It’s not as if we haven’t been beaten about the head for years in the media – witness the countless complaints I made to the BBC before May 2010. I might have to make some more.

It has come to a pretty sado-masochistic pass when something we haven’t done has become something we might have done (on the top issue of the day) when we were the Party pushing the hardest for reform of that thing.

I have asked him on Twitter to respond and I hope he does. It’s a killer fact if it’s true (and I was watching with my own eyes except that iplayer doesn’t have the re-runs of BBC Breakfast) that a Mayoral candidate not only dropped the ball to an open goal but willingly put it in the back of his own net.

Who then is Sandra Begaria who spoke on her behalf to R5 Live’s `up all night` link here (on at 1hr 16 – only available for another 2 days).

Either she was in on the hoax – or the fake tag is not really a fake.

Already there have been technical rehearsals and three dress rehearsals. For a list of other eurovision blogs click here

For more information from bloggers that are there click here and there are even podcasts .

For what it’s worth here is my analysis and predictions:

1. Poland – `Jestem` by Magdalena Tul. A good opener and one of the best Polish entries for some time. It’s a mid-tempo dance ballad that has earnt respect from the fans. Her campaign is gathering momentum from a shaky start. Qualification rating: 5

2. Norway – `Haba Haba` by Stella Mwangi. Another strong entry that has won plaudits from those at the hall watching the rehearsals. It’s a kind of nursery rhyme children’s pop song with an African feel that utilises Stella’s Swahili roots. Qualification rating: 6

3. Albania – `Feel the passion` by Aurela Gace. Although she has her acolytes I find this song over-done and over here and well, a bit screechy. The performance is said to be strong yet I can’t help wonder that the competition is too strong. Qualification rating: 4

4. Armenia – `Boom Boom` by Emmy. Her campaign is a bit of a disaster to be frank as is the song which is doris day on heat (`perhaps, perhaps, perhaps` in a faster key mixed with a catchy poor man’s shakira like chorus with the gimmicky throw away chorus of  `boom boom shaka laka`). Most find it hideous except the Armenian diaspora who might put it over the top. Qualification rating: 5

5. Turkey – `Live it up` by Yukset Sadakat – a good slice of Turkish dad-rock that rolls along at a steady pace. Turkey always qualify and there’s nothing to suggest that this bit of quality entertainment from a very experienced band won’t do similar. Qualification rating: 10

6. Serbia – `Caroban` by Nina. This is 60s retro pastiche and Nina does it expertly. Not my cup of tea but I lift my Subara to her. Qualification rating: 9

7. Russia – `Get you` by Alexej Vorobjov – over-rated in my opinion although if you’re looking for porn star good looks totty Alexej is your man! It’ll get through though because it’s Russia though it’s not as competitive as the others. Qualification rating: 10

8. Switzerland – `In love for a while` by Anna Rossinelli. Anna stands and sings her song advertising toothpaste/mobile phones/tampons (delete as applicable) a song as catchy as the flu. I guarantee this will worm itself into your brain. ITV advertising dept are probably there with their contract for the song. Anyway, it’s a creditable ballad – what’s wrong with that? Qualification rating: 8

9. Georgia – `One more day` by Eldrine. Now we come to the college indie band to a song that could be performed at one of those `buy one drink get one free` nights on a Wednesday night. Georgia have had a great campaign and perform this very well. Qualification rating: 6

10. Finland – `Da da dum` by Paradise Oskar. Paradise (not his real name) is a very serious young man strumming his guitar like a sixth form student doing his environment degree. It’s really quite infectious and all reports suggest it is very well staged. The lyrics are rather twee and naive though. Qualification rating: 8

11. Malta – `one life` by Glen Vella. Very standard average pop fayre from this `disco dolly` (say no more) and in my opinion outshone by many others. He’s a real party animal though and is having a good time. Qualification rating :4

12. San Marino – `Stand by` by Senit. This is a quality mid-tempo ballad from a well-known Italian singer. It’s said to be doing well in the hall and has a lot of respect. Will it have enough respect from the televoters? Qualification rating: 5

13. Croatia – `Celebrate` by Daria. Rooted in the old 80s mid-tempo hi-nrg of Modern Romance` this is perfectly pleasant though apparently over-busy on stage. Not good write-up and I fear it will be over-shadowed by better songs. Qualification rating: 4

14. Iceland `Coming home` by Sjonni’s Friends. Some Icelandic oom-pah music (the lead singer has an uncanny resemblance to Nick Griffin – anything to tell us Nick?) this should do well and they are performing it well. It’s toe-tapping stuff and will pick up votes. Qualification rating: 6

15. Hungary `What about my dreams?` by Kati Wolf. This is the Gay disco diva entry for this year. A fabulous tune that gives a backward nod to Celine (dion) while progressing the genre without falling off a cliff. It uses a Hungarian production sound and will definitely qualify. Qualification rating: 10

16. Portugal `Homens da luta` by Luta de Alegria. A traditional group that deal in left-wing protest songs. They’re lively on stage and bring a sense of fun to the proceedings. Unfortunately it’s doubtful whether they’ll be partying on Saturday at the grand final as well. Qualification rating: 4

17. Lithuania `C’est ma vie` by Evelina Sašenko. Most people don’t like this song and you’ll see why. It’s like a throw-back to the 70s without the charm. It’s like listening to the aural equivalent of a sunken sickly sweet blancmange. She’s not having a good time of it in Dusseldorf either. Qualification rating: 0/10.

18. Azerbaijan `Running scared` by Ell/Nikki. This couldn’t be  more different. Up to the second contemporary pop – think coldplay, cocteau twins with a dash of smashing pumpkins. Dead cool – Azerbaijan really want to win and they could with this. Qualification rating: 10/10

19. Greece `Watch my dance!` by Loukas Giorkas and Stereo Mike. A fusion of rap/bouzouki and Indie with a nod to the middle east. In my view one of the most under-rated songs of the contest and their campaign is just getting stronger. All the people on the ground think this is going through. Qualification rating:  10.

So there you have it. Have a lovely semi (ooh, matron!)

Nadine Beiler not only packs a lot of power in her voice the song is well constructed starting out as gospely acapella, on to a strong memorable chorus and main body of the song culminating in some anthemic soul with a gospel sounding choir at the end.

It ticks a lot of boxes for those that win:

1. It can’t be labelled

2. It’s a strong song

3. She has a good voice

Should easily qualify and could do well.

Click the link

Notes: Cllr Roy Driver is the other defector to Labour. Cllr Ann Smith is a strong community activist LD Cllr.

Letter in Stockport Express (word for word) from Cllr Ann Smith:

“Since David White seems to want to broadcast his recent defection from the Lib Dems, I felt that the voters of Davenport and Cale Green should know a little more of the background to all this.

At the budget meeting, we witnessed David White and his fellow defectors voting with the Labour Party at every opportunity.

This, in spite of the fact that he has been at the heart of drawing-up the new council plan and setting the policies and budget for the next financial year.

Indeed, Roy Driver had just delivered a leaflet throughout the ward as a Lib Dem councillor, castigating “Labour bosses who turned down the chance to work with the Lib Dems. They preferred to go into opposition and leave it to the Conservatives and Lib Dems to sort out he financical mess Labour had left us”. Just as David White has chosen to do now.

At the end of the day, David White left the Liberal Democrats because he had been suspended.

He tries to make out that he jumped when the reality is that he was pushed. Having left Labour once before in a similarly dramatic fashion, he is currently in limbo.

The Labour Party, if they do accept David White, is welcome to him.

If David White really was disillusioned with the Coalition, why didn’t he just say so.”

Couldn’t put it better myself Ann.