Councillor Mike Flower

Beautiful view across from the edge of my ward across to Lichfield. This was taken from Greenwood Road. Aldridge North and Walsall Wood is right on the edge of Walsall and therefore the West Midlands and so this view is looking across rural Staffordshire, towards the M6 Toll road and on a clear day I am sure I can see Lichfield Cathedral - unless the light is making mischief with my eyes!

Well today has been a difficult day. It has rained all day, as per my previous post, which has made campaigning very hard. Its difficult to keep the leaflets dry! I also got badly bitten by a dog on my right wrist and ended up in A and E! That cut campaigning short but i hope to finish delivering the first leaflet tomorrow. There are ten thousand people in the ward so this has been a grueling and yet worthwhile task. Surveys are beginning to steam back so it’ll be interesting to read your comments. The council have also accepted my nomination form so i’m officially in the running which is excellent news. We wait until Monday to see who else will be standing.

The great thing about this blog is that it is in realtime! I am currently delivering out in the rain by one of our primary schools.

I was contacted today by concerned local residents who reported that concrete bollards had been moved, by vandals, into the middle of the pavement on a busy school run route. This was causing a significant obstacle to pushchairs and disabled users. Aided by fellow Conservative Future friends we moved the heavy bollard and have contacted the council to have it removed or permantly fixed.

I have spent the weekend delivering thousands of surveys across Lazy Hill, Vigo, Sandhills, Castlehill, Shire Oak and Sandhills. We want to hear about the important issues people are unhappy about and the things we are doing well. If you want to fill the survey in online it is at www.aldridgebrownhills.org.uk

Ok i think i’ve got the hang of this moblog now. Time to introduce myself. My name is Mike Flower and i’m the Conservative candidate in the local council by-election for Aldridge North & Walsall Wood. I’m trying this out as a way of communicating directly with the people who matter. There is no spin - just my mobile phone, various mates and me! You’ll be able to see what i’m upto and how things are going. And if elected i’ll carry this on so i am accountable and you can see what i’m doing in realtime - better than any leaflet! Hopefully you’ll see i’m hardworking, straight talking and making a difference. So lets see how it goes! Mike

Notice has now been posted of the election. Polling day is the 23rd November so it’ll be all systems go shortly!

Local Member of Parliament, Richard Shepherd MP, was pleased to congratulate Mike on his selection to stand as the Conservative candidate in the forthcoming by-election. The photo was taken in the High Street in Walsall Wood.

David Cameron being interviewed by Huw Edwards at conference at the Party Stand - just behind me!