Archive for the ‘Conservatives UK’ Category

SAD NEWS: David Cameron’s Son Dies

The press are reporting that David Cameron’s 6 year old son, Ivan passed away earlier today at St. Mary’s Hospital in London.

This is very sad news, for David and Samantha Cameron.

My sincere condolences to the Cameron family.

The Conservative Party released this statement earlier today :

“It is with great sadness that David and Samantha Cameron must confirm the death of their six-year old son Ivan. Ivan, who suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, was taken ill overnight and died at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, early this morning. David and Samantha would ask that their privacy is respected at this terribly difficult time.”

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Posted by admin on March 30th, 2009 No Comments

Plastic glasses in Bedford’s Pubs should be withdrawn immediately!

Following an investigation by the Bedfordshire on Sunday newspaper, I have today written to the Head of Licensing at Bedford Borough Council, expressing my deep concern about the so called non breakable plastic glasses that are currently being trialled in Bedford’s pubs.

Recent tests have found that after six washes in a dishwasher, that can be easily smashed and used as a potential weapon.

I am therefore calling on Bedford Borough Council to immediately withdraw these glasses with immediate effect, and urgently investigate this matter.

Quite frankly, whoever came up with this harebrained idea should hold their head in shame. This is yet another embarrassment for the so called, Bed:Safe scheme. We live in a town that has already seen two fatal stabbings within the past few months, and therefore I believe these glasses should be withdrawn immediately!

I say well done to the Beds on Sunday for highlighting this issue!

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Posted by admin on March 30th, 2009 No Comments

Drugs Advert - More bad press coverage for 6minute magazine

A number of UK regional newspapers have also published the story about the drugs advert, however in the middle of the night, 6minute magaine did contact me, they said:

“Thank you for raising this. We look forward to working with you on how we can all bring greater attention to this important issue.We will contact you tomorrow (Wednesday). We actually do follow your blog, and Twitter feed and decided to wait until your return from Palma before contacting you.Hopefully you can find time to meet with us this week and discover what we are doing. Would be great if you could offer your help as well.”

I look forward to receiving an email from them, however just in case they can’t find my email address it is: aj.mcconnell@btinternet.com

I hold my usual monthly surgery on Saturday, so perhaps they can come along and meet me there. It’s held at the Castle Cop Shop, on Castle Road, between 10.30 and 11.30. This invitation is open to any local resident who may have concerns about the local area.

More on this as the story unfolds…

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Posted by admin on March 30th, 2009 No Comments

Drugs Advert - Advertiser throws their toys out of the pram!

The Bedfordshire on Sunday newspaper published a lead story this week titled ‘Drugs’ advert causes outrage.
This followed several complaints from local organisations along with myself. Since the publication of the paper I have had a number of calls and emails from residents who have also said that they were appaled by this advert.

I was personally outraged when this was brought to my attention. A resident had seen the magazine in a local coffee shop and was appalled by what they saw. So I therefore made a formal complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority, as I believe that the advert breaches the advertising code of practice.

Since the publication of the newspaper the publishers have flown off the handle and thrown their toys out of the pram and written a load of drivel on their website (6minute.com)

They state on their website that “We will be contacting Councillor McConnell to invite him to participate in the “Addicted to Music” initiative and bring his obvious energy and commitment to this issue.” Well several days have passed and no one has called me, written to me or emailed me! (I look forward to hearing from them)

They claim that the press coverage was “sensationalism”, in my view the advert was completely irresponsible and unacceptable. I am shocked that advertising could sink to such low depths. They also claim that the model is pushing away the white powder and instead choosing to be surround by music.” Well it does’nt look like it to me. Also how can you be surrounded by music when the earphones are not plugged in?

UPDATE: 6Minute Magazine have been in contact. We are planning to meet up early next week to discuss the advert and their work.

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Posted by admin on March 30th, 2009 No Comments

R u missing me Mr Ball?


I am having a break in Palma this weekend, but I thought I should send a quick hello to everyone, including that nice man Mr Ball from the BOS.

It would appear that he has featured me this weeking in his diary.

R u missing me Mr Ball?

I am only away for a couple of days.

Be back soon.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2009 No Comments

My challenge to the Bedfordshire Police Chief Constable

Hoorah! Bedford saw a 21% reduction in burglary, vehicle crime and robbery last year.

According to Sally Flint, Community Safety Manager for the North Bedfordshire Community Safety Partnership “It’s a great result.”

However, statistically the figures may show a reduction; what really matters is the public perception – which we all know to be very different.

It would appear that once again the Police and the Council are on their fairground ride spinning round and round in order to increase their popularity and leave us all with a warm rosy glow.

Everyone knows what is really happening on our street, you only have to walk down to the Town Centre at a weekend to see what really happens. Just last week, I was out and about in Bedford enjoying a night out, and only saw four Police Officers protecting the high street.

Quite a change from several months ago, because when I spent a night out with the Police there were 12 officers to keeping a watch on the High Street. There isn’t a week goes by without a local resident knocking on my door to tell me about yet another crime in the area. Just the other night a Bedford taxi driver was seriously assaulted and robbed for £150 on London Road – Shall I go on…

Well quite frankly anyone can produce nice glossy flow charts and warm fuzzy statistics, but what we need is uniformed officers back on our streets.

So my challenge is, for the Beds Police Chief Constable to come out with me on a Friday or Saturday night (at normal staffing levels), so she too can experience the reality of what is actually happening in our town.

Personally, I am saddened by what I hear from local residents, because, Bedford is a great town; to live and work, however, it just sometimes feels that the Police and Council are sweeping the problems under the carpet.

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Posted by admin on March 30th, 2009 No Comments

HM Forces and Emergency Services e-petition

Earlier this year, I received a request from a local resident to sign a Government e-petition to how my support for those who have served in the HM Forces and Emergency Services.

I duly signed it to show my support:

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to allow retired members of HM Forces and Emergency Services who served for a period of 5 years during the Reign of HM the Queen to be allowed to purchase and wear with honour and pride either the Queens Silver or Golden Jubilee Medal.”

Today, the Government responded:

“The dedication and professionalism of retired members of HM Forces and Emergency Services who served the Queen during her reign needs to be recognised. Allowing those who served for a period of 5 years during her reign to purchase and wear either the Queen’s Silver or Golden Jubilee Medal would allow those who believe they were overlooked and somewhat undervalued to show others that they served their Queen with great pride and dedication. Criteria being 5 years service during first 25 years reign for Silver Jubilee Medal and 5 years service during next 25 years reign for Golden Jubilee Medal. Some would be eligible for both. This would be a no cost option for the Government but allow those who qualified to receive rightful recognition as many believe that the criteria for the issuing of these medals was too restricted and was basically down to cost. Do the right thing now and make amends to those who served and allow them to show others they served with dedication and loyalty.”

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Posted by admin on March 30th, 2009 No Comments

Pub To Be Renamed The Two Flag Poles?

Fellow Conservative Borough Councillor for Brickhill Peter Hand and I have reacted strongly to a proposal by the mobile phone operator Vodafone, to erect a mobile phone mast and equipment cabinet at the Tiger Moth Public House in Avon Drive, Brickhill. An exisiting phone mast - currently disguised as a flagpole - is already located on the site, with this latest proposal meaning an additional ‘flag pole’ type mast would be erected at the opposite end of the building.

We have already had the opportunity to discuss this matter with the landlord of the pub - who was completely unaware of the proposal until we told him - and are opposing this proposal as there is a already a plethora of mobile phone masts in the local area, including one already at this very location. At this rate the Tiger Moth might as well be renamed “The Two Flag Poles.” Local residents have had enough of these proposals and will have our full support in opposing this idea.

How many flag poles do they think we need at the Avon Drive Shopping Parade? This is getting beyond a joke. We are told the mast is needed to meet demand for ‘3G’ technology, but Peter Hand and I are calling on Vodafone to come up with some alternative sites. When the application is formally submitted to the Planning Department, we intend to call the matter in to the Planning Committee, to ensure elected Councillors have the opportunity to make a decision on the matter.

Please be assured, myself and Peter will continue to oppose this matter as your elected Borough Councillors for Brickhill.

Watch this space for further updates!

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Posted by admin on March 30th, 2009 No Comments

SAD NEWS: David Cameron’s Son Dies

The press are reporting that David Cameron’s 6 year old son, Ivan passed away earlier today at St. Mary’s Hospital in London.

This is very sad news, for David and Samantha Cameron.

My sincere condolences to the Cameron family.

The Conservative Party released this statement earlier today :

“It is with great sadness that David and Samantha Cameron must confirm the death of their six-year old son Ivan. Ivan, who suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, was taken ill overnight and died at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, early this morning. David and Samantha would ask that their privacy is respected at this terribly difficult time.”

Popularity: 3% [?]

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2009 No Comments

Plastic glasses in Bedford’s Pubs should be withdrawn immediately!

Following an investigation by the Bedfordshire on Sunday newspaper, I have today written to the Head of Licensing at Bedford Borough Council, expressing my deep concern about the so called non breakable plastic glasses that are currently being trialled in Bedford’s pubs.

Recent tests have found that after six washes in a dishwasher, that can be easily smashed and used as a potential weapon.

I am therefore calling on Bedford Borough Council to immediately withdraw these glasses with immediate effect, and urgently investigate this matter.

Quite frankly, whoever came up with this harebrained idea should hold their head in shame. This is yet another embarrassment for the so called, Bed:Safe scheme. We live in a town that has already seen two fatal stabbings within the past few months, and therefore I believe these glasses should be withdrawn immediately!

I say well done to the Beds on Sunday for highlighting this issue!

Popularity: 19% [?]

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2009 No Comments

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