Noting that just us and the Tories had made lection nominations for the Hemingford Abbots & Hilton District Council By-election as we hear of the tragic death of the next Labour Prime Minister John Smith from a second heart attack.
Last night, Sally was invested as Mayor of St Neots with Brian also getting a ceremonial chain as her consort and Derek Giles the medallion of Deputy Mayor. My Huntingdonshire Council LibDem District Group colleagues had their first meeting last night and allocated their committee places and spokesmanship responsibilities.
New members Charles Looker and Terry Clough were made Finance Spokesman and Deputy Leader respectively
Late to sleep after some paperwork and then arousing TV scenes to remove the tension of today's events. During the fast-moving activity of getting this by-election campaign on the rails, I was conscious of avoiding stress and taking deep-breathing exercises to avoid chest feelings and this turned out to be quite poignant as we were to hear of the death of Labour Leader John Smith this morning suffering his second and most traumatic heart attack.
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I had often wondered about his wisdom (and that of Michael Heseltine) in continuing such a demanding vocation after the warning of a first heart attack. He has now died and there is universal mourning for the man who has been tragically denied any chance of his stated aim of serving his party and country as the next Prime Minister. In the wake of the local elections, the papers are full of our victories and quotes by myself and others, as we are seen to make steady progress year by year.
Last night, Sally was invested as Mayor of St Neots with Brian also getting a ceremonial chain as her consort and Derek Giles the medallion of Deputy Mayor. There had been a previous public meeting on the subject of the future of Priory Road with the Labour councillor isolated and then in the council chamber Labour veterans George and Daisy Seager tried to make Sally's life as difficult as possible with their complaints about the election process and other matters.
In Buckden, Terry Hayward had not taken his defeat in good grace and, despite Terry Clough offering to support his continued Chairmanship of the Parish Council, he did not reciprocate and proposed an alternative for the Vice-Chairmanship. The other parties seem to be very bad losers as I also got a sharply-worded letter from Derek Holley, the District Tory Group Leader to whom I made a temperate and conciliatory reply.
Already the next campaign has begun as the nominations closed at mid-day for the Hemingford Abbots & Hilton District Council By-election with Mark Rainer only opposed by the Conservatives and then in the person of a lady from Hemingford Abbots so that we are left with ours being the only candidate living in the electorally most-numerous polling district which actually gives us a chance.
Mark was over here to bring his photo and signature for the first leaflet and gave me a chance to review things with him (and Stuart Littlewood & Ron Heinrich on the telephone) such that the first leaflet copy was approved, and the campaign planning taken forward. I updated the campaign notes and activists guides with Ron as he is a stickler for detail, and it keeps him happy. Sam had two good walks today and his obedience is improving all of the time. I eve
ntually caught up with my journal and started to tackle the backlog of paperwork that has been besieging my office. My Huntingdonshire Council LibDem District Group colleagues had their first meeting last night and allocated their committee places and spokesmanship responsibilities. New members Charles Looker and Terry Clough were made Finance Spokesman and Deputy Leader respectively and the other positions were unchanged. The weather continuing fine and warm.