The donkey's are a-staying...

It's taken a while but we are now in the second year of having the donkeys back at Whitestone Pond - and to considerable acclaim from local children.

I'm pictured here with Cllr Flick Rea (Culture and Tourism at Camden) and it's the repeat of last year.

http://474towin.blogspot.com/2008/10/donkey-ride-for-you-too.html

The festival on Whitestone Pond is a nice little collaboration between Camden and the City of London and part of a programme that will see the area round the pond get a whole refurbishment later this yeat (and not before time!).

Until then - it's me, Josh, Chalie and Flick
:-)

My stance on MPs expenses

I've had so many questions on this I thought I'd lay out the basis for how I'd like to operate if I am fortunate enough to be elected as your local MP when the General Election is called...

1. I live in the constituency – it’s the least residents can expect from their local MP. I will never claim for a second home. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for second homes of London MPs.

2. I will never employ members of my family. My staff will be appointed on merit, not on connections and they will have to work hard to justify their salary.

3. I will voluntarily publish my accounts so that constituents can see where their money is going.

4. I will vote to abolish the infamous "John Lewis List" and for independent spot checks on MPs accounts.

5. I believe that staff employed by MPs should in fact be House of Commons staff and their pay and conditions should be determined under Civil Service terms. It is not fair that office staff are used as a political football.

6. I do not believe that MPs pay and expenses should be set by MPs.

Here's the 5 Live programme I was on today discussing this topic from the London home of John Mann MP (Labour, Bassetlaw):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00jyblh (from 1.05 minutes in)
and
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/victoriaderbyshire/2009/04/inside_a_mps_second_home.html

Carrot cake anyone?

Not the most obvious of blog posts but this was the blog's first birthday so some carrot cake seemed in order.

I have no idea what I thought the reception might be when i started the blog and looking back it seems like such a long time ago.

It has been variously described as interesting, quirky, compelling and managed to come in at 24th Lib Dem Blog in the annual charts.

All in all I have enjoyed it - I hope you my reading friends have too...

More to come, but for now, a virtual slice of my homemade carrot cake all round.

To remind you of that first brief post: http://474towin.blogspot.com/2007/11/ive-watched-read-commented-time-to-post.html

I'm grateful to the regular readers, the occasionals, those who comment but especially to those who email little ideas and suggestions and observations - keep them coming ed.fordham@hampsteadandkilburn.org.uk

Please do have a look at my main website www.hampsteadandkilburn.org.uk and in particular the YouTube video's on channel 474towin http://uk.youtube.com/474towin

Thanks again and enjoy the virtual cake. Ed