Just a few thoughts now the General Election is over. I must say I enjoyed the contest, and I would like to express my thanks to all those who voted for me, to those who gave their support in my election endevours, and to those who stopped by at my 'election headquarters' on Northampton Market to shake my hand and wish me luck, and to my staff who helped cover my occasional absence from my business. I must not forget those fellow-contestants who, no matter what party or point of view, chatted to me in a friendly and pleasant manner.

Continue reading "Afterthoughts"

In the recent warm weather it was nice to see the kids and the dogs of the town enjoying the Liberal Democrat £100,000 of public money fountain at the south-east corner of the market square.


Continue reading "Kids and Dogs Enjoy £100,000 Fountain"

At a time like this, with the new government urging us all to tighten our belts, it seems to me a great waste of public money to spend it on so-called 'festivals'.

Continue reading "Blink? It's enough to make your eyes water!"

With Richard Church getting ready to do a Tony Blair and jump ship before the manure hits the fans, and the freeby funding for silly market square events running out fast, the limping tramp steamer of Northampton Liberal Democrats is slowing down to a crawl.

Continue reading "On Their Way Out"

What a Christmas it was for the market trade, especially the fruit and veg. trade! I don't mean good, either.


Continue reading "'Darlin'"

Well, time's cracking on towards May 5th, and the number of people telling me that they're going to vote for me in Kingsley Ward is very gratifying.

Continue reading "As We Enter The Final Straight..."

Well, this is the time of year I really love! The succulent soft-fruit season has just started up, with delicious French, Italian, and Spanish cherries.




Continue reading "Happy Fruit Time!"

There's been a lot of correspondence in the local papers concerning the turning out of half of Northampton's lights.
We have even had county councillors likening it to standards before the 2nd World War, when the street lighting was fairly sparse even in towns, and almost non-existent in rural areas. The comparison is completely false.



Continue reading "Lights Out, Northampton..."

Ofgem recently stated that the profit margin for energy firms had risen to £125 per customer per year, from £15 in June.




Continue reading "Energy Racketeers"

I'm glad to see the solidarity of both the public and the unions over this workers pensions strike and protest on November 30th.



Continue reading "Right On, Colleagues..."

Politics, that is. I feel it is high time I retired from taking part in politics; I have done two local elections, two general elections, and a bye-election, and the publicity was good for my business, and for Northampton Market.
Continue reading "Giving It Up..."

As some of you may already know, Michael Ellis, MP for Northampton North, has volunteered to get in some real-life work experience working on my market stalls this Thursday, 18th August. I'd like you to give him a big hand for volunteering.


Continue reading "MP At Work..."

Well, I didn't get to be voted in as a Councillor, but I would like to thank all those good people in Kingsley Ward who voted for me at the local elections on May 5th. I much appreciate the support I got from many voters in the ward, with special thanks to those well-wishers who called by my stalls before the elections to have a chat.
Continue reading "Thanks to Kingsley Ward..."

With the elections looming in early May, the Liberal Democrats are going to have great difficulty in hanging on to many of their Northampton Borough Council seats.

Continue reading "'Their Finest Achievement'"

The local borough council elections are coming up at last, and I've decided to stand as an Independent candidate in Kingsley Ward.

Continue reading "Gearing up for the May Elections"

I see both the National Market Traders' Federation (The Fed) and the Government are hoping to entice some of the newly unemployed into Market Trading. Well, good luck to them, but I would warn anybody coming into the field that it's a hard game, weather like you've never experienced so closely before, and long long hours, sometimes for heartbreakingly poor returns.
Continue reading "It's A Hard Game..."

In 2005 I warned against irresponsible spending and bad risk taking by the Banks.
Continue reading "Paying Out Twice"

To kick off on a high, it's good to hear from Derrick Simpson, Town Centre Manager, that we aren't going to be shifted around again at the present time, or have our strong steel stalls replaced by flimsy gazebos.

Continue reading "Highs and Lows...."

Well I must say I am delighted to see my Fitzy Wrapper film has got into the finals of the Film Northants 2010. I didn't even know it had been entered until someone told me a few days ago. Kevin Stoney, who produced it, and Ceasar the Rapper, did me proud.
Continue reading "Fitzy Wrapper"