Suddenly

Peculiar position we find ourselves in.

The Renew Sutton campaign is beginning to emerge. Sutton Councillors are being found out. This relentless non campaign which has lasted now some 60 years is coming home to roost.


There is amongst that august elite a confident belief that the Town belongs to them. Its actually more than that, it’s a steel shafted, mortar bricked in certainty that the toys are their property. For ever.

Well, hey nonny nonny. They don’t. Not any more.

A new animal has arrived on the block. Very large incisors, very large feet. Very large appetite. Its called the Regional Plan.

Now this sounds exceptionally innocent. Bit of a quango, some jobs for the boys, bit of a device to keep Civil Servants in folders. But it’s run by an acquaintance of Dr Pocock who is Liam Byrne.

Liam is a rising star in government of G Brown and Liam is looking after the West Midlands.

It, Sutton Coldfield renewal, is now Liam’s baby.

I really musn’t exaggerate. It’s not really Liam’s baby. But Liam is the godfather. Or, more aptly, The Godfather. Nothing is going to be knocked down or planned, or modernised, or improved without Liam getting a call...............

'Would you mind?'

'Sir.'

So him being Rob's mate, its going to take all the moral fortitude of the entire CLP to
strike an appropriate balance between managing the overwhelming feeling of control and assembling the correct committee properly to negotiate the structure of our new town.

Liam has the money.

We have the time.

Now where did I leave that lump hammer.



Nightwatchman