Off to vote

We went to vote last night in the European and Bucks CC elections. I do believe strongly in voting as our democratic right - no matter who you vote for - people sacrificed their lives for us to vote. Jamie scootered there and Rebecca cycled really well there too. Once there, there was a steady stream of people going in and out of the polling booth - and had a quick chat with some old parish council colleagues whilst I was up there. I do miss not being on the local council funnily enough, but I just don't have enough time at the moment. When I was a councillor I was an independent - fortunately there aren't 'expenses' as such at parish council level - and the web site which I maintained I did it practically at cost.

However, when I was due for re-election, I was approached to stand for District and Bucks and funnily enough, part of the reasoning given to me was you could make a lot of money from expenses. This is now of course becoming even more pertinent with the current climate and strikes me this goes through the whole system down to grass roots level. I did tell a few people at the time but obviously it wasn't on the radar. I'm not massively bothered by the whole MP's expenses 'scandal' as such as it was a given that it was in lieu of pay rises, though some of them like the moat claims are just laughable - and in comparison to proper fraud by overseas politicians it is nothing. The thing that does bother me most and seems to have been largely buried is the Lords being bought of to change legislation. I'm absolutely astonished this hasn't been the major headline and they aren't being charged with something - absolutely outrageous.

On a lighter note, I played hockey again last night for the 1/2's in Eastcote - against South Bucks. I played at the back again and this time we won. I came off pretty knackered though - amazing how much running I was doing at centre back being guided by Shambles - he was very good in telling me where to move to. One of my strong points I normally think is my passing skills, however, at the back as you know you are last in line I was getting rather flustered and putting some terrible 'passes' in - shocking they were. Just need to crack the composure and it'll be fine. One of the Midfield shouted simple passes to me afterwards - it couldn't have been a simpler pass I just screwed it up!! South Bucks didn't use the new rules at all which was interesting - and we didn't much for the start of the game. We won 3-1 though.

Off to Pilch's stag do later today - with Clodder as his best man - down in Bournemouth - hope the rain isn't as bad as they are predicting...