OFF TOPIC - LOCAL POLITICS - You Have Been Warned!

[clayton]

What make you think I am a MBI, I was repling to the article about the residents first that does not make me a MBI.
Its just happens to be that they are all Labour but have gone under a new name you never know i may be supporting them on election day

[Keith]

okay guys, interesting debate and interesting to see an alternative view point, but the thread is showing signs of getting personal, so let's play nicely!

[Gnasher]

My final word, for now. I have never hidden my local political stance, I don't have one and that is on record many times. I do NOT believe in local party politics, that's where the sarcasm about the Residents First adopting that attitude comes from.

I have said I'd vote for Posh in a local election but it doesn't make me a red. I can't remember meeting anyone else with such a grip on local issues (and a succesfull local company behind them).

I owe everything I have to shopkeepers but when it comes to managing a budget the size of ours, I'd prefer someone with a good track record instead of a shopkeeper, retired nurse or B&B landlady.

[Posh]

My final word, for now. I have never hidden my local political stance, I don't have one and that is on record many times. I do NOT believe in local party politics, that's where the sarcasm about the Residents First adopting that attitude comes from.

I have said I'd vote for Posh in a local election but it doesn't make me a red. I can't remember meeting anyone else with such a grip on local issues (and a succesfull local company behind them).

I owe everything I have to shopkeepers but when it comes to managing a budget the size of ours, I'd prefer someone with a good track record instead of a shopkeeper, retired nurse or B&B landlady.

That's very kind of you. However by my estimation a good councillor needs to commit at least 20 hours a week to the task. In return you have to work to standards far tighter than that set for MPs, you face ridicule at every step and almost no thanks, and in return you'll be lucky if you get paid £4,500 for that. I've got a family, a business to run, a mortgage to pay, and frankly things to do that are more fun, more rewarding or both in the little spare time I have. And there are many others in the same position who could add value to local democracy but can't.

[marky No.1]

I am not joining into this debate but would like to say MY business rates, now that transitional relief has been scrapped, have increased by 68% since April 2007.
Don't want to moan as I won't get sympathy but it's no wonder more and more and more and more and more shop windows will be boarded up. There must be a great market for "TO LET" signs.

[Gnasher]

That's very kind of you. However by my estimation a good councillor needs to commit at least 20 hours a week to the task. In return you have to work to standards far tighter than that set for MPs, you face ridicule at every step and almost no thanks, and in return you'll be lucky if you get paid £4,500 for that. I've got a family, a business to run, a mortgage to pay, and frankly things to do that are more fun, more rewarding or both in the little spare time I have. And there are many others in the same position who could add value to local democracy but can't.

Well aware of all that Posh, that's why we end up with what we've got.

[shrimper]

...paid councillors, then?

[Gnasher]

Profit share? Get the city back in the black and be rewarded for it?

No expenses though

[Mark S]

Just read the list of candidates in The Visitor.

Reads like a 'Who's who?' of unsuccessful council candidates looking for a second bite at the cherry.

I wont be voting in what I believe to be an undemocratic toothless sham until one of the candidates says that he or she will work towards abolishing it.

We didnt ask for it. We didnt vote for it, we shouldnt be paying for it.

Its well documented that I am not really interested in local politics and dont understand how they work. However I know a scam when I see one.

When I voted for representation at the last elections, I was led to believe that the successful candidate would be representing this ward and that the people chosen across the district would be the ones to make decisions on local spending. If I have got this right, what we will have is the best of the failures making decisions that most of us in the district havent asked them to do.

Is that right?

[Posh]

Just read the list of candidates in The Visitor.

Reads like a 'Who's who?' of unsuccessful council candidates looking for a second bite at the cherry.

I wont be voting in what I believe to be an undemocratic toothless sham until one of the candidates says that he or she will work towards abolishing it.

We didnt ask for it. We didnt vote for it, we shouldnt be paying for it.

Its well documented that I am not really interested in local politics and dont understand how they work. However I know a scam when I see one.

When I voted for representation at the last elections, I was led to believe that the successful candidate would be representing this ward and that the people chosen across the district would be the ones to make decisions on local spending. If I have got this right, what we will have is the best of the failures making decisions that most of us in the district havent asked them to do.

Is that right?

And even worse you don't even live in the Morecambe Town Council boundaries so won't even get a vote.

Still, look on the bright side, you won't be paying for it.

[Posh]

...paid councillors, then?

Cut the number of councillors from 60 to 20 and pay them a half decent weekly wage. You would get more competition for candidates and ultimately a greater range and better quality. As only about 9 people on cabinet really have any power, the others could scrutinise better and also work more effectively on bodies such as planning.

[Mark S]

And even worse you don't even live in the Morecambe Town Council boundaries so won't even get a vote.

Still, look on the bright side, you won't be paying for it.

Very subtle Mike

As Mike has just very gently nudged me to discover that I appear to be In Heysham South, that would be my interest in this thread finished.

Nowt to do with me.

I dont know why you lot put up with it! I wouldnt!

[John L]

I dont know why you lot put up with it! I wouldnt!

Right, that's it. I'm moving!!!

[Gnasher]

And even worse you don't even live in the Morecambe Town Council boundaries so won't even get a vote.

Still, look on the bright side, you won't be paying for it.

Very subtle Mike

As Mike has just very gently nudged me to discover that I appear to be In Heysham South, that would be my interest in this thread finished.

Nowt to do with me.

I dont know why you lot put up with it! I wouldnt!

So you don't officially live in Morecambe, you're no better than a ManU supporter

[bigreddog]

Just read the list of candidates in The Visitor.

Reads like a 'Who's who?' of unsuccessful council candidates looking for a second bite at the cherry.

And yet those who don't need one have proven themselves to be so competent haven't they. paradox in your argument or what.

Still, look on the bright side, you won't be paying for it.

Unfortunately that's just not true. if you are not in the area where the town council is, you are still going to end up subsidising it even if it dosn't show on your bill.

[Jumping Jack Flash38]

The M.B.I Party have worked hard for the town over the last two years namely in
ensuring that local people get a localised form of democracy with the inovative Town Council as well as thier dynamic leader ensuring the future of The only jewel we have in The Winter Gardens. I am awarte that June Ashworth is a hard working on the Council as well as Evelyn Archer.

[shrimper]

I realise that politicians of all parties are abusing the system but the majority aren't and only receive what's needed, not for themselves, but in order to properly do their jobs and to server their constituents. If you don't like it you can vote them out (unlike bankers etc.). I find the cynicism utterly appalling but, given the current climate its understandable.

The biggest problem I have is that the debate is fuelled by the likes of the Daily Express. They've slashed the number of journalists, sub-editors etc. sometimes in appalling fashion, yet the owner paid himself £11 million last year from earnings from the Star, Express and his hardcore porn empire; and the editor drives around in a chaufferred car with his £500,000 salary - bigger than any MP can earn in 8 years or the Prime Minister who looks after a £1/2 trillion pound budget and millions of staff can earn in three. P.S. The editor of the Daily Mail took home £1.2 million last year, despite breaches of privacy, paying money to the McCann family etc. etc. A plague on their houses too.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8045040.stm

[P/T Indie]

Just read the list of candidates in The Visitor.

Reads like a 'Who's who?' of unsuccessful council candidates looking for a second bite at the cherry.

I wont be voting in what I believe to be an undemocratic toothless sham until one of the candidates says that he or she will work towards abolishing it.

We didnt ask for it. We didnt vote for it, we shouldnt be paying for it.

Its well documented that I am not really interested in local politics and dont understand how they work. However I know a scam when I see one.

When I voted for representation at the last elections, I was led to believe that the successful candidate would be representing this ward and that the people chosen across the district would be the ones to make decisions on local spending. If I have got this right, what we will have is the best of the failures making decisions that most of us in the district havent asked them to do.

Is that right?

Did you see the letter in the Visitor from the bloke who feels the same but doesn't want to give up his right to vote.
He said all spoilt papers have to be counted so if there was a large number of spoilt papers it would send out a message that noone wants the town council. He said something like everyone should right "say no to the town council".

Would be intresting if they got more of them than actual votes

[Posh]

I realise that politicians of all parties are abusing the system but the majority aren't and only receive what's needed, not for themselves, but in order to properly do their jobs and to server their constituents. If you don't like it you can vote them out (unlike bankers etc.). I find the cynicism utterly appalling but, given the current climate its understandable.

The biggest problem I have is that the debate is fuelled by the likes of the Daily Express. They've slashed the number of journalists, sub-editors etc. sometimes in appalling fashion, yet the owner paid himself £11 million last year from earnings from the Star, Express and his hardcore porn empire; and the editor drives around in a chaufferred car with his £500,000 salary - bigger than any MP can earn in 8 years or the Prime Minister who looks after a £1/2 trillion pound budget and millions of staff can earn in three. P.S. The editor of the Daily Mail took home £1.2 million last year, despite breaches of privacy, paying money to the McCann family etc. etc. A plague on their houses too.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8045040.stm

Thanks for the link Glen.

Frankly I couldn't agree more and Stephen Fry is not a genius but someone who can sum up the real issues of our time more concisely and more adeptly than almost anyone in the country.

Sure some politicians have behaved pretty contemptibly, particularly those with extensive wealth like Douglas Hogg (moat cleaned), who must surely have realised how this would be viewed if it was to become public.

Yet very simply for the MPs we need - not those born with wealth who only know public schools and a private health system or those given it like trade union sponsored MPs - those who want to service their constituents and their country the treatment of the majority of them by the press has been utterly appalling.

I can't think of another job where you require two homes. One in non-London constituencies you live and the people you serve, and one in the heart of London where you need to be present for the decision-making process. As part of that it seems logical that the costs of a simple ordinary second home in London and the cost of standard and necessary upkeep should be paid for by the state. Additionally profit made on the sale of the home should be refunded to the taxpayer and on the counter any loss should be borne by the taxpayer. And the fact is that the majority of the 652 MPs conduct themselves for the most part within those rules. Yet given free rein and encouragement by civil servants in the fees office some MPs have stretched the boundaries to ridiculous and absurd levels. However unlike people who dodge their VAT payments; people who take a speeding fine for someone to save them from disqualification; tax dodgers like Lord Rothermere (owed by £5 million - settled to pay £300K); and so many more who rip off you, me and everyone else (of which the press are by far some of the worse culprits) these MPs are accountable to every single one of their electorate at a vote which means they could lose their jobs, their second home and any expenses. The cynicism, lack of understanding and double standards on this issue is a national disgrace.

[Jumping Jack Flash38]

It concerns me to learn that Roger Plumb has been enforced to withdraw from the County Council Elections all because of protocol. Roger is a very hard working City Council --he is always active along with his collegues. Geraldine Smith is backing Roger up by asking the headteacher that thier is no impact on his teaching post, so I believe. It is good to know that Geraldine uses common sense and backs the stronger and most sensible party at local level. Geraldine was vey coregious in endorsing the M.B.I during the 2007 local elections-it displays her independence from the politicaly correct brigade within her Labour Party.

It is a tragedy that Morecambe North is now without a M.B.I candidate--thus being unabke to cast a vote for a person who is politically independent.

[Gnasher]

The M.B.I Party have worked hard for the town over the last two years namely in
ensuring that local people get a localised form of democracy with the inovative Town Council as well as thier dynamic leader ensuring the future of The only jewel we have in The Winter Gardens. I am awarte that June Ashworth is a hard working on the Council as well as Evelyn Archer.

Local democracy, sold to us at no cost but everyone in the boundary is paying about £20 each for it. Thanks for that. Morecambe Parish Council, founded on a lie.

Hard working? You've got to be joking. From personal experience, they are both ignorant towards the people in their wards. You can tell them that from me, Brian Sheldon.

[Posh]

It concerns me to learn that Roger Plumb has been enforced to withdraw from the County Council Elections all because of protocol.

It is a tragedy that Morecambe North is now without a M.B.I candidate--thus being unabke to cast a vote for a person who is politically independent.

Sorry its got nothing to do with protocol and more with sheer stupidity. There is a simple rule that any employee of Lancashire County Council cannot stand for election to Lancashire County Council, as Mr Plumb is.

http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/ ... =22398&e=e

Shows the general public the intellect of the MBI and Mr Plumb that they can't even read a piece of paper.

[Plain Peter]

Did you see the letter in the Visitor from the bloke who feels the same but doesn't want to give up his right to vote.
He said all spoilt papers have to be counted so if there was a large number of spoilt papers it would send out a message that noone wants the town council. He said something like everyone should right "say no to the town council".

Not a bad idea.

[bigreddog]

It concerns me to learn that Roger Plumb has been enforced to withdraw from the County Council Elections all because of protocol.

It is a tragedy that Morecambe North is now without a M.B.I candidate--thus being unabke to cast a vote for a person who is politically independent.

Sorry its got nothing to do with protocol and more with sheer stupidity. There is a simple rule that any employee of Lancashire County Council cannot stand for election to Lancashire County Council, as Mr Plumb is.

http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/ ... =22398&e=e

Shows the general public the intellect of the MBI and Mr Plumb that they can't even read a piece of paper.

Beat me to it posh. It is beyond comprehension that a party which sets itself up as the voice of morecambe think they are above the rules. Mr Plumb wants to stand for county council even though no other county council employee would be or has been allowed to. He's probably taken his lead from cllr Archer who spent her time complaining about entertainments licences a while back, even though she was putting on er.. entertainment.

The fact that Geraldine Smith is backing Mr Plumb doesn't prove her independence, it proves that she believes herself and her friends to be above the rules, it proves that she has no clue about the rules for standing for office (which you'd think a professional politician might have a rudamentary understanding of) and it also shows she knows nothing about the employment act or school governance.

Mr Plumb should be embarrassed that he couldn't follow simple instructions and Ms Smith should realise she is the MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale not the monarch.

[clayton]

okay guys, interesting debate and interesting to see an alternative view point, but the thread is showing signs of getting personal, so let's play nicely!