This week has been mixed, with the ongoing expenses saga continuing to cause problems for the main political parties who are aware that the European Parliamentary Elections being less than a week away.

Tuesday provided a welcome opportunity for me to examine an issue that causes many people concern. That is the continuing blight of anti-social behaviour and criminal activity on communities. The location for my visit might surprise some people - Port Sunlight village. Most people would regard this village as picturesque and more about culture and bowls than a hot bed of crime. It seems that as the longer evenings arrive, large groups of youngsters are in evidence at several locations on the village. I was able to see criminal damage to residents cars and listen to tales of the most blatant and bold thefts.

Wednesday was back on the canvassing trail with the campaign team, and whilst the response was overall positive, many resident were still indicating a reluctance to reward any politician with their vote in the near future.

Thursday was Wirral Business Forum, in Bromborough. A good event with the main presentation by Sports Psychologist Steve Bull who has worked with the British Olympic teams for the last three games and is currently working with the England cricket team in the build up to the Ashes series with Australia. The event “Performing under pressure” was well received by the audience of local businessmen and women. It was a good opportunity to talk to our local businessmen and to hear how they gauge the short terms concerns for their businesses and the people they employ. It`s still tough out there.

Saturday was back out in Hewall for a street stall and surgery event. Another chance to talk to local people and continue to collect signatures for our petition calling on Gordon Brown to call a General Election.

Jeff Clarke supporting the village plant sale in Thornton Hough

Following on was a visit to the village plant sale in Thornton Hough. Great value and high quality plants on sale. I hope a healthy profit was made for the community coffers. Sunday morning, see the start of the final push to polling day on Thursday. I good turnout will be just the tonic for the final leaflet delivery. I hope people will come out and vote on Thursday for the main parties,even if they feel we are undeserving. The alternative could be a nasty shock.

Finally before I go, I have just read about a GP surgery who have been docked £375 in their funding because they have received a single complaint from patients about their service. Under the payments system for family doctors, surgeries receive money for hitting targets. One of the payments is dependant on a surgery being able to demonstrate how it deals with complaints. A spokesman for the NHS said that the trust had to follow guidelines.
Crazy ! you may think.

Today I have been out speaking to residents who live in the vicinity of the Brimstage shops area of Heswall. The campaign for the European election is in full flow and I have to admit that the local voters are still less than impressed (to say the least) with the continuing disclosures about MPs expenses. That is why we have been inviting those residents to sign our petition calling on Gordon Brown to call a General Election.

Jeff Clarke and Conservative Action Team out in Heswall with petition for a General Election.

If you want to sign the petition, then use the link at the bottom of this blog entry.

There was a split between those who signed the petition(about two thirds of those I spoke to) who thought an election immediately was needed. The remaining third wanted an early election but thought that before a sitting MP could stand, a clean bill of health on the expenses front was needed and that would take some time to achieve.

None of the residents to whom I spoke was of the view that they didn`t want an early election.

Looking at news further afield I note that a 25mph golf buggy is the latest weapon in the fight against crime. The electrically powered two- seater, Britain’s first police buggy, has been bought by West Midlands police to help officers patrol the 750 acre campus of the University of Warwick. The campus has a dedicated officer for the area, who said it was impossible to patrol all of the area on foot and the buggy complete with siren had more impact than a bike.

It will be a some what intimate ride back the station in the two seater for those arrested by the intrepid officer.

The other piece of information to catch the eye was the fact that ants are the dish of the day for Colombian farmers.

Thousands of farmers and residents of Santander province collect ants as part of a traditional annual ritual. They are cooked and sold as exotic food. The people of northern Columbia have been consuming ants for centuries. They believe that eating them provide everything from a natural form of Viagra to a defence against cancer.

I wonder if it works against unscrupulous MPs.

Add your name to the Sign for Change petition for a General Election

This week has by any measure been a busy week in the world of national and local politics. The continued revelations have paralysed our MPs, many of whom flit on and off our television screens looking like rabbits caught in the headlights. This crisis which has seen the end of Speaker Martin and several MPs including our own, has meant that the issues that should be dominating every minute of our Governments day have been lost. That is the real frustration of this crisis.

Jeff Clarke and Chris Grayling arriving for a meeting at the Bromborough Police Station.

I was able to break away from this paralysis and invite the Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Grayling MP to accompany me on a visit to Bromborough Police Station to discuss issues that I thought important in further attempts to drive down crime in parts of the community and protect our young who statistically whilst being the biggest group of perpetrators are also the biggest category of victims.
It was a worthwhile visit, and I know it sent Chris Grayling away with some food for thought.

Jeff Clarke visits Eastham Library and One Stop Shop.

The biggest single event for many Wirral residents was the fact finding visit by the chairman of the upcoming Public Library Inquiry.Today ended a three day spell for her in the Borough, speaking to all the interested parties. Today I attended with a large number of residents at Eastham library for the first of six scheduled visits to libraries affected by the Wirral MBC Strategic Asset Review. It was a constructive meeting with a good hearing for the arguments that resident felt were important. It was good to see that residents young and old, disabled and able body stood together in support of what is an excellent and well supported community facility.

The meeting at the Higher Bebington library took the form of an open forum, with all present able to see and hear all that was said. Some excellent speakers made good point to the chairman who listened and engaged with the resident by asking question of her own. It again was a good natured and well mannered meeting.

I have no doubt that she has gone away in no doubt of the wide spread and passionate support for our facilities. In all most people felt that she had given a patient and sympathetic hearing to all those who spoke at this meetings. I hope this visit has set the right tone for the inquiry as far as the merits of our arguments to keep these facilities open. It is not too late to write to her and I would encourage all those who have not been able to write to her yet, to make sure you get your objection in the post or email her by the 26th May. All details in Wirral Libraries section of the DCMS website.

In many ways it has been a week with so many downs that I finish by offering my congratulations to Sir Ranulph Fiennes who at the age of 65 and at the third attempt became the oldest Briton to climb Everest. That`s one for the pensioners.

It will be recalled that he had suffered a heart attack 300m below the summit on his first attempt in 2005. He has raised £5.6 million for the cancer charity Marie Curie. A remarkable achievement for a man who did not consider himself a mountaineer and had a terrible fear of heights.

Commenting on the decision by Ben Chapman MP not to seek re-election at the next General Election, Jeff Clarke, prospective Conservative MP for Wirral South, said: “Ben Chapman is symbolic of the entire ‘New Labour’ project.  He was selected to fight the 1997 by-election because Tony Blair saw him as his kind of candidate, untouched by Old Labour. 

“Now, after 12 years, we are all left feeling rather disappointed. No matter how hard Ben has worked as a constituency MP, we now see that New Labour is imploding with the weight of a collapsing economy and financial sleaze.  The only way to end all this is to put Ben Chapman, and his colleagues, out of their misery and for an immediate General Election to take place.”

Jeff Clarke sets out his code of conduct on expenses

“As your MP I would claim my salary, I would need help to run a constituency office and pay for travel from Wirral to London.  I would use the staff allowance in order to ensure that the most able people helped me deliver the first class service you should expect from your Westminster Representative.  Any claims would be receipted, sent to the local media and put on my website.  I’d never claim something that, in my heart and in my head I could not justify.  I would try to be an Honourable Member.”

It was a short resignation speech, thirty five seconds. It however was history made before our very eyes. The like of which had not been seen for over three hundred years. House of Commons Speaker, Michael Martin is tonight serving his notice. An inevitable and humiliating end to a nine year career as Speaker.

It was an event that will be seen as the sacrifice of a convenient scapegoat by a group of people desperate to avoid looking in the mirror at themselves. It was however more than that. It was the first step back towards a House of Commons that may once again (i hope not too distant point in time) enjoy the respect of the British public.

I found the sight of many (often Labour MPs) moving with indecent haste to praise him, given the ease at which they were willing to knife him, many clapping him in to the Chamber - a little hollow.

The last few days has seen the arrival of the shadow cast by the recent expenses revelations arrive on the Wirral doorstep. I hope that it turns out not to be what it seems, as it does nothing to enhance the reputation of Wirral. Enough said.

Last night saw a local Labour Councillor cross the floor and join the Conservative Members at the Council meeting at the Town Hall. The Labour leader was furious and the Lib Dems, not to be left out stripped two Members who had voiced dissent over recent library closures, of their committee memberships. A spiteful and vengeful act - totally unnecessary.

It has been an eventful twenty four hours.

Politicians on all sides on all levels of government need to take steps to ensure that we do not lose many voters who say they will no longer bother to vote. I have been contacted by a number of people who have expressed this view. I have contacted each one to give them reasons why it is more important than ever to vote and to help reverse what is going on. It is going to be a long road back.

It is difficult to be positive today - but perhaps the first steps at last are now beginning to be taken. Tomorrow will be better - surely?

This week has seen unprecedented public anger as every days reveals the detail of claims made by MPs. I have to say that like everyone else I been appalled at the behaviour of those MPs named and shamed.

I have been asked many times this week by residents to whom I have spoken during canvassing for the European elections -do you really want to be an MP. In truth it does make you wonder. Parliamentary candidate like myself who are working hard in their constituency areas, are so frustrated when all our hard work over weeks, months and in some instances - years, is undone in a moment by this sort of idiotic behaviour. They deserve everything they get. The labour MPs who have made claims for mortgages that didn`t exist are almost certainly going to be prosecuted for fraud. They will be lucky in my view to avoid that outcome.

Jeff Clarke out with Cllr Peter Johnson in Lower Heswall village, talking to local residents.

The only thing that keeps me going in these sort of circumstances is the fact that it is ultimately not about a small number of discredited MPs its about the people I talk to every day who are concerned about their jobs, homes, their children’s education, their parents access to the best treatment when they fall ill…etc. That is what is important.

If we don`t step up - the danger is that this sort of thing will continue.

Well that`s it for now - rant over - I`m off to punch my newly purchased MP shaped punch bag. Anyone want to join me?

And remeber it is just a few bad apples - most MPs are hardworking people - there for the right reasons.

Jeff Clarke congratulating Heswall Councillor Andrew Hodson after being Sworn in as the new Mayor for Wirral and the Boroughs first citizen.

I wish Andrew and Kathy, the new Mayoress, an enjoyable year.  I`m sure it is going to be a busy one.

This weekend has seen a busy time in Heswall as the European Election Campaign got underway.

The saturday stall in Heswall saw a lot of people who were unhappy with Gordon Brown and his Government. This was confirmed during the canvassing sessions and there was an extra edge with resident angry at the local Labour led administration at the Town Hall and their proposals to close a large number of local facilities. Most notably the libraries and Heswall Hall.

Out in Heswall on Saturday

The next few weeks will be busy with the challenge being to get people out to the poll on June 4th to send Gordon Brown and his colleagues a message that they cannot ignore. It was good to spend some time at the stall withour Wirral based Euro Candidate,  Jackie Foster. With a good turnout for the Conservative Party it can be Jackie Foster MEP, giving Wirral a voice at the centre of European politics.

I look forward to meeting as many Heswall resident as i can over the next three weeks.

I see that the big news on Gordon Brown is that according to youGov that given a list of songs to associate with the Prime Minister, the most popular choice was `Road to Nowhere` the Talking Heads hit. Also popular was `Sorry seems to be the hardest word`. More disturbing was that 1% of people who were asked to consider the list thought that `Mr Blue Sky` and even worse `You sexy thing` were right for him.

It`s enough to make you shudder.

One way of avoiding the effects of the recession has arrived for one lucky European citizen. It comes in  the shape of the £110 million first prize in this weekends roll over Euro lottery. If you have just spent a long weekend in Madrid, and bought a ticket in one of the many kiosks - check your ticket. It could be you as the winner has not yet come forward.

Finally It is right to finish this post on a note of congratulations to a very brave man. Major Philip Packer who was told he would never walk again after being wounded in Iraq, finished the London Marathon on Saturday, after 13 days and 52,400 steps. I hope he raised a huge amount of money for Help for Heroes - the military charity. It was hoped that £1million would be raised. Donations can still be made via Phil Packers website. At this time Major Packer reminds us that that our country still has many brave and modest people, and all is not lost.

Today is apparently the most miserable day of the year for many people trudged off to work on the first day of the working week - fed up, short of money and suffering from colds and flu. Known as “Blue Monday” and Phycologists say marks the point where the credit crunch, worries over Christmas bills and the long dark winter will hit home. It also fall half way through the month, so many workers will have spent most of their previous pay packet and have and have a long wait for the next one.

No such worries for Gordon as together with his sidekick Chancellor committed a further £300 billion of our hard earned taxpayer cash to their increasingly expensive rescue plan. It seems that a lack of concern for the repayment of this money is in evidence. They must know as we do. They will have long left the political; scene by the time of reckoning for our children arrives. Their allegations of uncosted and unfunded Conservative measures seems laughable given the sheer scale of their borrowing.

Whilst this is going on it seems that other pressing matters go unaddressed. A failed asylum seeker who killed a former Royal Marine in a hit and run crash has escaped deportation because of a loophole which means his crime is not considered “serious enough” by the Home Office. This person had failed his driving test seven times was jailed for only four months after fatally injuring the former Royal Marine while driving without a licence or insurance. This will surprise and annoy most right thinking people and this sort of situation simply has to be addressed.

It seems that a “memory pill” that could aid exam revision may soon be available over the counter. One brand of the pill, originally designed to treat Alzheimer`s patients is being developed in a weaker form for this purpose. It was hours of systematic revision in my day.

I doubt however voters will need any such pill to remember who has landed us in this mess when it comes to the next General Election.  …. it was that Scottish bloke … you know Graham Brown.

Along with several hundred Wirral residents, I attended the Lib- Lab Cabinet meeting last Thursday, in the hope that common sense had prevailed in respect of the proposed closures of libraries and other community facilities. No such luck and whilst it is very much welcomed that the proposed closure of the Bromborough Civic Centre is no longer on the cards, many other facilities in Bebington, Heswall and New Ferry are now on `death row`.

The biggest surprise was the unwelcome announcement that Eastham library was now to close, even though it had not been on the original hit list, and therefore not subject to the consultation (albeit inadequate) carried out in respect of the other facilities. Eastham residents would have woken up on Friday wondering what on earth had happened.

Eastham residents will need to quickly get organised and I will be launching a petition and campaign to try to save this library. I want to hear from people who are prepared to get involved and deliver literature in their street.

News has just broken that Ken Clarke is to return to the Conservative front bench to shadow Lord Mandelson. That will be interesting and Europe aside, there is no doubt that Ken Clarke is one of the few really well known and liked Conservatives amongst floating voters. Wait and watch.

Finally for tonight and on a slightly lighter note in these hard economic times. It is reassuring to see that when it come to money and the spending thereof, the Yorkshireman is still king. I have learned today that one of our Yorkshire brethren living in Cheshire (the `Home Counties` of the North) has disconnected his doorbell before going on holiday. We all live and learn.