After a recent incident where I was threatened, I’m pleased to report that all of my latest canvassing has met with a positive reaction on the doorsteps. It proves again that the racists are a tiny minority and that the stereotypes of attitudes in so-called ‘problem areas’ have it all wrong. I’ve been meeting really good people and receiving a very warm welcome.

Everywhere I hear frustration with this government, perhaps nowhere more than in O’Devaney Gardens. When McNamara builders pulled out of the ‘public-private partnership’ scheme, things were left in a terrible state, totally unacceptable. Now the council has to move quickly on plans to pick up the pieces and especially make sure there are good facilities for children to avoid storing up problems for the future.

Yet even in simple ways and without delay the council could do so much more to improve people’s lives. I met a lady who had just had a serious operation, struggling to walk up to the fourth floor. It took her almost an hour. But despite her best efforts, she couldn’t get moved to ground level. This makes no sense and benefits no-one. As your councillor, I’ll be a champion for common sense and will be pushing for more responsiveness from the council.