The conservatory erectors arrived late in freezing fog after a cold night but installed flashing and glass for the impressive lantern as the day became quite warm and sunny. Working all day on my District Council meeting preparations, conspiring with Labour leader Jim Lomax to be effective tomorrow. A challenging St Neots SLD Committee meeting this evening, driving things forward, before turning down an invitation from the Huntingdon chairman to stand for the County Council Elections next May. Thatcher rushes over to see the outgoing and incoming US presidents to outflank the Europeans and pressure mounts for a judicial review on the ‘Shoot to Kill‘ hearings as nurses make progress with their regrading demands. A Palestinian olive branch proposal for compromise is rejected by the new extreme Israeli government.
A cold night and freezing fog this morning that took some time to clear and warm up. The conservatory erectors were slow to arrive today, but made progress in installing the lead flashing and glass for the lantern which was quite impressive. I worked all day on my preparations for tomorrow’s District Council meeting, typing in my comments onto the word processor so as to be able to keep track in the meeting itself. I made a call to the Labour Leader, Jim Lomax, and agreed a course of action for tomorrow that will keep opposition and questions/comments at a high and sustained level all afternoon and so the Tories will wonder what hit them! The weather became quite warm and sunny in the end and the grass continues to grow slowly and cover the thick layer of top dressing that I had applied. This evening, I went to the St Neots SLD Committee meeting and it was quite difficult but successful.
I was pushing to get more of the committee involved ended up with Myra begins organising a New Year social at her house, Andy Hamilton being an editor for an Eaton FOCUS, membership being leaflets being sent out with the next FOCUS to known supporters, and a newsletter to be sent to existing and lapsed members. On my return, I had a call from Peter Downes, the SLD Huntingdon chairman, who was grateful for my constant information on District Council business but actually wanted me to stand for West Hunts in next May’s County Council Elections. I had to disillusion him as it would not be a good idea. Set up writing my journal which I find is a good way of unwinding after meetings et cetera. News today of Thatcher rushing over to the US to see outgoing President Nixon, and incomer, George Bush, in an attempt to pre-empt the French and Germans for the position of influence. The cause of Europe would be better served if these leaders cooperated instead of competing. In Ulster, an MP has spoken out in the court room inquest into the ‘Shoot to Kill’ deaths and now a judge is set to hear a judicial review into whether or not the inquest should be stopped because the witnesses may not be cross examined. Palestinian leaders announced today that they accept the existence of Israel and now want the world to accept their declared state of Palestine in the ‘Occupied Territories’ on the West Bank. The Israelis reacted to this olive branch by repressing the popular demonstrations of support. The nurses, fighting the government’s grading plans, are claiming a breakthrough this evening as three Health Authorities agree to regrade.