Never……............

The rumour mill is working overtime. Something about Conferences – all that politics and testosterone pushed together in Seaside Hotels. Tory MPs have formed a disorderly line gagging to join Gordon. Quentin Davies is apparently the tip of the iceberg.

But the prospect of Sutton Coldfield getting its first Labour MP is tasty indeed.

And looking at the hard evidence we find our initial scepticism melting away.

Our boys’s column in the Sutton Observer was undoubtedly his passport to greater things.

What did he go for this week.

Only the essence of the Governments programme. The fact that this was cloaked in a manifestly transparent coded message better to reassure the Neanderthals living locally only goes to reinforce the point. Here is an unhappy man unconvinced as much about scudding around the north pole in a sledge as hugging hoodies.

The Party, of course, will be generous. I see him serving out this parliament then taking a crash course in sensible politicking from Dr Rob. We will have to do something about the photograph fetish but I do not think that is insurmountable. Agreement could be struck somewhere around the two per week mark as long as we could say goodbye to the rather simpering full frontal jobs cheek by jowl with blue rinsed heavies.

Come the election, of course, which promises to be a hard struggle indeed, Andrew would be stepping down (we have chosen our candidate) – this nevertheless would give us the opportunity to have a serious look at his campaigning skills. His debating activities have thus far been confined to the leavers at Coppice Primary. Members have more exacting stardards. How, we would want to kmow, how would he mount the defence for Gordon’s decision to pack the prisons and institutionalise ‘Have a Go’ at the CLP meeting on a rainy night in early November. On these weighy matters do careers hang. Or are hung.

But seriously folks: we need more people like Andrew. His skills dovetail nicely with Gordon. Good finance background, Oxbridge educated, Thatcherite who strayed……..Mmmm, bit difficult that bit……doesn’t want to be leader. Much. Good potential I’d say.

Do it, Andrew, you won’t regret it. But you need to do it now. We will keep the berth warm, but we need a sign. Make a gesture, let us know you’re jumping ship.

Tell you what: - announce you have decided to hold a public meeting. That would do it. Doesn’t matter what subject, just indicate a passing interest in the affairs of the Town. Mere Green, perhaps, or Walmley Cricket Club, Jockey Road or the Post Office sorting site. Taking the Town forward. Try to move from bland vacuum to bland purposeful.

We’ll take it on board.

Hurry now.

We could be good together.


Nightwatchman