tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57888979298780442412024-03-13T19:47:53.750+00:00More LondonPolitics and life in the capitalMartin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-29750563228307926572010-03-10T19:15:00.000+00:002010-03-10T19:15:49.337+00:00New BlogOn to pastures new. I;ve outgrown this blog and have a new one. Come and read, and see what I'm up to.<br />
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<a href="http://martinwsrobinson.wordpress.com/">http://martinwsrobinson.wordpress.com/</a><br />
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Bonjour!Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-72236991527292004532009-08-12T14:55:00.015+01:002009-08-13T17:19:25.025+01:00Road deaths.Had a really good meeting about road deaths in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Leicestershire</span> yesterday. That sounds bad but I'll carry on.<br /><br />I must admit that roads, well transport in general is a bit a passion of mine, not sure if it's because I am a boy, but things that councils do to make roads safer etc interests me.<br /><br />Anyway, so met some experts at County Hall because their annual road casualty report is out, with all sorts of fascinating stats about how crashes happen, where, when, well everything you can think of really.<br /><br />Now in the county casualties are reducing steadily every year, but the number of deaths remains around the same, at around 50, in fact it has risen slightly every year for five years.<br /><br /><br />Every year around half of those will be people under the age of 25, and those are the people in particular the council wants to target.<br /><br />They are changing road layouts, speed limits, putting in bumps and the ever-unpopular speed cameras, which is making the difference but is not breaking through the ceiling. Education also plays a part, especially targeting those who have not even learned to drive yet.<br /><br />They are also starting an innovative profiling scheme, where they look in detail at the circumstances of people who have died, so they can target areas and certain types of people and hopefully cut deaths.<br /><p>What no-one could explain is why young people are often so fearless, even reckless when they drive a car. Often these traits are the reasons why people are killed. Speeding, losing control, not looking and taking drink are still the key causes of fatalities. Year after year. </p>When I was a younger man, I hope at 27 that I am still fairly young, passing my driving test (after four tries) was the most nerve-wracking thing I think I can remember, and going out on my own (I was a cub reporter in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Northants</span> driving to Corby to find a man with a samurai sword) frightened me to death, not the man with the sword. What I mean to say is that it was also the responsibility of driving that frightened me, not just the thought of dying.<br /><br />After a while you gain confidence, you take more risks, this is normal I guess, but I still can't get into my head where people go from this to, well, putting their lives, and others' at risk. Why are they not scared of death? All the adverts of TV now show in a brutal way how people die on our roads, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">motorcyclists</span>, people without <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">seatbelts</span>, children hit etc. But it is still happening.<br /><br />But today it clicked, I've never met anyone who said they are a bad driver. So many of us are just too cocky when it comes to driving and that's why too many people die. Everyone knows <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">everytime</span> you get in a car you could die, everyone does, but the attitude is that "I'm too good at driving" for it to happen.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-17490222767902134042009-08-01T09:58:00.011+01:002009-08-01T11:14:12.805+01:00Bowstring Bridge and Pump and Tap.At the bottom of this post is the opinion piece in today's Mercury, which sums up how many people feel about the city council's decision to try to push this through in private.<br /><br />Now lets start from the beginning....All council agendas and related non-confidential reports always land on my desk a week before the meeting is held. So I looked through the agenda and papers. Now you will always have a good look at the confidential items, sadly councils will nearly always have them and often it can be something juicy.<br /><br />For the meeting on Monday there are two confidential papers.<br /><br />The first is called "LEICESTER'S NEW BUSINESS GATEWAY: NEW BUSINESS QUARTER PHASE 2". Without reading this report you can pretty much guess what this is about, it has been talked about for years. The clue is in the title and it is probably about the development of the Campbell Street Post Office to prepare for a new square outside Leicester Railway Station. I guess we'll find out later on.<br /><br />Now the second is called: "SALE OF LAND AND VIADUCT AT DUNS LANE". Now I know what this is because I was given the report. Now you could also guess what this was about, maybe, but having read this report, this really is a creative use of a title. Cynical I know. But the second paragraph is the one which says that the council will agree to spend up to £472,000 to demolish the Bowstring bridge. What I am trying to say is that the sale of land is one of two main <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">recommendations</span> to be agreed on Monday. Why was this not included in the title? You can make up your own mind.<br /><br />Anyway, so I received this report and rang Ross <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Willmott</span>, because he was presenting the report. Instead Patrick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kitterick</span> called me from Ireland. First thing he said was that the council was not being secretive. They had a press release to be sent out after the council meeting. That sticks in my throat. How is that open? No-one would have known anything until afterwards. (They then put out a press release out on Friday anyway.) <br /><br />I really do not understand why this is being discussed in private. The deal is done, the costs agreed. What is different about other reports on the main agenda on Monday? For example, there is a report, being discussed in public, on the development of a science park around the National Space Centre.<br /><br />The science park report says the cabinet will agree to: "Acquire the freehold of the site from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Emda</span>, likely at a peppercorn (subject to negotiation)".<br /><br />So here they are openly saying they will agree to buy the freehold, in a bit, after negotiations. This is what De <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Montfort</span> University and the council have done on Dun's Lane, a deal much further along the line as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">DMU</span> have already agreed to pay a peppercorn rate plus other phased payments. It makes no sense.<br /><br />The council will not change their mind and on Monday it sounds like some people will be at the Town Hall to vent their anger at the plan, and also the circumstances of how it is to be agreed.<br /><br />The council think this deal is great news for Leicester, but they have handled it very badly indeed. They would have been happy to wax lyrical about this decision, afterwards, when no-one knew it had been happening. When thousands of people have protested against this very plan, that is wrong.<br /><br />Here is the Mercury's opinion:<br /> <br />The future of Leicester's Bowstring Bridge has been one of the most talked about issues in this newspaper in recent times.<br /><br />Furthermore, campaigners have set up websites to show their strength of feeling on the matter. Thousands of names have been added to petitions against the removal of this local landmark in the heart of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Braunstone</span> Gate.<br /><br />It is somewhat strange then that a meeting which will decide the future of the bridge should be held in private.<br /><br />In fact, most of the people who have battled for so long to save the bridge, and the popular pub The Pump and Tap - which will also be demolished as part of the plans - would not have found out about the deal to knock it down had they not bought yesterday's Leicester Mercury.<br /><br />In turn, the Leicester Mercury would not have been able to publicise the fate of the area had someone with a conscience, or at least some sense of democracy within the city's corridors of power, not leaked to us the report which explains the deal struck between De <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Montfort</span> University and the council.<br /><br />Today we have learned that despite the details of the Bowstring Bridge's future now being available on every newsstand in the city, the meeting to discuss the deal between the parties will still be held in private, on Monday, as planned.<br /><br />The councillors at the heart of this situation claim the information in the report could not have been publicised because it was deemed commercially sensitive.<br /><br />Their point being that they did not want the amounts being paid for the land in the area around Duns Lane being revealed.<br /><br />However, now the deal is in the public domain and the figures are out there. We think it is it now time for the council to rethink their plan to discuss the matter in private.<br /><br />Surely the people of Leicester deserve to hear about the major things which are happening in their city.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-79078822394015292152009-07-23T11:25:00.017+01:002009-07-29T20:50:06.910+01:00Eco Town is not over.It will be two weeks ago tomorrow that I was at Westminster to hear the announcement that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pennbury</span> was not going to be included on the Government's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">eco</span>-town shortlist.<br /><br />Soon afterwards I was with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">protesters</span> who were celebrating outside number 10 Downing Street, having completed one of the largest and most organised opposition campaigns I have ever seen, and I suspect ever seen in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Leicestershire</span>.<br /><br />But their work is still not over. Having spoken to Kevin <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Feltham</span> at a county council meeting this week, they, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cascet</span>, are still desperate to undermine the Co-op and their proposals to build close to Leicester.<br /><br />There's just one thing I cannot get over, and that has been the attitude of the city council in this. The tram I can understand was attractive, but the rest? After all that regeneration work they have done? <br /><br />Eco-towns are a Labour policy, yes, some councillors are Co-op Labour members, but even the Labour Government did not think that much of the proposal, even from day one. The highest grade it ever got was a b/c I think. Keith <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vaz</span> and particularly Sir Peter <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soulsby</span> have been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">completely against</span> it, and made that clear.<br /><br />Now I was told very early on by a very senior councillor, who wouldn't make it up, that members of the city council cabinet were told by the party they had to support it. But I was always surprised at the extent they did. I remember on one occasion, Patrick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kitterick</span> had a real go at Sir Peter <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soulsby</span> in the paper, called him something like a "maverick MP" for opposing it.<br /><br />This has been the third time that the Co-op has tried to develop their farm land, and I suspect that it will not be the last time, in fact, it probably won't ever stop until they can get the result they want. Clearly they have decided that farming is not going to make enough money, or they need to raise some, or both, and housing is what they will try to do. The green plans are admirable, but in my humble opinion, almost impossible to deliver. Cynical I know, but money is the driving force and I just can't understand how they can make the money they want if they reach these standards.<br /><br />I suspect that they will now try to apply for a smaller scale development, as a sustainable urban extension, using all the research and work they have done in the build up to their failed eco-town bid. No surprise there probably. And if they can sort a tram, then the city will probably back them again.<br /><br />Clearly the Government's decision was a big blow to the Co-op, but it is clearly not over.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-39065044547189137592009-07-09T21:43:00.032+01:002009-07-10T00:18:44.654+01:00Back on board.It's been a while....Been away from work on holidays with my mum, dad and brother who all live in Norway. Fully refreshed and ready for action.<br /><br />All this stuff about the News of the World has really got my back up actually. I really may be being sensitive (it has been known!) but if it is true, the minority really are making things very difficult for everyone else.<br /><br />Now journalists are not the most popular bunch nor the most trusted, we know that, but I do think that most are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">misunderstood</span>.<br /><br />Granted the Mercury does not have the financial clout of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NOTW</span>, in fact we do not pay people for stories (apart from freelancers or agency copy), but we would never consider doing anything like this even if we could afford it. Several times a year people will approach me anonymously from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">organisations</span> I cover and ask for money for information. I always say we don't do that and invariably they give the information anyway. It is a shame that other journalists will go to such lengths to get a story. It is not necessary. We are different.<br /><br />The journalists I know and work with all enjoy different parts of the job, covering news, the arts, whatever, but they are driven by being fair and accurate. They realise the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">responsibilities</span> we have to be accurate when we inform readers and also know we face the public <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">embarrassment</span> of being wrong, which inevitably leads to a correction/apology in the paper.<br /><br />Take for example my recent story on parking bays being wrongly marked, that the city council said so vehemently was not true and would have you believe was reckless.<br /><br />It was true and was far from reckless.<br /><br />A week or so earlier than this another parking story broke about exemptions on a few city streets even though there were no signs advertising them. We spoke to several legal experts to discuss the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">implications</span> of this, we were told that this meant you can park everywhere, but these national experts who had <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">successfully</span> appealed more than 100,000 tickets said strongly there was no case for this, that it would be wrong to say it. We didn't.<br /><br />Later it became clear that some city parking bays were illegally marked. I had e-mails and phone calls from the public about this, even people from within the council e-mailed me. This story took me five days to research and write. We took tens of photographs of bays and sent them to independent experts. I spoke to experts on parking in other local authorities, some of whom were good enough to take time late into the evenings to give me guidance and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">professional</span> views. I personally spent many hours measuring lines, bays, everything you can imagine. When we found what was wrong I went and remeasured and remeasured.<br /><br />Finally, with all this evidence I went back to the legal experts who had advised us to leave the previous story alone. These same people were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">unequivocal</span> in their response. These bays are illegal. You have a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">responsibility</span> to the thousands of people who have parked in them to print what you have found, they said. So that's what we did.<br /><br />Thank goodness that is out of my system.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-63027189162506050902009-06-22T20:40:00.012+01:002009-06-22T22:03:20.417+01:00Quick thoughts on recycling.Isn't it time that people who cannot be bothered to recycle get a fine?<br /><br />Today was the start of National Recycling Week and began with an event in Town Hall Square showing people what they can recycle, where to put it, and how it is disposed of.<br /><br />This is not anti-city council, it is only right that people should be given the chance to get it right, but surely those who simply do not make the effort should be punished eventually? It is them who cost us taxpayers more to dispose of their waste after all because there is much more of it in their bins.<br /><br />Now, is recycling really that difficult or new? Is the thought of putting glass or plastic boxes in a different place that alien to people? It makes me angry.<br /><br />In the city around 40 per cent of waste is recycled and composted, and about 50 per cent out in the county. Not the figures of an area where many people do not understand recycling or are new to it.<br /><br />Yes, people looking at the stalls outside the town hall today may have found out a few more things to dispose of or recycle. The councillor I spoke to today, Sarah Russell, said that the people who recycle are those who make an effort to (or something similar to this.) and she wanted to change the mindsets of those who don't. She is right, but it is how those mindsets are changed.<br /><br />People quickly change their minds if they get hit in the pocket, so why not do that? The council has a team of city wardens to hand out fines in other circumstances, if you leave your bin out for example. I for one hope they start to use it when people are failing to recycle. They would probably have to check what people are throwing away, but that doesn't worry me at all.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-25631469584033074922009-06-19T10:14:00.003+01:002009-06-19T10:23:20.540+01:00All you need to know about expenses.<a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Vaz-reveals-cash-refunded-MPs-expenses-published/article-1091483-detail/article.html">KEITH VAZ 1</a><br /><p><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Keith-Vaz-3-876-office-furniture/article-1091537-detail/article.html">KEITH VAZ 2</a></p><p><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Stephen-Dorrell-Legal-threats-MP-unpaid-council-tax/article-1091543-detail/article.html">DORRELL</a></p><p><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Patricia-Hewitt-Dismissal-claim-settled-expenses/article-1091507-detail/article.html">HEWITT</a></p><p><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Andy-Reed-bargain-hunting-MP/article-1091553-detail/article.html">REED</a></p><p><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Alan-Duncan-MP-minds-expenses/article-1091527-detail/article.html">DUNCAN</a></p><p><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Edward-Garnier-pay-food/article-1091556-detail/article.html">GARNIER</a></p><p><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Andrew-Robathan-Tory-MP-s-aware-s/article-1091520-detail/article.html">ROBATHAN</a></p><p><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/David-Tredinnick-6-000-phone-calls-year/article-1091492-detail/article.html">TREDINNICK</a></p><p><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/David-Taylor-Face-wash-included-claims-list/article-1091541-detail/article.html">TAYLOR</a></p><p><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/mpexpensesrow/Sir-Peter-Soulsby-80-000-years/article-1091547-detail/article.html">SOULSBY</a></p>Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-76851637007270593732009-06-18T20:55:00.002+01:002009-06-18T21:32:44.201+01:00Expenses.Still at work after a very long day poring over the expenses of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Leicestershire's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MPs</span>.<br /><br />Although a great deal of information has been blacked out, the team of four reporters, including me, have produced something very special indeed for tomorrow.<br /><br />We have secured a stonker of a front page, and have some excellent special reports running through the paper.<br /><br />Will add the link then.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-56246493562072602009-06-15T21:30:00.026+01:002009-06-15T22:57:34.280+01:00The Gandhi statue and Leicester's lack of them?"I don't think there should be a statue of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gandhi</span> in Leicester at all I bet he's never even been here." - one man said on our website today,<br /><br />Blimey, what is it with people and the Gandhi statue, and being so angry about it?<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Everytime</span> we do a story on it we get many people upset about the fact that it is going to be in Leicester. Well tomorrow there will be more angry comments and debate because the statue was dropped into place this afternoon.<br /><br />There seems to be an argument that instead of being Gandhi it should be someone else, like Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Lineker</span> or the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Attenboroughs</span> for example. Surely people are missing the point. This statue has been completely paid for by a charity. It is a private arrangement and it has planning permission. There are similar statues in more than 70 cities across the world, it seems reasonable that a city with links to India like ours should do the same.<br /><br />The second point is that with all these people so angry with the statue, why not then start to consider whether Leicester should have more statues - more public art that other people can get excited about. Turn this negative energy into celebrating Leicester's heritage and successes. This charity has done it, others can too.<br /><br />When Gandhi was going in, one bystander said to me that other cities and towns have more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sculpture</span> and statues. Why doesn't Leicester?<br /><br />My home town of Ipswich has recently had two new statues. Football legends Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsay. People love them, I do. Nottingham has the Brian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Clough</span> statue. This has been popular as I understand it, and enjoyed because people living there because they can relate and know what these people were/are like and what they did for their area.<br /><br />I'm not saying it should necessarily be a footballer, sportsman or manager, but something modern like this could only be good for Leicester. You have areas of the city that could be used. The city's cultural quarter near Curve, an area on New Walk, or somewhere near the Walkers Stadium or the new evolving <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Welford</span> Road Tigers' ground.<br /><br />I think that we should go for it.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-8626607820719182822009-06-14T09:50:00.014+01:002009-06-14T10:25:30.380+01:00Adam Wakelin and the BNP.If you haven't already, you should read Adam <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wakelin's</span> brilliant <a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Councillors-local-political-history/article-1074599-detail/article.html">interviews</a> with two new county councillors elected on June 4.<br /><br />As County Hall is my main patch I'll meet these two at the first meeting of the full council on Wednesday. Jewel Miah is the first asian county councillor since the county council took its current form in 1997 and Graham Partner the first BNP councillor.<br /><br />Particularly fascinating is where Graham Partner says that Nick Griffin is a "prat".<br /><br />And: "It won't be the first time I've called him one. Saying that about the Holocaust is rubbish.<br />"Did he watch World At War, see those skeletons and think they were actors?<br />"He shouldn't say stupid things that he regrets, or should come out and say that's what he really believes and not deny it later. I've no empathy for him at all if he did say that."<br /><br />Imagine if any other politician openly said that about their party leader?<br /><br />I have not seen him in action at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NWLDC</span> so it will be so fascinating to see how he conducts himself, will he speak a lot, say nothing, and how he will he be treated by the other councillors. Will they be respectful or rude?<br /><br />All will become clear this week.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-11756450415990895802009-06-12T16:12:00.013+01:002009-06-12T16:55:27.616+01:00Hopping mad.I am absolutely furious - maybe I should drink some more water or something, that's supposed to help.<br /><br />People tell you to wait by the phone, they will call, and they don't, you get hold of them, they say they'll call in ten. Nothing. Then you realise that 36 hours have passed. Charming man.<br /><br />Anyway, the weekend is upon us, so I'll keep it short. I have today received some exciting documents from the city council relating to expenses and trips. Looking at what to do with them and hoping to run a few days of stories on them next week.<br /><br />Posted the video on here of Keith <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Vaz</span> being slurped at by Diane Abbott yesterday, which got a good reaction so made it on our website. Got a quote from Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Vaz</span> - glad he saw the funny side.<br /><br />"Diane is an old friend. I reckon she could try her hand as an impressionist should she ever want to give up politics!” - he said. (She was taking the mickey out of me, I didn't really look that pleased on screen, now I'll start using words like "Reckon" to get down with the kids and look light-hearted afterwards in this quote. Job done.)<br /><br />Off to London tonight for more birthdays and wedding-related organising. Shame <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">I'm</span> not around for Alan Duncan's public meeting in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Oakham</span> tomorrow at Victoria Hall from 10am. We are of course covering it and will have a story in on Monday. Very interested to know what happens there and whether it is painful. I suspect that the hall will be very busy, but Alan is not stupid, so a large proportion may be his supporters to ensure it doesn't get too ugly. We'll see.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-64960722329003480792009-06-11T12:42:00.002+01:002009-06-11T12:48:40.533+01:00Slurping at Keith Vaz.To lighten the mood somewhat, watch this video of <a href="http://playpolitical.typepad.com/labour_party/2009/06/diane-abbot-mp-makes-slurping-noise-as-keith-vaz-mp-creeps-to-new-home-secretary-alan-johnson.html">Keith Vaz </a>in Parliament and fellow MP Diane Abbot taking the mickey out of him. So funny.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-61374871277531384112009-06-11T10:39:00.028+01:002009-06-11T12:36:52.122+01:00Nick Rushton.So <a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Dirty-tricks-deputy-leader-stands/article-1069013-detail/article.html">Nick</a> has decided to stand down from the cabinet and will not seek to be the new deputy leader.<br /><br />The rumour mill at County Hall has been in overdrive on this exact issue for the last month - ever since we broke the story. In the end this result was inevitable really. I must have had the same will he/won't he conversation with dozens of people.<br /><br />If he had stayed, or even tried to, serious questions would have been asked and the pressure would have been cranked up another notch on him, the Tories and the council. This, for the moment, will relieve some of that pressure.<br /><br />What has happened in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Breedon</span> has been damaging to the council and its administration. I have no idea whether anything that happened was illegal - that is for the police - I don't know whether it breaks council rules - that is for the standards board. What I do know is that the public and other politicians, including Conservatives, are uncomfortable with what has happened. The council itself believed it serious enough to report it the police after all and it is not the "non-story" Andrew Bridgen seems to think it is.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">priority</span> for the powers that be at County Hall, both politically and at officer level, has been that they do not want the council to be tarnished <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">permanently</span> by what happened. It is a kind of Gordon Brown situation, the longer Nick stayed the keener the spotlight on him and therefore the council.<br /><br />It was also inevitable that in the end someone had to go for this and it was Nick. I am not saying it was anyone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">else's</span> decision other than Nick, I honestly don't know. I know it will have been difficult for him for him to do this, I suspect he may not have wanted to, but he will also be aware that in politics that he must be seen to do the 'right thing'.<br /><br />As political reporter I have got to know Nick personally over the last two and a half years and he has been at the heart of many stories I have written, has always been helpful and was a good cabinet member for transport. I have no qualms about saying that I like the man.<br /><br />I have tried to use this blog to give people an idea of what being a journalist is like. This story is another good example. In politics you rely a great deal on contacts, you get to know them, you speak most days, you see each other a lot, you gain <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">eachothers'</span> trust. He or she helps you with stories, tip-offs, quotes, and in turn they get their message across and improve their profile. It is part of the game and sums up my relationship with Nick.<br /><br />But then something like this happens, they are on the front page for the wrong reasons, you have to ask difficult questions and sometimes this is the result. This too is what happened with Nick, and is the other part of the game.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-32709261932915032242009-06-10T10:00:00.002+01:002009-06-10T10:02:42.727+01:00Roman bones alert.As promised, story of the day in the Leicester Mercury, even though it was not on the front (flounces off in artistic fashion).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Roman-skeletons-unearthed-garden/article-1064726-detail/article.html">http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Roman-skeletons-unearthed-garden/article-1064726-detail/article.html</a>Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-21925082950944493922009-06-09T23:08:00.015+01:002009-06-09T23:48:26.031+01:00Ancient skeletons.Back to work today, this morning I discovered some ancient skeletons in a field in North Leicester - well someone else did and told me about it. It is in tomorrow's paper and i'll put a link up in the morning. Great story to write.<br /><br />Back on the blog after recovering from the Euro count on Sunday.<br /><br />Although election nights are always exciting, I thought this one was pretty subdued in the end, not sure if it was because the Tory train was pretty relentless from result one, especially in the county. The only exception was in Leicester, where Labour cleaned up completely. They are formidable in the city despite the national climate.<br /><br />Anyway, results were coming in pretty fast but then we ended up waiting for hours for just three districts - either way our photographer had to set up a picture with the winners after the results were confirmed because the actual moment on the stage was so underwhelming.<br /><br />Then rushed back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Merc</span> HQ for 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ish</span>, and had to file 700 words by 2.40am. That was exciting, proper back against the wall journalism to ensure we got the paper out. Our night editor Mark <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">was</span> magnificent that night, and we produced a front and inside lead to be proud of in time for the print run to start at 3.30am. Was in bed at around 4.30am - job done and had the next day off, even better.<br /><br />Today was busy, things are really happening at County Hall, lots of stories floating around, can't report it all on here yet (well, in truth, not sure of all facts yet) one emerging issue is that leader David Parsons is choosing his new cabinet this week, but the deputy leader job (Nick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Rushton's</span>) is now up for election, not just chosen by the leader as it has been before. Strange business. I wonder if it is because <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Coun</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Rushton</span> will go and it won't be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Coun</span> Parsons' decision or he will stay and again it won't be the leader's decision. Maybe me being cynical.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-25090725434787848842009-06-07T10:39:00.005+01:002009-06-07T10:45:30.437+01:00Count later.Just woken up....I have a feeling that tonight's Euro count is going to be really exciting. Can't wait. We have a wager at work about what the spread of the elected parties will be in the East Midlands. I'm not willing to say, actually maybe I am - I have a pound on two Tories, Two <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UKIP</span> and a Lib Dem. My colleague Mark Clayton is the same, but replaces the Lib Dem with Labour.<br /><br />Whatever happens, I just hope that it is done and dusted by 2am, otherwise I think we'll struggle to get it in the paper!!! Speak later then.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-11950776656853524472009-06-06T09:22:00.011+01:002009-06-06T12:03:06.855+01:00Elections over.So it is the day after a fascinating election at County Hall, where the Tories did as well as expected and the Labour party's support simply upped and left. They will have four councillors now, compared to 13 before and I wonder if they can ever recover from this in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Leicestershire</span>.<br />My guess is that yes, they will to an extent, it can't really get any worse after all and these things are always in cycles. But for the next four years their influence will be minimal.<br /><br />Their biggest humiliation was the loss to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BNP</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Coalville</span>, and when the result came in there was a sharp intake of breath in the room at County Hall where I was and I'm told boos rang out at the count. Tory leader David Parsons said to me at the time that now that they have a councillor he would work to involve them in the democratic process, which will show them up for what they are.<br /><br />Nationally the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">BNP</span> have amongst the worst attendance record at meetings and have been thrown off several councils because of it. It will be interesting to see what happens here and whether we will have a by-election in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Coalville</span> before too long.<br /><br />So the new council will have a new opposition in the Lib <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Dems</span>, and Simon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Galton</span> will be their leader again. Simon is a man who quietly gets on with his business and I am glad he has had some success. He and Kevin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Feltham</span> have spearheaded the anti-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Pennbury</span> campaign but despite agreements the Tories started to cut him out of photo opportunities and even removed him from existing photos for their campaign literature on his patch, so I am glad he retained his seat. And as for Kevin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Feltham</span>, the man sacked from the cabinet two years ago, he romped in with 71 % of the vote, and a massive majority, so his hard work has paid off too.<br /><br />I've seen the paper this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">morning</span> online and I have to say I am proud of all the hard work. We had seven reporters at the counts with photographers and me at County Hall. I really wanted to go all out on it and we all did. I'm thrilled.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm in London with the future wife and off to a birthday party later. So a few drinks, some sleep and then back to Leicester for the Euro count on Sunday.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-58210918203249498762009-06-04T20:26:00.008+01:002009-06-04T22:10:54.396+01:00Funny how people vote.Only an hour or so until the polls close and it's got to be one of the lowest turnouts on record.<br /><br />Went to Melton today to speak to some voters, and although there were around 15 in the hour or so I was there, I was told that by 3pm only around 10 per cent had been through the doors. I don't know about the postal votes but if that is anything to go by then it will be low everywhere. What is interesting is that it could mean the extreme parties get in or those motivated to vote, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ie</span> party members or those with connections with candidates will be the only ones bothered and things won't change that much at all.<br /><br />Of the people I spoke to only one had voted <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BNP</span>, one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">UKIP</span>, and the rest the traditional parties, but in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Belgrave</span> it was most interesting because nearly all voted Labour but at least half said they did not know why. I think that Keith <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Vaz</span> is going to be pretty safe come election time next year!<br /><br />So tomorrow we'll see the full picture in the county.<br /><br />It's been my patch for the last two years. I'm proud to cover it. Some of the 55 councillors have become friends, lots of cups of tea or stronger, laughs, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">exhilarating</span>/exciting stories, and also some very difficult questions, uncomfortable phone calls and some stories they didn't like, but still pals in the end, mostly.<br /><br />I know that some good people (and bad) will go tomorrow but also it will mean new opportunities for others to prove themselves, improve lives in their area, and maybe go for some tea, with me.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-71391105520632667422009-06-03T20:43:00.004+01:002009-06-03T21:03:37.837+01:00Election time!It is the big day tomorrow! After I vote I'll be in work and who knows what will happen. Well, apart from the results I do actually. This election will be decided on national issues not local ones, so that's what we'll look at.<br /><br />We'll be doing some exit polls in at least two spots. First we'll probably be in Keith <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Vaz's</span> patch in Leicester East to get an idea about how city voters have reacted to his attitude, and ask them how they voted and why. There is a loyal Labour following there but it could be creaking because of the last month's events.<br /><br />The other poll will be done in Alan Duncan's Melton patch. I think this will give us a really good gauge of the mood in the county. I suspect the Tories will do well, and if they do well here, they'll do really well in the rest of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Leicestershire</span>.<br /><br />Better get an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">early</span> night, and do keep an eye on the Mercury website and on here for up to date news tomorrow.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-7721850147680918782009-06-02T19:45:00.010+01:002009-06-02T21:33:07.456+01:00Being a journalist.Wondering if people wanted to know what it is like to be a journalist? Thought I'd tell you about a visit to the police HQ in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Enderby</span> today which sums up what it is like.<br /><br />To put this into context, every day for the last three weeks I have done a page lead on the key issues in the county and European elections. I was invited to meet the police officer in charge of dealing with electoral fraud on June 4.<br /><br />Now, of course a week or so ago some of the most senior councillors at County Hall were referred to him for alleged dirty tricks relating to a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pre</span>-election deal to get a rival candidate to stand down.<br /><br />So I meet this officer, we talk through the most common forms of fraud, what police will be looking for, what the public should be looking for. Good story.<br /><br />Interview ends, so I ask about the case at County Hall. It's my job after all and he was not surprised that I asked.<br /><br />Here's what happened:<br /><br />Me: I know one case has been referred to you from County Hall. Can you tell me anything?<br />Officer: I thought you would ask, I can't say anything at all.<br />Me: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ok</span>, well I got an update last week saying no arrests, is there any update now?<br />Officer: You have to go through the press office Martin.<br />Me: Have you been involved.<br />Officer: Yes i'm involved.<br />Me: Well, won't the press office just come back to you anyway?<br />Officer: Yes.<br />Me: So you could just tell me if there any update now.<br />Officer: You have to speak to the press office (looks into distance)<br /><br />So I head back to work, a bit grumpy, and call the press office. Five minutes later I get a call back after they spoke to him. And I'm told there's no update.<br /><br />This is what it is like to be a journalist.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-47719282096086054112009-06-01T21:44:00.010+01:002009-06-01T22:45:24.727+01:00Abusive people.For tomorrow's paper I've written a story about politicians getting abused on the doorstep as they canvas for the upcoming elections. I spoke to John Legrys, a man I trust to give me an honest answer about what is going on in the county. He told me he has been shouted at, sworn at etc, and he openly admitted that people see him and other candidates outside and they shut the curtains. We also went out with John to speak to people and ask them what they thought. Really interesting.<br /><br /><br />But let's take a positive view on this anger towards politicians. I deal with them every day and the majority are decent, hard-working people, a strange breed yes, but honest. And I think this is an opportunity for Local Government and its councillors to show the rest how it should be done. For example, MPs are considering having expenses, salaries, etc being managed and agreed by an independent board. Local councils have done this for years.<br /><br /><br />I went out for dinner with friends on Saturday and people who would never vote said they will on Thursday. People are engaged with politics again, even if that is because they are angry about politicians and their expenses. This means that Westminster as we know it is being torn down and will be started again, with greater transparency. This is a revolution! There will be greater opportunity for more 'normal' people to stand as candidates, ones people can relate to - this is what people are demanding and any political party wanting power would be crazy not to deliver it. This is actually rather exciting.<br /><br /><br />Speaking of change, see tomorrow's Mercury for another big politics exclusive...will be in the shops or online tomorrow morning.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-39783096058700184442009-06-01T21:44:00.001+01:002009-06-01T21:44:41.814+01:00Abusive people.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-1148949555353114832009-05-31T21:30:00.005+01:002009-05-31T21:42:29.540+01:00Elections are coming!Very short post.<br /><br />Just had a lovely drive back from London, M25, M11, A14, A6 etc. Anyway, while driving through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Oadby</span> back into the city the gardens had party political boards, windows had posters in them and people were out and about canvassing. Now only four days until the county council and European elections and we are approaching a really exciting time. One of the few good things to come from this expenses stuff is that it has motivated many who may not have voted. I really can't wait.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-7101302725080885112009-05-30T13:57:00.008+01:002009-05-30T14:52:35.447+01:00Two words: Special Olympics.<a href="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/03_04/IpswichTownChamps_468x300.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 468px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/03_04/IpswichTownChamps_468x300.jpg" border="0" /></a> Front page today is about the Special Olympics and the company it employed which has failed to raise any money from commercial sponsorship. <div><br /><div><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/politics/MARKETING-FIRM-FAILS-RAISE-1p-GAMES/article-1035987-detail/article.html">http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/politics/MARKETING-FIRM-FAILS-RAISE-1p-GAMES/article-1035987-detail/article.html</a><br /></div><div></div><br /><div>This is actually quite a sad story, you speak to the Leicester city councillors or games officials -they sound gutted about this situation. One councillor told me that sponsors will kick themselves for missing out. Yes perhaps they will but somehow this has not been sold to those sponsors.</div><br /><div>The recession has hit the Games, but it is clear that the company wanted to get one big sponsor, and may have put their eggs in one basket with Visa. But this fell through and they have now been left with nothing.<br /><br />I tried to speak to First Rights yesterday, was promised a call back but it never happened. I would like to know what they tried, whether they changed their strategy, why they think they failed. I hope they call back next week.</div><br /><div>The council's scrutiny committee is right to have agreed to review what has happened here, especially because the city wants to take some part in England's World Cup bid for 2018. </div><div> </div><div>What is clear is that lessons must be learned. We want the city to bid for these events, we do not want this experience to put off doing it again but clearly the sponsorship or lack of it has been extremely disappointing.</div><br /><div>Now to one of my favourite days of the year! It's cup final day. Only been to the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wembley</span> once, and that was only the outside. But went to the old one with my beloved Ipswich to the last competitive final there in 2000, where we won promotion to the Premier League. The place is magical, made better because I was there with my brother and Dad. </div><br /><div>Anyway, I'll be cheering for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Everton</span> and having a drink. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bon</span> weekend.</div></div>Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5788897929878044241.post-68104349052284281402009-05-28T09:36:00.005+01:002009-05-28T09:56:50.065+01:00Noisy neighbours/thoughtless louts.Today's front page is a story about noisy neighbours and the misery suffered by those living next to these thoughtless louts.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Noisy-neighbour-complaints-soar/article-1030441-detail/article.html">http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Noisy-neighbour-complaints-soar/article-1030441-detail/article.html</a><br /><br />Yesterday I spoke to a Beaumont <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Leys</span> woman who has lost weight, has become <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">agoraphobic</span>, and almost lost her marriage because of the problems caused by her neighbour who insists on having karaoke all through the night, letting her children and dogs run riot and who personally shouts, swears and throws things out of her windows.<br /><br />Her case is not unique, in fact speaking to the police and council it became clear that thousands in the city and county suffer in exactly the same way.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ok</span>, all of us may have been guilty in the past of having the stereo on loud, doing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">DIY</span> when we shouldn't or having a party that has got a bit out of hand. But the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">authorities have</span> clear procedures and send letters, and I think 99 per cent of people would be mortified if they realised they had caused these problems and would pop next door to say sorry with some wine or flowers.<br /><br />Yesterday I was in a lock-up near <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Morrisons</span> at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Freemans</span> Common there were the piles and piles of DVD players, stereos, TVs, all seized from idiots who ignored the warnings and are too stupid/selfish to see they are making life so difficult for people. It makes people ill and drives them to the edge, making it difficult to function at work and at home. We should throw the book at them.Martin Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05498440650802879201noreply@blogger.com6