Party Chairman visits Harlow

Eric Pickles visited Harlow today.

He came as Conservative Party Chairman to see how the association was doing, and to Support our future MP Robert Halfon.

It was another great chance for us to show a senior member of the Conservative Party just how wonderful Harlow is.

Eric is MP for nearby Brentwood and Ongar, so knows Harlow well. He has often come over with supporters to help us in elections, and it was great to see him again.

He visited Harlow Town Football Club to see their new stadium and the Norman Booth Centre, where him and Robert took on all comers at Table Tennis.... Yes photographic evidence has been secured for later amusement!!!

In the evening, Eric was guest of honour at a Ladies Committee "supper club" and spoke about how very prepared for a General Election the party is. Although having seen Gordon Brown bottle one attempt at an election, I wonder if he now will just hang on till May 2010. Nomatter. The Conservative Party under Eric's Chairmanship will be ready for the election fight!

The Ladies succeded in raising some money for our election efforts and a really good night was had by all.

Operation Dinner Out

It's Friday night.

My wife and I have a babysitter!

So are we out on the town like most other 30 something couples in the same situation?

Er.... Not exactly.

My wife (the other Cllr Johnson) is also one of the key members of the Harlow Conservatives Ladies Committee, an organisation that exists to arrange fund raising events for the local party, and gives us all a chance to unwind.

Just not in the way that most "Normal" people do.

So this Friday evening finds us attending what we call "Supper Club"

About 30 of us are at a local hotel, having a nice meal, and listening to David Gauke MP, who for those who don't know is a member of the Shadow Treasury team and MP for SW Herts (our neighbouring county).

David is an interesting guy and speaks very well - about the mess that the government has helped get our economy into and about why it is so important for us to send Robert Halfon to Westminster at the next election, as part of a fresh Conservative government.

I also get called upon to do the honours as Auctioneer for a couple of nice watches, to help raise some more cash for leaflet printing (we do print and deliver a LOT!)

All in all a very good evening, and I did get the chance to unwind and have a glass (or two) of wine.