West Midlands Politician of the Year!
What do Labour MP Tom Watson, Lib Dem MP John Hemming and Edgbaston’s Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Deirdre Alden, have in common? Answer: local journalist Adrian Goldberg has nominated them as his West Midlands Politicians of the Year on his website: www.thestirrer.co.uk
In Deirdre’s case it was because of the stance she took when South Birmingham Primary Care Trust announced that their out of hours service provider was changing and that in future night time medical cover would only be provided at Steelhouse Lane in Birmingham City Centre, instead of at a premises in Selly Oak as before.
The Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, which Deirdre chairs, stood firm – declaring than any such proposal would be a substantial variation in service which required a statutory consultation exercise, which hadn’t happened. As a result, South PCT changed their mind and the new provider, Badger, is continuing to provide night time medical cover in Selly Oak if residents prefer to go there rather than to Steelhouse Lane. It’s certainly a lot more convenient for students!
Deirdre was delighted with the outcome, and surprised and delighted when Adrian phoned her to tell her that, as a result, she had been named as one of his possible West Midlands Politicians of the Year! A good start to 2007 for the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate in the highly marginal Edgbaston seat!
Deirdre also blogs here…
Well done, Deirdre. Pretty incredible for a candidate to be nominated for an award like this I think. By the way, Adrian Goldberg is doing a good job at independent journalism with the Stirrer. I recommend linking and keeping an eye on it for the latest news before it hits the stands. PS – Approaching 10,000 hits and you’ve been nominated as best young conservative blog over at Conservative Home.
Yes, well done to all concerned in making this story – I think Praguetory said it all – “pretty incredible for a candidate to win an award like this.” Indeed it is. Read the BULS blog here, or go straight to The Stirrer for the truth.
If this way of reporting is a new Tory policy, you chaps deserve to win the Conservative Home award hands down.
Well if you had read our article you may find that Deirdre was in fact nominated as West Midlands Politician of the year. In my humble opinion I think she is, given her successful opposition to the closure of the Selly Oak facilities, which can only be a good thing for students. I thought it was Labour who wanted to talk policy, well here’s one… A Conservative fighting against NHS cuts under a Labour Government. How times change.
Since their blogging relaunch, BUGS labour have posted 3 blogs in 6 days. Fair enough, you might say. But all 3 relate to BUCF. I am not sure if thats what his members want, but we are very happy for it to continue.
Aaah – it’s changed to “nominated?” You best tell Deirdre to change it to “nominated” on her blog as well – just so you’ve got a consistent message going out!
Bless her.
But then, Deirdre does earn an extra £12,500 on top of her already-generous £14,500 councillor’s allowances to be Chair of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee – I expect the residents of Birmingham expect something in return…
The politician of the year accolate of The Stirrer is not made up, a la Weapons of Mass Destruction, and instead has probably been confused. The piece isnt clear itself. In any case, we have been accurate and, although we are told we are strong bloggers, we unfortunately dont control content of Deirdre Alden’s blog. Perhaps you should take it up with her.
I think of BUGS as your little annoying brother. Always looking for attention. I’ve quite enjoyed their posts myself.