A number of candidates are offering themselves at the forthcoming local elections as “Independent”. It sounds very attractive perhaps to some potential voters, and indeed in some cases it just might be. It has perhaps an image of decency, clear thinking, unbiased, pure….I have known “Independent” councillors who have done a very decent job on […]

I was beginning to wonder if an election was in fact being held in a couple of weeks, as other than a lot of action from the Lib Dems I had seen nothing from any other source but, at last, we have a Conservative leaflet ( you can always tell when an election is near…a […]

50 years ago I first became active in the political world as I worked as a sub agent in the Hove by election, which saw Des Wilson, the then Director of Shelter, reduce the Conservative majority to, from memory, a little over 5,000. The election was held on the same day as Alan Beith won […]

At a recent meeting of HATOC ( Highways and Traffic Orders Committee ) I pointed out that many of the yellow boxes which should prohibit cars entering certain road spaces, usually at road junctions, in and around town, have come close to disappearing. I mentioned in particular the one on Shaldon Hill, near the Queensway […]

You simply can’t take the Conservative Party seriously when it comes to the environment or fighting climate change.They (the Conservative Party) received £3.5M from individuals and business linked to fossil fuels and climate change denial last year, according to new evidence.See the climate change web site DeSmog for evidence. Its shocking that a party can […]

Contrary to what the Chancellor announced in this weeks budget, nuclear power is not cheap, it is in fact the most expensive form of energy generation, and as for the suggestion it is sustainable…. It’s difficult to know if you should laugh or cry.The waste product of nuclear power generation remains radioactive for thousands of […]

Significant track replacement works are due next week from Monday til Thursday at Taunton Rail Station. If planning to use the train next week it would be advisable to check for disruption to the normal timetable.Disruption is likely not only at Taunton but also to trains to Bristol, Weston Super Mare; Castle Cary and Tiverton […]

Our Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has had his local electricity grid upgraded, so it can more efficiently heat his swimming pool. Meanwhile, since 2010, almost 400 public pools have closed, mainly in the poorer health areas of the country.

The Met Office have issued a weather warning for the South West of England ( including Devon) for Snow on Wednesday.I know many do not welcome the idea of snowfall…but I just love it…while I very much look forward to warm summer days, I do enjoy watching the snow come down…one of nature’s great natural […]

This week’s edition of the local paper, the MDA, contains various statements/ opinion pieces regarding the Ombudsmans report about Teignbridge Councils’ mishandling of a standards case brought against a councillor, C’llr Richard Daws. I have a piece printed, but the editor, as is his absolute right, edited it. Here is the unedited version. Teignbridge Council […]