I know that I have had a bee in my bonnet about TV tax (the BBC licence fee) in the last week or two, so apologies for banging on about it again but..............

 

I saw in last night's Evening Standard that the tax is to go up again this year by another £3 - what brought a wry smile to my face was the the Business Editor's comments that, in effect, this was in spite of the recent "cuts".

 

Lets get this right - there have been no fiscal cuts at the BBC, they are still pi**ing £millions of our money away and are now about to get even more!

 

All the BBC has announced is a restructuring of its Empire and a reallocation of it's available resources. Sure some minor digital stations will go, perhaps some jobs will be lost (but don't bet on it) but no money is being saved.

 

The amount of the increase is pretty negligible - less than a penny per day - but it's the principle the really riles me.

 

Now, I promise to do my best to ignore the BBC for a while!

I have previously commented that I like Douglas Carswell MP.

 

He is currently promoting his private members bill on an "in / out" referendum on continuing membership of the European Union.

 

Irrespective of individual opinion of EU membership, (for the record I am firmly in the Euro-sceptic camp), there has to be considerable merit in solicititng the views of the British people on this issue.

 

There hasn't been a specific vote by the British people on EU membership since 1974 - in other words nobody younger than their mid 50's has had a say in this key issue.

 

Carswell is one of a small number of backbenchers who really seems committed to restoring the effectiveness of our parliament and repatriating decision making from Europe - good on him.

 

Have a look at the bill (it is very short & sweet) & if you wish to comment go to:

 

There is a great deal to like about the policies David Cameron announced on Friday to the Conservative Councillors Association.

 

I rather like the following key points:

 

(1) The full remuneration package of all senior staff, earning above £58,500, including name and post.

 

(2) All items of expenditure above £500, and publish contracts and tender documents in full.

 

(3) Information on councillors’ expenses in open and standardised format so the public can compare councillor expenses across the country.

 

I know that senior staff salary details recently appeared in The Mercury - I understand as a result of a Freedom of Information Act request.

 

Broxbourne Council has recently announced the publication of expenditure > £500 and does publish Councillor expenses - however it looks as if we may need to go a little bit further to meet Mr Cameron's aspiration.

 

 

 

 

Aren't words I would regularly use but he is quite right to say that Buckingham Conservatives have no obligation to vote for John Bercow at the forthcoming General Election.

 

There won't be an official Conservative candidate in Buckingham, as Bercow is standing as "The Speaker".

 

Following convention & tradition the "main" political party's won't oppose The Speaker at an election - minor party's have no such scruples.

 

Given the way that Bercow shamelessly grubbed for New Labour votes when elected as Speaker and also considering his very limited support from Conservative MP's, I suspect there would be a large number of Buckingham's Tory voters who might find it easy to vote for a centre right candidate.

Cheshunt Centrals Conservative team has also been busy this weekend delivering their In Touch newsletter which may be viewed by clicking here.

 

 

 

 

The Cheshunt North and Cheshunt Central teams have been working together to complete the newsletter distribution - if anybody would like to help with this or with future campaigning activity please contact Judi or myself by clicking here.