Mikey Election Blog
Election night, 12 November
It was an exciting first election night for Mikey. He arrived at the SECC just before the polls closed with his mum, dad, sister and friend Ian Hope.
When Mikey was introduced to Gail Sheridan by Tommy, the press went mad, snapping away, the trio were joking away, and a picture of Mikey and Gail made the Scottish Sun, where was Tommy? What were Mikey and Gail up to? Just tabloid imagination, Tommy was standing next to her!
About 11.40pm or so, Mikey, Tommy and John Smeaton did a live interview for BBC 1 Scotland special show on the byelection. About 10 photographers crowed round, the 3 strong characters and snapped away, and had to get cleared off by the BBC as they were going live in a few seconds.
It was announced that the vote would be delayed due to 3 fraud allegations. Mikey then did alive interview for BBC Radio Scotland, where he said that people just seem to vote along party lines instead of giving independents a chance. Mikey also talked about how he was one of the most economically violable candidates e.g. if Mikey put £1500 into the election and he gets say 300 votes, each vote cost £5. If Labour put in the full £100000 allowed and get 10000 votes, each vote cost them £10.
The candidates were then told the vote in advance of the official announcement, a bit like the Antiques roadshow, it is not live, a fact that dissapointed Mikey, but at least it gives people time to object.
One of the reporters said to Mikey, that out of all the candidates, he had seen Mikey walking about the constituency and talking to voters the most.
ABBC Newsnight political reporter also said to Mikey’s mum that he had made BBC 2 Newsnight, they interviewed Mikey during the day in Springburn, after he visited a polling station.
Mikey’s friend, Ian Hope then guided Mikey to the stage and the result was read out, at least Mikey did not come last, he came tenth out of the 13 candidates and got 54 votes, John Smeaton got over 250 and Tommy over 700, none of them got their deposit back, but neither did Margaret Tatcher in her first election. Only the Tories, SNP and Labour who won, got their deposits back, the Tories by only a few votes, but at least the BNP did not come 3rd, but just missed out on getting their deposit back.
Mikey got several emails from people saying they seen him on BBC 1 and he looked lovely in his kilt, his mum insisted he did not wear that leapord skin jacket, but he did wear the leapord print rosette.
Several parties expressed an interest in signing gup Mikey, but he has yet to make a decision, but what is for sure, this first step into politics, is invaluable experience in the long journey ahead.
Pictures will be posted shortly.
Hundreds of press articles were generated as a result of the election on Friday morning, a selection at:
www.mikeyhughes.com/electionpress.htm
Election day, Thursday 12 November
Today is the day, Mikey will be heading to the polling stations and preparing for the count tonight, polls open 7am until 10pm. Result expected just after midnight.
Mikey will be keeping an eye on the value per £ in the election e.g. if Labour get 20000 votes and put £100000 into the election, it cost them £50 per vote, Mikey is predicting no matter how many votes he gets, he will represent best value
The last chap, Wednesday 11 Nov.
Mikey was talking to constituents on the doorstep, a mother of two even crossed a busy road in order to see Mikey, do you think she would have risked her life for some of the other candidates?
Mikey was also astonished to learn that some of the residents he visited had never been canvassed by any of the other candidates, and although the Labour candidate prides himself on being a local man, Mikey has yet to speak to anybody bar one, that actually knows him.
Mikey was explaining that the choice in the election on Thursday 12 Nov, is to vote in Labour and have the UK forget about Glasgow NorthEast again, and have the Labour man, work for the party in London. The alternative is, to vote Mikey, and have the entire country talking right up until the general election, and vote for Mikey who will spend his time with constituents, not obeying the party whip and working for the party in London, but fighting for real people in Glasgow Northeast. While Michael Martin was speak the area declined, instead of spending time with the people, he was furthering his own career and ripping off the taxpayer, Glasgow NorthEast has been without an MP for over six months, and if Labour get in, will probably be without one for another six months, as most of the time they devote will be in London.
Mikey was also speaking to a resident on Hawthorne street, who said Mikey’s election flyer only arrived today, no bad thing the day before the election, fresh in memory and all that, not that Mikey relies on this, as people usually remember Mikey, but will they remember some of the faceless candidates that are standing in this election? What concerns Mikey, is the fact that his leaflet was contained within a SSP election paper, along with several other leaflets from the SNP and so on, most people would just pick up the bundle and throw straight in the bin, without looking at each individual leaflet. Although some houses did get Mikey’s leaflet last week, so it seems like a patchy service from the Royal Mail, Mikey is determined to support the Royal Mail, and is against the Labour and Tory route of making it private.
Tomorrow we have a choice, vote in Labour and nothing will change, or vote Mikey to ensure real improvement and get Glasgow Northeast on the map.
3 Brothers, Tuesday 10 Nov.
Mikey met up with George Galloway MP and Tommy Sheridan at North Glasgow College. Mikey got a picture with the 2 brothers, also from the Big Brother House, and will post it soon. George stressed the importance of giving Labour a shock on Thursday, and if Labour get in, Glasgow Northeast will slip away again from public attention, only a shock result will actually change the area.
Pinkston Tenants Association, Hustings Monday 9 Nov
Mikey attended the hustings, only afew parties were invited, but Mikey got floorspace and spoke well, saying he was determinded to stand up for the issues that other MP’s might think as small e.g. one of the residents was complaining about house repairs and the sound of her door banging and keeping children awake that was affecting sleep and schooling. Mikey said he knew this problem only too well, especially since he had the same problem when he lived in aHigh rise. Mikey said he will take on these issues, that some MP’s might regard as small, but are actually have a hughe impact on constituents everyday lives.
Door chapping, youth club and Scottish BAFTA, 8 Nov.
Mikey enjoyed speaking to people on their doorsteps in Royston, many of whom are angry with Labour closing schools.
He then visited the ReadVale kids park in Dennistoun and will be returning to play aDJ set for them.
It was a busy night for Mikey, as he then dashed off to the Scottish BAFTA’s, a few famous names were there including John Snow and Robert Carlisle. More on this night soon.
A quack smashed, Saturday 7 November
A BBC film crew were filming Mikey for a part in a documentary to be broadcast after the election. Mikey brought his glamour duck, complete with glass eyes, an upgraded Mr Quack Quack, as we all know MP’s get the taxpayer to pay for Duck houses. Mikey was signing one of his election flyers for a constituent, and the slippery silver duck fell and smashed outside Springburn shopping centre, luckily Mikey still had the head, but not sure if it will make the final edit, but maybe his Pledge and feather duster in keeping with cleaning up politics will.
Mikey toured round the local shops and got called into a gent’s barbers for a free election haircut! Now, do you think the Tories or any other party would have got this treatment? A photographer also snapped Mikey as he proudly sat in the barber’s chair.
James the barber was questioned outside by the BBC “Of course I am voting for Mikey”. The election atmosphere was complete, with the sound of a Tommy Sheridan Solidarity van driving up and down Springburn way with a loudspeaker, two older men were in the front, and they stopped and tooted Mikey, one was wearing a wee workers style bunnet/cap and they bellowed over the loud speaker as they drove along. Mikey then visited a local butchers, and even got a staff discount! Oh dear, how will he declare all these gifts on his election form?
The sound of Tommy could be heard in the van, but it was a prerecorded message, but Mikey did meet up with Tommy in Duke Street later on in the afternoon, Tommy shouting Brother to Mikey from across the street. The Brother’s from the House of the Brother, met up for a photo op, with a few constituents, and Mikey then walked along Duke Street and a woman came running over and said she was voting for Mikey, and said she got one of his leaflets delivered through her door. Mikey then met a local postie who said he had delivered 750 in his area, and Mikey said how he supported the post office workers and was against privatisation.
It was like a mini political gathering in the K Café in Springburn, the Scottish Leader and Tory candidate Ruth, came in for a coffee and also the campaign team for SNP David Kerr, no doubt they saw Mikey’s election flyers at the till when they were paying for the bill!
A bang for the BBC, STV and a week to go, Thursday 5th November
On Guy Fawkes day, Mikey will be on BBC Scotland Reporting Scotland after 6.30pm tonight and also STV politics show after 10pm talking to camera on how he should be elected.
You can also link to the BBC website below, that has an appeal from each candidate including Mikey.
High rise, Wednesday 4 November.
Luke and Mikey chapped tours and went up and down lifts in a high rise flat. The hard to describe concrete smell of the corridors reminded Mikey of the time he stayed 12 floors up in a high rise. The porter kindly let Mikey in and even said he would hand out the leaflets to the people they were not in. One door was knocked and the woman opened to the cheery sound of a budgie in the background. Mikey is determinded to ensure that new housing is provided for constituents and that high rises, a legacy of the 1960’s post war era are replaced with house sthat are not made with asbestos floor tiles and make disabled people a prisoner in their own home, which is what Mikey felt like when he lived in one.
The Brotherhood, Tuesday 3 November.
Mikey was at a political hustings for all the candidates, except the BNP who were not invited. John Smeaton could not attend. Each candidate presented why they should be elected to the 50 or so strong audience.
Celebrity Big Brother star and firebrand Solidarity politician Tommy Sheridan delivered a rousing address and with Luke Marsden in the audience, it was like a Big Brother reunion. The Labour candidate got a really hard time, especially since he appeared to disagree with his parties ideas and some policies and the audience and other candidates wondered why he was even standing for Labour. Mikey added that only a strong independent voice will change the constituency and ensure real change, working for constituents and not the failed party system. A woman in the audience demanded to know what all the candidates would do with the £64000 a year MP’s salary. All the candidates for the main parties including SNP, Labour, Conservative and Lib Dems said they would keep the full amount. Mikey thinks this large salary is one of the factors contributing to politicians being out of touch with real people, and has therefore declared that he will donate the majority of his salary to community projects in the constituency.
Luke and Mikey also toured the constituency including Springburn shopping centre, Duke Street, visited a few local pubs and shops including a charity shop doing valuable work in Africa.
After the meeting Mikey and Luke then met with Ken Tong from Big Brother 10. Pictures posted of Ken and also Mikey with Tommy at:
www.twitter.com/mikeyhughesbb9
Luke arrives, Monday 2 November 2009.
Luke Marsden from BB9 who studied politics before Big Brother is up to help Mikey with his campaign.
Action for Children charity event, 1 November 2009
Mikey attended a charity event to raise funds for Action for Children at ByBloss club in Glasgow. Models from the Erin Gavin model agency put on a catwalk display, and it was not only blind Mikey that seemed to be a bit out of place, the men of the models that were dragged along, were also not watching! They wre too busy talking about football. Mikey was talking to Drew who organises several football clubs for teenagers at Peter’s Hill in Springburn.
Lara Croft, French Maids and Stand and Deliver, Halloween party, Sat 31 Oct
A full pub for Mikey’s Halloween DJ set at Thomson’s bar across the road from Springburn shopping centre.
Mikey arrived with a Lara Croft who had lost some of her grenades on the way, a lovely girl called Lizzie, French Maid Jill Daley, and giant whoopie cushion Ian, and Simon Pauley, not dressed up, so nominated security for the night, all from Insight Radio.
Thomson’s bar was full of costumes including, Banana Man, Mini Mouse, a monkey, hippy, Jack Sparrow and Mikey in keeping with the cleaning up politics theme wore a French Maids outfit complete with feather duster and a can of Pledge, not to mention the fishnets with no soles, so they would not dig into Mikey’s feet.
A funny thing happened at the train station, a woman thought that somebody had dressed up as Mikey when it was actually Mikey himself, although a girl in Kilwinning did dress up as Mikey last year and Mikey gave her one of his canes to keep, so maybe there wasa few walking about in bright yellow leopard style jackets.
Mikey started his set with some old skool Rave, and the crowd absolutely loved it, screaming and cheering along.
But behind the scenes things were getting a bit frantic, Mikey was busy looking for his other CD’s, and could not find his special Halloween mix he had made. Simon was urging Mikey for some banter on the Mike and a girl came running up to Mikey and said thanks for getting me out my tower block, one of Mikey’s pledges for the constituency, oh the pressure! A hippy girl was also trying to kiss Mikey, while he el Jackson Thriller that a party goer had requested. “I do have it on that Halloween CD” said Mikey.
Lara croft came to the rescue and read Mikey what was on his CD’s, there was one with Halloween tunes on it, but it was not the one Mikey had made, Mikey put in a song that sounded like the start of Thriller, but ended up to be Alice Cooper, but that pleased Simon Pauley, presenter of the Morning Mix on Insight Radio.
Mikey managed to find thriller, but it was not the version on the special Halloween mix, and all the spooky tunes were on the same disc, meaning Mikey could not mix the Halloween tunes, between the two decks, so he put in an underground house set, to the disapproval of Rock man Simon, but in the meantime, Mikey did manage to find the Monster Mash, but where was his Ghostbusters mix?
But with the Monster Mash played and Thriller, at least the staple of Halloween songs were covered, so on came some Bob Dylan and the hippy chick went wild and came running up to Mikey, kicking over the glass of water on the floor, beside the cables and hugging and kissing him, “From a bit of Bob to a bit of Bob” and on came Bob Marley and Could you be loved, which the crowd loved.
Things went a bit Pete Tong, when Mikey announced that the next song was to mark the time he nearly got robbed in SightHill and brought in the horses with Stand and Deliver. A woman came rushing up to Mikey and said “I’m from Sighthill, my mum has lived in Sighthill for 40 years”. In the background Adam Ant was firing guns and singing about Dandy highwaymen. She said Mikey had some serious making up to do, and had to play a song, she wanted some Oasis, but Mikey had played it before, and had only brought the one Oasis track with him, but he asked her if the Clash would be OK in the meantime, and she said No, as that was too violent, but the mix was in full swing, and on Came |God Save the Queen, then London’s Calling, Mikey thought he was going to get Killed, but lined up Oasis You’ve got to Fly and made a big apology to the Sighthill crew, and said that a few baddies that tried to rob him, did not reflect everybody who stayed there.
Mikey then lost a few more votes, when this big lad asked for some Black eyed Peas’s, Mikey said he did not have any with him, and the guy said “You want to stand for MP and you’ve no Black Eyed Peas, one of the best bands out there, we might as well put on the juke box”.
But Mikey did have some Boyzone for barmaid Daniele, who started sobbing in the corner. Good to see that Boyzone will be releasing a tribute CD with some previously unreleased songs, a sure hit No 1. But it does show how some homophobia is about, as some of the lads booed when Mikey played it, oh dear another few votes lost. It did not help the mood when Mikey went to another sad song Abba winner takes it all, but you can hardly have went from Boyzone to something upbeat. Abba made a nice transition to Madonna.
It was time for the fancy dress competition, judged by bar manager Christine. Everybody lined up and Mikey got a good feel of Banana Man’s muscles. But Whoopie Cushion Ian went in a huff, when he was told to go to the toilet. First prize went to Sam Sparrow and Mini mouse won 3rd prize. Runner-up went to a Bam Bam from the flintstones, and Mikey enjoyed shouting bam bam and waving about his microphone, like it was a club. Daniele had dressed up as a cat, but had lost her tail.
French Maid Jill Daley and Lara Croft Lizzie sold all of Mikey’s guide pups and Thomson’s ran a raffle and also raised cash for Guide Dogs, not counted yet, but definitely about £150 in total, so despite the setbacks on not having Halloween music on Halloween, offending constituents, a good night was had by all.
A girl chased Mikey out the door and was saying she was studying journalism and said to Mikey, that she would like to do a politics project based on him. “After all Mikey you are such an icon for Scotland”.
“An icon, look at me, I’m wearing a French maids costume and a leopard print jacket”.
Pictures will be posted in next few days, and thanks to Theresa and the bar staff for working on such a busy night.
Roll on the DJ set for the teenagers at Readvale Adventure Park on Sun the 8th of Nov!
Overheating cars, Leaflets, John Hartson and Smeato, Friday 30 October.
Oh, what a day Mikey has had, one of the most frantic so far.
In the morning he had to sort out CD’s for his Halloween party at Thomson’s bar tomorrow night. He then went to Readvale centre to try their DJ equipment, his cd would not work in their existing kit, but Mikey was so rushed he did not have time to try his own equipment, that he had brought, but he did find his feather duster he had left at the Halloween party, but Mikey will return this Tuesday, with a different CD, and his DJ kit. He had to take it on to Thomson’s bar and leave it there, as he is doing a Halloween disco, and can’t take the kit tomorrow night, as his regular helper can’t make it, and Mikey will be arriving instead with some girls dressed up as French Maids, in keeping with cleaning up the politics theme, Mikey is not sure if he will wear stockings or tights! Mikey then left a huge pile of his newly printed election flyers and there was a crazy scrum outside for pictures and photos, and Mikey signed his flyers outside Springburn shopping centre, and also spoke to the owner of the K cafe and even got a free cake! Good to see they had posters advertising Mikey’s halloween gig and he also left some leaflets.
Something that made Mikey’s day was one man who said the funniest moment in Big Brother was when Mikey got his knee stuck inbetween the fence of Heaven and Hell. This was the first time, somebody had said this, apart from his mum when he came out the BB house. Mikey had to get his knee out with the help of some butter, a trick he learned from his late Irish grandfather. Usually people say about Mikey getting hit on the back of the head with the ball or eating the chile.
Colour flyers :
Mikey had to rush back to the printers to get a batch of 40000 black and white flyers for the Royal Mail drop to all the constituents for the start of next week.
The printers closed at 5pm, and are shut at the weekend, and Mikey needed the leaflets, as last day the post office can accept them was early Monday morning. At 4.15pm, we were still stuck in busy traffic, then disaster struck, the car started overheating and we urgently had to stop on the motorway, took a detour and ended up at the other side of town from the printers. The Sun newspaper also phoned Mikey to see if he would grow a moustache to raise awareness of ex Celtic footballer John Hartson's fight with testicular cancer. They wanted both Mikey and John Smeaton to meet at Smeato’s campaign HQ for the photo shoot. If only they had phoned a few hours earlier when Mikey was actually talking to John in his office, as Mikey was walking back from Readvale and John spotted Mikey and kindly invited him in, it was nice to get some warmth as it was pouring with rain. Mikey showed John his new leaflets, as Mikey got one of John’s the week before.
Mikey had to abandon the smoking car and jump into a taxi and head for the printers before it closed, and The Sun said they would get a cab to pick him up from there. Mikey had to navigate his way round a junkie that had decided to make his home the stairs of the printers, and collect his 5 boxes of very heavy leaflets, but thankfully Tommy the nice Irish guy who worked in the printers then took the boxes up the stairs, and by that time the police had arrived to escort the junkie away, but he managed to slip in the printers and the police more or less left him. Mikey could not believe it, they should have took him away and locked him up. So 40000 leaflets and Mikey headed for John Smeaton’s office. His campaign manager was surprised to see Mikey back, but he said the Sun had arranged a photo shoot, she phoned John, who was also on his way. They both had to wear a fake moustache, and it reminded Mikey of the one he wore for the Cops ‘n robbers task in the Big Brother house. This one also slid down and Mikey had to hold one end with his finger. John had to dash, and a taxi then arrived for Mikey about 10 mins later, and Mikey carted the boxes into the cab. The leaflets now have to be sorted out into 400 bundles of 100 leaflets a bundle, ready to be taken to the Royal mail for delivery, hopefully the postal strike backlog will have went down by Monday!
Mikey also got interviewed by Radio Clyde for their news bulletin for the weekend, they were doing a wee bit with the independent candidates and smaller parties. Good to see a broadcaster making the effort and giving everybody a fair slice of the airtime.
Mikey will need to phone the Sun, to see if they definitely want Mikey to actually grow a moustache, that would look different on election night! Or in a French maid costume!
And Luke from BB9 should be visiting Mikey on Tuesday to help deliver leaflets, but his other half Becky won’t be coming up, she is too busy chasing and obsessing over John and Edward the twins from the Xfactor, but then again, we are talking about somebody who loves Hansen, so it is hardly surprising.
Kids Halloween party, Readvale Thursday 29 Oct
Mikey met kids from tots to 14 at the Readvale adventure play park for their annual halloween party, which might not happen next year unless the centre gets more funding. Mikey made a speech where he said, that kids could not care less about where the money comes from, they just want their party, and Mikey has pledged to do all he can to keep th ecentre open. Mikey also got a call from a constituent saying that there were no play parks in their area, so it is a big issue, and one that Mikey is determined to help with.
One of the kids at the party asked the project worker, how she managed to get Mikey at the party, and she said, I didn’t, he wanted to come, like many of the kids Mikey lost bits of his costume and had to hysterically look for his feather duster, in order to clean up the area after 30 years of Michael Martin neglect.
Protests, parties, community projects and close of nominations, Wednesday 28 October
Today has been one of the most eventful days canvassing. The sun was out and so was the media. They were expecting the BNP Leader at Springburn shopping centre, but cameras started clicking furiously when Mikey arrived and the photographers nearly choked when Mikey sprayed his pledge and held out his feather duster. One of the paps, said the area needed cleaning, because the BNP were about.
A group of anti-fascists also arrived and they asked Mikey’s views on the BNP leader due to make an appearance. Mikey said he did not agree with discrimination, but said that by protesting, presence of police vans, TV crews, newspapers and photographers was a publicity gift for the BNP and stated his view, that the protest last week, trebled the Question Time audience, and that if there was not the fuss, the BNP would not get the publicity, and without the publicity, they would not get a boost in votes or cash.
Mikey was on STV.TV Scottish main news at 6pm featuring him spraying his pledge from earlier on in the day.
Mikey also met with a PhD politics student who agreed with Mikey, and urged Mikey to stick in, and show that independents can make real change, she is studying voting behaviour and says that the days of voting the same old way, could be gone. A Daily Record reporter asked Mikey’s views on the BNP and Mikey said, people usually do it out of a protest vote, but, if they really want to protest and have real change, they can vote for Mikey who will not discriminate and actually work for them.
Mikey also finally completed discussions with the Royal Mail and printers and he should be getting his leaflets tomorrow and the Royal Mail should start distributing to 40000 households on Monday next week.
Mikey popped into Labour HQ to say hello and spoke to campaign manager Frank who is also an MP. Frank was saying that you can’t take votes for granted these days and even the established parties need to fight for every one.
Mikey also visited the SNP HQ and spoke to candidate David Kerr who was talking about the work needed in Glasgow NorthEast to tackle unemployment and long term health problems, that are also key pledges of Mikey, and they also talked about a referendum on Independence and of blind journalists that work in the BBC that they both know.
Mikey also visited Thomson’s bar and was pleased to see that they had put up posters of Mikey’s Halloween DJ set that will take place from 8pm on Saturday 31st Oct.
He also met Katie and Stephen who had signed Mikey’s nomination form and invited them again to the election result night on Thursday 12th November.
But of course, like the time Mikey was nearly robbed in the constituency, there is always one. A man who was standing outside the Health centre shouted at Mikey and was particularly angry that he had been wearing the same clothes for 5 weeks. Mikey pointed out that his trademark leopard skin style jacket, was what he always wore, and if he does not wear it, when he meets somebody for the first time, they get disappointed. Mikey also likes always wearing tartan trousers, but he does not wear the same pair, he has about 5 pairs, so it might just look like they are the same ones, but in actual fact they are different tartans. Mikey said in Big Brother, you can’t please everybody, and Mikey knew this before he entered the BB house and also this election. The man sounded like he was under the influence of drink or drugs, and this problem is one Mikey is determined to crack and bring back the old Springburn, put some energy into the area, bring back the industry and factories, revamp housing, no to closure of shops and schools and fight for people’s problems. Mikey is not blaming the guy, just the years of neglect that has led to this situation.
Mikey then visited the ReadVale Adventure Park near Duke Street, that is under threat of closure. Mikey will be visiting the kids during their Halloween party and putting on a special DJ set for the 12’s to 17’s. Halloween party on Thursday 29th and DJ set on Sunday 8th November.
Mikey fondly remembers his youth club years and used to bring his old ghetto blaster and provide the tunes, so it is great Mikey will be doing this for the teenagers of ReadVale on Sun the 8th Nov.
That is the nominations closed for the election. The BBC have printed a list of candidates. Mikey is the only independent candidate not to have independent after his name, this is a first for Glasgow and prompted by the fact that when Mikey said he was an independent, a woman asked if that was a new party.
Big Issue for Big ideas, Tuesday 27 Oct
Mikey was pictured in the Big Issue Scotland along with John Smeaton. Mikey was talking about his plan for the state to own MP’s houses, no need for second homes, admin on mortgages, and once they do their stint (max 8 to 12 years, no career politicians) they give back there house to the next MP.
Flying towards the leaflet drop, Monday 26 October
Got the proof of the election leaflets, will post on the website on Friday, will start delivering then. Very colourful with the background being Mikey’s lepord print jacket and his pledg to clean up the commons and revamp the failed tax credit system, donate the majority of his wages to community projects, bring banks into state ownership and distribute the profits into education, health and other projects.
Mikey was speaking to a woman about an unrelated election matter and she said her daughter had told her that I was standing for MP, so word has got about, she saw it on TV.
Posted the link to the Sunday Times article on the press page:
www.mikeyhughes.com/electionpress.htm
Listened via listen again to the Radio Scotland Big Debate with the four main parties, Mikey and John Smeaton protested to the BBC about being left out, especially since the Tories got low votes in the constituency, but of course decisions made at UK level regarding broadcast time, though Mikey and other candidates did get a airing for about 30 seconds each during the programme, you can listen again for the next few days via:
Under programmes, then B for Brian Taylor Big Debate, broadcast Friday 23 Oct.
Mikey’s verdict: Labour, SNP and Tories having ago at each other policies, pretty much ignoring th equestions from the audience, was bascially just a party political spat, the Lib Dem candidate sounded out her depth and did not contribute much, but exactly the kind of party sparring, Mikey is glad not to get involved in, Mikey is the only truly independent voice in this byelection.
Exploding conkers, Sunday 25 October
Mikey started his Sunday morning by baking about 12 chestnuts, various recipies gave varying cooking times from 10 mins to 40 in the oven, Mikey decided to take the cautious approach and keep em in for 15, lucky he read to pierce them or they would have exploded in the oven. In fact the BBC One TV show, described how ingredients from conkers were extracted during WWI for explosives.
Been scanning in the lepord print jacket for the background to Mikey’s election flyer.
Chuckled at the big write up in the Sunday Times, more on the press page:
www.mikeyhughes.com/electionpress.htm
Mikey’s mum took some cute toy cuddly fundraiser Guide Pups to sell at her school, there are some with shades, holding a ball and some celebrating 75 years of Guide Dogs wearing medals.
Set you Free, Friday 23 Oct
Mikey finally found an original 12” LP of Ntrance complete with long thunder and storm intro to Set You Free. Will be the opening anthem at the Halloween disco. He also found another DREAM classic, an alternative to the Labour hyjacked song in the 1997 general election, things can only get better.
Mikey was walking about the streets and somebody said, he is DJ’ing in Springburn, news is travelling fast, still to get that costume sorted.
The media still going on about the BNP broadcast on Question Time, 3 times more people watched the programme, and second highest audience of 8 Million across the channels, so all the demonstrations and talk before the programme, has boosted the BNP’s profile. According to Charles Darwin, all humans descended from Africa, so not sure about Nick Griffan’s ice age theory.
Meeting ‘Smeto’, Thursday 22 Oct
Mikey was walking along Duke Street and had an unscheduled meeting with John Smeaton. They shook hands and talked about the battle against the bigger parties, and how their ideas don’t get represented on radio or TV during the campaign, due to the preference for more “established parties”. They also got filmed for a BBC documentary to be broadcast after the election. Mikey also visited Smeaton’s campaign HQ and was talking about how it was unfair that the bigger parties were invited to “The Big Debate” to be broadcast by BBC Radio Scotland and to be held at Glasgow North College. Mikey was annoyed as he was told he could not enter the college due to the college not showing favouritism. Mikey phoned the college and did some serious straight talking!
Mikey also visited the campaign HQ of Ruth Davidson from the Conservative party, which is only a few doors away from John Smeaton’s. He got a warm welcome, but Ruth was not there. One of the volunteers said how the Daily Record supported the Tories during the 1950’s. Mikey was asked where his campaign HQ was and he said “The Streets”.
First official candidate Wed 21 Oct
Mikey became the first official candidate in the byelection, if nobody else pays their deposit and hands in their nomination papers, Mikey has won the election by default!
Getting the nomination forms Tuesday 20 Oct
Mikey picked up the election nomination forms today at Glasgow City Chambers. He then went straight to work and headed into Springburn to get the 10 names, to enable him to stand for MP. Within half an hour he had 8, and then visited with the Sunday Times, Katie and Stephen, two local constituents, who were pictured signing the form. Mikey will hand into the offices tomorrow for an informal check, and if all goes well, pay his deposit and he will be an official candidate.
Mikey also got interviewed by BBC Scotland online and spoke to the camera for 1 minute on why he wanted to stand, this will appear on Wednesday 28th after the nominations close.
Mikey also visited Springburn leisure centre and will be the DJ at a kids halloween swimming pool party on Saturday 31st Oct between 2 and 4pm. He is not sure what costume to wear, but as long as he does not get hit in the back of the neck by a ball in the pool he will be fine! Approx 300000 hits on YouTube following the Big Brother incident.
Mikey will also be the DJ at Thomson’s bar directly across from Springburn shopping centre on Saturday 31st October from 8pm. Mikey has not decided yet on what costume he will wear, all he can say at this point, is that it will be keeping up the theme of cleaning up politics.
Press conference Thursday 15th October 2009
Mikey arrived outside the K Café in Springburn in a removal van (SNP Leader having to pay back £700 for hiring one for his second home), complete with a model dressed up as a cleaner holding aspade (Gordon Brown paying back £12000 for cleaning and gardening costs), both wearing a Mikey for MP lepord print rosette. A duck pond with toy ducks took pride of place, but a £1000 was not spent on a house for them, unlike a disgraced MP.
A good crowd turned out, the sun was shining, and about 10 photographers, STV TV and Real radio interviewed Mikey, including a press agency. Mikey dusted down a statue and pledged with a can of pledge to clean the place up after 30 years of disgraced Michael Martin ex Commons speakers leadership. The photo made the Sun the next day, and a photographer from the Herald said it was the best visual start to the election out of all the other candidates.
Throughout the day Mikey spoke to constituents and two little girls one aged 4 and the other 5, although too youn gto vote, said “Hi Mikey” as he passed, what aspiring politician gets that you ask? Locals also hooted their car horns and shouted Mikey out the window.
Canvassing Saturday 10th October
Springburn shopping centre.
Mikey took time to speak to shoppers about how they would like to see their shopping centre improved, no to closed shops.
Mikey nearly got his charity box for Guide Dogs robbed in the Sighthill area, a crackdown on crime will be one of Mikey’s main focuses.
Saturday 3 October
Mikey did a DJ set at Thomson’s bar and the kind customers and staff raised over £200 for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Happy Birthday to Pamela and Lisa! Thanks to Theresa, Christine, John and Daniele for their support and for everybody whoo turned out. At the end of the night Mikey asked a woman what he can do for Springburn, and she replied “Put some energy back into the place”. Another man said “What can Mikey not do for Springburn”.
Saturday 26 September
Mikey spent the entire day in Springburn talking to shoppers and constituents, and learning about their concerns. These included, housing, employment, expenses row, crime and schools closing.
