So whos running a good campaign in Hull ?

who is running scared! who didnt bother to get out of bed ?

in other words who do we think is making an effort to get elected in Hulls 3 constituencies ?

(and I don't want to know about who you intend to vote for, want to win etc, lets keep this to campaign assessments!)

-----------------

my take is that the LibDems are going all out in Hull North, by way of posters, leaflets, newsletters, letters from Vince Cable & Nick Clegg, but the other parties don't seem to be making much of an effort...

as for other parts of the city - don't see much evidence of an election in East Hull or Hull West & Hessle !

(Cottingham has a fair few David Davis posters though - and yes I know it's not a Hull seat)

Good topic.

Agreed on Hull North - the Lib Dems are making quite a push.

I saw a UKIP 4x4 on Cottingham road, covered in balloons. Appropriately enough, it had tinted windows. Thankfully, I haven't heard a peep from the BNP.

Yeah, Bev Rd is plastered with Lib Dem placards. East Hull - seen a fair few Labour placards, a few dribs and drabs Lib Dem and a few UKIP and labour posters on the big advertising boards. Not really seen anything in the West, other than central Hull seems to have the Conservatives advertising on advertising boards all over the shop.

Could be tight - I see Hull North been Lib Dem, Hull East - Labour (just) and Hull West could be anyone's. I'd like to see the Lib Dems continue in Hull, simply because they've started fairly well, compared to the 'all talk' years we had under Labour. I'm hoping the unexpected happens in the East Riding and we have the same two parties in power meaning we may see some unified decisions for once!

I know you said it's not about posting who you're voting for, but none of them are my constituencies, so it doesn't matter, haha.

Just watched Look North - a debate on Hull West & Hessle. Alan Johnson just made the Lib Dem and Conservative MPs look like amateurish, IMO. They didn't really give much time to the other parties; the English society party or whatever they were called's MP came across as clueless and not very bright. The Green Party candidate just seemed to drone like a combine harvestor and The UKIP guy came across quite well saying kids need something to do and there should be a modernised version of the oldskool youth clubs on every estate.

From a leaflet count, Lib dems have been most active in West Hull, with more or less every other party sending just the one (even the BNP:ohno:!?).
Although I would like to say, the lib dems leaflet all year round, not just at election time, although a few years back Alan Johnson turned up on my doorstep at election time- wish I had some questions ready that time!

Funny story:

When in Hull I live on Spring Bank where all the people from the middle east/eastern europe also live. We have recieved leaflets from most parties. Although we have recieved a few from the BNP....right. So in an area with alot of none british people, they're trying to get us to vote BNP. :lol:

Re Alan Johnson... Just seen him on BBC breakfast live from "the glorious city of hull" (his own words) forgot what a slick operator he is... Nice couple of half truths about libdems in hull, but good overall... Hull did look good though, down on the marina (redeveloped by cons govt) overlooking princes quay (redevelopment halted during labour govt!) but I suppose they could have filmed outside st stephens (completed in libdem council/labour govt)

Re Alan Johnson... Just seen him on BBC breakfast live from "the glorious city of hull" (his own words) forgot what a slick operator he is... Nice couple of half truths about libdems in hull, but good overall... Hull did look good though, down on the marina (redeveloped by cons govt) overlooking princes quay (redevelopment halted during labour govt!) but I suppose they could have filmed outside st stephens (completed in libdem council/labour govt)

Yes a good view- Princess Quay, Dock Offices, BBC and Marina. :)

Just voted... Don't think I've ever seen it as busy... Got home to find an answerphone message from libdems asking their supporters (or anyone whose on electoral register!!)to go and vote as it's very tight ! The cheek! We'll see if this technique backfires and encourages labour (or others) supporters to vote too!!! interesting times...

The results for all the Hull constituencies is due at 3am

The Liberal Democrats seem to have put a lot more effort in than any other political party in Hull.

I am not a Lib Dem supporter but would like to see them do well in Hull at this election. I would like to see at least one Labour MP unemployed when the results are announced.

I don't have any time for Alan Johnson or any other Hull Labour MP. They all appear to be exceptionally awful and don't represent the people of Hull at all.

I once wrote to Alan Johnson. All I got back was a letter telling me how great the Labour Party is. It was more like an election leaflet.

I voted at about 11:30 this morning. The polling station was busy and seems to have been most of the day.

Alan Johnson's chances of becoming the next Labour leader appeared to be to be growing amid speculation he could be called upon to hammer out a power-sharing deal with the Lib Dems.

With results so far suggesting that the country was heading towards a hung Parliament, it has been claimed Gordon Brown's resignation could form part of a deal between the Lib Dems and Labour.

If Mr Brown resigns quickly, Deputy Leader Harriet Harman will formally take over as acting leader of the party and oversee what is expected to be a three-month contest for his successor.

Home Secretary Mr Johnson told the Mail he wouldn't rule himself out of the top job if Mr Brown stands down.

He said: "I wouldn't rule myself out, no.

"But that's not what I'm thinking about right now."

He also said a hung Parliament would not be a disaster.

"If that's what the people vote for then we have to work with that. The only way to do that is through a coalition," said Mr Johnson.

"The only coalition Labour could have would be with the Lib Dems. A Labour/Tory coalition wouldn't work."

He added: "It's been a terrific election. It's been intriguing right up to the end."

With Labour pushed into second place, in terms of total votes and seats, by the Conservatives, some party activists are believed to be considering what would happen should Mr Brown resign swiftly.

Left-winger Jon Cruddas, who wowed the rank and file during his run for deputy Labour leader three years ago, was also said to be ready to back Foreign Secretary David Miliband in a possible "dream ticket".

His contacts with the trades union movement would be crucial in any leadership contest, where a third of the votes come from union members.

Party members, MPs and MEPs make up the other two thirds of Labour's electoral college.

It has previously been claimed that Mr Johnson, the Labour candidate for Hull West and Hessle, is expected to pass up his own chance of the leadership in favour of "the next generation".

In most UK elections, one party wins significantly more seats than the others put together and automatically forms a Government.

But if no one party has an overall majority, or at least 50 per cent of seats in the Commons, there is a hung Parliament.

Because this does not happen often, there are few rules about what happens next.

One is that the sitting Prime Minister remains in place until he resigns.

He has the chance to try and form a new Government, even if Labour does not have the largest number of MPs.

Gordon Brown could try to forge an alliance with the Lib Dems, perhaps winning them over with a promise of voting reform or cabinet jobs for Nick Clegg and Vince Cable.

But Mr Clegg could refuse to negotiate with Mr Brown and instead demand his resignation before making a pact with Labour.

Alternatively, he could strike a deal with David Cameron and the Conservatives.

If a coalition commanding a majority in the House emerges and it does not involve Labour, the Queen will immediately invite the person most capable of commanding a majority in the Commons to form a Government.

That will usually be the leader of the largest party, which can try to form their own coalition Government.

If they cannot, they can lead a minority Government and just try to form majorities as individual parliamentary votes come along.

Should a prime minister lose a vote of confidence, or something major like a vote on the Queen's Speech, they must resign or request that Parliament be dissolved again.

The Queen can either ask someone else to form a Government, or grant the dissolution and fire the starting gun for another General Election.

Queues were so long in some areas of the country yesterday that hundreds of people were turned away from polling booths, unable to vote before the 10pm deadline, with reports that police had to be called to calm tensions.

National turnout increased to 65%, up from 61.4% in 2005 and 59.4% in 2001.


http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Undefined-Headline/article-2128096-detail/article.html

How good would that be for the city?

Ok, I'm slightly confussed about one or two things...

Labour won all 3 seats in Hull. yet this morning I heard Peter Levy on Look North saying the Lib Dems had kept control over Hull City Council and I wondered how?

Then later I was told in Hull there was a national vote and a local vote, so you had to make two votes. If this is the case, why wasn't there a local vote for the East Riding?

Then to confuse things even more... when I was at Woodford getting changed (first time I've been - I have an opinion for later debate :lol: ) Viking FM was on in the changing rooms at it's news bulletin announced the Lib Dems had lost it's majority vote locally... so, who the heck is running Hull City Council now?

There wasn't a local election in Newland Ward, but in other parts of Hull North. Not completely sure why that is at the moment

Well it must have been in Hull East too, because it was someone from there that told me they had to vote twice.

I also had to vote twice and i'm in Hull West! :lol:

So, why no local election in the East Riding?

It was so local that they have decided to keep it all completely to themselves.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/content/images/2005/10/17/tlog_tubbs_edward_150x180.jpg

Well played, well played.

Staying up all night to watch the 'results' come in was, in hindsight, a poor idea.

Ok, I'm slightly confussed about one or two things...

Labour won all 3 seats in Hull. yet this morning I heard Peter Levy on Look North saying the Lib Dems had kept control over Hull City Council and I wondered how?

Then later I was told in Hull there was a national vote and a local vote, so you had to make two votes. If this is the case, why wasn't there a local vote for the East Riding?

Then to confuse things even more... when I was at Woodford getting changed (first time I've been - I have an opinion for later debate :lol: ) Viking FM was on in the changing rooms at it's news bulletin announced the Lib Dems had lost it's majority vote locally... so, who the heck is running Hull City Council now?

I think it's because only a third of local council wards have elections each year. A full cycle of local council elections will take three years.

If I can use the peculiarly satisfying dialect of the ace Amber Nectar Fanzine lot, usually used in relation to people ringing Radio Humberside to slag off everything related to the local football club they claim to 'support': Diana Johnson is a know nowt meff (a KNM)

LLB in Law or no LLB in law from Queen Mary, University of London, she is a KNM, and the snide disregard and contempt for her own constituents (which she makes little effort to hide in my view) marks her out as the very worst kind of careerist politician. In short, I can't believe she has held on. It's bad news for North Hull .

To be fair... The hull north result is a bit of a local game changer... She's gone from a safe seat to a marginal.. We'll see what happens at the next election (which could be very soon according to the newspapers)

Can't help but feel that a lot of people who had decided to support the Lib Dems for the first time this year bottled it at the polls.

If this does end in another general election, it seems like Lib Dem voters (myself included) are going to have to bite their lip and go one way or the other in the name of stability. This is far from ideal.

Can't help but feel that a lot of people who had decided to support the Lib Dems for the first time this year bottled it at the polls.

If this does end in another general election, it seems like Lib Dem voters (myself included) are going to have to bite their lip and go one way or the other in the name of stability. This is far from ideal.

Yup, many people i know who wanted to vote Lib Dems ended up voting Labour just to stop the Tories. And if there is another General election i recon more people will do the same.

Yup, many people i know who wanted to vote Lib Dems ended up voting Labour just to stop the Tories. And if there is another General election i recon more people will do the same.

Just what would it take for the people of Hull to stop blindly voting Labour?

I suppose they're afraid some of their benefits might get taken away causing them to actually work for a living.

Are we really a country of socialists or a country of ambition and enterprise (the very things socialism crushes)?

ambition and enterprise (the very things socialism crushes)?

Not true.

Ambition and enterprise when used to create a better and fairer society for all is frankly a million times preferable to the type of ambition and enterprise you are referring to. Creating more and more tat and convincing the mass consumer market that it is what it really, really needs before flogging it at inflated prices to keep corporations immensely rich and powerful is wrong.

Big Macs, X-Factor, Multinational banks, Rupert Murdoch = very bad

The NHS, The Welfare State, The Minimum Wage, the Co-Operative movement = very good (as well as ambitious and enterprising)

Not true.

Ambition and enterprise when used to create a better and fairer society for all is frankly a million times preferable to the type of ambition and enterprise you are referring to. Creating more and more tat and convincing the mass consumer market that it is what it really, really needs before flogging it at inflated prices to keep corporations immensely rich and powerful is wrong.

Big Macs, X-Factor, Multinational banks, Rupert Murdoch = very bad

The NHS, The Welfare State, The Minimum Wage, the Co-Operative movement = very good (as well as ambitious and enterprising)

McDonald's, The X Factor, multinational banks and BSkyB all create jobs and wealth through capitalism.

The NHS and the welfare state do not create wealth but take from general taxation (i.e. from people who have jobs in the private sector).

Government does not create wealth and never will. The private sector creates wealth.

Having said that I am in favour of the NHS and other social programmes but strongly believe the bulk of the economy must be made up by the private sector.

I was born in Brighton and brought up in the hove area into a very upper middle class enviroment and living in that world i saw how much many people with tremendous wealth don't actually work that hard and my parents can be included in that with endless business lunchies and such like so let's never for one minute believe just cause your a high earner you work that hard it's actually seems the higher your income the easier the job becomes in many cases myself and my girlfriend are both on the 80K + a year and expect to be touching 120k before i'm 30, does that mean i showed tremendous amount of ambition or just fortunate to have had endless opportunities given to me because who my parents are and who they knew? and could afford to put us into private education etc

My own belief are centred around social justice and that every child deserves and should have exactly the same chances not just if your lucky to be born into the right postcode or fortunate to not be born into an abusive none loving enviroment.

Yes i'm more that willing to pay much higher tax than i do to assist in trying to make this society fairer

My own belief are centred around social justice and that every child deserves and should have exactly the same chances not just if your lucky to be born into the right postcode or fortunate to not be born into an abusive none loving enviroment.

Yes i'm more that willing to pay much higher tax than i do to assist in trying to make this society fairer

I agree that all children should be given the same chances in life. The playing field should be as level as possible. We need to encourage self betterment, aspiration and enterprise.

The government can help that by ensuring all children are given a high quality education (something very much lacking at the moment) and by encouraging self betterment, aspiration and enterprise.

However, the government and taxation cannot do everything. Ultimately it is up to the individual.

Taking someone elses well-earned carrot, grinding it down and sprinking it over the poor has been an absolute failure. If anything it has made the situation worse. The gap between the rich and the poor is now even wider.

I also do not believe that someone who has worked hard should be punished by a socialist government by being forced to pay high taxes in order to prop up those who haven't bothered to do anything.

High taxes discourage aspiration and enteprise.

The government does not create wealth. Wealth is created by the people, by aspiration and enterprise.

The state has become too big and is grinding people down, the very people who want to get out of poverty.

I'm pretty sure a lot of people currently on benefits do want to work for a living , it's a pity that they don't have the opportunity



Just what would it take for the people of Hull to stop blindly voting Labour?

I suppose they're afraid some of their benefits might get taken away causing them to actually work for a living.

Any comments on how the conservative/liberal democrat government might help/hinder Hull's development?

Possible good points - Lib Dem council

Possible good points - Conservatives taking away funding for Yorkshire Forward, Hull forward and the A63 project?

Rip A63 improvements!
Yorkshire forward big question mark whether it'll still exist

hull city council ? expect no big change

BUT as hull north is now a marginal... Who knows! It might attract extra funding to the city. ( of course I expect diana johnsons majority to increase)

Rip A63 improvements!
Yorkshire forward big question mark whether it'll still exist

hull city council ? expect no big change

BUT as hull north is now a marginal... Who knows! It might attract extra funding to the city. ( of course I expect diana johnsons majority to increase)

It's hard to say with the A63 improvements. Labour had 13 years and never did a thing on it but made plenty of pledges during their last campaign (along with Humber Bridge toll). I think which ever government took control Hull will be at the bottom end of all priority lists.

We had a thread for the national elections, so thought we could do with one for the upcoming local elections in May.

I thought it would be quite good to weigh up the pro's and con's of each party to try work out which would be best for Hull and work out which party has brought what to the city in the past.

For example;

Lib Dems - Pro's:
Freedom Festival - brings in £millions and promotes Hull
St.Stepehen's, new River Hull footbridge, Humber Quays, Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (does a great job of promoting Hull) - support the likes of Larkin25 and hull Comedy festival, which bring in more people.

con's: Making the right decisions with regards to the cuts?

Labour - Pro's:
gave us the KC Stadium

con's:
spent millions on double-glazing for houses ear-marked for regeneration
(I was never really interested in the in's and out's of 'politics' when it was a Labour run council, as I was younger then, so this may be wrong...) but I never really ever remember Labour trying to promote Hull or do anything 'cultural' or improve the city's 'prosperity' - I could never imagine or remember a 'cafe bar culture' under the Labour council, like we have now.

...and wasn't it the Labour council who pretty much shut down what was a thriving Marina area?

Labour just come across a bit too much like, for example: someone from somewhere else says "Oh, we have the biggest free arts festival in the UK" and Labour turn around and say "Well we don't need any of that, we've got our residents the best deals on Wheelie bins in the country" ...or something daft like that.

...anyone care to add to it? It would be good to have bits added, as I say, I can only really recall what the Lib Dems have done in the past few years, as I wasn't that bothered when younger, but from how much Hull has improved and has started to gain positive press for the first time in, well, forever from the national media, I think they've done a decent job - it's only the cuts where they majorly seem to have faltered.

Conservatives? have they ever done anything for Hull? Was it they who brought us the marina?

Lib Dems face May elections battle, but Minns confident of 'vote on local issues'

DEFIANT: Council leader Councillor Carl Minns.
HULL'S ruling Lib Dems could be facing a fight for survival in the wake of Barnsley by-election result.

The Lib Dem candidate finished a woeful sixth place, behind both UKIP and the BNP in the by-election.

But defiant city council leader Carl Minns believes his Lib Dem party will not face a backlash at May's local elections.

He said: "You have to give the people of Hull some credit.

"They will vote on local issues, not the performance of the national Government.

"We realise the cuts will have an impact on the way people vote.

"But people have to realise we were forced to cut the budget by a quarter after the mess left by the previous Labour Government.

"In the coming weeks, people will realise what investment there is in the city and not just the cuts.

"There is a 29 per cent rise in school spending and more money for the NHS.

"The voting will be based on who people trust.

"When the Lib Dems took control of this council it was one of the worst performing and was in special measures. We are turning that around."

The by-election was caused by the conviction of former Labour MP Eric Illsley for dishonestly claiming parliamentary expenses. Labour held the seat with Dan Jarvis elected.
http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Lib-Dems-facing-battle-elections/article-3296756-detail/article.html

Most people seem to be favour Labour though - maybe they were a better council than I remember? or have people just got short memories?

Perhaps people, like myself, just want rid of Minns. However, there is no denying that the current council has far out performed previous ones.

Afterall, Labour did say recently that they would cut the Freedom Festival.

It's the whole summer elections all over again. Don't want the Tories, but I don't want Gordon Brown. Ended up voting Labour despite this and will no doubt end up voting LibDem despite Minns.

Good idea for a thread Dazzar.

the way people appear to be turning on the lib dems and tories is a disgrace. it's hard to believe just how stupid some people are. i'm not really into politics but even someone with as little knowledge as me can see that the free loadiing glutons of the labour government shouldn't be given power until a new generation has completely replaced the dross there at the minute.

Pippin - Minns is an alright bloke away from debates, lol.

I was told by another councillor that back when Minns was first starting out as an MP in Hull, he nearly gave up being an MP and was close to leaving, but the councillor who I was talking to said he saw his potential and tried to talk him around despite the fact Minns had no money or anything to live, so said councillor took him in as a lodger. He told me he was living out of bags and lodging in a back bedroom but decided to stick at it as he saw a lot of potential in Hull.

I hate how media has become propaganda - they show people how they want to show them and people believe that is how they are. I've contacted loads of MPs from various parties across the city many times - the only ones to ever give me the time of day were the Lib Dem councillors.

The Labour ones all got their PA's to reply to say my letter had been forwarded to my local councillor, as I do not reside in their constituency - despite what I was contacting them about being in their constituency! stupid...

Bighead:
that's what I mentioned in the other thread, that a lot of people in Hull will lap up Labour's talk of spending money on saving services that will be free to people. A lot of these people probably don't know why they're annoyed that the services are being scrapped!

It's showing the 'something for nothing' attitude I mentioned - people would rather money was saved and used to fund a motorbike rally track for kids in Bransholme, that won't see any money back in the coffers, rather than it be put towards Freedom festival ehich brings in money and promotes Hull.

I may be wrong dazzar, and i feel I must make it clear I am no fan of labour, but almost all of the redevelopment in Hull recently was down to labour and not lib dems. All i can think of is the river hull foot bridge, but im sure even that was a labour scheme.

My opinion of Minns is not a favourable one, but i havent liked inglis et al either. I think we need a complete re-shuffle. Perhaps a council who are more concerned with public services and be less stringent when it comes to potential investors would be a start.

Minns needs to go.

I heard Labour talked about a lot of scheme, but did they ever do then, was it not the Lib Dem's that actually moved them forward into actual built projects? not sure.

It's a problem with politics - the person has to be likeable to succeed.

Well considering most of the projects actually opened not long after lib dems came in then yes definately. Without labour there would certainly be no kc stadium and probably no st stephens and interchange. You may be too young to remember marina, it went downhill well before it was closed down, it was labour wanting to redevelop it too.

i'm not much older than dazzar and most of my opinons on local politics are informed either through this forum re developments (or lack thereof!) or from the council services I access, and I wont vote based on national issues. I find that ive only become interested in local politics in the few years since I came back from uni and got interested in local developments through this forum.

The trickiest things I find is to cut through the propaganda - for example all the schemes over the last 15 years - each party will claim to be responsible or involved someway. Id welcome a timeline with the dates of major projects with council involvements highlighted?

To be honest chris, up until the lib dems winning the locals 5? Years ago i believe it was a labour council for 40 years. Someone could correct me otherwise though. Money has been spent as and when its become available, abd it will be blurred due to cross party consensus, so i dont think we would see much difference whoever wins the next elections.

I do think Minns is a liability, and is far too prone to electioneering at the slightest opportunity for my liking.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 08:5231 commentsShare Bookmark with (what is social media?)Facebook Digg Reddit Delicious StumbleUpon
Head of Hull Music Service investigated after speaking out about cuts

Chris Maynard of Hull's Music Service.​THE head of Hull’s award-winning Music Service has been threatened with disciplinary action for voicing concern about council funding cuts.

Chris Maynard is under investigation by Hull City Council for speaking to the Mail about the funding cuts of 80 per cent faced by the Music Service.

Last week, the Mail learned the service would be forced to increase its charges to schools after the council slashed its funding from £511,000 to £100,000.

Mr Maynard is being investigated for “misconduct” after expressing concern that it could lead to an elitist system.

Steve Clark, of Hull Young Musicians Friends Association, said: “This is beyond contempt.

“The guy has given his life to the Music Service and he is destroyed by what the council are doing to it with their cuts.

“He has built it up to the point where it was independently judged to be the best music service in the country.”

The leader of the Labour group, councillor Steve Brady, criticised the “climate of fear and revenge at the council”.



The rest; http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Head-Hull-Music-Service-investigated-speaking-cuts/article-3462645-detail/article.html

More reason for Lib Dems to go next month. I have a good friend in the council who has been there since school over 20 years ago. The way they are being treated is an absolute disgrace.

Carl Minns claiming he doesn't know about this story is utter bullsh1t. Just perpetuating the bullyboy tactics used over the last few years.

There is no alternative to the Liberal Democrats.

The Liberal Democrats are not making cuts because they want to. They are making cuts because they NEED to.

Other parties (i.e. Labour) may claim otherwise in order to win votes. However, they are telling absolute lies.

This city was ruled by the Labour Party for decades and acheived almost nothing. It was seen by outsiders to be the arsehole of England.

The people of Hull cry about their city being second-rate yet at the same time show absolute contempt for private investment and forward thinking.

Private investment and forward thinking are the future. Socialist dinosaurs are not.

Private investment and forward thinking are the future. Socialist dinosaurs are not.

:cheer: :cheer:

There is no alternative to the Liberal Democrats.

The Liberal Democrats are not making cuts because they want to. They are making cuts because they NEED to.

Other parties (i.e. Labour) may claim otherwise in order to win votes. However, they are telling absolute lies.

This city was ruled by the Labour Party for decades and acheived almost nothing. It was seen by outsiders to be the arsehole of England.

The people of Hull cry about their city being second-rate yet at the same time show absolute contempt for private investment and forward thinking.

Private investment and forward thinking are the future. Socialist dinosaurs are not.


Rock-Hull-Hardplace

Carl Minns is a law unto himself. I am uneasy with people like that being in a position of power.

The people of Hull will never vote anyone other than Labour or Lib Dem. Had someone else headed Lib Dem things may have been different.

I know the public sector workers have had it quite good for some time, but many are hard working in front line jobs (like my mate) and they are being shoved from pillar to post, whilst they continuously move the goal posts. Do you really think the Minns council are cutting spend on their own dreamed up schemes? The decision to cut the Sea Shanty but keep Freedom Festival is just one example, when in times of austerity a council should be doing what its there for, and provide a service for its rate payers.

Carl Minns fully supported these cuts (cant say Im not in favour of them to some degree), then went to the national media a month or two later trying to earn brownie points by speaking out against his own party. His constant claims of how he attracted Siemens (still not set in stone), and this will magically create 10,000 jobs is worse than even much of the Labour spin machine could come up with. Then of course there is the risk of losing out on the enterprise zone status, forcing the private sector to go to intervene and take it to the government.

Yes acwalby, an excellent way to secure private investment.

As for being seen as the 'arse end of England', I think the paranoia on here far outweighs peoples perceptions of Hull. In fact most people outside of Hull don't really care at all, and places like Barrow in Furness and Middlesborough get more than their fair share of jibes.

LOCAL ELECTION 2011: Minns admits Lib Dem defeat – Labour set to take Hull
What went wrong?: Carl Minns looks glum as he talks to council chief executive Nicola Yates.
By angus young

LIBERAL Democrat group leader Carl Minns faces being unemployed this morning, having paid the price for cuts which left hundreds of council workers out of a job.

In a press conference, Mr Minns admitted his Liberal Democrat party was facing defeat in Hull and losing control of the council.

He also conceded that he was facing losing his own seat in Kings Park although the result has yet to be confirmed.

He said: “It is clear that the Liberal Democrats are not going to have a good night tonight.


“I am not going to blame anyone else, nationally or locally, I am the leader of the group and I take responsibility for that.

“I have talked to the chief executive and made it clear that the Labour party set out a particular platform for an alternative budget if they won this election.

“If that happens, and I expect it will, they have the right to implement that.

“Should I be the leader of my group after tonight, myself or my deputy leader will ensure that the transition is as smooth and as orderly as possible.”

He added: “Yes I am admitting defeat, I think the Labour group will be taking control of the council.




http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/LOCAL-ELECTION-2011-Minns-admits-Lib-Dem-defeat-8211-Labour-set-Hull/article-3528300-detail/article.html

Oh well, it's back to the dark ages with old Labour.

What the f**k is wrong with people?

Seriously, I have ZERO faith in the people of Hull. Zero.

They get what they deserve.

Agreed! Could not have put it better acwalby

its not just the people of Hull... the libdems are the masters of their own destiny.

also MAJORITY of people in Hull did not vote for Labour... turnout low (approx 38% i believe)

only major winner was APATHY

I think it was more a case of the majority of voters were 'the old guard' - apparently hardly any under 25's bothered.
I suspect when Labour cut Freedom Festival and say no to selling the KC, the younger people will soon want to vote on the matter.

'old guard' the over 25s!

hmm tend to agree though - not sure where labour are going to magic £65m from [unless thats the price of the KC!! - ;) ] the budget shortfall will not now disappear! hard choices will have to be made - we'll see if the labour dinosaurs have the bottle (or will my council tax go up?)

I think it was more a case of the majority of voters were 'the old guard' - apparently hardly any under 25's bothered.
I suspect when Labour cut Freedom Festival and say no to selling the KC, the younger people will soon want to vote on the matter.

Was under the impression a private backer had been found? As for the KC, that is a red herring. Carl Minns had made suggestions that the council were not interested in selling a couple of months back. Labour will be the same.

Oh well, it's back to the dark ages with old Labour.

What the f**k is wrong with people?

Seriously, I have ZERO faith in the people of Hull. Zero.

They get what they deserve.


Speak to someone in the council whos job is under threat. By all accounts the Lib Dems had the opportunity to turn the council around. They had the chance to cut spending years ago and did not. They spent money like it was going out of fashion, and now there is none forthcoming they have made drastic cuts, largely to the front line services (like which my mate works in), but have tried to keep funding their own pet projects which are not vital services.

its not just the people of Hull... the libdems are the masters of their own destiny.

also MAJORITY of people in Hull did not vote for Labour... turnout low (approx 38% i believe)

only major winner was APATHY

I agree completely. That is a national thing though not just a local phenomina.

The East Riding council is incredibly well run by the Conservatives, but lets be real here, can anyone ever see anyone voting for the so called 'Toffs' in Hull.

Apathy and ignorance, but there is absolutely nothing anyone can do about it.

How about Hull being intergrated into East Yorkshire? Though even ERYC would probably shudder at the thought.

ERYC well run by The Conservatives? They try not to spend money on anything - even when it needs spending.

I know someone who works in events at ERYC and they said they're soo backwards it's unbelievable.
They said they're the only council who doesn't allow social networking sites as a means of promoting events in the region.

The roads were a lot worse than the ones in Hull over winter and were left for ages.

They shut my main road to Hull off for 3 months to lay new piping... In that time it was shut off, they didn't even fill in the potholes whilst the opportunity was there.

They caused chaos on the road between Hull and Beverley by wasting money building a SECOND path for Woodmansey! Surely the 1 is enough!?? Yet those workers could have been out filling in potholes.

Not to mention the massive pay-off to their mate who took an early retirement!

ERYC well run by The Conservatives? They try not to spend money on anything - even when it needs spending.

I know someone who works in events at ERYC and they said they're soo backwards it's unbelievable.
They said they're the only council who doesn't allow social networking sites as a means of promoting events in the region.

The roads were a lot worse than the ones in Hull over winter and were left for ages.

They shut my main road to Hull off for 3 months to lay new piping... In that time it was shut off, they didn't even fill in the potholes whilst the opportunity was there.

They caused chaos on the road between Hull and Beverley by wasting money building a SECOND path for Woodmansey! Surely the 1 is enough!?? Yet those workers could have been out filling in potholes.

Not to mention the massive pay-off to their mate who took an early retirement!

Well that is certainly not my experience of them, and you have neglected the number of events ran in the East Riding. You also neglected the fact that there is a far stronger private sector in the East Riding, even to the point of being just a matter of meters outside of the boundary of Hull.

The Conservatives in the ER spend public money the way it should be spent, efficiently, just one of the reasons they are one of the better perfoming local authorities in the country.

Im not against the Lib Dems as such, more that Carl Minns should have gone, but if you genuinely believe they have done anything better than Labour had then you are unfortunately misguided.

Look at the big screen that Inglis bought. I may not agree with it, but also cannot agree with Carl Minns being his typical childish self and sticking it in storage (at taxpayer expense) and even spending more on renting some in for Freedom Festival. Had he kept it up, instead of using it as a politically driven point to make, it would have cost the tax payer next to nothing, as it was maintained and operated by the BBC.

Just one example.

Its out of the frying pan and into the fire (I fear), but what else did people expect in Hull?

This post from 'Norman, Hull' on the HDM website sums it up pretty well here..

Well, Minns has gone and with him his smug, arrogant and unlistening approach, but what do we have in his place? Only Brady, a small-minded, intellectually limited throwback to yesteryear politics! What a choice we are faced with, Minns who doesn't listen, Brady who hasn't got the intelligence to do anything but project a backward image for a fine city, and a Conservative who is so far remote from the local populace as to be totally irrelevant. I fear for the City, it suffered under a labour administration which saw it fall to the lowest levels in the Country, and now we hand it back to them -understandable given the lack of choice, but a real problem for a City that doesn't have the quality of local politicians to offer great hope. A sad day indeed!

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/LOCAL-ELECTION-2011-Emotional-moment-Minns-admitted-defeat-8211-pictures/article-3528359-detail/article.html

So these are the hip young gunslingers with fresh new ideas and approaches to governing the city?

http://i.thisis.co.uk/275561/article/images/3529774/2061209-vlarge.jpg

Christ almighty....

So these are the hip young gunslingers with fresh new ideas and approaches to governing the city?

Christ almighty....

I hate to prejudge but I thought very similar thoughts earlier when I saw that picture. The majority if people in this city are it's own worst enemy.

So these are the hip young gunslingers with fresh new ideas and approaches to governing the city?


As I said, out of the frying pan into the fire.

Local politics needs a fresh approach, but general apathy and ignorance will see that things will never change in this city.

The next few years (maybe even decades) will be grim.

Look back at history. Labour WILL run this city in to the ground again. Just when the city was starting to look forward it will be dragged back and turned in to some kind of backwards, socialist shit hole.

They hate the private sector. I think we can expect all kinds of private projects to be given the finger.

Sorry, I'm just angry.

They hate the private sector. I think we can expect all kinds of private projects to be given the finger.



Who really has the vision to take the city forward? To coin another cliche, Hull have thrown the baby out with the bathwater. Minns should have gone, but the Lib Dems still had an opportunity to do a proper job.

I wonder what will happen with the wind turbine plants proposed for the south bank now that the Conservatives are back in North Lincs council. They were certainly against the Humber LEP when they were in opposition, but they are not averse to private investment...

Clearly Siemens is not a done deal, and I fully believe there was more to do to secure them than what we have been told in the media. Hopefully Matt Jukes et al will not be given more hoops to jump through with the new lot?

We will just have to see what happens. The councillors elected by the people of Hull are backwards dinosaurs. Their policies are utterly stupid and nothing good will come of them.

Private investment is the only way forward. It is about time the majority of people in Hull realised socialist-style policies, like those of the Hull Labour Party, simply do not work.

But it would seem people have very short memories.

I am sick and tired of idiots who vote Labour because their parents told them to do so. I am sick and tied of people who vote Labour because, apparently, the Conservatives are evil (especially Thatcher).

How many so-called voters are too damn stupid to think about what they are doing?

acwalby, I agree with you, but what else do you expect from the people who bother to vote in Hull.

Apathy is a national thing, plus the 'educated' who should know better do nothing but follow the sheep in criminalizing any Tory and Tory voter.

I completely disagree with being politically affiliated with any party. One day Labour might say they are going to do something I would agree strongly with, so I may vote for them. Brady agrees with a Humber LEP for instance (though I am an East Yorkshire voter), but I voted Tory in East Riding simply because their council is well run, and I dont think much of the East Riding would need to be in the Humber LEP if they dont want to be.

Hull is always going to strugle to attracr private investment, though notice Brady is now saying he wants 'the people' to say if the council should sell the stadium.

Therefore he should sell it going by the response in the HDM.

I completely disagree with being politically affiliated with any party.


Very much my stand point, how can people vote without knowing their policies is just mental. The old "Our family always vote Labour" makes you believe that these people deserve to be stuck in this backward moving city that will probably never improve to the level of other cities who we should be competing with like Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool & Manchester.

The stadium being sold does not worry me too much, if the Allams have the money to build fresh at Melton then they are in a strong position as if City left the KC it would become a 45 million pound white elephant that would would not even be half full every other week for 6 months of the year. FC can not afford the running costs and if the council chipped in then Rovers fans would have a clear enemy in the council.

Regarding the Siemens bid I am more worried. Have the new people coming in have what it takes to close this deal? Peter Levy certainly didnt think so last night when interviewing Brady.

Perhaps Peter Levy shouldn't have started the original vendetta against Minns if he feels that way about Brady.

I agree about too many stupid people vote though. I bet if Levy stood himself, he'd get in as you'd get all the voters who would see it as a laugh, who probably didn't bother to vote this time.

That HDM quote said Minns didn't listen - though he's the only councillor who I've seen bothering with emails, social networking (others have since jumped on the bandwagon, but use it to promote themselves, not to interact with people they're representing).

I think the local media was a little harsh on Minns, I also agree there should be a Humber LEP, but other than that, he didn't do too much else wrong. If you ever met the bloke socially you'd see he honestly does care about this city.

If he decides that's it as leader of the Lib Dem's, I'd love to see Abi Bell step up to the plate. She has some great idea's and is happy to listen to idea's from the people she represents.

I just hope the Labour oldies don't chuck everything away such as Siemens, The River project planning apps (they're old remember - may not approve of modern architecture).

It seems voters have bit their nose off to spite their face.

I think the local media was a little harsh on Minns, I also agree there should be a Humber LEP, but other than that, he didn't do too much else wrong. If you ever met the bloke socially you'd see he honestly does care about this city.



That may well be the case, but the media can be percieved as unfair to any of them. The point is, Minns did not carry himself well in the public eye. When asked awkward-to him, simple to everyone else-questions he would refuse to answer them in the most obnoxious of ways. He portrayed himself as petulant, but also as a maverick where only the way he says goes. Not a good trait to have and has certainly done him no favours.

I just hope the Labour oldies don't chuck everything away such as Siemens, The River project planning apps (they're old remember - may not approve of modern architecture).


While I am no fan of Labour, I think making such assertions is unfair and unfounded.

Firstly, they have been in power for a day, so how can you make judgements just yet?

Secondly, Labour oversaw all of the major developments in Hull in recent years. St Stephens, The Deep, The Marina (their brainchild) among others. The Lib Dems did not. So your suggestions are ill founded and seem somewhat jaded.

It could well be that these 'dinosaurs' revert back to the dark ages, but I would suggest that they have no other option but to increase the private investment in the city. There will be no money from anywhere else.

I do have some concerns, but it is far too early to judge like some people are doing on here. Give it a year or two and then see where things stand.

Council is worst in country (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humber/4099063.stm)

how can people ignore stuff like this? especially when it's followed with...

Hull City Council goes from worst to most improved (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humber/8586998.stm)

But these are mainly the same Labour lot from before, so have more than 1 day to judge them on. It's well known they turned away major car manufacturer's and there was strong rumours that they refused to co-operate with Ikea, which is why they didn't set up here.

Perhaps why Levy asked Brady the question if he'd be able to deal with a company as big as Siemens?

Surely the senior management team at the council would be doing negotiations etc not the elected councillors (who may advise), that's what they're paid for!? If the councillors go against advice of senior management team then surely that would be in the public domain in the form of minutes?
But I suppose we won't really know until June what the direction of the new council will really be?

Hull council never turned away any car manufacturer. The proposed site was to be on the south bank. Bridge tolls didnt help matters, neither did the reluctance of all areas to pull together to secure what would have been a massive investment in the area. Ring any bells from Minns' actions recently? The North East gained the manufacture jobs, aided by a Labour authority there.

As for Ikea, you are mis informed. Ikea did not see potential in the area. They go for places close to motorway links like the Leeds outlet.

Also as livin hull said. Its not often the elected councillors themselves who augment these things. They are merely representatives of the City, and in my view Carl Minns was not the right person to represent the city. Not listening to the much needed regional businesses is just one example of why he wasn't right for the job.

The Labour council have continued to support the Siemens proposals throughout the talks to attract them. There is no reason to believe they will change their attitudes, therefore there is currently no basis for that argument at the moment. Besides which, it is Matt Jukes and his team that are the front runners in this scheme anyway.

I have said I have my concerns, and am no way an advocate of Labour, but there is absolutely no need to write the new authority off so soon after getting into power. I had pointed out before how political bias damages arguments and creates jaded and ill informed views.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humber/4099063.stm (Council is worst in the country
)

how can people ignore stuff like this? especially when it's followed with...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humber/8586998.stm (Hull City Council goes from worst to most improved )

links don't work.... but you can see what you mean by the titles.

Labour already making a poor decision...

Inglis to be city's Lord Mayor

NOMINATED FOR ROLE: Councillor Colin Inglis. Picture:
CONTROVERSIAL former council leader Colin Inglis is set to be the city's next Lord Mayor.

He has been nominated by the majority Labour group to be formally elected as Hull's First Citizen at the council's annual meeting next week.

Until last week's council elections, the post had been destined for current Deputy Lord Mayor Mark Collinson.

But the Liberal Democrat councillor lost his seat in Newland, while his party lost overall control at the Guildhall
http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Inglis-city-s-Lord-Mayor/article-3537900-detail/article.html

------------------------------------------
Could they have picked a more disliked person?

Labour already making a poor decision...

Inglis to be city's Lord Mayor

NOMINATED FOR ROLE: Councillor Colin Inglis. Picture:
CONTROVERSIAL former council leader Colin Inglis is set to be the city's next Lord Mayor.

He has been nominated by the majority Labour group to be formally elected as Hull's First Citizen at the council's annual meeting next week.

Until last week's council elections, the post had been destined for current Deputy Lord Mayor Mark Collinson.

But the Liberal Democrat councillor lost his seat in Newland, while his party lost overall control at the Guildhall
http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Inglis-city-s-Lord-Mayor/article-3537900-detail/article.html

------------------------------------------
Could they have picked a more disliked person?

Dazzar, I believe the Lord Mayor position is given to the councillor with the longest service so Colin Inglis wasn't "chosen" as such. Someone might be able to confirm this for us.

Steve

agree - whatever our opinions on Coun. Ingliss - tradition dictates that the longest serving councillor is lord mayor - although they have to be confirmed at a vote by the full council. (as mentioned in the article)

I am sure though that in certain cases the choice of Lord Mayor has not been decided on the basis of longest served.

Could they have picked a more disliked person

Think I can safely say that Carl Minns could have been in the running then going by that statement?

I believe Steve is correct in that those given such a position are longest serving councillors.

I think Steve is spot on.

I will choose my words carefully here as I could easily go off on one. This is a huge backward step for the image of the city.

The person I said would be perfect for taking this city forward has been appointed as the new leader of the Hull Lib Dems...

New leader says Hull's Liberal Democrat group will hold Labour to account
NEW START: Newly appointed leader Councillor Abigail Bell says it's time for the Lib Dems to look forward. Picture: Kate Woolhouse

THE new leader of the city's Liberal Democrat group has pledged to work hard for the people of Hull.

Newly-appointed leader Councillor Abigail Bell has taken over the reins from departed Carl Minns.

In paying tribute to Mr Minns, who she worked alongside as his deputy, Mrs Bell said the group now had to "look forward" and ensure the new ruling Labour group lived up to its pre-election pledges.

Mrs Bell, who was appointed at the party's Annual General Meeting on Saturday, said: "We are going to work really hard to make sure that Labour don't drag the council back to where it was.

"We respect that people wanted Labour back in the Guildhall but they made a lot of promises to people in the election and we need to hold them to these promises.

"Nobody wants to see a one party state again in the city – it isn't good for Hull and it isn't good for democracy.

"We need to hold Labour to account."

more: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Looking-future/article-3559217-detail/article.html

http://i49.tinypic.com/wsahxx.jpg

Hey guys! Thanks for voting for us... we'll make sure this city is top 10 for being hip!

*Awww councillor friend!*

"Sorry, what is this Inbetweeners you speak of?"

:doh:

Oh dear God

At least it's 2 yrs till the next local election ! However It's not like Labour have never run the city before with over 30 glorious years of unbroken leadership until 2005(ish) and didnt they do well

Ps anyone heard Of Rosie Nicola? Apparently she's my new councillor(avenue ward) not that I ever read anything she ever said or even know what she looks like! Oh well least the CIAs puppet in the UKIP didn't get elected ! (obscure American dad ref!)

Just amazes me the negativity people have towards a Hull Labour Councill.

During those 30 years Hull has gone through major regeneration in a similar vain to Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool.

Attracted massive private investment like Leeds & Sheffield.

Did not turn down a major car manufacturing company opening up here giving much needed well paid jobs in large numbers.

Did not waste millions through the sale of KC shares.

Did not spend 100m on council housing then a year later knock down those same houses.l

We also one of the cleanest City center's in England

We also aid and encourage local entrepreneurs.

We are so lucky to have such a forward thinking council and not some far left union obsessed council who still think it's the 1970's.

It's great living in a City befitting the year 2012.

Hahahaha

Almost fell for it! (second read when awake spotted the sarcasm... oh wait don't tell me you're serious!)

Ps anyone heard Of Rosie Nicola? Apparently she's my new councillor(avenue ward)

She's going to keep her finger on our pulse from home back on Holderness Road. She was the only candidate to give any indication on her policies (The big ones are sorting out the parking on Chants Ave and resurfacing Westbourne Ave). Can't wait...

Sorting out the parking on chants? Expect to see more double yellows and more leaches from the private parking company...

John Robinson was 'going to' look at a new 1 way system for some of the streets around Chants... Good to see them all think big! At least I got a 'No Menus' sticker from John!

...

Just amazes me the negativity people have towards a Hull Labour Councill.

During those 30 years Hull has gone through major regeneration in a similar vain to Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool.

All still largely run down cities, with large areas of endemic poverty and gang related crime, the likes of which just doesn't occur in Hull, let's not forget

Attracted massive private investment like Leeds & Sheffield.

Both of which have actually 'attracted' far more in government subsidy and european funding than direct private investment.

Did not turn down a major car manufacturing company opening up here giving much needed well paid jobs in large numbers.

Is there actually any truth to this? I've never seen any evidence and I have a strong suspicion this is a bit of an urban myth with a grain of factual basis which has been distorted over time.

Did not waste millions through the sale of KC shares.

A bit vague. The most obvious signs of the windfalls legacy are in the kc stadium and the deep

Did not spend 100m on council housing then a year later knock down those same houses.l

Another exageration. There is still a lot of that money left in the coffers (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3300487/Flood-damaged-Hull-hoarding-100m-windfall.html) and you could probably double glaze the entire cities stock of council houses for £100m.


We also one of the cleanest City center's in England

Subjective. I've seen far worse and think it has improved a lot in the last few years.

We also aid and encourage local entrepreneurs.
http://www.hullbdf.com/

We are so lucky to have such a forward thinking council and not some far left union obsessed council who still think it's the 1970's.

It's great living in a City befitting the year 2012.

livin' hull ;)

Legolamb

Can I borrow your rose tinted specs :)

Explain?

I have made my point on the earlier post.

If I allow myself to spend the next 20 minutes going through each and every one of your replies, then giving my own point view which differs tremendously to yours i'll not only bore myself to death but those reading the site.

I also realize the site is here to put a positive spin on the City and my negativity and realism regarding Hull is not appropriate to this site.

But I would still love to see Hull through your eyes if only it was for a day.

All you did on your previous post was parrot a load of half truths and lazy cliches you've probably picked up from the HDM messageboard. All I was doing was questioning your evidence in trying to disguise opinion as fact.

I'm happy for you to challenge or open a disussion relating to any of my posts. Tht's why I post on here. No need to be hostile.

All you did on your previous post was parrot a load of half truths and lazy cliches you've probably picked up from the HDM messageboard. All I was doing was questioning your evidence in trying to disguise opinion as fact.

I'm happy for you to challenge or open a disussion relating to any of my posts. Tht's why I post on here. No need to be hostile.


I found that myself when I didn't live in Hull, I had a rose tinted view of the City.

Many great things about the City, the majority of the people are decent and deserve much better than a Labour party who have done absolutely nothing for this City.

Unfortunately when I look around I see decay, poverty, crime and minimum wage jobs.

Obviously this is not unique to Hull but the thread is about the local election results and it frustrates me that we continue to vote for a party who on evidence have done absolutely nothing for this City.

Regarding Nissan (I think it was) not coming to the City but ending up in Sunderland is something that is well known in the City but like you said could be a wife's tale From what I was told on many occasions by different people Nissan wanted land on Clive Sullivan way, the council said no and offered them land on which is now Kingswood (bog land) they said no, and the rest is history.

100m spent on North Bransholme then knocking down the same houses a year later is wasting money.

I know people who have found it extremely difficult to set up business in Hull and hit walls constantly with the council.

I think Hull city centre is dirty, I'm not alone with that view.

My comments about other Cities in the North of England going through major regeneration is born out of frustration from what I see when I go to those Cities.

Attracted massive private investment like Leeds & Sheffield.

Both of which have actually 'attracted' far more in government subsidy and european funding than direct private investment.


You must then question why. In recent years, has there ever been a rush to 'get things done' in this area? Ask yourselves why we got the Humber Bridge all those years ago.

This area has to be one of the safest seats for Labour, Lib Dems excepting nobody will ever vote Tory, for reasons that support Legolambs' 'rough n tough, no nonsense' image of the city. In a safe seat Labour have no interest in spending money, they can sit on their hands (Prescott and Humber Bridge debt springs to mind) knowing full well they are not threatened. The only way money would be promised to Hull is if it was on a knife edge constantly. The system is a shit one, but there is no room for the apathy the likes of Hull sees at pretty much every election.

My comments about other Cities in the North of England going through major regeneration is born out of frustration from what I see when I go to those Cities.

It's all very well visiting Harvey Nicks in Leeds or seeing the Hilton tower in Manchester and settling into the assumption that everybody in those cities must be dripping with wealth. Sadly it is very wide of the mark.

The inner city 'doughnut' surrounding Manchester city centre for example is almost exclusively made up of extremely poor scattered council estates and disconnected, post industrial wasteland from Cheetwood and Ancoats in the north around through Beswick, Ardwick, Levenshulme, Longsight, Rusholme, Moss Side in the east and south to the majority of Inner Salford to the west.

It's arguable how much improved shopping and gentrification of the city centre has really helped these areas.