Category Archives: Interview

The Gadget Man General Election Special Part Five – We Love Hitchin Interviews – Will Lavin Green Party Candidate for Hitchin Constituency

The We Love Hitchin Interviews 2024 were conducted by Gadget Man, Matt Porter, the founder of We Love Hitchin. Matt took the initiative to interview each candidate running for the Hitchin Constituency in the General Election, providing an in-depth look at their visions and plans for the community.

Welcome to the We Love Hitchin Interviews 2024! As part of our series, we are sitting down with each candidate running for the Hitchin Constituency in the upcoming General Election on the 4th of July 2024. In this interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Will Lavin, the Green Party candidate.

Join us as we delve into Will Lavin’s vision for Hitchin, exploring his plans for sustainable development, environmental protection, and community well-being. Discover his stance on key issues such as climate change, local economy, and social justice. Will shares his passion for creating a greener, fairer future for Hitchin and beyond.

Interview Breakdown

00:00 Opening Titles 00:12 Introduction by Matt Porter, Founder of We Love Hitchin 01:07 Welcome Will Lavin

  • 01:19 Background and Motivation: Will Lavin discusses his background and what motivated him to run as a candidate for Hitchin.

03:10 Cost of Living Crisis

  • 03:26 Q1: What new policies will the Green Party introduce to help families struggling with the cost of living?
  • 03:30 A1: Will’s response detailing the proposed measures.

06:40 Q2: NHS and Healthcare

  • 06:56 A2: Will outlines the Green Party’s plans to address issues within the NHS, including appointment wait times and staffing shortages.

09:35 Q3: Economy

  • 10:00 A3: Strategies to address inflation, unemployment, and ensure economic stability.

13:10 Q4: Climate Change and The Environment

  • 13:30 A4: Measures to promote environmental sustainability in Hitchin.

17:54 Q5: Crime

  • 18:10 A5: Plans to enhance public safety and improve law enforcement effectiveness.

21:03 Q6: Housing

  • 22:01 A6: Measures to address housing affordability and availability, especially for younger people and those on lower incomes.

24:36 Q7: Roads

  • 25:09 A7: Addressing the appalling state of the roads and infrastructure improvements.

Community Questions

26:55 Andrea’s Question on Water Companies

  • 27:31 CQA1: Will’s response to bringing water companies back into public ownership.

29:11 Nyland and Lauren’s Question on Gaza War

  • 29:26 CQA2: Will’s stance on providing arms or assistance in the Gaza conflict and recognizing Palestine.

30:36 Jeremy’s Question on Digital Currency

  • 30:48 CQA3: Will’s perspective on digital currency and its implications.

32:03 Vanessa and Nicola’s Question on Special Education Needs

  • 33:00 CQA4: Will addresses concerns regarding SEN provision and pledges improved support and resources.

35:38 Will Addresses the Voters

  • 35:47: Will makes his closing appeal to the voters, explaining why they should vote for him on the 4th of July.

36:47 Thanks and Wrapping Up 37:49 End Titles


Election Results for Hitchin Constituency 2024

The General Election results for the Hitchin Constituency have been announced. Here are the final tallies:

  • Bim Afolami (The Conservative Party Candidate): 14,958 votes
  • Charles Bunker (Reform UK): 6,760 votes
  • Sid Cordle (Christian Peoples Alliance): 181 votes
  • Will Lavin (Green Party): 2,631 votes
  • Chris Lucas (Liberal Democrats): 4,913 votes
  • Alistair Strathern (Labour Party): 23,067 votes – Elected

Congratulations to Alistair Strathern, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Hitchin! His victory marks a significant shift in the constituency, and we look forward to seeing his plans for Hitchin come to fruition.

The Gadget Man General Election Special Part Four – We Love Hitchin Interviews – Chris Lucas Liberal Democrats Party Candidate for Hitchin Constituency

The We Love Hitchin Interviews 2024 were conducted by Gadget Man, Matt Porter, the founder of We Love Hitchin. Matt took the initiative to interview each candidate running for the Hitchin Constituency in the General Election, providing an in-depth look at their visions and plans for the community.

Welcome to the We Love Hitchin Interviews 2024! As part of our series, we are sitting down with each candidate running for the Hitchin Constituency in the upcoming General Election on the 4th of July 2024. In this interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Chris Lucas, the Liberal Democrat Party candidate for Hitchin.

Join us as we delve into Chris Lucas’s vision for Hitchin, exploring his plans for economic stability, public safety, and community development. Discover his stance on key issues such as infrastructure, business support, and education. Chris shares his dedication to fostering a prosperous and secure future for Hitchin and its residents.

 

Interview Breakdown

00:00 Opening Titles 00:15 Introduction 01:13 Background and Motivation: Chris Lucas discusses his background and what motivated him to run for election in the new Hitchin Constituency.

03:23 Q1: Cost of Living Crisis

  • 03:43 A1: Chris Lucas outlines measures to help families struggling with the rising cost of living.
  • 06:04 Q1A: Do the Lib Dems want to rejoin the EU?
  • 06:20 A1A: Chris Lucas addresses the party’s stance on rejoining the EU.

11:20 Q2: NHS and Healthcare

  • 11:40 A2: Chris’s plans to improve healthcare services, reduce waiting times, and address staffing shortages.

16:40 Q3: Economy

  • 17:13 A3: Strategies to address inflation, unemployment, and ensure economic stability.

19:53 Q4: Climate Change and Environment

  • 20:08 A4: Measures to promote environmental sustainability in Hitchin.

24:10 Q5: Crime

  • 24:25 A5: Plans to improve personal safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement in the community.

31:00 Q6: Housing

  • 32:05 A6: Addressing the housing crisis, particularly focusing on affordability and availability for younger people and those on lower incomes.

40:32 Q7: Roads

  • 41:05 A7: Plans to improve the condition of roads and address issues like potholes.

Community Questions

44:44 Andrea’s Question on Water Companies

  • 45:18 CQA1: Chris’s response to bringing water companies back into public ownership.

47:17 Caroline’s Question on Waspies Compensation

  • 48:30 CQA2: Chris discusses the issue of compensation for ‘Waspies’.

50:34 Nyland and Lauren’s Question on Gaza War and Palestine Recognition

  • 50:49 CQA3: Chris’s stance on providing arms or assistance in the Gaza conflict and recognizing Palestine.

53:31 Vanessa and Nicola’s Question on Special Education Needs

  • 56:30 CQA4: Chris addresses concerns regarding SEN provision and pledges improved support and resources.

01:03:21 Chris Addresses the Voters

  • 01:03:36: Chris makes his closing appeal to the voters, explaining why they should vote for him on the 4th of July.

01:05:12 Thanks and Wrapping Up 01:06:46 End Titles


Election Results for Hitchin Constituency 2024

The General Election results for the Hitchin Constituency have been announced. Here are the final tallies:

  • Bim Afolami (The Conservative Party Candidate): 14,958 votes
  • Charles Bunker (Reform UK): 6,760 votes
  • Sid Cordle (Christian Peoples Alliance): 181 votes
  • Will Lavin (Green Party): 2,631 votes
  • Chris Lucas (Liberal Democrats): 4,913 votes
  • Alistair Strathern (Labour Party): 23,067 votes – Elected

Congratulations to Alistair Strathern, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Hitchin! His victory marks a significant shift in the constituency, and we look forward to seeing his plans for Hitchin come to fruition.

The Gadget Man General Election Special Part Three – We Love Hitchin Interviews – Charles Bunker Reform UK Party Candidate for Hitchin Constituency

The We Love Hitchin Interviews 2024 were conducted by Gadget Man, Matt Porter, the founder of We Love Hitchin. Matt took the initiative to interview each candidate running for the Hitchin Constituency in the General Election, providing an in-depth look at their visions and plans for the community.

Welcome to the We Love Hitchin Interviews 2024! As part of our series, we are sitting down with each candidate running for the Hitchin Constituency in the upcoming General Election on the 4th of July 2024. In this interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Charles Bunker, the Reform Party candidate for Hitchin.

Join us as we delve into Charles Bunker’s vision for Hitchin, exploring his plans for economic stability, public safety, and community development. Discover his stance on key issues such as infrastructure, business support, and education. Charles shares his dedication to fostering a prosperous and secure future for Hitchin and its residents.

 

Interview Breakdown

00:00 Opening Titles 00:12 Important Message regarding the video recording 01:12 Introduction by Matt Porter, Founder of We Love Hitchin 01:07 Welcome Charles Bunker

  • 01:51 Background and Motivation: Charles discusses his background and what motivated him to run as a candidate for Hitchin.

06:50 Cost of Living Crisis

  • 06:53 Q1: What new policies will Reform UK introduce to help families struggling with the cost of living?
  • 07:10 A1: Charles’s response detailing the proposed measures.

11:23 Q2: NHS and Healthcare

  • 11:42 A2: Charles outlines Reform UK’s plans to fix issues within the NHS, including appointment wait times and staffing shortages.

18:04 Q3: Economy

  • 18:20 A3: Charles discusses strategies for addressing inflation, unemployment, and economic stability.

22:26 Q4: Climate Change and The Environment

  • 23:01 A4: Charles’s vision for tackling climate change and improving environmental policies.

29:10 Q5: Crime

  • 29:30 A5: Plans to enhance public safety and improve law enforcement effectiveness.

33:30 Q6: Housing

  • 34:12 A6: Measures to address housing affordability and availability, especially for younger people and those on lower incomes.

40:48 Q7: Roads

  • 41:22 A7: Addressing the appalling state of the roads and infrastructure improvements.

Community Questions

42:50 Andrea’s Question on Water Companies

  • 43:10 CQA1: Charles’s response to bringing water companies back into public ownership.

43:39 Martin’s Question on Artificial Intelligence

  • 43:50 CQA2: Charles’s thoughts on AI and ensuring its safe use.

45:40 Nyland and Lauren’s Question on Gaza War

  • 46:28 CQA3: Charles’s stance on providing arms or assistance in the Gaza conflict and recognizing Palestine.

49:34 Jeremy’s Question on Digital Currency

  • 50:00 CQA4: Charles’s perspective on digital currency and its implications.

52:50 Vanessa and Nicola’s Question on Special Education Needs

  • 53:53 CQA4: Charles addresses concerns regarding SEN provision and pledges improved support and resources.

57:33 Reform UK Questions

57:33 Nigel’s Question on Bureaucracy

  • 59:00 RUKA1: Charles’s response about reducing bureaucracy.

01:00:00 Question on Bureaucracy

  • 01:00:38 RUKA2: Additional plans for reducing bureaucratic hurdles.

01:02:00 Charles Addresses the Voters

  • 01:02:36: Charles makes his closing appeal to the voters.

01:03:20 Thanks and Wrapping Up 01:04:07 End Titles


Election Results for Hitchin Constituency 2024

The General Election results for the Hitchin Constituency have been announced. Here are the final tallies:

  • Bim Afolami (The Conservative Party Candidate): 14,958 votes
  • Charles Bunker (Reform UK): 6,760 votes
  • Sid Cordle (Christian Peoples Alliance): 181 votes
  • Will Lavin (Green Party): 2,631 votes
  • Chris Lucas (Liberal Democrats): 4,913 votes
  • Alistair Strathern (Labour Party): 23,067 votes – Elected

Congratulations to Alistair Strathern, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Hitchin! His victory marks a significant shift in the constituency, and we look forward to seeing his plans for Hitchin come to fruition.

The Gadget Man General Election Special Part Two – We Love Hitchin Interviews – Bim Afolami Conservate Party Candidate for Hitchin Constituency

The We Love Hitchin Interviews 2024 were conducted by Gadget Man, Matt Porter, the founder of We Love Hitchin.

Matt took the initiative to interview each candidate running for the Hitchin Constituency in the General Election, providing an in-depth look at their visions and plans for the community.

You can view the interview below or listen to the podcast episode by clicking the play-head above.

 

Welcome to the We Love Hitchin Interviews 2024! As part of our series, we are sitting down with each candidate running for the Hitchin Constituency in the upcoming General Election on the 4th of July 2024. In this interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Bim Afolami, the Conservative Party candidate.

Join us as we delve into Bim Afolami’s vision for Hitchin, exploring his plans for economic stability, public safety, and community development. Discover his stance on key issues such as infrastructure, business support, and education. Bim shares his dedication to fostering a prosperous and secure future for Hitchin and its residents.

Interview Breakdown

00:00 Opening Titles 00:09 Welcome from Matt Porter, Founder of We Love Hitchin Facebook Group 01:09 Welcome to Bim Afolami

  • 01:16 Background and Motivation: Bim shares his background and explains his motivation for running in the new Hitchin Constituency.

02:06 Q1: Cost of Living Crisis

  • 02:33 A1: Bim discusses measures to alleviate financial pressures caused by the rising cost of living.

08:05 Q2: NHS and Healthcare

  • 08:37 A2: Bim outlines his plans to improve healthcare services, reduce waiting times, and address staffing shortages in the NHS.

12:40 Q3: Economy

  • 13:14 A3: Bim’s strategies for addressing inflation, unemployment, and ensuring economic stability.

17:44 Q5: Crime

  • 17:58 A5: Bim’s plans to enhance personal safety and improve the effectiveness of law enforcement in the community.

20:41 Q6: Housing

  • 20:57 A6: Measures to address the housing crisis, particularly focusing on affordability and availability for younger people and those on lower incomes.

Community Questions

23:32 Andrea’s Question on Water Companies

  • 24:45 Bim’s Response: Bim answers Andrea’s question about voting on a motion to bring water companies back into the public sector.

27:45 Nyland and Lauren’s Question on Gaza War and Palestine Recognition

  • 28:06 Bim’s Response: Bim discusses the provision of arms or assistance in the Gaza conflict and the recognition of Palestine as an independent state.

30:58 Vanessa and Nicola’s Question on Special Needs Education and Care

  • 31:49 Bim’s Response: Bim addresses the concerns of SEN families, pledging improved support and resources.

36:01 Bim’s Closing Appeal

  • 36:17 Bim asks for your vote: Bim Afolami explains why he should be chosen as the representative for Hitchin on the 4th of July.

39:11 Matt Porter’s Thanks and Closing Remarks 40:19 Closing Titles


Election Results for Hitchin Constituency 2024

The General Election results for the Hitchin Constituency have been announced. Here are the final tallies:

  • Bim Afolami (The Conservative Party Candidate): 14,958 votes
  • Charles Bunker (Reform UK): 6,760 votes
  • Sid Cordle (Christian Peoples Alliance): 181 votes
  • Will Lavin (Green Party): 2,631 votes
  • Chris Lucas (Liberal Democrats): 4,913 votes
  • Alistair Strathern (Labour Party): 23,067 votes – Elected

Congratulations to Alistair Strathern, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Hitchin! His victory marks a significant shift in the constituency, and we look forward to seeing his plans for Hitchin come to fruition.

The Gadget Man – Episode 179 – Navigating the Murky Waters of Jailbroken Streaming Devices: A Cautionary Tale

Today I had the pleasure of chatting with Trish Adudu on her drivetime show on BBC Radio CWR about Jailbroken Streaming Devices.

In the golden era of television, our choices were simple, defined by the limited channels available through traditional broadcast. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has dramatically shifted. The digital revolution has ushered in an age where streaming platforms are king, offering a cornucopia of content that was once unimaginable. Yet, with this abundance comes a new set of challenges for consumers navigating the costs and legalities of accessing their favorite shows and movies.

Enter the controversial world of jailbroken or “dodgy” fire sticks. These modified devices promise a world of free content, bypassing the subscription fees of mainstream streaming services. At first glance, the allure is undeniable. Who wouldn’t want access to endless entertainment without the hefty price tag? But as we peel back the layers, the darker implications of these devices come to light.

The Legal Grey Zone

First and foremost, it’s crucial to acknowledge the elephant in the room: jailbroken fire sticks are illegal. Despite their widespread availability and the somewhat cavalier attitude some may have towards using them, they pose significant legal risks to users. Beyond the risk of fines or legal action, there’s a deeper issue at play here—the ethics of content consumption. In our quest for convenience and cost-saving, we must ask ourselves: at what price does this come to the creators and distributors of the content we consume?

The Cost of Convenience

The debate over streaming platforms’ pricing structures is valid, especially in a world grappling with rising living costs. However, turning to illegal alternatives like jailbroken fire sticks isn’t a victimless crime. It undermines the very industry that entertains us, potentially stifling the creation of new content. Moreover, the risks extend beyond legal ramifications. Using these devices can expose users to cybersecurity threats, including theft of personal and financial information. Trusting one’s digital safety to the hands of unknown, potentially criminal entities is a gamble few should be willing to take.

A Fragmented Marketplace

The current streaming landscape is indeed fragmented, with exclusive content spread across numerous platforms. This exclusivity can lead to subscription fatigue, as consumers find themselves subscribing to multiple services to access all the content they desire—a costly endeavor. This fragmentation fuels the temptation to seek out illegal alternatives. Yet, it also calls for a discussion on the sustainability of the current model and the need for more consumer-friendly solutions.

Looking Forward

As we navigate the evolving world of digital content consumption, it’s clear that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. While the allure of free content is undeniable, the risks and ethical implications of jailbroken streaming devices cannot be overlooked. It’s a reminder of the need for a balanced approach that respects the rights of content creators while also considering the affordability and accessibility for consumers. Perhaps the future will bring more innovative solutions to this dilemma, but until then, the debate rages on.

The gadget world is vast and ever-changing, but as we venture into its depths, let’s tread carefully, mindful of the legal and ethical boundaries that govern our digital playground.

Gadget Man – Episode 169 – Ofcom orders Phone Networks to Stop Locking Phones + Advice and Tips about Switching Networks

In this episode, I chat to James Hazell on BBC Radio Suffolk about the ban on locking mobile phone handsets in the UK.

Mobile phone companies will be banned from selling ‘locked’ handsets, under a range of new rules from Ofcom that will make switching even simpler.

Some companies – including BT/EE, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone – still sell mobile phones that can’t be used on other networks unless they are unlocked. But this is a potentially complicated process which can also cost around £10. Ofcoms research shows that more than a third of people who decided against switching said this put them off.

Switching between mobile networks should now be simpler following Ofcom ruling
Switching between mobile networks should now be simpler following Ofcom ruling

Almost half of the customers who try to unlock their phone have difficulties doing so. For example, they might experience a long delay before getting the code they need to unlock their phone; the code might not work, or they could suffer a loss of service if they did not realise their phone was locked before they tried to switch.

So, following consultation, Ofcom has confirmed that mobile companies will be banned from selling locked phones. This will allow people to move to a different network with their existing handset, hassle-free. The new rules will come in from December 2021.

The Gadget Man – Episode 163 – Improving Broadband Speeds and Setting up Video Calling

The Coronavirus / Covid-19 crisis continues to affect the entire world. With the newly introduced restrictions of movement of people in the UK, today I spoke to James Hazell at BBC Radio Suffolk about how such a large increase in people at home can affect our Broadband Speeds and what we can do to get the best out of our connections.

In the second half, I talked about how to keep in contact with your family and friends using the likes of FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Skype and Zoom.

Listen in to the audio stream and let me know what you think?

Don’t forget to like, share, subscribe and most importantly stay safe and healthy

To raise the awareness of social distancing, download our free ready to print A4 or A3 posters by clicking here and remember Social Distancing Saves Lives

Social Distancing Saves Lives
Social Distancing Saves Lives

The Gadget Man – Episode 162 – Working From Home During the Coronavirus / Covid-19 Crisis

Such are the strange times we live in, many of us now face working from home for the first time along with caring for our children.

I have worked from home extensively over the past 20 years and I thought I would try and share some tips on how I have been able to work effectively in a home environment.

This morning I spoke to James Hazell at BBC Radio Suffolk about the trials and tribulations about working from home. Listen in to the stream to hear what I had to say and especially the advice at the end.

Stay Safe and Healthy

If you have been given a laptop to use at home, then there is a danger that you may find yourself sitting in an armchair trying to work and you will soon find this isn’t going to work well.

  1. Set up a work environment in a spare room or even your bedroom where you can away from disturbances and distractions as best as possible.
  2. Find a comfortable chair and if possible sit near a window so you can get fresh air while you are working.
  3. Set up your computer, so that is a semi-permanent environment and will allow you to separate work from home and give you a place to ‘go to work’
  4. Get dressed, you don’t go to your place of work in your pyjamas, so again, getting dressed gets your prepared for work.
  5. Take plenty of breaks. If you have children at home, you will need to be able to give them attention. If you can set specific times during the day to stop work, get up and walk around and make yourself a drink.
  6. Try to begin and end your work-day as you would if you were going to your place of work. Let your employer know that these are your work times. Setting these boundaries will mean that you aren’t on-call 24/7.
  7. Most home-working requires an internet connection. Over the coming months, our communications links are going to be under a great deal of strain. The video streaming services are going to be used extensively and this will put a great deal of pressure on internet connection speeds. Home internet is very different to work internet due to what’s called ‘contention ratios’, so you should be prepared for slower than normal connection speeds.
  8. Ask your employer to provide you with a mobile device that can be used as a ‘tether’. This means that should traditional broadband experience issues, you can fall back onto connecting to the internet by connecting via a ‘personal mobile hotspot’.
  9. Make sure all of your internet-connected devices are up to date. This means ensuring anti-virus is updated where applicable and any operating systems updates on your computers, set-top boxes, TV’s, IpCams etc are updated
  10. Keep all of your battery-powered devices charged up, but don’t leave mobile phones plugged in all of the time as the batteries don’t work as effectively if they all continuously charged.
  11. Use a trusted VPN connection to secure your broadband connection further. I recommend Ivacy VPN. Using a VPN or Virtual Private Network secures your connection.

Finally, regardless of whether you are working at home or not, you WILL find the number of scam calls you receive will increase, mainly because you will find yourself at home so much more. NEVER give out any personal bank details over the phone including PIN numbers or passwords. Ignore all automated calls and just hang up. These people care little for the health or financial wellbeing of their victims. If in doubt, speak to a trusted friend or member of your family before taking any action that will cost you money.

Stay Well and see you soon!

Matt
www.thegadgetman.org.uk

Gadget Man – Episode 160 – Apple Settles for $500m – SSL Issues – Boston Dynamics

This week’s Podcast / Vlog-cast comes from the second floor of Gadget Towers! In this episode, I talk to James Hazell at BBC Radio Suffolk about Apple’s class action settlement regarding the perceived slowing down of older iPhone models.

Running a website with an SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt? Check that you don’t need to request a new one as there has been issues with a large number over the past couple of days.

Boston Dynamics are at it again, this time they have their ever advance automation working in warehouses. Watch the videos after the Vlog to find out more.

Gadget Man Episode 157 – James Hazell Mix Tape Part 2 – Energy 52 – Cafe Del Mar

This morning was the second of my Mix Tape tracks played by James Hazell on BBC Radio Suffolk. I’ve attached the YouTube playlist again below which will play the interview followed by the track.

This is probably one of my favourite pieces of music ever, I don’t know quite where I first heard it, but it is a very, very, very popular dance track.

I went on holiday with my parents and some friends in Portugal. We had a villa and I brought this CD that someone had lent me, which was free on the front of Ministry Magazine, Hooj Choons.

I took that with me and it was a beautiful Villa and I went in and dragged the stereo system out beside the pool and put this on and had it blasting out sitting by the pool, and it was, it was like being in Ibiza when I was 20. It was fantastic!

Great Tune!

This doesn’t include the abrupt ending broadcast today on air!!

Below is a playlist which includes the track after the interview.