Round-up of 2010

Before this blogger heads out for a few festive pints in London it would be remiss not to sum up some of the big political moments of the year.

Harold Wilson famously said that 'a week is a long time in politics' and he was not wrong with 2010 a momentous year for all political parties with many highs and lows both locally and nationally.

2011 proves to be exciting for local pundits and residents as we gear up for the Local Election spectacle.

Enough of that. Below are the moments of the month:

January 2010.

National - The abortive coup on Gordon Brown as Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon called for an anonymous ballot in an attempt to rid themselves of the former Chancellor. After a 6 hour wait Cabinet members rallied around the Prime Minister and the former cabinet ministers were chastised.

Local - Councillor Brice caught in a vice sting by Kent Police in River Ward. Another scandal in the ward of Rochester South & Horsted brought a quick expulsion from the Conservative Group by Cllr Rodney Chambers in what could have been revenge for a leadership challenge years previous. Cllr Brice never resigned and remains in office.

February 2010

National - 'Bullygate' led many tabloids leading on the claims that Gordon Brown was slightly bonkers. The Chairwoman of the National Bullying Hotline put her ore into the Prime Minister with claims that she had received calls from Number 10 staff of hurtling stationary, before it was quickly revealed that she had close links to senior Conservative MPs. The public recoiled and saw through the witch-hunt. The polls closed on the Conservatives. Right wing smear machine suffered a home goal and polls closed

Local - The Council budget ringfenced £250,000 on a new Council website whilst claiming that Primary Schools had to be merged to save costs. Cllr Les Wicks multi-million pound Primary School plan begins to fall apart openly. It later completely failed with only one school closed.

March 2010

Local - The Medway Liberal Democrats failed to oppose the Medway Conservative Council budget and this blog warned voters of Liberal Democrat hypocrisy.

National - As Tory posters begin to fill up billboards across Medway including in prime locations in Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham. Cameron visits Medway for a second time only for Mark Reckless, PPC and his researcher failing to invite the local media. The event turned into a PR gaffe with the local media unaware of the visit. Recriminations were hurled from CCHQ that Mark Reckless was not up to the job, while Mark blamed a holiday for the oversight. Oops, not deliberate, apparently...

April 2010

Local - The Medway Council CCTV Car revealed to have made over £1m out of local residents whilst winning a national award for umm, Customer Service. CCTV car continues to cause angst in the community not for all its work but on its process of breaking the law to enforce the law. Car photographed several times parking where it should not. Clear effort by Council to protect the vehicle and revenue stream.

National - The debates! - Cameron lost the first debate to Nick Clegg and so forfeited certain Conservative victory in the General Election. Brown lost all three and flopped on the third after arguing with voter Gillian Duffy over immigration. Party leaders openly talked about a hung Parliament.

May 2010

National - General Election result of a Coalition Government and honeymoon partnership between the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives

Local - Councillor Juby elected leader of the Medway Liberal Democrats defeating the aire-apparent Councillor Andy Stamp. Blog announced Party had made a fatal game-changinig decision which would lead to ultimate destruction. Cllr Andy Stamp later resigned from the Liberal Democrat group and sits as an independent.

June 2010

National - Tories and Liberal Democrat 'Coalition' announce that VAT is to rise and an immediate £6 billion of cuts despite promises not to do so prior to election. We will all feel that sting next week...

Local - Rochester & Strood Conservative Association factions start internal hostilities which leak into media and blogosphere as long-standing Councillors are knifed openly in favour of 'younger' usurpers with close links to office of new MP, Mark Reckless. The fight for MP selections has begun with Mark pitting himself against Chisthi and Crouch.

July 2010

National - Cameron starts his foreign policy agenda in Asia with a gaffe accusing Pakistan government of links with terror. Watch for further gaffe's next year

Local - Free swimming for pensioners and young people cut for Medway residents despite massive success of the programme to reduce obesity levels

August 2010

National - William Hague reveals he shared a bed with a male aide despite being a millionaire. The aide is then promoted to a Special Advisor despite having no formal experience. Issue closed with a very personal and odd press statement claiming that Ffion has had problems.

Local - River ward fiasco as Conservative Councillor David Craggs resigns after two weeks and admits ineligibility. Medway Conservatives target the police in a vicious attack attributing his resignation to a lack of clarity on policy. Another by-election in the same ward later called at a cost of £11,000.

September 2010

National - Ed Miliband elected Leader of the Labour Party with a shift to the left-of-centre. His election is unexpected after backing from affiliate trade union movement takes him over the magic number.

Local - Police report Conservative Councillor Craig MacKinlay to Standards Board after leaflet to the public savaging Police Chief, Ian Learmonth. Rochester & Strood Conservatives announce the replacement candidate as Alan Mackness before correcting the press statement with Andrew Mackness. Labour won the ward with John Jones elected with a small swing.

October 2010

Local - Boris Johnson announces a proposal for an airport at Cliffe. Kent & Medway Conservatives initially in shock fail to respond before upping the ante. Rehman Chisthi is allowed by the whips to ask a question at PMQs where Cameron closes the issue with the door ajar on future proposals. This one may run after May 2011 and before Boris Johnson's election campaign for 2012.

National - Strategic Defence Review written for future integration with Europe in mind. Tories fail to convince public that one aircraft carrier will be useless before revealing it will have jump-jet capabilities and maybe leased to NATO.

November 2010

National - Ed Miliband visits Medway as Labour conduct the first National Policy Forum in Gillingham. He visits Mid Kent College where he answers questions on tuition fees, Dartford Toll, EMA and the changes required to make Labour win for people in Medway.

Local - Labour launches its Medway Fares Fair campaign to highlight Conservative price increases in the CSR. Tories respond with a poorly written EDM with a lack of support and Labour win the argument on the platforms and in the Council Chamber. Tories support Labour motion opposing fare increases. Labour also win support on Tuition Fee increases, with Tory Councillors opposing the rise.

December 2010

National - Tuition Fees introduced with Mark Reckless MP and Tracey Crouch MP rebelling against the government. Both have destroyed their ministerial careers but are both looking to a bigger prize, a Medway South seat in 2015. More next year...

Local - Medway Council Local Government Grant cut by £23.5 million or 11.9% which is far worse than expected. Grant is skewed towards Tory-Liberal marginal shire Councils in South and South West. Cllr Jarrett announces that cuts will be particularly unpalatable. So much for calling it what you like...

Happy New Year!