Tory Hypocrisy or Tory Group Ignorance??
Has Eleanor Pinfold told the rest of her group that she has asked for a Political Assitant (see 10th July Strategy Commitee - Agenda item 10)?
If she hasn't, then the countdown begins to next years Annual Council meeting;
if this is agreed Tory Group policy, then no doubt Group press spokesperson David Pickles will explain how an extra £36,800 for the Tory Group is not hypocritical after their demands for less Councillor Allowances and a lower Council Tax.
I look forward to his explanation?
If she hasn't, then the countdown begins to next years Annual Council meeting;
if this is agreed Tory Group policy, then no doubt Group press spokesperson David Pickles will explain how an extra £36,800 for the Tory Group is not hypocritical after their demands for less Councillor Allowances and a lower Council Tax.
I look forward to his explanation?
posted by Charlie Mansell at 4:10 pm
2 Comments:
Thanks for the response, David. I genuinely welcome feedback.
If I were bitter, I doubt I would be writing such detailed analysis of what is going on at the Council and do what almost all defeated Councillors seem to do and disappear for four years!
The Labour Group suggested in 1994 that all three groups at the time (including the Tories) should have political assistance of some sort, but at the time the Tories and the Lib Dems opposed our proposal.
Being consistent on this issue, I welcome the fact that both Groups are now agreeing this.
For the Lib Dems it will avaoid the emabarrassment in:
a) A Head of Leadership Office who was a Kingston Lib Dem Councillor whjo attended Lib Dem Group meetings, when she was not meant to;
b) A Lib Dem MP's partner being selected over a very capable Council officer
c) A Lib Dem PPC being selected as Head of Leadership Office.
I am glad they have now receoved this issue.
For the Tories I was commenting that they wanted to reduce Councillors Allowances, but were prepared to increase spending on Political Assitants, by £36,800. Whenever Councillor Pickles goes on about Council waste in future, I will remind him of this.
Labour opposed ther Lib Dems when we felt it was right to. For example we opposed Lib Dem attempts to transfer our housing stock in 1998 and 2000 and as result we have an ALMO. We opposed the sell off of our old people homes in 1994 and in the end delayed this issue for over a decade. We opposed the Link Road and won that battle. Where we agree with the Lib Dems we say so, just as David Cameron would be advising his local party. Councillor Pickles might do well to heed that advice.
As a mere "ordinary member of the public" in the 1980's I led lots of campaigns. That comment says so much why people hated the Tories in the 80's and 90's. Perhaps Councillor Pickles will now apologice to "Ordinary members of the public" for his view of them.
Being a Councillor is not the only qualification to campaign locally as Mr Bunce would tell him. As an officer of a large political organisation representing 8% of voters not in the Council I am representing a lerger group than most residents associations and will continnue to put forward positive views as well as criticise when necessary.
Further to my earlier comment. perhaps I should also add, that with the possible exception of Graham Tope, that I attended almost every full Council Meeting in the 5 years prior to becoming a Councillor, thus as am "ordinary member of the public", I did exactly what I am doing now.
The only difference is that I can now use the internet to reserch my information as well as express my views.
Perhaps Darren, Richard, Marlene, "pbd" and few other people who didn't get elected will do the same?
In years to come, what I am doing now will be seen as quite normal.
Perhaps I am just ahead of the game?
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