Wishing you a waggy christmas

I wish you all a waggy Christmas, and that goes to all my readers including the bulldog, rosie the rottweiler, joe the pitbull, timbo the terrier et all.

That nice Phil Moffatt will be dropping round a turkey and some sausages later, I am almost too exited to wait for tommorow's feast. I'm sure I will be dreaming of sausages all night!

Best wishes to you all,
Lots of doggie love,
Dude.

Christmas Card time

Well for the past few weeks I have been walking my paws off to deliver thousands of Christmas cards to all of my supporters and friends.

As ever, we have designed our own card, this year it has santa's sleigh being pulled across the Liverpool skyline by four lambananas. It's been a big hit with young and old alike, and we've had lots of positive comments. Some even asked me where they can buy the cards from! So well done to all the chaps involved in producing it.

Things don't seem to be going as well in the Labour camp.

In Wavertree avid reader of Horse & Hound, Jane Kennedy MP (Minister for waste, flooding and rabies) has sent out a delightful postcard portrait of herself instead of a Christmas card. I am sure her constituents will be delighted and it should take pride of place on everyone's fire(place).

The card also features MEP Arlene McCarthy and candidate Therasa Griffin. No mention of the other two Labour Euro-MPs. Have they fallen out again or is it just a sexist all girls together job? (Should be some euro-legislation against it - ed)

Over in Riverside, the nicer and more personable Louise Ellman has produced something that looks a lot more like a Christmas card. However, she seems to have even fallen out with Arline and is pictured just with Theresa Griffin.

Why can't you all just try and get on well enough to appear on a christmas card?

Larrylambanana update

Many of my regular readers have asked for an update on poor Larry the Lambanana who was so cruelty stripped of his dignity and left to stand out in the cold covered with religious propaganda.

I am pleased to report that Larry has happily been repainted as Santa by the children in his neighbourhood.

I am told that, since this picture was taken, Larry's Lib Dem namesake in Picton personally installed him in the playground, drilling holes in the tarmac so that Larry could be safely installed outside.

How about that for Lib Dem action?

Now Larry is once again available for all of that local community to enjoy, if you pass him on Lawrence Road, give him a wave from me.

See children, every story can have a happy ending when you vote for those nice Liberal Democrats.

How could he miss?

This has to be the best thing I have seen in ages, George Bush almost getting a taste of what he deserves.
From past experience of sniffing the inside of human trainers, this might be the closed they will ever get to finding biological weapons in Iraq!

Just a pity Blair couldn't have been there to get a taste of the same medicine.

Greens go brown

They may be cute, they may be warm and fluffy, (anything to stop you looking at the detail of their policies) , but Liverpool's Greens have come up with a novel idea to improve the environment. Put more cars on the road.

Yes you heard that right, and no we aren't talking electric/hybrid or biofuel cars either. No, it's more petrol cars for the masses.

Is this yet another party to abandon the environment just because there is an economic crisis? At least the Lib Dems are standing firm on this.

If you want to help the environment, get the train/bus/cycle or my favourite, WALKIES!

Superlambavandals

As we approach Christmas, spare a thought for poor Larry the Lambanana.

He thought he had been saved, he thought he would be cared for, when a housing association kindly bought him to preserve him for the community.

Unfortunately they asked Timbo the Terrier's church to look after him for a few days.

Next thing he knew, they were scraping off the artwork that had been lovingly applied by local primary school children, then he was displayed naked for all to see on Gainsborough Road with nothing but Frontline's religious propaganda to keep him warm.


Amazingly, Timbo the Terrier saw nothing wrong with this act of vandalism (not a view shared by the school, the children, or their parents) and used his own Picton Labour newsletter to defend Frontline's actions.

Are you getting your religion & politics mixed Timbo? Better watch it, or you will be mixing in football next.

The Zero star landlord

One of Liverpool's largest landlords is in the doghouse after getting zero stars from the Labour Government's Audit Commission, as reported Here in the Daily Post.

The Housing Association called Venture Housing, with 1,300 homes - mainly in Kensington - was condemned for providing a “poor” and “below acceptable” service to tenants.

Inspectors found an "inefficient repair service and no process of ensuring value for money".

They also found serious issues in the timing and quality of gas servicing, with an unacceptable number of properties without a valid gas certificate.

So you would imagine that Kensington's trusty Bulldog would be on the case, standing up for her constituents and publicly condemning this Housing Association?

She claimed that they deserved better (That's Venture Housing - not her constituents) boasted of how proud she is to be on Venture's board and disappointed by the Audit Commission's treatment.

Lets remind ourselves what she said when Liverpool City Council (of which she is also a member) got 1 star from Labour's Audit Commission.

"Council leaders can bleat about the Audit Commission’s criteria being a blunt instrument. They can whinge about lack of government support. And they can point with some satisfaction to good showings in education, social services and the environment."

Double standards? Shurly not. Just depends which face you are wearing.

Blears says stop blogging

Bloggers like me are destroying democracy, or so says nutty Hazel Blears.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7711562.stm

All these months of telling you amusing stories and giving you titbits about local sausages, I have in fact been undermining the British Political System and corroding the democratic process.

Coming from Ms Blears, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a prelude to sending me, and all other non-Labour supporting bloggers, to Guantanamo Bay!

If I was being generous, I might think Hazel is referring to blogs like Liverpool subculture, used by Labour to print all the lies that even they don't dare print under their own name.

I wonder if my blogging nemesis, and self professed "Nuts about Hazel" supporter (not sure if she has the T shirt) is planning to obey her idol and permanently blog off?

So here is a dangerous view. Hazel is nuts. If you see me being bundled onto a plane, wearing an orange jumpsuit, you will know why.

Catch ya next time, unless the squirrel woman catches me!

The environment's stuffed

Thanks to my blogging nemesis for alerted me to the news that Wavertree MP Jane Kennedy has been sacked..., sorry..., promoted from her job as Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the environmental number 2!

Jane, who's interests are listed as horses and hounds, has said Tally Ho to the world of finance and managing our economy, just as all but the most thoroughbred banks are being carted off to the knackers yard.

Horsey Jane oversaw such triumphs as the loss of benefits data of every child in Britain, thus improving the economic prospects for our nation's ever growing data fraud industry.

Plus, axing 400 local jobs, possibly including The Bulldog if she hadn't jumped first.

And not to mention her involvement in Labour's successful policy of redistributing wealth from all those under productive humans earning less than £18,000 (and therefore giving them an incentive to work harder to try and join the elite group of humans that are too rich to pay tax.)

With a record like that, no wonder she is being promoted away from "the poisonous chalice of HMRC" (as The Bulldog described it)

So with that no longer under her reins, she is trotting off to become Minister of State for Farming and the Environment, her responsibilities listed as:

• Animal health, welfare and disease
• Exotic animal disease policy programme and emergency response capability
• Bovine TB
• The food chain
• Waste and recycling
• Our Water Supply
• Coastal erosion & Flooding

With our Jane in charge, we can be sure she will be able to transfer her record of success to all of these fields, leaving our environment in almost as good health as the financial markets.

My advice is get your TB and rabies jabs, build up your food stores before rationing is brought back, and get on with building that ark in your back garden.

Catch ya next time... unless the floods catch you first!
Lots of doggie love,
Dude

Free Swims For All

I was very pleased to read that the Lib Dems in Liverpool are giving free sports and swims to the elderly.

It's widely known that the Lib Dems gave free leisure passes to all local kids in 2006, and it's resulted a massive increase in the number of kids swimming, playing tennis, squash, badminton, and using the gym. So I hope my older readers will be as quick to take up the offer.

What has not been publicised is that the Council has been offering free swims to the canine community for years.

Just pop down to your local park, and dive in! You will often spot me out doing the doggie paddle, and if you are really lucky, I will give you a free shower when I climb out.

Still, I'm glad to see my human friends are at last catching up with some of the free facilities available to us dogs.

Free swims for everyone - that's my manifesto. First one in the lake gets one of Mr Moffat's wonderful sausages... Just you try and catch me!

Lots of doggie love,
Dude
XXX

Public apology

I feel it is only fair that I issue a public apology to my blogging nemesis The Bulldog for last week's article.

Obviously it was very wrong of me to suggest that she might have a sense of humour or not take herself too seriously. I unreservedly retract such statements.

She claims the article caused confusion and upset for Labour party members, who genuinely believed that she dressed up for a Safe Sex Day. I will leave you to decide what this says about the intelligence of Labour Party members!

However, to suggest that such an important and respected campaign such as the Linda McCartney Breast Cancer Campaign could be damaged, cheapened or belittled just from a bit of gentle teasing - caused by her misusing the photo for her own publicity - shows she is out of touch with reality.

To put it in simple terms that even a Labour member could understand...

Taking part in the Linda McCartney Campaign: GOOD
Using the photo as part of promoting the event: GOOD
Using the photo out of context to promote her blog and herself politically: BAD, and worthy of satire.

If the bulldog cares to use her influence to keep the genuinely libellous Labour run Subculture blog under control, then perhaps she can claim some moral high ground.

Until then, you're only making it worse for yourself luv!

Lots of love and licks,
Dude

Safe sex campaign

I know I often use the pages of this blog to criticise my arch nemesis The Bulldog, so in the interest of balance I have to give credit where it is due.

Kensington Safe Sex Day appears to have slipped past me, but not passed the Bulldog, who decided to make a real effort for the day by wearing a giant condom!

Politicians always take themselves far too seriously, so there is no harm in the occasional stunt that shows they have a sense of humour.

It proves that Bulldog is a sport really, and all credit to her for highlighting this important issue.

My friend Zac

Finally got round to putting paws to paper to write to my pen friend Zac, who lodges at the Dogs Trust centre in Huyton.

Zac send me a nice postcard over the summer telling me he has moved into a new kennel, which he is sharing with a cross breed called Lilly. They appear to be getting on VERY well and they regularly snuggle up together on the armchair. How romantic!

I know that Zac reckons he's a real charmer with the lady dogs, but I bet he wouldn't give up his last doggie-choc for this Lilly.

Anyway, I finally got around to updating him on all my exciting news from recent months. From the thrill of the election campaign tail to my unexpected fame as a celebrity dog blogger!

Zac does have his own fan page on the Internet, where he gets lots of messages from is supporters. Unfortunately he hasn't taken up blogging yet, although I have offered to help him get started.

Zac really needs to get himself on e-mail so we can chat more often, I feel guilty that I hadn't written to him since February. At least I am in the luck position of being able to help a dog less fortunate than myself.

Now for a completely shameless plug. If you can afford it, please sponsor Zac or one of his housemates by visiting http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/sponsor_a_dog/whysponsoradog/ They never put a healthy dog to sleep, and your donation will make sure that more of my doggie friends get the life they deserve.

Lots of doggie love,
Dude

Did you miss me?

Hi there to all my loyal fans.

I took a break over the summer, and never really intended to return to blogging. However, I have been inundated by complaints from my human supporters, and have finally agreed to return paws to keyboard.

I shall return to reporting my news, gossip and musings on these pages. What started off as a bit of election fun is now looking more like a job for life. Oh well!

So what have I been doing over the summer, I hear you ask?

Well I have been catching up on sleep a lot of the time, and read a few improving books, such as Mark Steel's excellent book What's Going On which is a hilarious critique of Middle Age, New Labour, and the failures of the far left.

I also spent some time trotting around the country, including another memorable trip to York. I will spare you the details as my arch nemesis The Bulldog has threatened me with legal action and open warfare if I post details of any more of my trips to visit friends in Yorkshire! Fortunately I don't think she knows where I live yet, so free speech is preserved, albeit from an underground position.

This is how things are under New Labour, you are virtually banned from having similar holidays as new Labour politicians. No doubt this is so that they don't have to mix with ordinary people (or dogs) and discover how hated they are.

Everywhere I stayed someone managed to work into the conversation a derogatory comment about Gordon Bean... sorry Brown! I have never known anything like it.

Just had the final call for my evening walk, so I will catch you next time.

Lots of doggie love,
Dude

Liverpool One

Local humans have been getting very excited about the latest Lib Dem achievement in Liverpool - the Liverpool One shopping development.

Apparently 200,000 humans went there on the first day, so I thought I would leave it a couple of weeks before sniffing it out.

It all looks really good and has transformed a huge section of the city centre. However I couldn't find any shop selling dog baskets, leads or collars. I couldn't even find anywhere selling my favourite staple food (apart from the John Lewis restaurant where they have sausage & mash and excellent views of the river).

I think this is a great oversight and hopefully it will be sorted when the rest of the development opens in September. The bit I am really looking forward to is the new Chavasse Park, which is looking great and will be a brill place to run about.

My human correspondents have reported back a few amusing incidents from the opening weekend, the best of which is the spotting of an eagle sister in Austin Reed.

The Eagle was strutting around in dark glasses even though it was a cloudy day. It's not certain if she was trying to look like a WAG or just didn't want to be recognised by any (generally low paid) shop assistants, who won't be chuffed at paying £100's more in tax just to give the rich a tax cut!

Anyway, the Eagle was explaining to the shop assistant that she needed a new outfit for work.

"Oh, who do you work for?" innocently asked the shop assistant.

"I'M A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT!" squawked the Eagle.

I note that she still didn't answer the question, perhaps she just has forgotten, like most Labour politicians these days!

My two correspondents were unable to report the rest of the conversation as the had to leave the store, unable to contain their laughter any longer.

Nantwich

I spent a very pleasant day back on the campaign tail, this time for the Crewe & Nantwich by-election.

I had a quick sniff around the very busy (but well organised) campaign HQ, bumping into several friends who have been helping to run things down there. I was also able to give them the benefit of my expertise for some of the final bits of literature!

Then it was off to Nantwich with my human delivery team.

Nantwich is a medium sized market town, but it feels more like a leafy village. As a was delivering leaflets down a main road, two ducks waddled up to me. I had to resist the instinct to give them a friendly bark, as I would have dropped the leaflets I was carrying - anyway I had to be on my best behaviour.

Everyone I saw was very friendly, particularly once they saw the yellow rosette on my collar. Many of them wished us luck and promised to vote for our excellent candidate, Elizabeth Shenton.

It was a lovely warm day, so on the way back to Liverpool we stopped off at a little farm with a shop selling delicious home made ice cream. Yum Yum!

Bulldog in Chester

A friend went on a day trip to Chester, and came across this amazing poster!

I swear I had nothing to do with this - it's a genuine poster advertising a gig in Chester this weekend.

I had an even bigger shock when I saw "Do The Dog" on the billing.

No, it's not a typo and I won't be performing live anytime soon, unless you want to come to the park and watch me catch Frisbees.

Visit to York

Spent a couple of days in (Lib Dem run) York last week visiting family. Lots of time spent gossiping about Liverpool & York politics, Alice wouldn't stop cuddling me - she said she had never seen such furry ears!

York is such a lovely place, so much history everywhere!

I spent a great couple of hours in the Street Museum. A Victorian street has been recreated so that you can go back in time, just like in Doctor Who - but without the monsters or the running (I love the running!)

The street contains all sorts of old fashioned shops that just don't exist any more, such as Blacksmiths, old fashioned sweet shops and a curious shop called a "Post Office".

Apparently they used to have these Post Office places on every high street until Labour came to power. You could go in and buy everything from stamps to balls of string, you could even collect your pension or pay your TV licence there - Amazing!

A special treat came when I sniffed out a Farmer's Market, and I got a lovely hot dog for tea. (Obviously there was no dog in it - I'm not a cannibal!)

Catch ya next time.

Sausages, Sausages, Sausages

A reader sent me a link to this video.

Now, I'm accused of being obsessed with sausages, but I am ashamed that this member of my own species is prostituting himself like this.

I want to make clear I would never do this, I might consider doing a tasteful plug for sausages at Mr Moffett's Churchills Food Emporium for a suitable fee, but I would never demean myself for a beer advert.

That said, I don't mind the occasional saucer of beer (particularly with some sausages) but I am more of a real ale dog.

I have been told that there might be a thank you barbecue planned - sounds like doggie heaven.

Apparently, the last one was held adjoining Joe the Pitbull's back yard, which gave humans the chance to taunt Joe with burgers and sausages waved over the wall. Cruel... but very funny!

Catch ya next time.

Lots of doggie love,
Dude
xxx

What did he say?

It's amazing how many Labour activists read my blog.

My last posting resulted in various threats against my canine personage from several attack dogs.

The crux of the dispute centres on whether Joe Le Pitbull said Council or Councillor - as he often struggles to string together a coherent sentence, it can be difficult to determine what he means to say - however in the interest of fairness I did invite readers to watch the video and make up your own mind.

On listening again, and consulting several humans, opinion remains divided. Either way, he hardly sounds like Liverpool's Top Dog in waiting.

Lots of doggie love to all my Labour readers,
Dude
xxx

"We didn't want to win anyway!"

That appears to be the shock claim to the Echo on election night by Joe Le Pitbull on Labour's failure to win control of Liverpool.

In the quote of the night, Joe Le Pitbull is heard to say: "This is a Council that as far as we're concerned in the Labour party, we didn't want. So they're welcome to it as far as we're concerned!"

I am shocked that I didn't spot this one until now. If you don't believe me, watch him yourself here

Could it be that Joe suddenly realised that he wouldn't be allowed to carry on slagging off our city in the press every day, if he became Liverpool's top dog?

Perhaps it suddenly hit him that Labour had no idea of what to do in power, apart from their visionary pledge to introduce a few extra dog wardens? (I won't take this too personally)

Or more likely, had he just heard of Labour's plans to dump him the moment they took power?

Did it finally dawn on him that he would never get his paws on his longed for £50,000 a year, but instead find himself abandoned outside the RSPCA rescue centre?

Catch ya next time.
Lots of doggie love,
Dude
XXX

Found a new pal

Just made friends with another canine political blogger.

You can see his site here

Town Hall Visit

Can you believe I hadn't set a paw into the town hall until today?

What a magnificent building, if you haven't been then I suggest you go and have a look.

I was planning to put my paws up and retire after the election, but so many of my fans have been in touch and asked me to carry on.

So I have decided to stick around and carry on reporting from the local political scene. I also plan to pop in to every council meeting and let you know what happened.

You can see me outside the town hall modelling the new Dude the Dog T Shirt, available soon from all good retailers.

Off to the park now, it's such a lovely day.

Catch ya next time!

Lots of Doggie Love,
Dude
XXX

Finally Awake

I have never slept so much! Finally woke up after a very long nap, and I even felt up to a short trot around the park. I feel guilty for not posting sooner, and I know my public will have been eagerly awaiting news from Thursday night.

It was disappointing that Steve didn't win, but Joe the Pitbull has been kept out of Liverpool's top dog spot. Rumour has it that Labour already had a new top dog waiting in the wings in case they won control. My advice Joe, keep loosing if you want to keep your paws on the money - you will never see your £50,000 a year anyway!

The most amusing part of election night was watching my blogging nemesis the Bulldog. She was so disappointed that her latest muse, Timbo the Terrier, failed to win in Picton. Something of a humiliation, as she personally took charge of his campaign - and met her match. The Bulldog's face was a picture - in fact comparable to the proverbial spanked bottom!

I discovered that the Bulldog posts on a forum called vote 2007 under a nom de plum of OldWarHorse. Less equine warrior I think, more donkey on Blackpool beach - but probably not been treated to so much as a carrot in years!

However The Bulldog confessed that that campaign was personal - a result of an unsavory obsession with hard working local champion Andrew Makinson - who's record of exposing Labour's spin, lies, and let downs have so outraged her.

Picton, County and Knotty Ash were the line in the sand, and the people said NO PASARAN!

Well done to all our candidates who won, commiserations to those who missed out this time. My paw is raised in salute to you all.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Last day

So it's the big day tomorrow. Will Liam the Lurcher be sent packing off to Blackpool (sorry Lytham St Annes)? Will Timbo the Terrier be repenting for his decision to allow the Bulldog to run his campaign? Will Rose the Rotweiler be wilting before our eyes? And will Joe the Pitbull be getting the sack as Labour's top dog?

We will have to wait until the early hours of Friday morning to find out.

Meanwhile, that nice Phil Moffatt has pulled out all the stops for Steve. Just take a look at his van!

However, no sausages are stored in this vehicle overnight! So I am told.

And over in Picton, Timbo the Terrier has been upsetting more people.

A few weeks ago, a note was spotted on the door of one human who didn't wish to partake in the campaign. I can't understand why, but he does have that right.

He warned that the household will vote against the next politician to deliver a leaflet to him. Timbo the terrier decided to call his bluff... and this is the result.

New paws required

Does anyone know where I can get a new set of paws? I ask because I have never had to walk so much in my life.

Now I'm a dog who enjoys nothing more than a good walkies (except perhaps a steak or some sausages) but I am amazed at how much my humans have walked this week - and only on their hind legs! You lot are amazing.

A quick update from across the city.

In Kensington my blogging nemesis, The Bulldog, has written to all the local humans to say what a disgrace it is that the Lib Dems have exposed Liam the Lurcher for two timing them. After all, she says, Liam is not the Labour candidate in Blackpool - he is the candidate in Lytham St Annes!

So thank you Bulldog for putting the record straight. We hold our paws up, he wants to be the MP for Blackpool's posher suburb. And apologies to the Lytham St Annes tourist board. But every Labour voter now knows what they are getting - and they heard it straight from the horse's mouth.

So goes on to say what a fine young man he is and that he lives only 3 doors away from her in Wavertree. I wonder if he is suspicious yet of how often she pops round for a cup of sugar?

Meanwhile over in Picton, Timbo the Terrier has been forced to issue a public apology for telling a lie, as I exposed last week. Unfortunately in his attempt to wriggle out of it, he managed to tell a new lie. I am astonished he did it again. You're only making it worse for yourself!

Really, being in the Labour party can't be good for the soul. Public humiliation is inevitable. I can't wait to see what the top dogs in our campaign team come up with for tomorrow.

Off now to put head on paws.

Lots of doggie love,
Dude
XXX

More Publicity

The fan club for my little old blog continues to grow.

And now Rosie the Rottweiler has decided to join in with promoting this site!

It's very kind of her to give me more publicity and attract even more readers to my blog.

However, in campaign terms, my advisers tell me she is barking mad.

Particularly since she has just repeated all the evidence of how she refused to meet to discuss crime in Croxteth, just because one of her political opponents would be at the meeting.

Roll on May 1st.

The Waggy Tailed Philanthropist

One of the things I most enjoy, is the number of people I have been able to help as I trot around on the campaign trail.

I am getting so well known that humans keep stopping me on the street, or on the doorstep, to ask how the campaign is going and often to ask us to help.

Often it is an easy problem such as a pot hole, graffiti or broken street light. A quick yap at Liverpool Direct - job done!

Sometimes it is a problem that the human has been trying to fix for years, but no one in authority has taken it seriously. I had a lovely elderly lady who was very distressed because a clerical error with the land registry had caused her house to be listed as two flats.

A minor problem you would think, which she had spent years trying to fix, but then she started getting threatening letters from TV Licensing, that they would send in enforcement officers to raid her home, unless she bought a TV licence for the other part of the property. After a few e-mails, we got it sorted for her, permanently.

A few problems are more complicated, but we will do our best and keep them informed.

Also, I never realised the number of forgetful humans who leave their keys in the door. I always knock on the door to tell them (sometimes I have to flip the door knocker with my nose) and they are always very grateful. A few have praised me as a wonderful dog and given me a biscuit...Yum!

Most of them also promised me their vote but, regardless of that, I enjoy being helpful.

Dude The Dog - Our Canine Champion!

Catch ya next time.

Lots of Doggie Love,
Dude
XXX

St Georges Day

In all the excitement I forgot to mention it was St Georges Day.

That nice Phil Moffatt was featured in the local paper, outside his shop (the yummy Churchill's Food Emporium) flags flying. It was quite a picture, but to be quite honest I'm more interested in what's inside his shop!

As a special treat he brought round some of his fabulous sausages for my tea last night. Yum Yum!

Lots of Doggie Love
Dude
XXX

Caught telling tails

Labour candidate number 3 caught out!

This time it's Timbo the Terrier who has been caught lying to the voters of Picton Ward.

In fact not only has he lied, but he has libelled the Independent Audit Commission in the little message he left on residents doorsteps.

The Chief Executive of the Council has referred the matter to the Audit Commission for them to decide on the appropriate action.

This must surely be an major embarrassment to the deeply religious Tim.

Thanks to his mistake in getting involved with the Liverpool Labour Party, he might be doing time in the doghouse before he gets to heaven.

He has just 8 days left to show he is ashamed, and publicly apologise to the good citizens of Picton.

Incredibly, my blogging nemesis, The Bulldog, (who also makes a big issue of her religious activity) boasted on her blog that she was writing this leaflet. Obviously they don't believe that morality should apply to political campaigning.

My advice with Labour leaflets is to do what I do, and rip them to shreds as they come through the letterbox!

Timbo the Terrier

More tails from the campaign.

Over in Picton, Labour's Tim Beaumont's poster campaign is hotting up.

Timbo must have been chasing his own tail after he managed to get a second poster up in a shop window. Unfortunately in his excitement he obviously didn't notice that both his posters are promoting Liam the Lurcher.

His campaign (apparently run by my blogging nemesis The Bulldog) has failed to make him a household name in Picton, and it appears he isn't even a household name among his own campaign team!

Unfortunately, incorrect imprints are the least of Tim's sins.

Tune in next time kids for the next instalment on Timbo the Terrier!

Lots of doggie love,
Dude
xxx

Expletives deleted

Just had yet another charming selection of comments from Labour. This latest one was foul mouthed, incoherent, and almost certainly drunk.

I think I know exactly which Labour member that was!

I am generally happy to allow my critics to have their say, particularly when they are as stupid as this individual.

In his rant he did admit that Labour have now given up all hope of winning overall control of liverpool.

Nevertheless, foul language will not be accepted. After all, this is a family blog and I am a family dog!

Now, as I warned the last human, I can make it to the gate in 3 seconds. Can you?

Grrrrrr!

In a hole - and still digging

The fallout from Labour's 10p tax rate fiasco continues, both within the Labour party and the ever increasing band of disillusioned ex-Labour voters I am meeting on the doorsteps and by the lamp posts.

Wavertree Labour MP Jane Kennedy has been busy digging holes like a manically depressed terrier.

The Sun (not a paper I would normally be willing to have my own mess picked up with - I'm a good Scouse dog after all!) is the latest to rip her to shreds.

"Bleating Treasury minister Jane Kennedy was interrupted by a woman pensioner during a radio interview last week. The woman asked how she would like to lose £200 out of an income of just £8,000.

Well, whined Kennedy, the lady must be grateful for other Labour acts of kindness to the elderly — such as tax credits which are so complicated that two million of the poorest don’t claim them.

Former [Labour] supporters are already deserting in droves.

Many of the seats are marginal, like Jane Kennedy, whose majority in Liverpool Wavertree is just 5,173.

Maybe she’ll find out just how generous Labour has been when she’s looking for a job."

I am reminded of Jeremy Paxman's infamous quote on Newsnight:

"Jane Kennedy... how can families across this country ever trust you again?"

We haven't finished this campaign yet and am already looking forward to the next one!

I can see the leaflets already. No one ever said politics could be so much fun!

Catch ya next time.
Lots of doggie love,
Dude
xxx

All go on the campaign tail

Another busy day in my campaign.

Writing leaflets, direct mail letters, folding and stuffing, delivering, door-knocking, taking photos, chasing up casework (and having to go to meetings).

We have got most of our leaflets out and continue to garner great support everywhere we go. Loads of people are recognising me, and everyone is so friendly.

A couple of things are worthy of mention today

I stopped counting our petition returns ages ago, but more arrive every day.

We were canvassing tonight. Lots of evidence of switching, the Labour vote is not soft any more, it is now crumbling. Actually, soft things don't crumble, they just squish and squash like a squeaky toy.

Humans are rightly fuming with Labour over their tax rise for people on low incomes and Joe the Pitbull's would be Council Tax rise.

And after seeing Rosie the Rottweiler's e-mail, she's about as popular as a six month old biscuit at the bottom of the dog basket.

I am feeling confident, everything is looking good, and I had sausages for tea!

Catch ya next time

Lots of doggie love,
Dude
xxx

Dirty Computer Screen

I just realised how dirty my computer screen is. I must really stop shaking myself in my office when I come back from walkies!

A colleague of mine has set up a new screen cleaning service, which you can see here!
So I followed his advice and now my monitor is a lot cleaner.

If Labour get back in I might have to take it up professionally just to pay my Council Tax bill!

Paws crossed that doesn't happen.

Lots of doggie love,
Dude
xxx

Snout in the dog bowl

Latest news from Joe the Pitbull (known to some humans as Mr Potatohead) as he announces his priority if he becomes Liverpool's Top Dog in the Town Hall.

He wants to give himself a massive pay rise - which could take him up to £50,000 a year! That's an awful lot of dog food and squeaky toys.

£50,000 a year..."Because I'm worth it!"

So... Not only did he want your council tax to be £144 higher... thinks it's not business friendly to tax landlords and property developers who leave houses empty to blight our communities...and I could go on (and probably will another day) but his first job on gaining power will be to put his own snout in the dog bowl!

And it's not the first time he has demanded a pay rise. In 2005 he called for a pay rise for himself. But an independent panel said he didn't deserve it!

Obviously he thinks he's worth it, even though he has one of the worst attendance records of any councillor.

Obviously we are paying him just to run Liverpool's Anti-PR department (and I must admit he has done a great job at it)!

He has the cheek to promise a war on waste. The biggest waste of money in the city is that we are currently paying him £20,000 a year to do so little that benefits the city!

Of course, this does mean that there will be one person in Liverpool who wouldn't be worse off, once Labour get their paws on our council tax.

Catch ya next time.
Lots of doggie love,
Dude
XXX

Leaked e-mail

As promised, here is the leaked e-mail from Rosie the Rottweiler.

Labour's Rose e-mailed then fellow Labour Councillor Nadia to chastise her for inviting that nice Phil Moffat along to a meeting with the police to discuss crime on the estate.

Rosie refused to meet with the police if Phil was there.

To make matters worse, Rosie is paid twice to represent us. First as a Councillor, and secondly as a member of the police authority.

She refused to do the two jobs she’s paid for, while her party halve Liverpool’s crime and safety funding.

Now she has been caught out putting petty political disputes before the safety of local people. I hope she is suitably ashamed of herself.

Trembling behind the sofa

My blogging nemesis, The Bulldog, is cross with me.

Apparently she launched into a tirade against me on her blog, saying that I should be ashamed of myself (Although, as far as I am aware I have never disgraced myself on her carpet)!

She says I had no right to expose such an upstanding canine specimen as Liam the Lurcher, just because he is two timing the people of Kensington.

She says Liam is wonderful, a fine young man, and she is full of admiration for him... I hope he knows what he's in for, when she invites him back to her place to see her Boro FC strip.

I feel well and truly chastised, and I am going to go and hide behind the sofa, trembling!

Just remembered, I had promised to reveal the top secret leaked email sent by Rosie. Oh well, it's getting late so I will do it tomorrow.

Lots of doggie love,
Dude
XXX

Manifesto Launch

So we launched our manifesto at 8am this morning at The Room in Castle Street. Great venue and some food was laid on. Pastries unfortunately, I would have chosen bacon sandwiches. Maybe I need to speak to Warren about putting me in charge of food selection?

Anyway, lots of exciting ideas to take the city forward and I was very pleased to see a pledge to fight the incinerator plans. As I said before, I have a very sensitive nose and I am concerned that all the dust from the incinerator could leave me sneezing all the time.

Have a look at the manifesto and let me know what you think.

Just seen an interesting leaked e-mail from Rosie the Rottweiler, but I am dog tired, so I will tell you about it next time.

I'm off to bed to put head on paws, I bet I will be canvassing rabbits in my sleep.

Lots of doggie love,
Dude
XXX

A not so faithful friend

More news from the campaign tail.

Labour's Liam the Lurcher has been going round Kensington & Fairfield promising to be their faithful friend.

What he isn't telling them is that he's also making the same promise to people in Fylde, near Blackpool.

In fact he is hoping to trot off to London as a Blackpool MP. You can bet if he wins in Blackpool he will drop the people of Kensington like a hot sausage.

Naturally, Labour voters in Kensington are feeling cheated and betrayed.

Kensington bloodhound, Frank Doran sniffed out the story and is now busy delivering the news to local people. Frank has been top dog in Kensington for 30 years, and people know he won't be moving to Blackpool after the election.

I wonder what my blogging nemesis, The Bulldog, must be thinking about this one?

I will keep you posted.

Lots of Doggie Love,
Dude
XXX

Snow in April

What a surprise when I woke up this morning. I put my paws on the window sill to check what was going on in the street, and there was snow outside - in April!

I only had a few minutes to play outside before it was time to get back to chasing the campaign tail, sorry, trail.

We were out delivering the newspaper again, and boy was it cold out there! Occasionally Steve would dry my paws to make sure I didn't get frost bite between my pads - he is a considerate owner!

The newspaper reveals how everyone would have to pay an extra £144 a year in Council Tax if Joe the Pitbull becomes top dog in Liverpool.

It is a big worry, I certainly don't know how I could afford it. Maybe I could raise some money by putting adverts on this blog? Somehow I doubt even that would be enough to pay the bill. I might have to work nights as a guard dog!

Will try and work even harder to make sure that never happens. Just think of all the sausages £144 could buy!
Lots of doggie love
Dude
XXX

More campaigning

Boy am I tired. No one told me that an election campaign involved so much walking.

Today we have been delivering our new campaign newspaper. It's very good, but no pictures of me this time! Unfortunately the ink does tend to come off and I'm a bit cross no one bothered to tell me I was walking around with ink smudges on my nose.

I am convinced that the election winning strategy is to have lots of pictures on me on every leaflet. Will have to raise this at the next campaign meeting...I hope Phil brings those sausages!

I believe it was the Grand National today, with record crowds in Liverpool and every hotel room full again. It's really amazing how the city is being transformed. We were too busy to watch any of the race, but I hope everyone else enjoyed it.

Looking forward to putting my paws up this evening to watch the new Doctor Who series, but it's just not the same without K9 in charge!

I think I will get in some head on paws time before dinner.

Fame at last!

Lots of nice colour FOCUS leaflets going out at the moment with my picture on.

And they are obviously very effective as I keep getting recognised in the street and in the park. People keep wanting to come and chat and stroke my coat. A girl even offered me one of her chips, but unfortunately forgot to mention it had vinegar on it, ugh!

Nevertheless I am starting to think there might be some perks to this new-found fame.

In the park, a very pretty Border Collie called Susie came over to wish me luck. I hope to meet her again.

I am worried though that I won't be able to do normal doggie things once everyone recognises me. Do I have to stop cocking my leg against cars? And what is the etiquette for sniffing other dogs bottoms in public when you are famous? If any of you know the answer, please leave me a message.

There must be other dogs involved in Liverpool politics, I must try and get in touch with them for tips on how to cope with all this.

Catch ya next time!

Lots of doggie love,
Dude
XXX

Campaign meeting

That nice Phil Moffat called round last night for a campaign meeting.

I can't really divulge what we decided in case Rosie the Rottweiler or Joe the Pitbull are reading this - but the campaign is going really well.

During the meeting, Phil regularly scratched me behind my ears, which is always nice and does aid my creative powers for campaign ideas.

For those of you that don't know, Phil is one of my neighbours on the Croxteth estate and a very popular and hard working local councillor.

He also runs the excellent Churchills Food Emporium on West Derby Road.

Please forgive the shameless commercial plug, but hopefully he will reward me with some of his fantastic sausages next time he calls round! Paws crossed anyway!
Lots of doggie love,
Dude
XXX

No to the incinerator

Steve and Lib Dem Councillor Phil Moffatt have been doing a lot of campaigning against the plans to build an incinerator.

Apparently the Labour led Waste Disposal Authority want to build a big plant to burn the region's rubbish. Lots of people are worried that the dust and fumes from this burner will be dangerous.

Personally I am very worried about all the dust - particularly when you have as sensitive a nose as mine. The big problem with being so close to the ground is that every time I sneeze, I bang my nose on the floor! If this crazy plan goes ahead I'm sure I will be sneezing all the time - and will end up with a nose like Rudolf!

IT'S NOT FUNNY! EVERY TIME I SNEEZE IT HURTS MY NOSE! SERIOUSLY, STOP LAUGHING RIGHT NOW!!!

Two of Phil's Lib Dem friends have resigned from the Waste Board in protest at the way Labour have been carrying on with these plans behind closed doors. Well done chaps for making a stand.

Apparently Rosie the Rottweiler was concerned about this a few months ago. She asked the Council to discuss the incinerator plans - but changed her mind at the last minute. Perhaps she was feeling the heat from her pals in the Labour Party?

Welcome

Hi there and welcome to my blog!

The name is Dude and I live in Croxteth, Liverpool. Apparently I am on the way to becoming the most famous dog on the estate since my owner Steve and I started getting involved with the local Liberal Democrats.

I'm new to politics but it all seems very exiting. I hope to be giving you a canine point of view on the crazy world of the Liverpool politics scene and keep you up to date with everything else I am doing.

Gota dash, just heard the call for walkies... there is no rest for the blogging dog! Catch ya later!