Hinckley Times - Mathew Hulbert's Blog

AV...it's as easy as 1,2,3!

2011-04-25T19:21:29Z

Don't believe the rubbish being spewed by the 'No' campaign...a change to AV would be simple and make elections fairer.

I HAVE the distinct privilege of being the Press Officer of the Leicestershire 'Yes to Fairer Votes' campaign group.
We are part of the official 'Yes' campaign, which is seeking-as you might have already gathered-a 'Yes' vote in the May 5th voting reform referendum.
We believe a change from the current, discredited 'First Past the Post' system to the considerably fairer 'Alternative Vote' system-for electing our MP's to Westminster-is what is needed...and fast.

So, what is the Alternative Vote?
Well, currently, First Past The Post (FPTP), often leads to candidates getting elected despite having less than 50% of the votes cast by their constituents on election day.
Meaning they get a seat in the House of Commons even though more people voted against them-for other candidates-than for them.
With AV, people don't win until they've reached 50+% of the votes cast.
AV is literally as easy as 1,2,3.
If you can count up to three you can vote in an election carried out under the AV system.
Whereas now you put a cross in one box (but can't express who would be your next preference if your top choice doesn't win) with AV you simply number the candidates in order of preference.

If nobody gains more than 50% in the first round, then the candidate with the least votes is knocked out and their second preference votes are distributed to the other candidates and this continues until someone reaches 50+% of the vote and is declared the winner.
This means candidates have to campaign beyond their core support because, most of the time, that will not be enough to get them elected.

What are the other benefits of AV?
As well as making MP's work harder to gain-and keep-our support, AV will also mean:

* We-the people-getting a bigger say in who our MP is!
By ranking candidates in order of preference, it means if your favourite doesn't win, we can still have a say in the final outcome.

* And, it'll end the culture of what's known as 'Safe Seats.'
Too many MP's have their seats 'for life.' AV will help us to force complacent politicians to sit up and listen, and reach out to communities they seek to represent.

After the recent expenses scandal, there is no doubt we need to create a new kind of politics...one that is fairer, more representative and more decent.

It's time for a small change that'll make a big difference.

It's time to vote 'Yes' to AV on May the Fifth!

Red Nose Day was fun and important!

2011-03-20T08:31:29Z

Comic Relief galvanised the nation...and helped raise lots of money for those less fortunate, here and in Africa.

I'M SURE many of you took part-in one way or another-in Red Nose Day this past Friday!

It's always a really great time; who can beat doing something 'funny for money'?

I know events were held across Hinckley and Bosworth.

It's fantastic that people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to have a great time and raise money for those less fortunate than ourselves.

In Barwell one such event was a 'Big Red Nose Day Quiz' held at the George Ward Centre, on Church Lane, where I work as a Centre Co-Ordinator.

I was the organiser of this occasion, as well as being the Quizmaster.

Just think of me as a young Chris Tarrant...then again, maybe not.

We had teams representing many different parts of village life...including local police, Sally Crossfield from Barwell Community House, local Christian Ministers Andy Murphy and Philip Watson, and numerous other people.

Many of them had dressed up, which made it all even more fun.

And, the best news of all, we raised money for Comic Relief...going to help people facing tough times here in the UK and in Africa.

Comic Relief do such good work and that they spend the money people donate very wisely indeed.

All in all, a great occasion and an important day.

A panto in Barwell? Oh yes there is!

2011-02-01T23:32:53Z

This Sunday sees the first pantomime in years come to the village.

THIS SUNDAY is set to be a very exciting occasion in my home village of Barwell.
For the first time in a long time we have a pantomime being performed here.
Dick Whittington is being put on by the Barwell and Earl Shilton Pantomime Company, also known as Stageworks.

A great young cast has been rehearsing their hearts out over recent months and weeks to prepare for Sunday's two performances; a matinee at 3pm and an evening performance at 7pm.

It's going to be a really fun occasion.
Oh no it isn't...
...oh, yes it is!
You get the picture.

It's being put on at the George Ward Centre on Church Lane in Barwell (where I work as a Centre Co-Ordinator) and is very reasonably priced: Â£4.00 for adults and Â£3.00 for concessions. Tickets are available from the Centre.
There will also be an opportunity to buy refreshments.

It's great that Barwell now has, in the George Ward Centre, a facility which is able to host such an event.
I believe the staging of this pantomime in our village adds to the ever-increasing work that is taking place as part of Pride in Barwell, the effort to restore pride in our community after the events of recent years and the controversial and, often, misrepresentative reporting of the London-based media.

So, I hope to see you on Sunday!

The debut edition of 'The Week in Print.'

2010-12-14T17:48:51Z

Me reviewing my picks of the week's print stories.

This week's Le10 News video bulletin...

2010-12-14T17:43:40Z

...with yours truly.

A video introducing myself...

2010-12-14T17:35:39Z

...as a prospective candidate for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

Showing you around Barwell's new George Ward Centre

2010-12-14T17:30:50Z

With me as your tour guide.

The Le10 News from 16/11/'10

2010-12-14T17:04:36Z

A video local news bulletin, hosted by yours truly.

My interview with John Coster...

2010-12-14T16:59:21Z

THE Editor of Citizen's Eye...Leicestershire's citizen journalism news agency.

My video endorsement of Tim Farron...

2010-11-07T22:28:07Z

...to be the next President of the Liberal Democrats.

Tim Farron MP is standing to be the next President of the Liberal Democrats.

The latest Le10 News video bulletin...

2010-11-07T22:22:17Z

...with stories of interest from across Hinckley and Bosworth, anchored by yours truly.

Included in this bulletin:

* An inclusive sports event proves popular.
* And, a Hinckley schools' website link with India.

Join in the fun at the George Ward Centre!

2010-10-20T19:39:34Z

Barwell's new community centre has loads going on.

I HAVE the honour of being the Chairman of the George Ward Community Project, which helps to raise funds for the new ÃÂ£2million community centre in the heart of Barwell.

It opened back in July and now has a host of fun activities taking place there every single week.

These include:
* Youth drop-in, Mondays, 6-8pm. 11-17yr olds.ÃÂ£1 per week. This started on October 11th and has already proved popular, with young people making use of the games, etc we have at the Centre.

* Slimming World, Tuesdays, 6.30-9pm. To join contact Toni on: 07815 133496.

* Tots Play Time, Wednesdays, 9-11.30am, with light refreshments available. A chance for mums and their young ones from the area to meet and chat.

* Kickboxing, Wednesdays, 6-8pm. An opportunity for the sporting among you. Beginners are welcome. Music workouts, also teaches self defence and confidence building.
Male and female instructors. Prices: Adults: ÃÂ£5.00 Children under 10: ÃÂ£3.50

* Silver's Club, Thursday's, 10am-12midday. A coffee morning for people aged over 50.
Previous meetings have included music sessions, having a go at Kurling and Botcha, and much more.

* Yoga, Thursday's, 7.30-9pm. Beginners welcome. Prices; Single class: ÃÂ£5.00, ten class pass: ÃÂ£50.00.

* And finally, for now, an Indoor Boot Sale, every Saturday, 10am-2pm. Booters from 9am.
This regular event started on October 23rd. To book a stall/pitch call 847410.

This is a picture of me acting as the Master of Ceremonies for the Centre's official opening day, back in July this year.

To find out more about the Centre please log on to: http://www.georgewardcentre.co.uk/

You can also visit the Centre's Twitter pages: http://twitter.com/#!/GWCbarwell

Le10 News...a local news video bulletin for this week

2010-09-29T11:41:15Z

Hosted by yours truly

This week my programme includes news of a re-vamped Borough Council website and looks forward to an event to be held in conjunction with World Mental Health Day.

Sing it out?...I'd rather curl up and forget all about it, thanks

2010-09-29T11:31:31Z

The countdown to my singing debut gets ever nearer!

O.K. I'M worried now.
Can you see the beads of sweat on my furrowed brow?
Are they really that obvious?
OMG!

Well, no wonder really.
We're now just a week or so away until I have to make my singing debut...or at least my public singing debut!
It's going to be taking place at the Barwell Carnival Association's Family Variety Night, at William Bradford Community College in Earl Shilton on Saturday, October 9th.
It's going to be a fantastic night, with a brilliant line-up of performances from local groups.
And then there's me.

As part of an 'X Factor' style feature, I'll be belting out my attempt at the beautiful song 'Bring Him Home,' from Les Miserables.
Now, don't get me wrong, I can hold a tune just about but...singing...in front of an expectant audience...that's a whole different matter!!
It's my own fault, of course.
I actually volunteered to do this.
I must be mad!

Now, I've been practising a lot...I even gave a brief rendition on a recent edition of my radio show (The Mix, every Monday and Friday, 12-2pm, Hilltop Radio. Listen via: http://www.hilltop-radio.com)
Even though I knew a lot of people were listening, sitting in a radio studio and singing wasn't a problem, but the thought of doing so in front of an audience rather leaves my stomach in knots.
Breathe, Mathew.
O.k. I'm fine now.
I'm sure it'll be fine...I mean what can possibly go wrong?
To be serious for a moment, it's going to be a fantastic night and tickets are very much still available from members of the Carnival Association.
The money raised goes towards the running of next year's Barwell Carnival.
So, we'd love to see you there.
But, please, be gentle with me!
To find out more details, please e-mail me via: mat@barwellcarnival.com
Thanks!

When 'news' is nothing of the sort

2010-09-12T16:05:42Z

...Or, how our journalism is losing its sense of perspective.

ON my radio show on Friday (The Friday Mix, with me and Helen Copeland, on Hilltop Radio) a debate started which has been on my mind for a while, and which is very serious and important for the future of our country.
I write of our newsreporting in the UK and how it is rapidly becoming not just an embarrasment but actually runs the risk of damaging our national pysche.
Of course it is right to point out that there is some great and important reporting, by proper journalists, proper fact finders, such as Johann Hari and John Pilger.
But much else in our national press is either PR puffery or sensationalism let loose to run riot on sense and deceny and actual facts.

It is because I love true journalism so much-and know how vital it is to hold Governments and other people in power to account in modern 21st Century, that I feel compelled to speak out on this issue here.

Just look at the current wild headlines about a certain Mr Wayne Rooney.
Why are allegations about his private life news?
Why is what he does or doesn't get upto in his private life 'in the national interest'?
It palpably isn't.
It may well be of 'interest to the public,' but that's something entirely different.
Why should the private life of a sportsman who, to my knowledge, has never pontificated on family values or morality be of interest to anyone other than his wife and family?

He's not a politician talking about family values and morality who is then found to be cheating...that is in the public interest to know, because of the hypocrisy element.

If the allegations about Mr Rooney are true then it's to his wife and family that he must answer, not the press and not the public.
It's their judgement he must face, not that of a hypocrital media who feigns disdain at the badly behaved, whilst rubbing their grubby hands in glee as their 'newspapers' fly off the shelves.
What interest is it of ours?

Meanwhile, I've long believed that there is a cancer at the heart of our political reporting.
It is almost entirely these days about personality, about who's 'up' and who's 'down'...what about policy? What about actual decision-making? What about the impact on so-called 'ordinary' people's lives?
Do the likes of NicK Robinson, Adam Boulton and Tom Bradby care about those things?
It doesn't appear so from much of their 'reporting.'

And our news media gives the oxygen of publicity to people who don't deserve it...such as the deluded Pastor (of a church of just fifty people) in America threatening earlier this week to burn copies of the Koran.
Why was this fruit loop allowed to be seen across the world's newspapers and TV and radio bulletins?
He got what he wanted...publicity.
He should have been ignored and forgotten.

As I say, there is good, proper journalism going on...but boy is it hard to find sometimes!

The reason this matters is that the media is the most powerful and influential force in the world today,,,and, therefore, what it reports is very important.
We need, as a viewing and listening and reading public, to be far more critical in our consumption of news, not just accept things at face value, always ask ourselves what the hidden agenda is behind what we're being told.

Together we can pressure those in the media's upper echelons to show the country and its people more respect by reporting properly and about things that are truly 'in the public interest.'

* Listen to my show 'The Mix,' each Monday and Friday, Midday till 2pm, on Hilltop Radio via: http://www.hilltop-radio.com