the site. Discerning readers of this blog, however, can no doubt be trusted with such explosive material.

Last night I gave you the good news from our survey in Blackhill. Now for the bad news.

40% of those who responded complained of potholes in the roads, with some very negative comments.

40% of those who responded named dog fouling as a problem, with the green space on Queens Road and the extension of the Derwent Walk named as particular problems.

30% of people complained of serious problems with litter.

None of this will come as a particular surprise to you, but it’s noticeable that two of these three problems, litter and dog-fouling, are self-inflicted: it’s members of our own community who are causing the problem. The local authority can assist, but the problem would be easily solved with the determined co-operation of our neighbours.

Looking at the problem of dog-fouling I thought you might like to compare the approach of Barrow in Furness with our own local authorities. It is very pro-active: http://www.barrowbc.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=708

The third issue, potholes, is undoubtedly down to the local authority and if the people of Consett North ward elect me to the county council I will attach high priority to improving our roads. In many cases they are a disgrace.

One final thought. No-one who responded is in a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, but of the people who answered the question about whether they would be willing to join one, 40% said they would. That’s a very encouraging figure and one which I shall be taking to the police.

Union members: please click on the picture to receive your instructions.

Feelings are running high in this election. Tonight’s wasn’t the first angry call I’ve had, but it was as angry as any. What had incensed this caller was being told by her union who she should vote for.

Like most people, my caller had joined a union for the protection they offer against unfair employment practice. It’s common sense. What she hadn’t joined it for was to be co-opted into the Labour Party. In fact she felt strongly enough about that to have refused the political levy, so Unison post telling her “it is very important that you use your vote for Labour” wasn’t her idea of a subscription well spent.

I’d be interested in the views of other union members. Did you join a union to be told which way to vote? Has your union been openly political in this way? Are you a Unison member in Consett North who has had a letter like this?

One thing I can promise you is that Unison have not been in touch with me to find out why my election would be damaging to its members. I’d have thought they might approve of Liberal Democrat opposition to the scapping of the 10p tax band. I’d have thought they might applaud Liberal Democrat plans to spend as much on the education of the poorest children as is spent on the education of those in private schools. They might even approve of free personal and nursing care for the elderly. The trouble is, if they knew our policies it might interfere with their prejudices.

We’ve been out a couple of nights in Blackhill doing a residents’ survey. We really know how to live!

I think people sometimes think we only do these things to pass negative comments, so as an antidote to this I’m going to give you the good news first. To hear what people are not so happy about you’ll have to log in tomorrow.

82% of the residents in Blackhill who responded to our survey  said they thought that NHS medical provision locally is Good or Okay. Well done to the NHS staff whose efforts really are appreciated.

83% of residents in Blackhill who responded to our survey said they had had “no difficulty” in finding an NHS dentist. That’s a whole lot better than the national situation reported by the Citizens Advice Bureau in 2007. To compare, look at http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/pressoffice/press_index/press_20070327c.htm

93% of residents in Blackhill who responded to our survey said they had easy access to local bus services. Having said that, under 40% of people said they actually use the buses.

Till tomorrow, then.

I understand these words were overheard at the Civic Centre.

Apparently another political party is upset that the team and I hand delivered 1,500 letters to postal voters over the weekend, urging them to cast their vote for the Liberal Democrats. Don’t we realise that these are “their” voters?

Personally I’m just hoping that three years ago we saw the last election in County Durham where the votes could be “counted on” before they were actually counted. The sooner all political parties learn that votes have to be earned, the sooner we will get local government that responds to people’s needs.

You may be surprised to know that these words refer to MPs. Actually, they are also the name of a website which contains a wealth of information about what your MP has been doing and saying - or not doing and saying - as the case may be. You can find the website at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/ or click the link to go straight there.

One beauty of the site is that they forward emails to your MP from you, and then check with you later to see if you’ve had a response. In this way they can get a record of how good your MP is at replying to contacts.

Why not give it a try by urging your MP to back the private member’s Public Sector Buildings (Energy Performance) Bill. You can read my earlier post for basic information, but remember - the second reading is on Friday so your MP needs to hear from you pronto.

The other night my friend Dominic Haney, Chairman of the Berry Edge Residents Association, rang me up.

“Have you seen the Labour Leaflet?” he asked angrily. What had upset him was the section LABOUR LISTENS AND TAKES ACTION. Amongst the claims was “Community Gardens plus improved kerbs and footpaths at Berry Edge”.

Here are some Facts:

Fact: Before the District Elections in May 2007, the residents association were told they could only have the area greened up if they accepted a car park as part of it. Reluctantly they agreed.

Fact: No sooner was the election over than the money to do even this “disappeared”.

Fact: The Residents Association itself, in co-operation with the Groundwork Trust, by long consultation, hard work,  and careful grant applications to Awards for All (Lottery Fund) and Durham County Urban Renewal and Renaissance Initiative have raised over £30,000 towards the project.

I know these are facts because I act as secretary to the Berry Edge Residents Association.

If these are the facts, you can decide what is fiction and what is fantasy.

And finally ………

I took this picture of a kerb in Berry Edge over a year ago, thinking it might be useful for a future Focus leaflet.

I thought I’d better use it now because obviously it will soon have been replaced as a result of all the money that has been “secured” to improve footpaths, kerbs and carriageways in the coming year.

Lets hope the money doesn’t “disappear” like the last set of pre-election promises. A broken pomise simply worsens people’s cynicism about politics and politicians.

It was a proud, and somewhat surprising night at Council last night. Seconded by my colleague, Councillor Keith English, I had put down a motion for debate which backed a Private Member’s Bill to require all new-build Public Sector buildings to be constructed within the top 25% for energy performance.

The bill is being sponsored by a Labour MP, Ann Snelgrove, and has the support of 258 MPs from all parties who have signed an early day motion of support. Disappointingly, that number does not include Hilary Armstrong MP or Kevan Jones MP, the two MPs whose constituencies include Derwentside.

I asked the council to back the motion, which included writing to the two MPs to urge them to support the bill and attend its second reading on April 25th.

I really didn’t know which way it would go. There’s a broad measure of support on the issue, but sometimes you feel that a motion will be shot down just because its Lib Dems who are putting it.

 To my delight Council Leader, Alex Watson, and portfolio holder for the environment, Councillor Ossie Johnson, both piled in enthusiastically behind the motion. I never expected to hear the words “Owen is right” in the chamber - and I’m still wondering where the pay-back will be! - but the upshot is that Derwentside is now officially supporting the bill, and our two MPs are getting chased to do what I’m confident you want them to be doing - supporting sensible measures to preseve our planet.

I got back from working in London on Friday. The train was late (as it seems to be whenever I have to travel), there were problems with the election address leaflets, and all I could see for three weeks ahead was jobs, jobs and more jobs in the run up to the election.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all there is to do, so imagine how encouraged I was to find some Focus responses including a couple of donations and offers of help to distribute leaflets, vote Lib Dem and display a poster. Better still, there was an offer of help forwarded through this website - what a fantastic advance on the usual offers of cheap car insurance or dodgy pharmaceuticals!

If we’re going to change the direction this county is going in, it’s going to take a team effort. And right now I can feel the team building. It’s a great feeling.

So for all of you reading this, could you offer something to the team? I’d love to see a rash of Lib Dem posters in windows round Consett & Blackhill. Or if you’re shy, we can always use more help to get out the 4,000 leaflets it takes to cover the ward. Whatever you can offer will move us a step forward.

You could be forgiven for being slightly confused about the ward structure in Consett - especially since in Derwentside District Elections there are three Consett Wards, Consett North, East and South (but no West) whereas in County Elections there are only two: Consett North and Consett South.

In fact, as the map shows, the Consett North Ward is really Consett and Blackhill, with just over a third of it comprising Blackhill and some (the Links Estate) certainly considering itself Shotley Bridge.

If you are not sure whether you are in the ward you can check on the map or go to http://www.election-maps.co.uk/searchByName.jsf 

The nominations for the new unitary council are in and the battle-lines drawn up for the election on May 1st.

 With 93 candidates across the county, Liberal Democrats have established themselves as the clear alternative to Labour. It’s going to be a messy contest, though, with a mixed slate of Independents (some in groups and some actually independent), Conservatives, BNP and a few oddments contesting seats.

In Consett North I am proud to be partnered with Natalie English. At 18 some people will think Natalie inexperienced. From my point of view, though, she’s very experienced with seven years of Young People’s Forum and two of Youth Parlaiment under her belt.

 She will bring a priceless insight into what should be developed in Young People’s Services. Youth policies are not best designed by old fogies - and the first youth policy we need to put into place is taking young people seriously and allowing them to take responsibility. For forty years (ever since I was eighteen) I have been astonished at how Britain has simultaneously whinged at the irresponsibility of youth and steadfastly avoided giving any responsibility to young people. We get the youth we deserve.

Natalie and I find ourselves in a four way contest with two Labour candidates, two independents and a UKIP candidate. That could be seen as frustrating, as only Labour and Liberal Democrats have a realistic chance of controlling the new county, and split votes will get in the way of that straight contest with Labour which we would relish. We’ll choose to see it as a challenge, however - a challenge to make the case that we will prove more active councillors, more thoughful councillors and more effective advocates for the changes that must be introduced if this unitary council is not to let down the people of County Durham in general, and Consett and Blackhill in particular.

Thousands of electors (I don’t know how many yet, but I’ve written to find out) have suddenly received a letter from Hilary Armstong MP, on House of Commons notepaper, as having signed a petition in support of Shotley Bridge Hospital.

It’s possible that Hilary has just remembered that she set up this petition and thought she should do something with it. Or possibly she knew that postage rates were going up this weekend and wanted to save the long-suffering taxpayer a bit on the postage bill.

Cynics, however, may suspect that her sudden interest in our welfare arises from the election campaign which has just started. In the campaign we have tight limits on what can be spent, but funnily enough a letter from your MP won’t count.

The very small print at the bottom of the letter says it was “paid for by the House of Commons Communication allowance”. That’s another way of saying it was paid for by you and me through our taxes.

If this makes you a bit cross I can understand. The only advice I can give you however is that old adage. “Don’t get mad, get even”.

In an age when people say you can’t get young people to take an interest in politics, Lib Dems in Derwentside can boast three candidates aged under twenty in their team for the unitary county council elections.

Dominic Haney (left) said he wanted to ,”learn how to make politics work for the public, to have people engage with government, and ultimately “sex up” politics.” We are looking forward to Dominic ”sexing up” politics in Leadgate and Medomsley.

Natalie English (centre) is proud to have been a founder member of Derwentside’s Young People’s Forum and to have chaired it for three or four years. She will be the first young person to pass through it and stand for full election. She has also been a member of the Youth Parliament. I’m proud to have her standing alongside me in Consett North. I’m sure that between us we offer a wide understanding of the problems of both youth and (nearly) old age!

David Bowerbank has also been a member of the Youth Parliament and is relishing the challenge of standing for Tanfield in both the unitary county elections and the Stanley Town Council.

The Liberal Democrats may not yet be the largest party in Derwentside, but with a talented young team like this we can be confident of out-lasting the others.