Comments on: Harrow West

By: Andy JS

Andy JS — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:46:53 +0000

There are 6 candidates standing for the Stanmore Park by-election which makes it slightly more interesting than the Canons by-election a few weeks ago where there were only 3 candidates. Green and UKIP are standing in addition to Eric Silver.

By: Lancs Observer

Lancs Observer — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:29:10 +0000

Any news on the by-election in Harrow tomorrow? I see that former Tory Mayor of Harrow, ex-Cllr Silver is standing as an Independent. His campaign manager is James Bond! Seems to be much hatred of Tory group leader Susan Hall on various sites, from Tory members.

By: Joe James B

Joe James B — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:46:48 +0000

Generally I agree with you – but the larger pubs have a role if you want Sky Sports on, as they can cope with the crush better.
I certainly wouldn’t eat in them though.
That requires a village pub.
In fact, pub food is usually pretty dreaful in London – have to go north.
There used to be an excellent pub in Bollington, Cheshire where I have some family/friends.
All English.
I hope is survived the downturn.

By: richard

richard — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 10:55:21 +0000

I don’t like big open plan pubs as they seem soulless.

Metroland suburban pubs need to be well maintained to remain nice, as do the areas they are in, whereas older pubs can still be characterful and distinctive even if a bit decrepit.

By: Joe James B

Joe James B — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 22:00:22 +0000

I think there’s some truth in that, but there’s a lot of variation.
I’ve been to decent pubs in Metroland or equivalent, and awful pubs in villages and City centres.

I do quite like those very large spacious pubs you sometimes get in suburban areas – that is one plus of them.

By: richard

richard — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 19:48:09 +0000

Thinking about the issues of improving and deteriorating neighbourhoods does anyone else think that town/city centre pubs have improved tremendously but those in traditional suburban areas are crap?

Pubs in small towns and villages are still nice as well.

Also, trees are often impressive in older areas but non existent in post war areas.

By: richard

richard — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 08:25:34 +0000

“If Richard’s political analysis is right though, then it follows that such areas will swing even more to Labour – certainly in the short and medium term.”

Definately.

I would love to what the Conservative strategists are thinking.

I suspect (but I always have negative suspicions about them) is that they still think the likes of Ealing N and Birmingham Selly Oak can be won again by ‘one more heave’ and if public sector workers lose their fear of a Conservative government.

Isn’t going to happen though. These places might have been won in the scenario the Cameroons planned on ie ‘sharing the proceeds of growth’ but areas which are predominantley wealth consuming (as the middle suburbs are) are not going to fare well for at least a decade (and probably never again).

If the Conservatives are going to win a majority of 50 next time they will need firstly to gain 10+ seats from the LibDems (the reduction in tactical voting should help here) and secondly make a big breakthrough in northern and midland industrial areas (the sort of places the Cameroons drive past when going from one city to another).

By: Joe James B

Joe James B — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 22:45:43 +0000

Thinking more about this, I do think part of what it is is that the aspiring people who looked after these places nicely in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s have probably moved to somewhere more desirable.

One of the issues with some of these suburbs is congestion, which can make them inefficient places to operate out of,
although various factors re-inforce each other, particularly when people see schools going downhill.

By: Joe James B

Joe James B — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 22:37:40 +0000

I largely agree with Richard, and Andy.

Yes it does strike me also how few real businesses there are in these places.
If Richard’s political analysis is right though, then it follows that such areas will swing even more to Labour – certainly in the short and medium term.
(if not necessarily the country).

By: richard

richard — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:40:04 +0000

“What do you mean by welfare consumerism?
Do you mean reliant on public sector employment and credit cards,
but sluggish output in other areas of the economy?”

Roughly speaking yes.

Although the word welfare is usually used in connection with ‘handouts’ to the poor and underclass I also think it can be applied to public sector jobs which are unnecessary or those which are overpaid. Its also related to the various tax credits and benefits. Effectively a process of wealth redistribution for whatever reason.

The consumerism relates to what has become the dominant aspect of the economy. The ONS numbers on how the shape of the economy has changed are fascinating to me.

Its revealing how Labour’s response to recession was to reduce VAT in order to boost consumerism – in the 1970s it would have been to directly subsidise industry.

As to the middle suburbs (at least those I’m familiar with, it may be different in London) there seems to be very few businesses in them. The only jobs being in retail plus health, education and other aspects of the public sector. In which case they wouldn’t have suffered much during the recession but would have more to fear from the aftermath.