The Guardian has helpfully published a chart showing who has which desk at the Tories' Millbank HQ:
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2007/10/03/tory_layout.pdf
I was a bit surprised to see that Hackney Tory Group Leader Eric Ollerenshaw has a desk there as I assumed he would be focused on his role as their parliamentary candidate for Lancaster & Fleetwood - http://conservativehome.blogs.com/goldlist/2007/03/eric_ollerensha.html
Eric certainly has a talent for multi-tasking, having been both a GLA Member and Tory Leader on Hackney/Chair of Overview & Scrutiny at the same time until 2004. Some people suggested his speeches in the council chamber indicated a certain lack of focus and preparation on the latter role.
But is it really possible to fight a marginal seat in the North West from the comfort of a desk six seats away from Cameron and Osborne in the "Thatcher Room" or has Eric already given up on winning Lancaster?
He could use e-mail or text. Come on Luke, join the 21st Century.
ReplyDeleteWell according to Lancaster and Fleetwood Conservatives:
ReplyDelete"Eric was born and bred in Lancashire and now lives in Lancaster."
http://www.lancasterandfleetwoodconservatives.com/about/
Commuting from Lancaster to Millbank each day must take some dedication!
The fact that he "now lives in Lancaster" may also be news both to his council constituents in Springfield Ward, Stamford Hill, and his neighbours in Clissold Court, Green Lanes, N4, which is listed as his address in my copy of the Hackney Council Diary and as "land in the authority's area in which you have a beneficial interest" in his online register of members' interests entry!
ReplyDeleteare you suggesting that EO has a secure tenancy at that his hackney address is no longer his only or principal home?
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, it is possible to have beneficial interests in many places.
I'm sure the reality is he has homes in both Lancaster and Hackney - and a desk in Millbank and a councillor's job to do in Hackney. Which means that whilst the phrase "Eric ... lives in Lancaster" is technically true, it's also misleading because the reality is probably "Eric lives in Hackney some of the week and Lancaster some of the week but all of the week during the campaign". If he has moved away from Hackney completely in anticipation of victory, I think he should resign as a Hackney councillor - we could have a by-election on General Election day.
ReplyDeleteOff topic: -
ReplyDeleteSome time ago, you reckoned that the Clissold Leisure Centre would be open by Summer 2007. I bet you a full-fat latte and donut (make mine a nata, please.) at the Petit Coin that it wouldn't be open by January 2008.
It looks like our little bet may come down to the wire.
Thanks for reminding me Kris.
ReplyDeleteMy boss Mayor Pipe says this on the LBH website, which is also advertising a CLC staff recruitment event:
"Contractors working at the Clissold Leisure Centre report that they are making good progress on completing the building works. Everyone involved in the project is working hard to get the Centre open to the public at the end of this year.
The team from Greenwich Leisure Limited, who will run the Centre on a day-to-day basis, have been on site regularly. Manager Paul Whiteman has now recruited his management team who are in the process of developing the Centre’s programme of activities and finalising equipment orders.
The final design for the new fitness rooms has been agreed with Technogym, who will supply the state-of-the-art cardio and resistance equipment. A full cardio vascular work out area with plasma tv screens and audio soundtracks linked to the training equipment is being installed to ensure the gym users will benefit from a high energy environment.
With all the major external work completed, all hands are on deck to finish off the internal works. In particular, the internal scaffolds have all been taken down, so the impressive open vistas of the Centre have been restored. Tiling has been completed in most areas. Tiling of the toddler pool is nearing completion and looking very good. The swimming pools have been cleaned in readiness for filling with water within the next few days. Decorative finishes are nearly done. Floor finishes are starting to be laid, and the timber flooring has been installed."
We really ought to win Lancaster and Fleetwood in any case.
ReplyDelete