A lovely bit of Tory propaganda dropped through my door today.

It says "AV would lead to more hung parliaments, backroom deals and broken promises".

Wait a minute, isn't that what the 'First Past the Post' system has already delivered?

I think the problem is less about how we elect our Parliamentary representatives and more about our tribal Party system, the candidates they deliver and what motivates them.

I think we need a better mix of real people who's primary interest is in representing their Constituents as opposed to furthering the interests of Political Parties and Political Careers.

In order to occupy a seat in the House of Commons, one has to have been elected. Once you're there, your job, irrespective of whether you are a member of the Governing Party, is to safeguard the interests of those whom you represent, i.e. your Constituents.

So I will leave you with this thought.

If you occupy an opposition seat in the House of Commons and the current Governing Political Party is making a mess of the economy, what to you do?
Do you keep quiet and let them 'bumble' along so they will be kicked out at the next election? Or do you stand up and highlight the error of their ways and attempt to steer them in the right direction, overt disaster and safeguard the interests of your Constituents?

I've lost count of the number of times the Tories have justified their actions through making references to the 'economic mess they've inherited' but is this a legitimate excuse?

During the Blair/Brown Government, the Tories were the largest opposition Party and yet I don't recall the Tories ringing the alarm bells of economic doom. Do you? Were they asleep or were they simply waiting to capitalise on the mistakes for Party Political advantage?

Even if the Tories had intervened at an early stage, I expect that this would not have furthered the interests of the Conservative Party. They would have needed to be instrumental in promoting an overhaul of Financial Regulation; where you will most likely find the highest density of Conservative Voters. A big risk for a Political Party.

So who is more important, you or the Political Party Machine? My own view is that a Party System does not breed good Governance, it is too divisive. Irrespective, we are paying a huge price for the lack of early intervention. Why?

I do however recall on Radio 4, probably back in 2006, Alan Greenspan, the former Chairman of the US's Federal Reserve predicting the risks around Collateralised Debt Obligations and the possibility of Banks failing. So how is it the Banking collapse appeared to take our Government and Opposition Parties by surprise? Maybe they were too preoccupied with expenses or Fox Hunting?

I suspect that AV will fracture the Party Machine stranglehold on British Politics and serve to introduce a less Party motivated and more Public Spirited blend of MPs and system of Government..

Let's see what happens tomorrow.

John Ashmore, Runnymede Independent Residents' Group, 900

Ifti Chaudhri, Conservative, 481

Deb Greenwood, Labour, 200

Rosemary Browne, UKIP, 104

RIRG HOLD

Turnout 35%

Gill Warner, Conservative, 818

Andreea Scott, Labour, 436

Dorian Mead, Lib Dem, 338

CON HOLD

Turnout 33.17%

An open morning is being held at The Manorcroft Nursery, Wesley Drive, on Saturday, May 21 from 10am until 12noon.

The morning is an opportunity for parents to come and view the facilities at the nursery, which looks after children up to the age of five.

For more information, email: info@manorcroftnursery.co.uk

The Thorpe Players will peform Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband at the Thorpe Village Hall, Coldharbour Lane from Wednesday, May 18 until Saturday, May 21.

Each performance of the classic play will run from 7.55pm until 10.30pm.

Tickets cost £9 and are available from the box office on 07923 583295.

A CYCLIST suffered leg injuries following a crash with a car in Egham yesterday (April 27) morning.

The 43-year-old male was knocked off his bike near Sweeps Lane around 8.45am and was taken to St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, with injuries to the leg and hip and cuts to the face.

The road was closed until 10.30am while the scene was cleared.

THE fifteenth annual P&G Surrey Youth Games launched in style last Tuesday (March 15) with two young Runnymede stars taking centre-stage.

The date was chosen to coincide with 500 days until the London 2012 Olympics and saw a similar, Olympic-style parade with competitors carrying their borough or district flag.

Representing Runnymede Borough Council were young sports stars - Tom Watts and Shauna Giltinan.

Image via Wikipedia

Egham Choral together with Kew Sinfonia will be performing Haydn's Creation on Saturday 9th April 2011 at St John's Church, Egham at 7.30pm.  

Tickets £12.50, Students £5, Children up to 12 yrs free.

Ccontact Sarah Davies 01784 454491 or email: tickets@eghamchoral.org

A celebration of all that is good.

28 and 29 May at Wiston House, West Sussex. 

Music by The Kings Chamber Orchestra, Graham Kendrick, Jonathan Veira, Stuart Townend, Lou Fellingham and many others. 

Fun activities for children of all ages. Tickets from £13. For more details go to www.bigchurchdayout.com

26 March · 18:30 - 22:30

St John's Church, Manor Farm Lane, Egham

An evening of classical song with something for everyone! Celebrating Great British composers from the 16th century to the 20th (including John Dowland, Roger Quilter, Frank Bridge and Vaughan Williams) - in aid of St John's Church and Elim International Missions. Entry is by programme: £10 (£5 concessions) including refreshments, available in advance from St John's Church office (01784 430964) or on the door.

www.stjohnsegham.com