Fading Ming
It’s not working Ming.
Today he made a fair fist out of justifying the virtues of seniority in political leaders. Tony Blair’ generation had no direct personal experience of war. It’s all easier in the history books. Tony could never bring himself to attend a funeral of any of the casualties of the Iraq War, even though he was directly responsible for their deaths.
If Ming had been Prime Minister he would have kept us out of that war. Part of the reason would have been his understanding of the horrors of war that comes from a long life. But as a defence against the barrage of ageist sniping against Ming, his today defence is a paper shield.
All MPs know and respect Ming as a decent honourable man. He had great stature as a spokesman on foreign affairs. Elevation to leadership has sapped his confidence and diminished him.
Today he looked and sounded terrified. He was over-rehearsed and his finally gesture bidding the audience to rise to their feet was touchingly inept. He strongly reminded me of those dedicated well-meaning schoolteachers who suffered agonies because they cannot impose discipline on unruly pupils. Good people in hopeless jobs.He stood before the country today, able and well intentioned but not fitted by nature or character to do the job of party leader.
For his, and his party’s sake, he should not delay his departure.
Telephone surgeries
There is no real answer on how to contact constituents.
I’m trying a new one today with newspapers ads.
Already with Rosemary Butler , I have regular street surgeries and we also set up our gazebo in the centre of the city inviting constituents to have a chat.. This blog has been daily for six months and my office had a great record in turning around letters and e-mails. There are also regular advice surgeries for those with intractable problems.
This year, I have even held reasonably successful old-fashioned public meetings on specific subjects. Tonight's initiative is to try to contact those who would like to discuss personal or parliamentary matters. Rather than name particular times, I am inviting constituents to ring my office and I will call them back at a time suitable to them. I’ll let you know how it works.
In spite of all this effort to keep in touch, one thing is certain. 
When the general election is held called, someone will tell me on the doorstep ‘We only see you at election time.’
Election secret
There is now genuine excitement about an early election.
But it could all be a ruse to trap the opposition parties into prematurely emptying their election coffers.
One secret I can share with you is this picture of my preparations with crack canvassing team ready to meet the voters in my Tory areas.
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