James Barber

Hi intexasatthe moment, I'm sure Labour will have views of what they think Dulwich should be into the future - especially with two College ward councillors. But the Dulwich Community Council has 4 Lib Dems, 3 Tories and 2 Labour councillors. The current constitution which they could change would required the Dulwich Commumity Council to have its say on this document, as would the main planning Committee. So Some checks and balances. When the lib Dems were making these documents happen we always looked for consensus so that they lasted and developers were clear that they had a more than four years in them ie. would last over several adminstrations.

hi dc, They may well prove to be excellent but they weren't expecting to win and their life plans may need to change to support being a councillor which should be a very demanding role.

Hi dc, The Dulwich and West Norwood results were a surprise. Labour received a slightly higher share of the vote. Lib Dems went up. Tories and Green party both down. But clear that Labour first and Lib Dems second. No opportunity for Converative leaflets talking about being 'notionally' second and claiming the Lib Dems have the second highest number of votes were dishonest. At least it over. Hopefully for some time.

The Green Party did well in Brighton but were squeezed terribly elsewhere. Dulwich and West Norwood constituency which includes East Dulwich +4% for Lib Dems and we're much more clearly second that the 'notional' second place the Conservatives had repeateldy advertised themselves to be suggesting the Lib Dem were being dishonest to suggest otherwise. That nonsense is hopefully dead now and the corresponding Labour suggestion that only the tories were challenging them locally. Will Tessa Jowell stay? She is 62 now. At the next election circa 2014/15 she'll be 66/67 asking to be elected to represent people into her 70's. Delighted to see BNP in Barking result but even more so the first non sectarian MP in Northern Ireland. That speaks progress there for me.

If anyone has withdrawal symptoms from Lib Dem campaign literature let me know your address and I'll make a special point of dropping some round :))

Now the local elections are over hopefully we can all get back to some normality. if you have any East Dulwich or council issues or ideas do please let me know. Several issues came up during the last few weeks of the election campaign. People living close to East Dulwich station asked about car parking. Seemed more interest than before. Local businesses and residents asked about a crossing outside Somerfield/Coop. Former mixed views with two coming out against in the South London Press, latter keen to be able to easily cross the road.

I'm chuffed to be re elected to represent East Dulwich. Huge thanks to all those who voted for Rosie, Jonathan and me. Disappointed that all the improvements in Southwark were'nt enough for the Lib Dems overall to still lead the council. Most of Labour's pledges are just Lib Dem things in the pipeline - doubling recycling etc. Monday primary school allocations will be really good for example. The Southwark Lib Dem group, compared to others, have done well but still having the national election had even more impact than we bargained for. It will be interesting for those living in College ward as the two elected Labour councillors were paper candidates never expecting to be elected. I'm sure their colleagues will support them. Looking at the voting papers during the count many people split votes between candidates from different parties and others just seemed a little confused. Lots of ballot papers with just Jonathan Mitchell voted for. Clearly some read the instructions for the general election and did the same for the local ballot paper. A couple of residents have contacted me stating that when they went to vote some one had already voted under their name. I've directed them to Deborah Collins the Director of Legal and Democratic Services at Southwark Council. I'm not really comfortable representing this type of casework as the operation of voting systems should be neutral and my involvement wouldn't be seen to be neutral. Again, many thanks for those that voted for Rosie, Jonathan and me.

You should'nt need to but was your bike locked with a Gold Secure lock to a floor or wall anchor? Had you registered your bike with Immobolise?

I can categorically state no paid delivery of East Dulwich ward Lib Dem literature. Its all been delivered by really kind helpful volunteers and the candidates including Jonathan Mitchell. We're all experts on how horrid vertical letter boxes, dogs that head butt the front door, low down letterboxes really are. We find gates with a spring that make a rackets after 9am when after a hards days work at the regular job we're trying to catch up with our deliveries without disturbing people are alarming. Paying for deliveries mean you have less money for printing and staying within the election limits. You also have to raise the money which for Lib Dems means relatively small donations from members. Now, what do we suppose Lord Ashcroft's multi millions has all gone on? Tess Jowell has a slight ?20,000 pa advantage in the form of her MP's Communications Allowance + free postage and packing for letters to remind people she once replied to a letter from someone. Apologies for grumpiness. I'm exhausted from delivering election leaflets.

I've spoken to Jonathan Mitchell today and he apologises that events have meant he has been unable to pop back onto the forum. But he'd like to thank everyone for such a warm reception on the doorstep and all the kind offers of help and assistance. He did ask that I highlight that the Lib Dem propose a drastic reduction in VAT for home renovations and DIY. With over 5,000 empty homes in Southwark alone that should encourage many to be brought back into use. To pay for this equalising onto a very low rate of VAT on new homes with the same rate of low VAT for home renovations. Hope I've explained it clearly. Also that earn citizenship is not an amnesty. That to earn citizenship will require good english skills, no law breaking, completing community service. This one time earned citizenship programme aiming to sort out the last 30 years mess so that those that don't meet this tough criteria can have their cases resolved once and for all rather than live in their current twilight zone of not paying taxes, national insurance etc. Lastly, that he thinks it really important an MP lives amongst the voters that elect them.

Certainly for local elections its always the first thursday in May every fourth year. So it would make sense to plan inset days teacher training. Elections at weekends. What a great idea. It would require parliament to effect such a change. Suggest it to the new MP from Friday.

Hi Trump, I'm sorry you've been so easilly misled by some press reports of the Lib Dem policy of one time Earned Citizenship. When the conservatives ran the country they effectively introduced an amnesty for anyone who'd been in the UK for over 14 years - policy to stop chasing them. Labour didn't change this. It's now believed around 1 million people fall into that category. The Lib Dems are saying lets all stop pretending they don't exist. IF they can speak/read/write good english, have not been in trouble with the law, are willing to do community service then they should be considered for Earned Citizenship. Many wont meet the criteria. Whoever doesn't meet this criteria should be dealt with rather than ignored. To help deal with this we believe everyone entering and leaving the country should be recorded. Ridiculous that we don't know when people over stay visas as virtually no recording of people leaving. Currently three different bodies accountable for policing our borders. We want clear accountability and one border force. Clear choice tomorrow. Conservatives and Labour who have created the current shambles jointly over the last 30 years or Liberal Democrats with a clear programe to resolve this historic mess.

Hi trump, To my knowledge not in East Dulwich. Had one of our volunteer deliverers last night being questioned on Ashbourne Grove by someone who jumped out of a car with Labour poster in it. Started by asking him whether he worked for 'the agency' and was he 'also getting paid ?10 as hour'. Really not nice for our volunteers to have it suggested we paid others for delivering. Pretty underhand. To pick on only BME volunteers for this treatment also not very nice. We've also had a rash of Lib Dem stakeboard bashing. Why do you ask?

Hi dc, Real votes for completely different elections with significantly lower turnouts and significantly different implications. You must be pollster to spin such information.

For East Dulwich ward Heber School will be closed for the day. I met a very happy excited Heber school child yesterday looking forward to the elections.

Rubbish on Cyrena road removed. A household was visited this morning very early that has dumped such items before. Fingers crossed they'll now start using the bulk rubbish collection when they need it and generally be more considered in how they dispose of their rubbish.

Hi Mellors, Both types of enforcement have been involved for some time. The circumstances have kept changing and promises made and broken. But its now clearly with Planning Enforcement and Environmental Enforcement are clear that they have no powers in this situation.

Hi Mellors, Both types of enforcement have been involved for some time. The circumstances have kept changing and promises made and broken. But its now clearly with Planning Enforcement and Environmental Enforcement are clear that they have no powers in this situation.

Hi DulwichResident, I've never said only the Lib Dems can win Dulwich & West Norwood. I've explained how talk about what I think MOST LIKELY. I really do think it telling that Labour have delivered literature talking up the tories. They would only do that where we live IF they thought Lib Dems bigger threat.

Hi Duncan, So we can all agree that the Labour vote will be significantly lower than the local elections 2006 you've quoted and GLA elections 2008 you've quoted. Tory vote broadly the same and Lib Dem much much higher. Labour putting out literature stating tory main threat to them describing why they think that. Why would they do that unless they are desperate for non Labour voters in Dulwich & West Norwood to vote Tory. It's even clearer that if a voter is sick of Gordon Brown they should vote Lib Dem on Thursday in Dulwich & West Norwood.

The last four years have been a great opportunity to help people and getting so much done. The last nine months seeking casework and issues to help with via the forum has been challenging, very challenging at times, but worthwhile. Its magnified the role of councillor to some extent. Thank you all. I hope after the election to be in a position to continue on the forum as one of your East Dulwich councillors. If that's what you'd like please do vote. If you have any time during Thursday and would like to help please contact me.

Dulwich Van Hire. Environmental Enforcement officers have confirmed that they are powerless to stop vans being parked on the public highway while they are taxed, ensured and have MoT. The matter is now with Planning Enforcement to fully examine where this business is being conducted from and does the premise have the correct designation.

Hi DulwichResident, Yesterday Labour in Village ward put out literature saying Conservatives so strong they are the only real contender against them. Why would they do that unless they're desperate to stop people voting Lib Dem. Gordon Brown even visited 'safe' seats including dulwich at the weekend. Why when Labour are fighting for survival would he spend time doing that unless they're no longer safe. The boundary changes will have an impact. But the Lib Dem in national polls being 50% higher than 2005 elections will have far more significant effect. Labour actions are clear who they think are the real threat to them.

Hi DulwichResident, Talking with Jonathan Mitchell we both explain his and the Lib Dem electoral chances for the parliamentary seat in the following. In 2005 Labour received 19,000 votes, Lib Dem 10,250, Tory 9,000. At that time Lib Dems in the national polls on 19% and we're currently much higher at around 29% and have been as high as 33%. Labour nationally much lower and Tories roughly the same (from memory). Even with border changes we can expect Labour to get fewer votes. In fact much fewer votes. Lib Dem many many more votes and Tories around the same. Comparing council election ward results is incredibly simplistic and then aggregating them together to make assumptions about parliamentary seats makes easy copy for the media. We fight local elections but target our limited resources on wards we have a really good chance of winning. We operate under first past the post. We don't fight all wards equally in local elections. That would be silly. For parliamentary elections we fight to win the seat and fight all wards. Different campaign for different elections. I wont pretend we're not incredibly stretch fighting both national and local elections no the same day. We don't have Lord Ashcroft or tradue union money. We rely on local volunteers which we really could use more of and achieve even more.

Hi Dulwich Resident, The BBC website you mention. When was it last updated? A lot has changed in the last 3-4 weeks. I've explained to residents the Lib Dem chances in the following way. In 2005 Labour received 19,000 votes, Lib Dem 10,250, Tory 9,000. At that time Lib Dems in the national polls on 19% and we're currently much higher. Labour nationally much lower and Tories roughly the same (from memory). Even with border changes we can expect Labour to get fewer votes. In fact much fewer votes. Lib Dem many many more votes and Tories around the same. Ignoring these siesmic changes would be bizarre. Local wards. You've mentioned the council elections. With first past the post spreading our efforts in local elections across all seats would be plain stupid. So in local elections we concentrate on ward we can win. With a general election we have to put effort into all wards. This means we stand a really good chance of winning Dulwich Village ward from the Conservatives. You would'nt happen to live in Dulwich Village ward and be a conservative?