11:23am Thursday 14th December 2006
WET-BEHIND-THE-EARS Tory county councillor Iain Brown, the man who revealed he had been advised "not to speak during his first year as a councillor" by elder statesmen in his group, is thinking of building a wind turbine in his 'vast' garden.
Presumably taking his lead from party leader David Cameron, the Hanneys & Hendreds man - who earlier this month voted in favour of a wind turbine going in the Oxford Green Belt, said he was serious about the idea, but had to run it past Mrs Brown first.
Is this all hot-air or a genuine attempt to go Green? We'll keep you posted.
TALKING of which, 'Dave' was spotted at Wembley Arena last weekend watching Gladioli-waving 80s songsmith Morrissey perform in concert.
Mr Cameron, who claims he is a massive Smiths fan, was seen with three male chums, wearing Converse trainers and a T-shirt, bobbing up and down to the miserable crooner.
Disappointingly for him, The Insider was told not many of the 10,000 crowd recognised the Tory leader.
LABOUR whistle-blower Ed Turner saw red last week while officiating at a Hellenic League fooball fixture between Milton and Thame.
But somewhat embarrassingly, the bespectacled city councillor and part-time referee, didn't realise both teams were wearing the same kit until a spectator pointed it out.
The game had to be stopped while Milton - the home team - changed their red shirts.
Milton eventually won 2-1. At least, that's what we think happened.
THE Insider has been told a number of Oxford residents trying to call Royal Mail on the company's 08456 113225 number (for the redelivery of parcels) can't get through.
No wonder: it isn't working.
But, as it is the season for goodwill, here's a seasonal money-saving tip - instead of calling customer services on 08457 740740, phone 01752 387112 instead.
It's probably cheaper - and still gets you through to the same department.
HOW ironic, after calling members of the UK Independence Party "mostly closet racists, loonies and fruitcakes", Mr Cameron is due to make a visit to Charlbury tomorrow to visit James Robertshaw, who owns a shop selling power-generating windmills.
So what, you say?
Mr Robertshaw is the treasurer and chairman of the local UKIP branch - and has twice stood as a UKIP district council candidate in west Oxfordshire.
It should make for an interesting conversation.
FANCY a barrel load of faux pas, bumbling conversation and inappropriate gags?
You do? Then tune into Have I Got News For You on BBC1 at 9pm tomorrow, because Henley MP Boris Johnson is in the chair.
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