The Camden LibDems and NAZI gibes

I read with great sadness in the local press the personal attacks on Cllr Chris Philp, the Conservative Parliamentary candidate. As a member of the public present on Monday 18th Jan evening at Camden's full council I was totally shocked and horrified at the outburst from the Cllr Nick Russell, LibDems suggesting that Cllr Chris Philp reminds him of a NAZI stormtropper from the Schindler's List. The hurt and pain that the Jewish community must feel with Holocaust Memorial Day only a few days away and that this was said in a full council by a serving councillor begs all belief in human decency and values.

This taken together with the recent savage attacks on Cllr Chris Philp by Camden LibDems on his hard work to try and save the "acute" stroke unit of the Hampsead Royal Free Hospital, since the LibDems had voted down the motion at a full council last year to save the unit from closure, this serves well to remind all the electorate of Camden that the LibDems care more about political positioning than caring for the people of Camden.

As a former member of the Camden LibDems I disagreed with key party policies and their ability to govern, so left to join the Conservatives. I was well aware of the nasty and often untrue personal underhand attacks by the LibDems when they were unable to win an argument in the normal "politic" way.

I sincerely hope that they will not be using these tactics here in Hampstead and Kilburn. Cllr Chris Philp is fighting a positive campaign, and has stood up for local issues. The Lib Dems should do the same.

Author: Nigel Rumble

Airplot, Greenpeace and the Conservatives in Belsize

It is not often that mainstream political and environmentalist groups can work together but on the 31st October our Belsize "street stall" event become host to a unique signing event.

The extract below is a re-post of Jenna Lane's Blog at Greenpeace on 8th Nov diary

"Airplot - Glenda was never going to sign up so we contacted Chris Philp Con PPC instead"

















Chris Philp becomes beneficial airplot owner and signs up to the campaign"Last Saturday morning things were finer than we could have hoped for. Laura, Rex and I sacrificed a lie-in and rocked up at Belsize Village to catch Chris Philp who was out and about.
Rex delivered a purposeful intro to the Airplot campaign, we handed over 100 petitions from local constituents and Chris promptly agreed on 2 counts; he signed up as a beneficial owner to Airplot and signed the petition. We exchanged glances - Fastest signature we've ever got! I wish street campaigning was that easy!! Chris' balancing skills were quite impressive - clipboard missing in action.
Chris also agreed to attend the tree planting in Camden. Our cox tree will be twinned with one at the actual airplot site - I hope the land is softer now than it was when I was last there!
What a great team effort. "

This clearly demonstrates that the Conservatives both at a national and local level are switched on to the importance of the environment and the need to be critical of schemes like the "third runway" at Heathrow.

I hope that especially here in Belsize we can join forces again on other local conservation schemes, which plays an important part in Belsize life.


Author: Nigel Rumble

Lib Dem attacks brings a new low to Politics in "Is Jackson laziest MP in London"

In a recent front-page article "Is Jackson laziest MP in London?" published in the local press and carried on Lib Dem H&K media publicity. The Lib Dem PPC for Hampstead and Kilburn has lowered the level of politics to a new low in the new constituency of H & K in an un-provoked spat of mud slinging towards his Labour opposition and setting Glenda Jackson MP for Hampstead and Highgate.

Without going into the rights or wrongs of Glenda Jackson MP record with Hansard. I was dismayed to read the venomous personal attacks in the local press by the Hampstead and Kilburn Liberal Democrats Parliamentary candidate. Clearly this illustrates the desperation and frustration he's party is experiencing in this key marginal seat.

If he was to concentrate instead on sound policies and engaging with the real needs of the electorate as demonstrated by the Conservative Parliamentary candidate Cllr Chris Philp with his successful campaign to save the local Hampstead Police station and ongoing campaign to save the critical admissions "stroke unit" at the Hampstead Royal Free Hospital from closure, which the Lib Dems have voted to support closure at a recent Camden Council meeting.

But this is no real surprise as the Lib Dems distort and manipulate information when it suits them at every turn in politics. They fight with statistics, because that is the easiest of all methods to make distortions of reality; hence they’re playing with the Hansard statistics, which proves a particular point they wish to make.

Lets hope that the race to win the new seat of Hampstead and Kilburn does not resort to more venomous mud slinging contests at this low level by the Lib Dem PPC as exhibited in the local press last week.

Author: Nigel Rumble

Hampstead Police Station today is (was!) safe from threat of closure.

The Metropolitan Police Authority has withdrawn its closure plans for nearly all London boroughs.

Through the tireless efforts and support of local residents and leading campaigner and Parliamentary candidate Cllr Chris Philp for Hampstead and Kilburn. It is great to report that all the hard work that Chris and the local team of Conservatives have helped to bring about this victory.

It is now hoped that the Police station will be developed again to form a cornerstone part of the local community here in Hampstead and Belsize. This is a very welcome item of news in this month of August.

Author: Nigel Rumble