What a week!

I take my hat off to people who can keep a regular daily blog going, I just can't find the time. Twittering's easy from your phone, on the move.

Anyway what a week, a very good, at times heated debate at Labour Group on Monday re the MPs allowances disgrace, after which we issued a position statement www.salfordlabour.org.uk

It is now up to the individual Constituency Labour Parties to decide what action they should take against their MP; as should other organisations of the other two mainstream political parties.

It saddens and upsets me, the long term damage that has been done to democracy and politics in this country, it will take a generation to recover and to gain people's trust in politics and more so politicians, local and national.

I expect to receive some stick as a community leader and lead member at some of the hard, emotive decisions I have to take, but some of the e-mails and phone calls I have had this week have been vicious and venomous in relation to the MPs. I totally understand as I'm contactable and people are angry and want to have a go at somebody and let off steam.

I like all my colleagues, of all parties on Salford Council became a councillor to put back something into the city we passionately care for and up the quality of life for the people of Salford. What has been done by MPs of all parties is unacceptable and has damaged us all. Something needs to be done and done quickly.

Finally congratulations, firstly to Cllr Roger Lightup who has been installed as the Mayor of Salford, I hope he has a great year and raises lots of money for his chosen charities.Secondly to Matt Mold who won the Irwell Riverside by-election for the Labour Party, I'm sure he will be a hard working replacement for my old mate Jimmy Hulmes.