I am delighted the Government has adopted one of my policies as advocated in my blog many months ago, namely to allow public buildings to fly the Union Flag all year round.  However, I am disappointed this will only be an option, not something which should be compulsory.

I believe it is important that national pride is restored and that we should neutralise the impact the Far Right has had in making people afraid to fly their national flag.  I would like to see the Union Flag fly from all public buildings including schools, hospitals, council offices, and government departments.  I would support an application to the Lottery for funding which could be matched from private donations which I am confident could be raised.  There need be no impact on the public purse.  As usual, the government has been too lame and too cautious to risk offending their republican supporters.

Eltham's MP has voted FOR the closure of Post Offices including one in our own High Street.  He opposed the motion put to the House of Commons by the Conservatives, letting down thousands of custoemrs who rely on the local service.

He should be ashamed.

As well as being a vitals ervice to elderly and young people alike, the Post Office is a vital community hub, a place where people go to get information and to speak with a human being rather than a computer on the end of a telephone or transacting only by email.

It is yet another indication that he has lost touch and is ignoring the growing frustration of local people.  Shame on him.

Darling's Budget may have been dull, but it has cost each and every one of us dearly.

The so-called 'cut' in income tax by 2p in the £ was a headline grabber last year but in April it comes into force - alongside the abolition of the 10p tax band.  That's a tax rise for all of us including the lowest paid among us.

No relief for the majority who have seen massive hikes in their fuel bills, nor for the first time buyers, or those whose mortgages are going through the roof as their fixed rates come to an end.

Pain for all of us who enjoy a social pint after work or a glass of wine with a meal - and no real effort to solve the issue of binge drinking.

And he couldn't even manage a proper 'green' budget.  He delayed the 2p rise in fuel duty and dangled measures to abolish car tax for the most eco-friendly cars but tinkering will not solve the planet - any more than taxing carrier bags.

Darling is a desperate man, out of his depth without a life jacket.  It would be funny were it not so serious.  He has messed up just about every challenge the Chancellorship has brought him - and now we are all having to work harder and longer to pay for it.

In spite of a decade of Labour in office, white working class people do not feel represented according to a new poll.  This comes as no surprise to me and nor would it to anyone who regularly talks to residents in Eltham and surrounding areas.

More than 60% said they felt life had got worse in the last decade, which is hard to disagree with when the rising costs of living are taken into account - especially in London.  Higher crime, especially violent crime, transport problems, less employment security, falling standards in education and massive State interference in people's lives are just a few of the problems I hear about when talking to people who proudly boast their 'working class' credentials.  How proud the local Labour Party must be that this is their legacy of 11 years in office.