Met the Hopewell Mayor at the street party, Paul.  Democrat, he has been mayor for 5 years.  Hope well is very democratic, by more than 2-1.  Good news!  Was a v pleasant evening altogether.  Met a few new neighbours, had a few glasses of wine, sitting in the street around a fire whilst the kids (not ours - they were in bed early) played in somebodies pool.  V civilised.