The newly elected Tower Hamlets is finding its feet. Whilst the membership has changed, no fewer than seventeen of the forty five councillors are newly elected, other things remain constant. At our first full business meeting in July the Mayor, as usual refused to answer questions from either councillors or the public.
With the result of the Blackwall and Cubitt Town ward known, six weeks after the rest of the borough had voted, the long drawn out Tower Hamlets election has finally concluded. Those of us closely involved in this or any political campaign can often lose sight of the focus and interests of those we seek to represent. Some 31 per cent of voters in Blackwall and Cubitt Town ward cast votes for their three councillors. More probably watched the Tour de France, World Cup and Wimbledon final on the succeeding weekend.
With the result of the Blackwall and Cubitt Town ward known, six weeks after the rest of the borough had voted, the long drawn out Tower Hamlets election has finally concluded. Those of us closely involved in this or any political campaign can often lose sight of the focus and interests of those we seek to represent. Some 31 per cent of voters in Blackwall and Cubitt Town ward cast votes for their three councillors. More probably watched the Tour de France, World Cup and Wimbledon final on the succeeding weekend.
Few people in East London will have heard of the German politician, Martin Schulz. He is the President of the European Parliament and early last Monday morning took to the airwaves to comment on the delay to the European Election results because Tower Hamlets was hours late in declaring a result.
Most of what a local authority spends is subject to legislation and the grant system, the budget making process of a local authority can be both frustrating and revealing. It is possible to cut a car used as a vanity project by the political leader of the council. Few, if anybody would miss the excess publicity promoted by this council, and Tower Hamlets residents will sleep easy without millions of pounds of taxpayer’s money being spent on a unique, Faith Buildings initiative.
Once again with the Poppy Appeal the decency of the British people was shown time and time again to those of us who rattled tins collecting money on behalf of Royal British Legion. The reputation and support for our armed forces seems to increase year by year. Just, as the reputation of politicians, the media, law and the financial system relatively decreases.
Once again with the Poppy Appeal the decency of the British people was shown time and time again to those of us who rattled tins collecting money on behalf of Royal British Legion. The reputation and support for our armed forces seems to increase year by year. Just, as the reputation of politicians, the media, law and the financial system relatively decreases.
October 12 is a date that I shall never forget. Twenty-nine years ago it was a warm night. I had been partying and at 2.45am I was walking back to my hotel, on the Hove seafront. Behind me I heard a muffled noise and my friend whom I was walking with looked round as seconds later police and fire engine alarms clattered from everywhere. I had witnessed the IRA attempt to assassinate the British government.
October 12 is a date that I shall never forget. Twenty-nine years ago it was a warm night. I had been partying and at 2.45am I was walking back to my hotel, on the Hove seafront. Behind me I heard a muffled noise and my friend whom I was walking with looked round as seconds later police and fire engine alarms clattered from everywhere. I had witnessed the IRA attempt to assassinate the British government.
In the centre of what was once East Berlin is a museum describing the unlamented former East German regime. This includes photographs, copies of newspapers and TV broadcasts. One feature of this is the unrelenting focus on the achievements of the regime, seen in street photographs and banners most of which had photographs of the leader accompanied by slogans. This relentless propaganda, far from encouraging support for the regime, was one of many factors which helped undermine it and lead to its eventual collapse.
