Into print

Some weeks ago I started writing an article on the Green victory in Brighton at the 2010 General Election. Pleased to record that this week it's been published in the online edition of Politics Review., a magazine that is focussed and directed at A level Politics students. It's the first time I've submitted anything, having used the magazine extensively for over 10 years. Must admit to being rather pleased, both on a personal level and because the ideas contained within it should make students reconsider some of the orthodox ideas about the electoral system and voting behaviour in England.

At the Borderline

I know of no London club like the Borderline, in recent years some of my favourite Americana acts have played there. Memorable nights watching Richmond Fontaine, South San Gabriel and Chuck Profitt. Last night Madison Violet took the stage. The concert was moved from the much lamented Luminaire Club, but in truth the journey to Tottenham Court Road was far preferable to the hike round to Kilburn.

Its the second time I've seen Madison Violet, and once again they didn't disappoint. The act was very similar focussing strongly on last year's album " No fool for crying". From the opening song The Ransom, Lisa and Branleigh struck up an immediate rapport with the crowd. Playing for about 80 minutes there was time to talk about their home backgrounds in Canada, and you immediately realise just how different London must be to so many artists.

Madison Violet seem to switch effortlessly from one string instrument to another, it was such a lovely set, played by two women who seem to enjoy the communication with an audience and deliver a polished yet natural pewrformance.

Wem-ber-ley !

A great night at the Emirates. 60 minutes of torture, the bloke behind me, abusing, Wenger, Arshavin but most of all Bendtner. Then at around the hour mark, Bendtner, cuts in from the left and fires past the Ipswich keeper. Scenes of wild excitement, including the the critical mass behind my right ear. Of course as so often happens - "when you get one, you'll get more". Two further goals inquick succession, and the Gooners are going to Wembley.

Last night we had tickets in Block 6, seats that were only used at half time. We stood, sang, held scarves aloft, as football should be. A grand night out.

Now tickets for the final at Wembley might be a trickier project !

Time away

The past few days have been spent circumnavigating the M25. Two days in Guildford for work. Hard work but very enjoyable, The hotel is to be commended for having a really good gym. It would have been easy to fritter away time but the gym filled the vacuum. Whilst running on a treadmill I heard the news of Alan Johnson's rsignation and Ed Balls elevation to the post of Shadow Chancellor. Whilst interested I was content with the news that Johnson had resigned for personal reasons. End of as far as I was concerned. Sadly the British media don't work to those rules, and I awoke on Friday morning to the news that the tabloid press had been scuttling around the sewers and revealed the "personal reason." I wonder if they will ever accept that people regardless of their occupation are entitled to privacy. It seems not.

By election and aftermath

The Oldham by-election was a bit of a non event. Labour retained what was a safe seat . The li Dem vote vote didn't collapse largely because of tactically voting by Tory voters. The Tory vote subsequently dropped, perhaps because their voters realised that they weren't really trying. a "gentle campaign" in the words of Eric Pickles. Sadly UKIP and BNP took 4th and 5th spots, leaving the Greens in 6th with just over 500 votes.

Now Oldham is not natural Green territory, but I'm still bewildered that those who oppose the cuts don't see through the Labour alternative. On Sunday Ed Miliband was interviewed by Andrew Marr, here was an opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with those who are likely to lose their jobs as a result of cuts, and he blew it. Still more "we are a responsible opposition " " we won't oppose all cuts" etc etc.

There is a need to present an alternative to the cuts agenda and Labour isn't offering it. Last week the debate to privatise the " Royal Mail", an extreme case of selling off the family silver. A chance for Labour to ally itself with the postal workers. Deafening silence, why ? Because Mandelson had wanted to do the self same thing a few years back.

Miliband did talk of "a good society" as one with "a village post office" and a "zebra crossing".
Yes people want to play an active role in their communities, but they expect leadership from government.

This week the political battleground will turn to reforming the NHS. Cameron during the 2010 election campaign said that he had no desire to tamper with the NHS. Well he has no mandate for these reforms. The BMA are exposing the strain that health practioners are being placed under. Let's hear some opposition in Parliament.

An entertaining 0-0

4287 fans near filled Kingsmeadow on a foul night to watch Wimbledon play Luton. The sound of it is almost like old days. Memories of the 1988 semi final at White Hart Lane come flooding back. The fact that we meet now in the Conference says much about the economics and politics of football in the last twenty years.

Last night the Dons were fortunate to get a point. Luton were both big and mobile, and during the second half they had the chances to easily claim all three points. On the night the mixture of woeful finishing, the woodwork and an excellent display from Dons keeper Seb Brown denied them.

I can't remember too many clear cut chances for the Dons but a point when you don't perform is not a disgrace, Somehow I sense that Luton and the Dons may play again at the business end of the season.

Waterloo Sunset

A day off and a trip to London to visit the Gauguin exhibition at the Tate Modern. The gallery itself was shrouded in controversy when it opened, ridiculed in the media for some of its displays. Yet yesterday I found it welcoming, spacious and appealing. It's a converted industrial building with a riverside location on the south bank of the Thames.

The exhibition of Gauguin's work was thematic rather than chronological, and although quite crowded there was just enough space to stand and dmire and hink about the artist at work. Many years ago I visited a Gauguin gallery in Pont Avon in Brittany, so this was a chance to come face to face with other work by an artist that intrigues me. At first I questioned the paintings he produces on his stays in later life to Tahiti and Martinique. Over time I've come to enjoy and perhaps understand them better.

I'm not really an art gallery person if such a thing exists. Some visitors yesterday seemed to blend effortlessly into the surroundings ; however exhibitions are a different matter. The chance to view an artist's work in greater depth and to learn something of their life is an experience that I find hard to resist.

After seeing the exhibition we sat on the balcony overlooking the river, with St Paul's cathedral staring us in the face. The river boats , a welcome new feature to the London landscape moved on the Thames. The Millenium pedestrian bridge carried people across the river, as the words of Ray Davies masterpiece "Waterloo Sunset" swirled around my head, like the "dirty old river" down below. A walk along the riverside took us past the rebuilt Globe Theatre. London is so full of wonder and surprises as a city. You can in it or near it most of your life, and yet it still holds treasures that you've not seen.

Finally facing my fears we walked across the millenium bridge and made our way around St Paul's, statues, monuments revealing London's past while all around people hurried about focussed on their daily life. However as long as they gaze at Waterloo Sunset they are in paradise.