28th to Election Day to 1st May 2008.

On Monday afternoon, taking time off from shoving leaflets though doors, I met with Paul DAVIES, an ex superintendent from North Wales Police and John Iball. Both of whom are Ewloe residents and the main players in the Action Group that had successfully lobbied to abort the 7 lane Aston Hill road scheme.  “But the road needs improvement, I argued, and where do we go from here?”  They did not know.


Knocking on the doors in the high employment Ewloe ward realistically means grabbing the few hours between getting home from work and sitting down to an evening of Telly watching. Smells from kitchens wafted out of every house that opened the door to me. I selected an area I thought would be fertile Tory territory and was invariably rewarded by a positive response. Many indicated I had their vote. By 7.30, it was time to pack in as a major football match was about to start on television.


1st May dawned bright and sunny but with a biting wind. Mike and I finally met our major opponents outside our two Polling Stations. We learnt that both candidates had positioned themselves close to the door of each station as soon as the polls opened, ensuring that their presence was felt and they were looking for support. Business was brisk from early evening and later, families brought their dogs, several of whom I ended up minding whilst the owner went to record their vote. It was not difficult to tell who was supporting us as those who did not usually refused eye contact and walked rapidly by.


Flint Pavilion was humming with activity when I arrived after 11pm. Tables were marked from A to G so that candidates would know where their votes would be counted. Ewloe was third on the list on Table H. Will Gallagher watched like a hawk as the ballot papers tipped out of the boxes and were given a preliminary count to ensure all papers tallied with the Tellers’ lists. Will thought that I would be OK as he had seen lots of ticks against my name but when the proper count started in earnest, I could not bear to watch.


All trays bore our names and each marked paper was assigned to the relevant tray. The process seem go on for ever and finally the calculator was produced. All candidates were called to examine the unclear papers and no one disputed the official’s decision. As the result was announced, we feverishly scrambled to write down the result. A tap on the shoulder jogged me into realising that I had won a seat, although second to the Independent candidate, David Mackie who amassed 631 votes. However, my 588 was enough to ensure that I would be going back again to County Hall.  I felt very pleased indeed. I felt much less pleased that Mike, my co Tory had lost but I was not surprised that Pamela Walkden, the Labour councillor, who had held the ward for eight years had come last. Her inactivity in the Ward had pushed the two independents into standing themselves and they reasoned that they could do much better. I am sure they are right.


May 6th 2008.

I signed a beautifully inscribed book that was used as the oath of allegiance in the presence of the Chief Executive Colin Everett and now I am officially a County Councillor again. Labour have 22 votes, the Independent Group headed by Patrick Heesom 26, the Lib Dems 11 and we Tories have 9 seats. A couple of cllrs are as yet non aligned and the battle for the leadership if the Council has already started in earnest.


As Cllr Heesom leads the largest group, by rights he should be the Council leader. However, there is a snag. The Chief Executive has confirmed that Patrick is being investigated by the North Wales Police for alleged impropriety under election law. The offences, using a Council photocopied for his election material; are being treated as criminal and thus cannot be dismissed lightly. I firmly believe that we cannot be party to agreeing toPatrick’s leadership even though he has not yet been found guilty. I was voted in on a manifesto of anti sleaze and commitment to transparency.  I would feel very uncomfortable if I had to compromise myself by accepting Patrick as leader. Watch this space.

Along with election success comes an image spring clean. Readers, please be patient as the last tidying up goes on: small changes still need to be made.


The new look is in line with party colours and hopefully easy to get around. Enjoy.

My letter, regarding the recent Conservative election victory in Ewloe, as printed in the Flintshire Evening Leader:


“Dear Editor, Conservative May Day Triumph.


Would you allow me to use the letters page to thank all those in the Ewloe Ward who voted me back to serve them again. I still have my original Councillor identity pass, enjoyed happy memories of being part of a local politics between 1995 and 1999 and to return to serve the community again is something I relish greatly.


Several large Labour scalps bit the dust last night and I offer some sympathy for those who lost their seats but much is wrong with Flintshire and change was well overdue. Despite having the reputation of being a warrior, I still believe that working with all parties for the good of the community is far more productive than conducting tribal party battles and that teamwork, regardless of the party one supports is the proper approach to local politics.


May I thank my Conservative colleagues who made my victory possible. Now that the Welsh Conservatives have greatly increased their numbers and will be part of the new ruling administration in Flintshire, I am very thrilled that my Party is now moving forward and our political future is very bright indeed.


I would like to congratulate the Presiding Officer’s staff for running a very competent poll and I would like to thank everyone who put in the hours at the Polling Stations and at the Count. Well Done! It was all carried out with stunning efficiency.


Ewloe folk have spoken and I am so pleased that I was given that most precious item, their vote.




Yours truly,

Alison Halford. Councillor Elect.Ewloe.”

After frantic horse trading between the four major political parties, a truce was reached by 13th May when the new Authority met under the leadership of Arnold Woolley, (Buckley Bistre East). He appeared to be the only candidate that all Parties were prepared to accept. My group were very happy to endorse his selection although we felt we were entitled to 2 seats in the new Cabinet and not the one on offer. Arnold Woolley had managed to broker a compromise that saw the Lib Dems lower their sights, leaving them to speak again to Arnold and accept fewer seats on the Executive. With Party agreement finally resolve by close of business on the 13th, the way was clear for the transfer of power from Labour to a coalition the following day which was to be headed by the Independents, the largest party in the Authority.

After fulsome praise from all Party leaders being heaped on Chair, Cllr. Ann Minshull, she vacated the chair and time served Lib Dem. Quentin Dodd took over. Ex school head, Colin Legge, accepted the vice chair and in his acceptance speech quoted from my letter that had been published in the Flintshire Leader. I had merely stated that serving the people was more important than pandering to party politics. I had been relieved that my relationship with labour councillors was still cordial and positive.

Alex Aldridge and I exchanged bear hugs and good natured banter before the meeting began and to my surprise, Ian Roberts, Flint long serving councillor bent over to peck me on the cheek.

After the business of the day, we all took off for a buffet lunch n Theatr Clywd Cymru and then the afternoon was devoted to a thumbnail sketch of how the major departments work and how the Authrity conducts its affairs.

Emails were now popping up seeking this and that help with constituents needs and I started making entries in a big blue book provided courtesy of Flintshire County Council to keep abreast of progress on various cases.

Footpath inspection duty called to examine the site of the missing bridge from the Hollins Farm area in Ewloe footpath to Hawarden. A housing development had severed a part of the link, newly planted conifers now barred the way and someone had stolen the bridge across a deep ditch. Complaining constituent and I set off in hot sun, across a high metal gate, (ouch) three styles, ouch again as my elderly knees struggled to bend sufficiently to haul myself over. Down a steep bank to yet another style and then across another overgrown field. We were watched with interest by a group of curious cows who came close and eyed us with considerable interest. Seriously flagging by now, at last the scene of the missing bridge was reached. The ditch certainly required a bridge to traverse it and the new conifers were doing an excellent ‘keep off my property’ role. More piccies captured on the digital and the journey was performed in reverse, with the same friendly cows in attendance.

Mournfully, I told constituent that I doubted my ability to get a) the bridge reinstated and b) the footpath returned to its former status. The cost would be prohibitive to a cash strapped Authority I opined. Wrong again! My call to “Footpaths” filled me with joy. Interfering with Rights of Way broke the law and after the file had been checked by “Legal”, the link would be restored and the bridge rebuilt. No time scale was offered but it’s in the big Blue book for a follow up.