The concept of first Independent candidate resonates in Belsize

Photo of me as photographer doing a shoot of Recall of House of Commons for vote on Syria

Nearly all the Belsize residents and business owners that I have so far met really love the idea that a "true" Independent who actually lives and works in the ward that he wishes to represent.

When I tell people that the Rumble family has lived several generations in Camden and that here in Belsize has been my family home for more than 45 years, I can sense how this really resonates with people.

Many of the older Belsize residents would have known my Family well back in the day, especially as my Mother Denise Rumble was a very long standing member of staff working for Camden Libraries, although she was based principally at Kentish Town Library, she worked on rotation at both Swiss Cottage and Belsize Libraries often for nearly 40 years of service. In fact she was awarded a long service medal from the Camden Mayor of the day. We were all very proud of her amazing achievements and dedication.

I love Belsize and always have and always will, since owning my own home here I have helped many other leaseholders and residents in general as I am a co-opted member of a large successful TRA in trying to get a "fair" deal from there landlords, which at times is not always very easy!

I am particularly proud of my work with the Belsize SNT Police panel which I first made attendance back in 2007/8. I never realised that after all those years that first that I would still be making regular attendance and that second that I would be elected vice chair of the panel, a position I still hold today.

Served as School Governor for a full term at Primrose Hill where I had many very gratifying involvements there. I am especially proud that was selected to be on the recruitment board for finding, interviewing making selection of the new head for the school. It was a full time commitment spanning several weeks at the school and was very gratifying to have the honour of selecting an outstanding head teacher. My term of appointment which was as a LA school Governor sadly came to and end in 2013 following my resignation from the Conservative Party, since I was an Conservative appointed LA Governor. But I leave Primrose Hill school in the sound knowledge that I had made a real difference there.

Back in 2009 I started my No 2 HS2 campaign that I still do today. Back then I was a Conservative and actually I am not afraid to admit was proud to have been associated with the local Hampstead and Kilburn Conservatives back then when the Conservatives actually campaigned against HS2!, having been personally head hunted by Chris Philp where we got to know each other very well at the Housing and Adult Scrutiny Committee were Chris was Committee Chair and I had made several high level deputations representing all residents of the Chalcots here in Belsize.

I will always be pleased of working together with Chris and allowed him to convince me of joining the Conservatives and actually stand as a Candidate for Belsize in 2010, where I very nearly made it only losing out by a mere 52 votes.

I was also honoured to be selected to stand in the Camden Town and Primrose Hill By-election in 2012, where I was allowed to campaign independently in regards to my No 2 HS2 campaign, which was why I was selected especially in Primrose Hill area of CTPH.

However, not all was peaches and roses. Although I run my own campaign, for example all electronic social media, such as website, blogs and Twitter, the party wrote most of my paper electoral works, which I had no or very little editorial control.

I became highly compromised and made to feel humiliated at residents doorsteps when people explained to me that they could not understand how I appear such a pleasant and polite candidate would write such negative and slanting comments against the Labour candidate, but yet offer no alternative reasons to vote for me.

I had to agree with them and gave personal apologies for this situation. Towards the end of this campaign I had to carefully judge which leaflets to actually use, unknown to my party I had thrown most of the offensive material in the rubbish recycle bins where it belonged and substituted my own "Independent" version linked exclusively to one of my blogs which I had full editorial control.

The decision worked and paid-off. I got the highest share of the vote that any Conservative had ever achieved for CTPH ward in recent years! Since I was exclusively doing all the canvassing, campaigning and delivery I was able to circumvent an utmost certain poor result at the Poll. In the end despite all the difficulties I managed a highly credible 2nd place.

The most gratifying thing to me personally was that after the postal count was completed when the Conservative group knew that I was doing much better than they had expected I started to get some volunteers "feet on the ground" to help canvass in the last days to election day!

I remember telling more residents back in 2012 I would consider standing probably as an Independent for the 2014 Local Elections next time round.

Never in the field of all campaigns will I ever be managed, told what to say and have no editorial control with campaign leaflets again.

The Conservative party had its chance with me and lost it badly. I will never to this day understand exactly why the Camden Group leadership decided to write such utter contemptuous and potentially damaging leaflets allegedly supposed to bolster the best chances of securing victory in Camden Town with Primrose Hill By-election 2012. It was as if the Tory Camden party only had a hate campaign with Labour. I rather suspect that if H&K CA leadership did same in fighting the Brent (Labour held) wards back in 2010 that almost certainly would explain why sadly Chris Philp lost there by 42 votes, he was a good chap and he may not have known of the "nasty" hate tactics when fighting Labour!

As a matter of principle I later made a stand alongside with Labour on the BIG rally through London on No to the CUTS protests as a way of atonement for the very poor level of respect and dishonourable manner in which "they" were treated in the CTPH By-election. They rightfully deserved to win that election. The Labour leadership personally acknowledged me at the count for all the hard "positive" work that "they" knew had put into my campaign.

So I hope if you managed to get through this diatribe that you understand better why and what motivates me to stand again as your longstanding local active campaigner for Belsize as your prospective councillor for 22 May 2014 elections.

If you have any thoughts or ideas that you wish to share with me don't hesitate to contact me on my publicly advertised email address.

Battersea Power station and re-generation of the UK

As Conservatives have chosen to launch the Manifesto and symbolic vision for the re-generation of the UK in the late 1960's iconic Battersea Power station. It is has been used for more backdops in the Music and film industry than virtually any other old building. Pink Floyd used this as a backdrop to their famous album "Animals" released in 1977 Jubilee year.

Lets hope that the manifesto launch will be as succesful!

Below is a series of photographs taken at the event on Tuesday 13th April by Nigel Rumble, photographer, activist, businessman and leading campaigner in Belsize, Camden.

Photographs taken by and copyright of Nigel Rumble

The Election Campaign starts 6th April

Photography: Images copyright (c) Nigel Rumble

Dramatic arrest in connection with gun muggings

In todays' Ham & High reporter Ben McPartland writes;

"POLICE made a dramatic arrest this morning believed to be in connection with the recent spate of gun muggings on women in the area.

The swoop came the morning after the mugger was believed to have struck for a fifth time. A woman was robbed on her doorstep in Lambolle Road, Belsize Park, last night (April 14), and although no gun was produced, police believe it was the same suspect who carried out four armed muggings in the space of five days last month.

The latest victim was also an Oriental woman - as was the case in three of the four previous attacks.

There was a heavy police presence around King Henry's Road this morning, near the site of the arrest and close to Burnham tower, where the first mugging took place on March Sunday March 14.

Women were also targeted in Chalcot Gardens, Lisburne Road and Tudor Close. One of the victims, a business analyst, was mugged for just £15 and has since left the country because she was so traumatised.

Officially police say it is too early to confirm whether the arrested man is the suspect in the muggings but sources say they remain "optimistic" about the developments. The Ham&High understands the arrested man was not known to police and may have been sleeping rough in the area. He is still being questioned at a police station in the borough."

For latest read Ham & High article here

Copyright of hamhigh.co.uk.

Belsize library hosted another successful Area Forum meeting

Belsize library hosted another very successful Area Forum meeting last night. It proves that a community event can and does generate truly collaborative ideas.

In this case brainstorming ways to not only keep Belsize library open longer hours but also to explore revenue-generating schemes to partly self fund longer hours.

Most key activists from Belsize were present at this energy charged event. This really serves to show that on all matters of environmental, conservation and business and social cohesion really works in Belsize. Even though activists present were from all the major political parties. The sense of community demonstrates true power of such collaborative approach. Big thanks to all who attended and until the next Area Forum, which will probably be, post Local Council elections May 6th.

Author: Nigel Rumble

Camden Conservatives and Eva Schloss at a Holocaust Memorial Day production

And Then They Came For Me - Remembering the world of Anne Frank

I attended a very special production of the famed "anti hate" production produced and directed by Nic Careem.

It was a honour to be in such company as Eva Schloss step-sister of Anne Frank and the fantastic production company.

Camden Conservatives were invited to attend, Chris Philp, parliamentary candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn and George Lee parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St. Pancras.

Author: Nigel Rumble

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

Haiti need our help Now.

Whether you can afford to give £5 or £500, it all makes a difference, says David Cameron in his latest blog.

On Tuesday, the poorest country in the western hemisphere was hit head-on by an enormous earthquake.
I’m sure you’ve seen the heart-wrenching images of Haiti. The full impact of the earthquake is still emerging, but it’s clear that hundreds of thousands of people have either been killed or left homeless.
It’s essential that this small nation gets the help it needs as quickly as possible.
Britain is an incredibly compassionate and generous nation. We showed that five years ago when the British public raised £350m in the wake of the Boxing Day Tsunami, and I’ve no doubt we will show it again.
The best way for you to help, if you haven’t already, is to donate directly to the Disaster Emergency Committee. Whether you can afford to give £5 or £500, it all makes a difference.
Call 0370 60 60 900 or visit the DEC website now to make your contribution.
In the meantime, I know our thoughts and prayers are with all those people who have suffered so much in that country over the last few days.

Posted by David Cameron, MP for Witney, January 15th, 2010

Snow again in Belsize- worst for 30 years!

In what is set to be the worst winter conditions for 30 years, here again in Camden, Belsize we have the crazy situation published today in Ham & High that Brent and Camden have RUN OUT OF GRIT.

This is a disgraceful situation, with weather predictions now able to achieve long term viable reporting weeks in advance, this simply is unacceptable.

It is notable that in other countries such as in the USA this apparent luck of grit never occurs, the US government is totally proactive in dealing with sever winter extremes. For example in anticipation of certain states currently being hit hard by sub-zero extreme temperature, energy supply companies that have "cut off" people due to failure of being able to pay utility bills have been ordered to re-connect the most needy in advance of worsening conditions.

Clearly lessons can be learned from across the other side of the Atlantic in the USA of how to deal with bad weather.

Closer to home however, I have been informed by local Belsize residents that the luck of grit is not only causing big delays in moving around but is very dangerous.

One local resident has narrowly escaped serious injury or worst when slipping and falling in Fellows Road with an oncoming car out of control unable to break or stop sliding towards the unfortunate pedestrian shouting "Get out of the road I can't stop the car"!

Another resident slipping on ice outside Budgens in Haverstock Hill falling and hitting her head in the process, but escaped serious injury.

We need the gritters out 24/7 NOW and not talk about it as a post review for 2011!

Author: Nigel Rumble (currently on New Year's vacation in USA NOLA)

HAPPY NEW YEAR BELSIZE 2010

This New Year politically promises to be the most exciting in at least 10 years, we have not only a general election to decide the future of our country and is expected to see-in the Conservatives lead by David Cameron but also we have the prospect of the local council elections which is scheduled for May 6th 2010.

As selected candidate and prospective Conservative Councilor it is both an honor and privilege to have been selected and put forward to serve my community of Belsize, an area that I have lived the best part of 40 years.

I will be planning on holding street stalls and making personal door to door canvassing through the upcoming weeks and months.

This is your chance to decide both the future of out great country and also decide on how you would like the wonderful ward of Belsize to be governed at local council level.

The one thing that I have learned in these past “four” years is that strong community driven by good local leadership is key to a thriving local and national sense of well being which drives a strong economy.

So once again may I wish all residents of Belsize a Happy New Year 2010.

Author: Nigel Rumble - New Year at midnight in Jackson Square USA NOLA

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

UK economy still in recession

Britain's economy shrunk by -0.4 per cent in the third quarter, making this the longest recession since records began.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed a provisional 0.4 per cent contraction in gross domestic product, defying analysts' hopes the UK economy could have returned to growth.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne said the figures were proof Gordon Brown's eoconomic policy had failed.

"This is deeply disappointing news," he said. "Britain is now in the deepest and longest recession in its modern history. Britain's economy is still shrinking a full six months after France and Germany started growing.

"We now know that Gordon Brown's recession plan has not worked, and this news has destroyed Labour's claim that Britain was better placed than other countries to weather the storms."

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said: "For all the hopes of a quick recovery, these figures make it clear we are still in the longest and what could yet become the deepest recession on record.

"For all that has been thrown at the economy to try and stimulate a recovery it is clear that massive structural problems remain, particularly in the banking sector."

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "This is now the longest recession in modern economic history. Even the co-ordinated world-wide stimulus has not been able to halt the damage done by the financial crash."

The negative figure shows an improvement of negative growth of 0.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2009.

Britain entered recession in the second quarter of 2008.

By politics.co.uk 23, Oct 2009 11:30

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

UPDATE for the Public Meeting on Local Primary School Provision 14th May 2009

First impressions, having attended this important public debate at Swiss Cottage School.
Camden officers have together with Cllr Andrew Mennear, Executive of Schools agreed to explore the short-term options of additional temporary classrooms on the spare grounds of Fitzjohn's as suggested by Cllr Chris Philp and other local schools having sufficient grounds to accommodate extra temporary classrooms.

I managed to get some of my ideas heard, the first of using "Portacabins" style classrooms which can be assembled during the summer as a fast track "pragmatic" approach to meeting the immediate needs of the 133. The second of using parts of the large "green" spaces of the Chalcots in Belsize to build a “new” primary school. Naturally, any such scheme would require the active cooperation and consultation of all residents on the estate. This would be a more long-term solution, since consultation, planning permissions are time consuming processes.

The other very significant agreement to come out of the public meeting was that a “Working Group” would be set up to allow volunteer parents wishing to actively engage in working together with senior Camden officers to find and develop a short, mid and long term solutions at a regular “focus” group meeting to be set-up shortly.

As a parent myself amongst the 133. I know first hand how incredibly frustrating this problem is, being 31st in the waiting list for one of our preference schools!
Clearly, emotions were running high at the public meeting, for example, the one question I heard time and time again from the floor was “what are you ‘Camden’ going to do about this problem?” but everyone managed to stay well mannered and focused on the key issues.

Camden has stated that a summary of all questions asked will be circulated shortly to all attendees of this key meeting.

Author: Nigel Rumble 15th May 2009

Break or Make News for many Belsize parents this week

For many Belsize parents this week will be a "Make or Break" time of anguish to discover that the "four" choices for LEA Primary School will be turned down with a letter like the extract below taken from many Belsize parents today!

"Reception Coordination September 2009/January 2010.

I am sorry that we were unable to offer a place for childs name at any of the preferred schools listed on your application form."

Parents are being offered only shorter waiting lists for schools miles away from Belsize at Brecknock in N1, Carlton in NW5, Netley in NW1 and so on.

This is a real problem affecting more and more parents in the inner London region and most specifically here in Belsize, which like many other wards in the local area such as Swiss Cottage, does not have a LEA Primary School.

A new school is badly needed here in Belsize as I have campaigned already in the past and blogged before in November 2008. A new school for Belsize was a "key" feature of the Belsize By-election from both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Lets hope that the campaign will become a plan and progress swiftly so that a "new" school in Belsize will be built here soon in the future.

As a School Governor and a parent I understand only too well how difficult a time this is for parents on middle to lower income with no option to send your children to a private school especially here in Belsize where a large number of independent schools are ideally located, but with annual fees of around £12,000 it simply is out of reach of many parents.

Stop Press.. 7th May

Contacted the Camden School Admissions team to discuss this developing trauma for parents. They admit the situation is difficult and that this year the worst on record with the need for primary school access far overstretching demand. It would appear that yet again Belsize is very badly hit with parents requesting places in faith school doing better, especially if application to local school had received a letter from a priest of the local parish.

It would appear that parents are so keen to get a place for their children that apparent spontaneous religious conversions are taking place.

Author: Nigel Rumble