Labour MP's - it's over to you

So, we have had a minor reshuffle with Gordon proving once again that although he will try to hang on by his fingernails, his position is so weak that he can't do what he wants. Despite this, it is starting to look like he is going to survive.

It is now a question of career or Country for the Labour MPs. Do they put your own self-interest at heart and bottle out of getting rid of Brown so they can hang on for another year, or do they do the tough thing and put Country first?

Time and again the majority of Labour MPs have let Britain down when it comes to being tough. Will those MPs like Graham Allen who are calling on Gordon to go now have enough courage to start circulating and signing letters?

If they don't we will continue to have a totally rudderless Country at a time when we most need decisiveness and leadership - and the people of Britain will remember the gutless failure of Labour MPs for a long time.

When I was selected for Nottingham North, I was asked the question: "Which comes first, Country, party or Constituency?" My answer was Country first, constituency second and party third." Backbench Labour MPs now have to answer the same question. This time it counts.

Election Results

The result in Whittlesey North was:

Curtis (Con) - 1393

Chapman (Lib) - 499

Hibbert (Lab) - 343

I am really pleased with the result, which sees my share of the vote increase by 8% compared to last time. Thanks to Dave Chapman and Jes for standing, we actually had quite a fun time at the count.

Also pleased that Ralph Butcher was equally (if not more) successful in Whittlesey South.

Biggest giggle of the day was the for the smart Alec who spoiled his ballot paper by putting a £ sign in each of the boxes.

It is also great to see the Conservatives back in control at Shire Hall, but disappointing to see a few of my colleagues lose their seats as well as a couple from the Labour bench who I had a great deal of time for. That sort of churn is inevitable, but always brings a tad of sadness.

Probably the biggest press headline will be Matt Bradney losing his seat. It is a real shame, Matt was a real asset both to his Division and to the County in the work he did with the Highways portfolio.

Nearly Over

I have been involved in a few election campaigns now.   I can say with some certainty that this was the weirdest campaign so far.

On the doorstep I have been told over and again that people are fed up with politicians because of the expenses scandal, and also that people are fed up with Gordon Brown.   I understand both.

Hopefully people realise that local politicians are not wrapped up in the same horrendous expenses regime that has so disillusioned people - don't punish local politicians because of Westminster.

But the Gordon Brown issue is important.  Whether Gordon Brown survives tomorrow depends on how poor the Labour Party do.  So if you want rid of Gordon, go out and vote against.

So that makes the Lib Dems and the Conservatives the options.   Except that the Lib Dems have offered very poor opposition at the County Council, trying to make ground by painting every success as failure and running down the good work that the Conservatives have done, good work that is widely recognised by organisations like the Audit Commission, who rated us as the most improved County Council in the Country.   That is very poor politics from the Lib Dems, you have to think whether that deserves your support.

In Whittlesey the Lib Dems have done nothing.  I haven't seen them out canvassing and have not seen any literature put out by local Candidates (just one leaflet for the European elections - which was delivered free by Royal Mail).  A vote for the Lib Dems would be a vote for poor politics and/or apathy.

So vote for the Party that the Labour Candidate has said is delivering for Whittlesey - the Conservatives - and the candidate he said has served the Town well over the last four years - me.

I hope that this time on Friday I am able to post and say that I was successful.  But, irrespective, please go out and vote, the times when Democracy needs you most is the times when people are most disillusioned.