UK Local Council Elections and London Mayor

Thursday 1st May was the UK Local Council elections and also the Election for the London Mayor, and the English Voters choose to make it BLUE! for David Cameron and his Party, The Conservatives.

This was the first time for voters to express there opinions on New Labour since Gordon Brown had replaced Tony Blair as PM, without having being elected by the voters.

Of Course Local Elections are and should be based on local issues, such as Council Tax and local services, but the national position can play a part. Voters seemed to want to send a message to the PM about his change of policy on tax for lower paid workers, known as the 10p tax which though announced in the 2008 Budget only became operational from April 2009 and had just hit these workers and others policies such as petrol (gas) charges which in the UK contain a bigger element of taxes than cost.

One part of the UK which has given problems to The Conservative Party is the North, which has in the past 10 years remained loyal to New Labour but at last after making inroads in recent elections The Conservatives started to make headway. One council Bury in the North West my area in particular went to The Conservatives and it was encouraging to see one of the new members of the council which brought this swing was a young newly elected Councillor Sam Hurst aged 20, a University Student being elected for the district Radcliffe East.

LONDON'S MAYORAL ELECTION was a real coup for Conservative Party Leader David Cameron after Ken Livingstone (New Labour) had been Mayor for 8 years. The Conservatives selected a real larger than life politician names BORIS JOHNSON, a London MP, who as well as being a former journalist and editor us quite a TV star in his own rights on a news based quiz show.

London did see a large turnout and even though Mayor Livingstone polled a similar number of votes as in 2004, Boris Johnson was Elected Mayor with a much larger majority.

These elections successes for The Conservatives are the first indication that in the next General Election which is not expected until 2010, that David Cameron and his Party are back on track to be elected as Government for the first time since 1997, interesting political times ahead!

What Does EASTER Mean to You?

This Easter Day I wonder all around the world how many will celebrate with Chocolate Easter Eggs?

Here in England Easter Day was a celebration of "The Resurrection" and also the end of Lent when Christians completed there time of sacrifice of forty days and forty nights. At first it was just ordinary eggs painted for children but this moved onto chocolate eggs. Eggs perhaps also being a celebration of new birth and spring.

This Lent myself I gave up chocolate and cake, so I have treated myself to a chocolate Easter egg with some store vouchers I had and were due to expire.

But is the True meaning of EASTER starting to disappear. For the first time in the UK betting shops opened on Good Friday after a change in the law by the Labour Government, the only day they are not allowed to open is now Christmas Day. But does the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and the Resurrection on Easter Sunday now have relevance for many. This year it hopefully may have been introduced again to many with a BBC TV Mini-Series titled "Passion" made in conjunction with HBO in the USA, it has been shown over four evenings and has attracted fairly good audience figures.

Now we have the long weekend from Good Friday until Easter Monday, many just take the opportunity for visits to the local DIY store and the gardening centres, I hope though many will find some time to reflect on this major Christian time in the calendar.

Super "Duper" Tuesday - Shrove Tuesday

Super "Tuesday" for the USA tomorrow when 24 States vote for there Presidential candidate. This last few days something has been "sweeping" America like never seen for a long time in politics, crowds of young people have been turning out for political rallies. 18,000 in Denver, 20,000 in St Louis and then as shown above 20,000 plus in Wilmington.

People are ready for CHANGE a complete change and BARACK OBAMA can deliver, AMERICA needs to get it right to have a true UNITED States of America once more and for the full International community including the UK and Europe.

I FULLY ENDORSE BARACK OBAMA - USE YOUR VOTE WISELY!

While back in the UK we celebrate SHROVE TUESDAY (or also known as Pancake Tuesday) a day for all the family to have pancakes.

In a radio broadcast from San Francisco last night to the UK no one had heard of the day? it is an opportunity to use up such as eggs and fruit before LENT begins on Wednesday in the lead up to EASTER 2008, how easy it is to forget!

WHAT WILL YOU GIVE UP FOR LENT?

Gordon B Hinckley - 1910-2008

Gordon B Hinckley President of The LDS Church passed away aged 97, Sunday evening 27th January 2008.

Born 23rd June 1910 in Salt Lake City, Gordon served his two year Mission for The Church in London UK 1933-1935 and served The Church then all his life becoming Leader and President of The Church in 1995.

All that met the President of The Church came to respect him highly for the work, service and dedication he gave.

Now "Promoted to Glory" he fully will deserve his Reward when he hears "Well Done My true and Faithful Servant" and then to be United once again with his Dear Wife Marjorie for Eternity.

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY 2008

This January 21st on "Martin Luther King Day" we remember and celebrate the life of my Real Hero THE REV MARTIN LUTHER KING JR and what he started.

I wonder what Martin would think if he was with us today watching the current USA Presidential nomination campaign, seeing negative comments and nasty tricks all for the sake of Power. This is what Martin said prior to His death:

"There is nothing wrong with power if power is used correctly. You see, what happened is that some of our philosophers got off base. And one of the great problems of history is that the concepts of love and power have usually been contrasted as opposites, polar opposites, so that love is identified with a resignation of power, and power with a denial of love."

CHANGE & HOPE and to see America UNITED is something I feel Martin Luther King Jr would be proud of and endorse.

Rev Martin Luther King's most famous speech still says so much today:

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Rev Martin Luther King was a fighter and he would not relent in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Forty years after his death, our nation is in a state of crisis economically, socially, racially, internationally and environmentally. The 2008 USA election is so important and I hope voters will look and listen carefully at what the candidates have to say and use the vote wisely.

"I'M ASKING YOU TO BELIEVE"

2008 a New Year and Time for CHANGE

Each new year we look to make a fresh start and we look for CHANGE now the opportunity is open for Americans to consider this and make this important stage.

Over the past few years I have read both of BARACK OBAMA'S books and the man has greatly impressed me, I have followed his his life since 2001 and so far he has been dedicated to public service and at last it seems someone has come forward that not only attracts the Youth of today but people from all sides Republican and Democrat something which the USA and The World needs badly.

The race so far has been interesting IOWA was like a breath of fresh air and then then New Hampshire, Polls gave a 13 point lead but it was not intended to be the day for Barack.

Hilary Clinton and her Team choose until this week to go on the attack against Barack, often citing not experienced, but as I said he has 20 years public service. There have been other attacks which I genuinely believe Barack will not lower himself to do. But Hilary was advised a few days before the Poll to show a softer side, what did we get "Tears" I hope this does not fool all America. After the victory which Barack congratulated Hilary on as the Gentleman he is, husband ex President Bill Clinton claimed Barack Obama campaign is like to a "Fairy Story" - a disappointing comment when you reflect his truth to his wife and country.

Unlike the United Kingdom the American Electoral System is a long road and can be a winding one, I just hope people will truly reflect and consider the choice they make, it is such an important one not only for the USA but The World.

I Fully Endorse BARACK OBAMA and "I Believe"

Let's Put

CHRIST

back into

CHRISTmas!

It's that time of the year everybody has been busy running around, buying food, presents, sending greetings cards, often spending money that we do not have ( Yes including myself) - why because it is Christmas!

Of course it is a time to celebrate, especially when you have small children, it is so nice to be in touch with Family and Friends that you do not speak to or see regular, but far too often the True Meaning of Christmas is put to one side and forgotten.

Let's All find time to fit CHRIST into our CHRISTMAS and celebrate the Birth of Our Savour.

PEACE - GOODWILL - TOWARDS ALL MEN

HAPPY CHRISTMAS