Manifesto cont.

The final day of campaigning for me, back to work tomorrow, so just got to wait and see what happens. All these bank holidays close together have been pretty disruptive and make it difficult to ask for extra time off.
I must say I've been welcomed as a candidate and encouraged by the representatives of the other parties that I have met. This is a useful reminder that the behaviour of institutions and groups may be different from that of the individuals within them. If elected I will go in with no preconceptions, just a clear set of priorities.
I am concerned at the effects of the cuts being imposed on us. This evening we had fish and chips near the new lifeboat station, and were struck by how high the beach was. I remembered reading that stopping beach maintenance was one of the proposed budgetary cuts. This was in about January with the decisive meeting in Feb. I am not aware of the decision being reported, but the work appears not to have been done. If left it will be detrimental to the tourist experience and will eventually need to be made good at greater cost than that saved in the short term. If that was the decision then why did neither the Journal or any of our representatives report it?
If I am elected I will report matters in which I participate briefly but clearly on this blog, including which way I vote. If confidentiality is requested then I will request justification point by point. Public service should be conducted openly, and there should be no place for blanket secrecy.
There were a number of dogs loose, of course we are now into the summer restriction period. They didn't pose a nuisance to anyone while we were there but were obviously with local people enjoying themselves in the surf. Dogs on the beach and other public spaces is still a contentious issue, one where it is important to bring both sides together to find a compromise.
I note that the police have taken up powers to break up small groups in the town centre, and of course there are alcohol restrictions in the area as well, despite a lack of will to limit the opening of off licenses. I am particularly concerned about the amount of glass left around or smashed in the town or on the public open spaces. I would be in favour of a total ban on using glass containers in this area or in public spaces, with powers to confiscate and fine. I would also expect any licensed premises that did not remove all broken glass from outside their premises by a reasonable time to receive a visit. Not prohibition, just reasonable behaviour and consumption.
Finally I would just like to say that I will be voting Yes to AV. It is not a fully proportional system but is rather fairer than the existing system. I find it most arrogant and hypocritical of Mr Cameron that he claims the public will not understand it, when he knows full well that it is simple enough to allow his colleagues to have chosen him as leader rather than the First Past The Post 'winner' David Davies.

Good luck to all, and I hope you all use your vote whoever it may be for.

Come back soon for The Asda Chronicles and reflections on the Maer play area.