Tessa of North London

[EDOldie]

I know no one will believe me but when Mrs T turned the Xmas lights on in Dulwich Village there was a drinks reception afterwards at SG Smith (now Dulwich Audi)to which I was invited and I spoke to Denis Thatcher and he said they had spent their first night there the day before, she was PM at the time. So I think they did actually stay there once or twice. I know, you all think I'm a complete fantasist but it's true. I didn't talk to her but she told someone else there that they'd bought there because it was so convenient for Westminster. Well when you've got a police escort I suppose it must be quite quick.

Reminds me of Tessa saying when she was first upfor election how quickly she was able to get from Hampstead to Dulwich. Can't remember exactly what time she said but it was something impossible unless you had a helicopter.

[SimonM]

I certainly remember the year she turned on the the Christmas lights in the Village - oh how we laughed! I also recall that she ordered this house whilst the Estate was still being built, so they had to vet all the builders to check no IRA sleepers were going to plant semtex under her loo.....

[Harry]

I used to be the caretaker in Hambledon House many years ago. The house was being used and I mean used as a nurses home for staff at Kings. It was then sold on, with a good bit of land, to developers for ?173,000 . How many toytown houses they put up, I'm not sure, but they destroyed a magnificent pile in the name of profit and mediocrity. You're right, Thatcher never bothered living in her investment, I don't blame her. My point is, I still have the original plans and elevations to Hambledon House and would like to submit an application to Southwark Planning to demolish the existing development and restore the site to it's former glory. I am aware that this is likely to involve considerable expense and would like the forum's opinion on the matter.

[Lucius Rex]

Oh god! I now seem to have unintentionally started a Mrs T thread (a poltician who I recall disliking almost as much as TJ when I was a student). Yes, you are all correct that the Bad Baroness bought her strange Barrett home as an investment (and a very profitable one) and hardly ever visited, however in the public mind Dulwich is inextricably linked with Mrs T. Thus I am convinced that the move to make Dulwich a 'safe' Labour seat was motivated by a degree of malice - it was certainly regarded as such by many Dulwich residents at the time. My concern however is not with failed and discredited politicians of the past, but with the failing and discredited politician who curently represents us. One was moved on, it is time the other was (though dear god, please, please not to the House of Lords!)

[EDOldie]

Dulwich was once, after Sam Silkin's reign one of the more marginal seats in the UK. I remember Eric Morley he of Miss World fame standing for the tories and only losing by 122 (or something like that) votes. The boundary changes, taking in West Norwood have made it a very very safe Labour seat. Gerrymandering anyone? Even if T*ssa left we'd get another one who won't answer a question. How about UDI for East Dulwich?

[TJMP]

Not true actually (EdOldie and Lucius Rex). The old Dulwich seat was always marginal but I won it in 1992 with a majority of 2056. The 'notional' result in the new constituency of Dulwich and West Norwood in 1992 was a Labour majority of 1803.

So I would have had a smaller majority in my current constituency which has an electorate which is some 20,000 higher - ie the new constituency was much more marginal.

By the way, my previous reports are available at Reports. There are thirteen of them from the past year or so, including the one Amelie describes above.

Tessa Jowell

[mockney piers]

There are thirteen...

Shouldn't you be setting an example? *sighs*

[macroban]

I thought this young lady lived in North London.

[Asset]

Yeah well, it's her country house.

They bought the field a year ago, good on 'em.

[dovestail]

I presume she still lives in North London sans spouse as "The site is near the house of David Mills, the estranged husband of Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowell."

[????]

What are you going to do after the next election when you get bunged out TJMP?

[macroban]

I've not been able to find a reference to our MP criticising the increase in taxation for the less well-off members of our East Dulwich community.

[Marmora Man]

macroban Wrote:

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> I've not been able to find a reference to our MP

> criticising the increase in taxation for the less

> well-off members of our East Dulwich community.

Tessa criticising the Government - shame on you, what an idea. It could affect her steady rise without a trace.

The last time I met her she tried to persuade me Harriet Harperson was a good politician - such judgement.

[SeanMacGabhann]

When the 10p rate abolition was announced last year I remember turning to Lady MacGabhann and saying what a bad idea it was. What I don't remember is (m)any Labour MPs protesting at the time - so the sudden noise from them strikes me as a bit whiffy

[LibraCarr]

Hi,

Turkey necks make a good stock for soups stews etc!

Regards,

Libra Carr.

[bawdy-nan]

Whats with the turkey neck references?

Are you criticisng her appearance?

I'm not a massive fan of hers but I think there's plenty more to talk about than the aesthetics of a middle aged neck.

(edited for totally rubbish typos)

[Siduhe]

I think Libra means that a lot of Labour MPs are getting a bit nervous about their majorities and feeling "on the chopping block" come the next election. Hence why some of them may be a bit more inclined to challenge the Government on the 10p rate.

[louisiana]

If I think of the things that are putting me off the Labour Party right now, TJ comes high up that list. In fact, she's number one.

For me, she represents everything that's wrong with Labour right now (and I've voted Labour a number of times in my life).

[Louisa]

Tessa who?

Louisa.

[mockney piers]

New Labour is, and as far as I can tell has always been, self-serving, morally bankrupt and devoid of any real substance to their ideas.

Tony's lovely smile and slick PR machine kept the gloss going until his Iraq and Lebanon stances helped his true colours show through.

"Go Tony, give Gordon a chance" they said.

Gordon at least has some (not a huge amount, but some) integrity, but he's a terrible at the politics game as redefined in the modern era, in terms of media management and presentation.

Most of the woes are of this government and this party's making, from years of PFI, off-balance sheet payments, to the 'efficiency savings' pushed through at every level of the public sector, ie sack those who know their jobs and hire rubbish management consultants (back to that off balance sheet). Expensive white elephants, stupid initiative after stupid initiative. Depend entirely on the housing market and cheap credit to encourage spending for growth and fingers crossed no bubble will ever burst. UK may not have been responsible for sub-prime, but it was soooo predictable and we could have been prepared for.

So now they're unpopular again and the knives are out. Won't make a jot off difference, who next, Harman, Jowell, god forbid (and I really hope he does) Blears??!!? The Parliamentary Labour is bankrupt (actually in every sense) and nothing can disguise that.

They've had it coming a long time and nothing can save them. Sadly it's back to the Tories

*weeps silently and checks passport is up to date*

[Ratpack]

I have to stand up for Tessa Jowell. She has recently stepped in, unprompted to help me with a rather nasty run in with a wheel clamper, which cost me 650 quid. I am very very impressed and pleasantly surprised.

[macroban]

You see - Davina Boutique has got it right.

[macroban]

Big surprise.

[louisiana]

macroban Wrote:

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> You see - Davina Boutique has got it right.

This woman clearly needs help.

Perhaps the Govenment should set up a Tessa Task Force.

[glau]

Last I saw TJ was on the night of the 9th April 1992, having a pint at the Foresters. The night they lost to John Major. Anyone remembers the Foresters?