So said David Cameron in a radio interview which has been posted on the internet (watch it here).  He was explaining why he doesn't communicate using Twitter (as I and many other politicians do).  Some people seem terribly sensitive that he used a so-called rude word.  Personally, I think I have heard worse on popular soap operas.  All David Cameron has done is to speak candidly - something I am sure we all want from politicians.

It has been announced that Esther Rantzen is to stand as an 'anti-sleaze' candidate in Luton - despite the fact the current MP who was caught up in the scandal, will not be a candidate.

As a child I regularly watched Esther Rantzen's show, That's Life!  She was a genuine consumer champion as well as a great observer of life in Britain.  She made me and my family laugh along with millions of others.  She went on to help establish Childline, a charity that has done enormous good to help vulnerable abused and bullied children.

However, it seems to me that she has used this sorry saga of MPs' abuse of the expenses system to try to carve a new career for herself.  in itself, that wouldn't be a problem.  She may even have the ability to be a good MP.  But standing in a constituency where none of the other candidates has been implicated in the scandal, when she has absolutely no local connection, seems to me to be nothing more than a vanity exercise.  And for that reason, she has cheapened herself and her previously good reputation.  That makes me very sad.

It has been another busy week in Eltham and I am spending today (apart from the 5 minutes it'll take for me to write this short blog entry) working from home. Last night we were out in Shooters Hill calling on residents, many of whom were very concerned about a spate of burglaries.  Many said they can't remember the last time they saw police on patrol.  My team and I enjoyed a very decent curry at Cafe Eltham last night - a fitting end to a long day.

Earlier in the week I visited two schools (see previous blog) and signed hundreds of letters to people who'd been in touch about immigration - so I was pleased to see David Cameron repeating his pledge to cut immigration in today's Daily Mail. Today we're waiting to see how the people of Norwich have voted - a defeat for Labour in such a 'safe' constituency would be terrible news for the government.

Regular readers will be aware of my support for residents who fought to save Eltham Green from the ridiculous and unnecessary path driven through it by unelected officials working without authority.  A further example of such incompetence and disregard for local community consultation was displayed at Queenscroft.  A similar path was created at vast expense, again with no authority or permission...and was again filled in the moment residents raised objection.

Today I spoke to many residents who, regardless of whether or not they'd have supported a path in the first place, were astonished by the lack of consultation and the huge waste of money.

Several complained they have had no reply from Labour councillors or their MP - but seemed not to be surprised.  What a sad reflection of local democracy.