Interesting Blog - I came across it when a Radio 4 documentary mentioed you. Is there an RSS feed?
Good to see politicians doing something to justify their existence, instead of "Trust me, I'm doing it for you, the end".
B O'F | Email | Homepage | 04.03.05 - 9:57 pm | #

How can you have Romsey Hospital on your pages?
Did you not say when first elected the Romsey hospital is being closed by others?You mention snide comments.
When in the last election your photographer took pictures thru the window of the Tory candidates house.
He and his family had to stay in London as there very young baby had a serious problem where oxygen was need all the time.The candidate would not use this fact.Your snide people used it to get you elected.Would you be pleased for photos from inside your home?
Again a liberal acting shamefully etc.
Romsey Post office is closing say Liberals in recent by election.Never on the agenda - another false hood.
Why not have public debate?
Would you get there on time,would you stay for the full debate.As per your council reputation alledgedly.
Facts not fiction & not opportunism could improve your image
AGBriggs | Email | Homepage | 04.04.05 - 3:06 pm | #

Mr Briggs has a somewhat prdjudiced view I think!
Facts are that there are many many items of mud which Sandra could sling at her opponent but she has not. So whatch out Mr Briggs in your glass house!
superstar | Email | Homepage | 04.04.05 - 5:51 pm | #

In honesty I think every reader can see ACBriggs's comments for what they really are!

I think you'll find that Sandra has been a supporter of the Romsey Hospital since the days before she was elected as MP. It is the campaigning by the Friends of Romsey Hospital that has kept the hospital open.

For the record the Tory candidate lost because people didn't like him and didn't want to vote for him! I was voting for the first time in that election and could not have imagined giving him my vote, to me he was the perfect model of your typical arrogant male Tory. It's old news now if we're honest, and he's long forgotten. Let's get in to the now and campaign on current issues with the current candidate.

Also - Sandra has said that there will be plenty of time for debate during the election campaign (see Friday's Romsey Advertiser). Maybe if Ms Noakes could pick up the phone and speak to Sandra and stop using the media as a go-between then there might actually be the debate that you seem to so desire. That is, ofcourse, if the all the candidates can meet at a mutually agreeable time. If this is not possible then there can be no debate as ALL candidates must be present and have the same chance to debate the election issues in the public arena.
Colette | Email | Homepage | 04.05.05 - 9:54 am | #

OOh Mr/Ms Briggs - handbags at dawn?
A N Other | Email | Homepage | 04.05.05 - 4:22 pm | #

I do not know from where 'Colette' gets her information,but the Conservative candidate in the forthcoming General Election is Mrs Caroline Nokes (not Ms Noakes) and to my knowledge Mrs Gidley did not do a great deal to support the Romsey Hospital Appeal,either before or after becoming MP.
Romsey Constituent | Email | Homepage | 04.05.05 - 10:17 pm | #

Oh for goodness sake it's not time to get your knickers in a twist for the sake of a typo!

Just google 'Sandra Gidley' and 'Romsey Hospital Appeal' and you'll see how she was involved!
Colette | Email | Homepage | 04.06.05 - 9:33 am | #

I've looked at the page and it says Vice-president of the Appeal. Enlighten me with more information please. To me a title is a title and nothing much else when its not backed up with anything else.
Clive | Email | Homepage | 04.06.05 - 10:21 am | #

For the information of Colette and Clive,Mrs Gidley was one among no less than FIFTY,repeat FIFTY, Vice Presidents of the Romsey Hospital Appeal.I shall not list them all but another Vice President,for instance, was Councillor Mrs Caroline Nokes.
This is of historical interest anyway as the Appeal reached it's target of £1.25 million quite a while back.
Romsey Constituent | Email | Homepage | 04.06.05 - 9:12 pm | #

Can I just comment? Yes, I was a Vice President but Clive is right when he says that a title doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Apart from that I was on the steering committee in the early days but could not commit in the same way once elected to parliament - but made it clear to others involved that I was happy to help in any way.

The appeal was actually launched when I was Town Mayor so that is how I initially became involved. John White was an impressive driving force initially (later Chris Marchant and Frank Akerman stepped into the breach) but as a steering group we were keen to take advice from old hands such as Dr Peter and Terry Viney (who had been involved in earlier appeals). Help was also enlisted in the earlier stages from Martin Russell (legal) and the Lees quickly took over looking after the financial side. A lot of people were involved and there were others who were active raising money who never sought any publicity but I would also like to pay a tribute to Diane Radford who was Chair (president?) of the League of Friends and was also very committed to the cause. Sadly she is another who has since died but many of us remember the commitment of others who may not have made the headlines for whatever reason and I think we should all remember that we are lucky to live in a community where it is still possible to work for the greater good.
Sandra Gidley | Email | Homepage | 04.06.05 - 11:15 pm | #