paid reviews
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
State of Play: Euro 2013, Football and Palestine
In the autumn of 2011 Philosophy Football met Honey Thalijeh, then captain of the Palestine Women’s Football team. Inspired by what she told them about what football meant to her country they promised that when Euro 2013 opened in Israel they would return to be in Palestine.
This June Israel have hosted the second biggest international team tournament in European football, the Euro 2013 Under 21′s Championship. Its the biggest international sporting event ever held in Israel. And England were thought to have a decent chance of winning. We know since they had a nightmare and many words have been written by some of our top sports journalists like Henry Winter about our pathetic displays - but little if anything was written about what was happening just a few miles from the stadiums where the tournament is being held.
But on the other side of the wall Israel built football is played and watched in Palestine under the most abnormal of conditions. Massive restrictions of movement, 24 hour surveillance and illegal settlements and land grabs, yet on the football pitch, as recognised by FIFA, Palestine plays football as a nation.
Throughout the tournament Israel has done everything it can to keep attention away from football on the Palestinian side of the wall. Philosophy Football had returned and made a film, the film, shot at the start of June will help to break this silence. The film was premiered in Ramallah at the HQ of the Palestine Olympic Association and simultaneously released on YouTube.
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the British Premier, held at the Electric Film Palace in Harwich. You can view it here on 'You tube' - it will be shown tomorrow in Soho and then tour Film Festivals over the UK and Europe.
I t interested me as football can help break down barriers and borders - as a young soldier we used football coaching to build up friendship with local Bosnian children then helped organise a tournament between Serb and Bosnian Muslim children.
Last week in Turkey, supporters of the three Turkish football teams joined together to protest about the current Turkish leader.
In Italy clubs have their 'Ultra' fans - often associated with a political group- some on the 'far right' but others like Vitus Verona on the 'left'.
In England, organisations like 'Philosophy Football' have shown that supporters can join together to make a difference- you can't separate politics from sport. In the past the English Far Right have believed they have had the monopoly when it comes to attracting football supporters - but this has always been a myth it us just that organisations like the National Front and the BNP have been more vocal about their links with football groups. But it is important that those in the centre and on the left speak out. With the EDL gathering support since the murder of a soldier in Woolwich it is important that fans groups stand up and be counted and do not allow all football fans to be tarnished with the 'Far Right' EDL tag as often happened in the 70's when all fans were seen as NF foot soldiers.
The 2013/14 season will be an important one politically for football, clubs, the FA and fans from Palestine to Italy, Russia to Turkey and Sweden to Britain.
This June Israel have hosted the second biggest international team tournament in European football, the Euro 2013 Under 21′s Championship. Its the biggest international sporting event ever held in Israel. And England were thought to have a decent chance of winning. We know since they had a nightmare and many words have been written by some of our top sports journalists like Henry Winter about our pathetic displays - but little if anything was written about what was happening just a few miles from the stadiums where the tournament is being held.
But on the other side of the wall Israel built football is played and watched in Palestine under the most abnormal of conditions. Massive restrictions of movement, 24 hour surveillance and illegal settlements and land grabs, yet on the football pitch, as recognised by FIFA, Palestine plays football as a nation.
Throughout the tournament Israel has done everything it can to keep attention away from football on the Palestinian side of the wall. Philosophy Football had returned and made a film, the film, shot at the start of June will help to break this silence. The film was premiered in Ramallah at the HQ of the Palestine Olympic Association and simultaneously released on YouTube.
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the British Premier, held at the Electric Film Palace in Harwich. You can view it here on 'You tube' - it will be shown tomorrow in Soho and then tour Film Festivals over the UK and Europe.
I t interested me as football can help break down barriers and borders - as a young soldier we used football coaching to build up friendship with local Bosnian children then helped organise a tournament between Serb and Bosnian Muslim children.
Last week in Turkey, supporters of the three Turkish football teams joined together to protest about the current Turkish leader.
In Italy clubs have their 'Ultra' fans - often associated with a political group- some on the 'far right' but others like Vitus Verona on the 'left'.
In England, organisations like 'Philosophy Football' have shown that supporters can join together to make a difference- you can't separate politics from sport. In the past the English Far Right have believed they have had the monopoly when it comes to attracting football supporters - but this has always been a myth it us just that organisations like the National Front and the BNP have been more vocal about their links with football groups. But it is important that those in the centre and on the left speak out. With the EDL gathering support since the murder of a soldier in Woolwich it is important that fans groups stand up and be counted and do not allow all football fans to be tarnished with the 'Far Right' EDL tag as often happened in the 70's when all fans were seen as NF foot soldiers.
The 2013/14 season will be an important one politically for football, clubs, the FA and fans from Palestine to Italy, Russia to Turkey and Sweden to Britain.
My week ahead 17 - 23 June 2013
Monday 17 June – 4pm, Culture Portfolio meeting
6pm, Labour Group meeting
Tuesday 18 June – 5pm, Sidegate School, Finance meeting
Wednesday 19 June – 9am – Ipswich Borough Council, Planning meeting – Grafton House
Thursday 20 June – 7pm, ‘Refugee Week’ Quiz with a twist! PJ McGinty and Sons Pub
Friday 21 June – 7pm, Launch of Ip-Art, Ipswich Waterfront
Saturday 22 June - 10am, Labour campaigning, North West Ipswich
Many people moan about the town we live in, but Ipswich has far more going on in it than most towns of a similar size and certainly far more than when I was growing up in the town. The best bit is much of it is free and there is something for all ages to see or participate in.
This week we had the final of the ‘Tour Series’ cycle races and it was without doubt a great success and more pleasing was the organisers stating it was the best event of the whole series. The trick now is in conjunction with the County Council to work towards hosting an even bigger cycling event. Manchester may have the velodrome but when it comes to road events, Ipswich (and Suffolk) is certainly becoming a second home for British Cycling.
This week we launch Ip-Art in the town, again a vast range of events and many aimed at our younger residents and many free. The Sherlock Homes play by the Pantaloons, to be staged outside Christchurch Mansion is the one event that I have pencilled in to attend. But I am sure that even the biggest ‘moaner’ will find something they like happening over the next few weeks.
A number of meetings to attend over the next week, planning will see the thorny subject of yet another application for another bookmakers to be opened in the town. The Government and our local Tory MP keep implying that we (the local council) can do something but this is case, similar to phone masts where the Government needs to give more direction.
I also have a further meeting at Sidegate Primary School, the staff – and the pupils are working so hard to improve standards but often it seems the Tory Government just want to pull the rug from underneath them with the Tory County Council not helping but just saying “how hard to you want the rug pulled?”
Any spare time will be spent campaigning in the five wards that are under threat of seeing a bus route removed or reduced. The Tories seem to have just focussed on one ward and spent most of the time scaremongering rather than looking for a solution. Fortunately Labour run Ipswich Borough council has a fund of £140,000 that can be used to help subsidise bus routes- a fund the Tories did not want us to have!
6pm, Labour Group meeting
Tuesday 18 June – 5pm, Sidegate School, Finance meeting
Wednesday 19 June – 9am – Ipswich Borough Council, Planning meeting – Grafton House
Thursday 20 June – 7pm, ‘Refugee Week’ Quiz with a twist! PJ McGinty and Sons Pub
Friday 21 June – 7pm, Launch of Ip-Art, Ipswich Waterfront
Saturday 22 June - 10am, Labour campaigning, North West Ipswich
Many people moan about the town we live in, but Ipswich has far more going on in it than most towns of a similar size and certainly far more than when I was growing up in the town. The best bit is much of it is free and there is something for all ages to see or participate in.
This week we had the final of the ‘Tour Series’ cycle races and it was without doubt a great success and more pleasing was the organisers stating it was the best event of the whole series. The trick now is in conjunction with the County Council to work towards hosting an even bigger cycling event. Manchester may have the velodrome but when it comes to road events, Ipswich (and Suffolk) is certainly becoming a second home for British Cycling.
This week we launch Ip-Art in the town, again a vast range of events and many aimed at our younger residents and many free. The Sherlock Homes play by the Pantaloons, to be staged outside Christchurch Mansion is the one event that I have pencilled in to attend. But I am sure that even the biggest ‘moaner’ will find something they like happening over the next few weeks.
A number of meetings to attend over the next week, planning will see the thorny subject of yet another application for another bookmakers to be opened in the town. The Government and our local Tory MP keep implying that we (the local council) can do something but this is case, similar to phone masts where the Government needs to give more direction.
I also have a further meeting at Sidegate Primary School, the staff – and the pupils are working so hard to improve standards but often it seems the Tory Government just want to pull the rug from underneath them with the Tory County Council not helping but just saying “how hard to you want the rug pulled?”
Any spare time will be spent campaigning in the five wards that are under threat of seeing a bus route removed or reduced. The Tories seem to have just focussed on one ward and spent most of the time scaremongering rather than looking for a solution. Fortunately Labour run Ipswich Borough council has a fund of £140,000 that can be used to help subsidise bus routes- a fund the Tories did not want us to have!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Latest Ipswich Tory leaflet - ‘50% inaccurate, 100% hypocrisy’
Yesterday Ipswich Tories pushed out a leaflet in Stoke Park which is one the most inaccurate I have ever seen put out by the local Conservatives – and that is saying something.
Not sure our local MP, Ben Gummer will be too impressed that his name has been added to it. Not only is it inaccurate but is also scaremongering and as it intended target audience is some of our more senior residents that is scandalous.
But for me more shocking than the inaccuracies is the sheer hypocrisy of the leaflet. Cllr Cenci – who seems to be the author of the leaflet even repeated the inaccuracies on a post on her blog. She has since altered her blog but do not expect her to put out a second leaflet apologising!
Now let's put down the correct facts about the Number 16 bus route, before we highlight both the inaccuracies of the leaflet and the sheer hypocrisy of Cllr Cenci.
Labour are not axing the No 16 bus service, Ipswich Buses are De-registering the service which is not the same and does not mean the service will cease.
As Ipswich Buses no longer intend to run the service on a commercial basis there is a legal process they have to follow. They have to notify VOSA (Dept for Transport) of their intention to cease running these COMMERCIALLY.
Ipswich Borough Council are able to enter into an agreement with Ipswich Buses to continue to run these services with financial support if required.
Ipswich Borough Council has a budget which purpose is to support local bus services.
A
That is the facts on the Number 16, and members of Stoke Park Residents Association have been consulted on this. Now the 16 is not the only route that was under threat. In the North East we have both the 22 and 31 being axed by the Tory run County Council, part of the route will now be replaced by a new route- the 39 – but Ipswich Hospital will no longer be served by this bus.
All over Suffolk, the County are looking to reduce their subsidies to bus services- a direct result of the County declaring that for the next 4 years there will be no rise in council tax.
Now onto the claims of Cllr Cenci –
The leaflet (and her original blog post) indicated that Labour Cllr Smart is a member of the Board of Ipswich Bus Company – he is not – she since has indicated that her leaflet does not say he is a board member! The leaflet states; “why he (Cllr Smart) and other Ipswich Bus board members” seems pretty obvious to me if I read that and did not know any better that it was implying Cllr Smart is a bus board member. She should have known that Cllr Smart was not on the board of the bus company as she was party to the nasty act of taking him off the Bus Board in March 2007.
She also needs to remember that every time she puts up a blog post another certain Ipswich Tory will have re-posted it on his site- so the lie/inaccuracy is on here even after she changes her post. (Bet Ben Gummer is glad his name is both on the post and the leaflet – Tory Chair Grant Shapps would not have been so bothered by the inaccuracies!)
Now she is also claims that she has never voted against anything to do with Ipswich Buses – she voted for the Tory alternative budget in 2012 that would have taken away the proposed grant to help subsidise bus services in Ipswich - £140,000 – and now just over a year later she wishes us to spend that money on maintaining the number 16. That is hypocrisy.
She also asks why Ipswich Buses didn’t – or does she mean Ipswich Borough Council? (she seems to forget that the Bus Company is owned but not controlled by the Borough) send her a letter telling of the changes – well as a Rushmere Councillor I am still waiting to be told by the Tory run County that they are to axe the 22 and 31 where in her ward the 16 is set to continue.
She then goes on to list a number of points and the best example of her hypocrisy:
She wants the Borough to fund Ipswich Buses to run the route NOT (her use of capitals) a private company. Shock, horror a Tory wants public transport to be run by the state!! Former Tory Cllr and part time UKIP cheerleader – Gavin Maclure, would want her thrown out of the Tory Party for that statement alone.
Then to even suggest we should use public money to subside public transport – they will think whilst some of her party are thinking of jumping to UKIP she is on her way to join the Far Left!
Now I would welcome her sudden conversion to socialist ideals, but this is the same councillor who voted for a budget that would have stopped IBC giving the bus company money to run routes, the same Cllr who was part of a Tory executive that not long ago wanted to sell the buses off to a private company!
If that is not enough hypocrisy for you to top it off Cllr Cenci stood as a candidate for the County Elections whose only real manifesto promise was 0% council tax rise- the same proposal that is seeing bus routes cut. On her blog post she states she is concerned mainly about the bus route as it is used by many of our senior residents- she did not seem bothered about them when the County agreed to sell off all the Care Homes – to a private company.
So Cllr Cenci, I can’t believe you have seen the light and are now a great believer in Public Transport not only being provided by a council but subsidised by the tax payer.
When I had only been on the council a short while(January 2010) I attended a Borough scrutiny meeting – where a leading Ipswich Tory councillor told us he would never travel on an Ipswich bus as it was like ‘hell on wheels’, last year the Tory transport spokesman did not even know how much is cost on the bus for a trip to town. Public Transport is not and never will be safe under a Tory administration.
Not sure our local MP, Ben Gummer will be too impressed that his name has been added to it. Not only is it inaccurate but is also scaremongering and as it intended target audience is some of our more senior residents that is scandalous.
But for me more shocking than the inaccuracies is the sheer hypocrisy of the leaflet. Cllr Cenci – who seems to be the author of the leaflet even repeated the inaccuracies on a post on her blog. She has since altered her blog but do not expect her to put out a second leaflet apologising!
Now let's put down the correct facts about the Number 16 bus route, before we highlight both the inaccuracies of the leaflet and the sheer hypocrisy of Cllr Cenci.
Labour are not axing the No 16 bus service, Ipswich Buses are De-registering the service which is not the same and does not mean the service will cease.
As Ipswich Buses no longer intend to run the service on a commercial basis there is a legal process they have to follow. They have to notify VOSA (Dept for Transport) of their intention to cease running these COMMERCIALLY.
Ipswich Borough Council are able to enter into an agreement with Ipswich Buses to continue to run these services with financial support if required.
Ipswich Borough Council has a budget which purpose is to support local bus services.
A
That is the facts on the Number 16, and members of Stoke Park Residents Association have been consulted on this. Now the 16 is not the only route that was under threat. In the North East we have both the 22 and 31 being axed by the Tory run County Council, part of the route will now be replaced by a new route- the 39 – but Ipswich Hospital will no longer be served by this bus.
All over Suffolk, the County are looking to reduce their subsidies to bus services- a direct result of the County declaring that for the next 4 years there will be no rise in council tax.
Now onto the claims of Cllr Cenci –
The leaflet (and her original blog post) indicated that Labour Cllr Smart is a member of the Board of Ipswich Bus Company – he is not – she since has indicated that her leaflet does not say he is a board member! The leaflet states; “why he (Cllr Smart) and other Ipswich Bus board members” seems pretty obvious to me if I read that and did not know any better that it was implying Cllr Smart is a bus board member. She should have known that Cllr Smart was not on the board of the bus company as she was party to the nasty act of taking him off the Bus Board in March 2007.
She also needs to remember that every time she puts up a blog post another certain Ipswich Tory will have re-posted it on his site- so the lie/inaccuracy is on here even after she changes her post. (Bet Ben Gummer is glad his name is both on the post and the leaflet – Tory Chair Grant Shapps would not have been so bothered by the inaccuracies!)
Now she is also claims that she has never voted against anything to do with Ipswich Buses – she voted for the Tory alternative budget in 2012 that would have taken away the proposed grant to help subsidise bus services in Ipswich - £140,000 – and now just over a year later she wishes us to spend that money on maintaining the number 16. That is hypocrisy.
She also asks why Ipswich Buses didn’t – or does she mean Ipswich Borough Council? (she seems to forget that the Bus Company is owned but not controlled by the Borough) send her a letter telling of the changes – well as a Rushmere Councillor I am still waiting to be told by the Tory run County that they are to axe the 22 and 31 where in her ward the 16 is set to continue.
She then goes on to list a number of points and the best example of her hypocrisy:
She wants the Borough to fund Ipswich Buses to run the route NOT (her use of capitals) a private company. Shock, horror a Tory wants public transport to be run by the state!! Former Tory Cllr and part time UKIP cheerleader – Gavin Maclure, would want her thrown out of the Tory Party for that statement alone.
Then to even suggest we should use public money to subside public transport – they will think whilst some of her party are thinking of jumping to UKIP she is on her way to join the Far Left!
Now I would welcome her sudden conversion to socialist ideals, but this is the same councillor who voted for a budget that would have stopped IBC giving the bus company money to run routes, the same Cllr who was part of a Tory executive that not long ago wanted to sell the buses off to a private company!
If that is not enough hypocrisy for you to top it off Cllr Cenci stood as a candidate for the County Elections whose only real manifesto promise was 0% council tax rise- the same proposal that is seeing bus routes cut. On her blog post she states she is concerned mainly about the bus route as it is used by many of our senior residents- she did not seem bothered about them when the County agreed to sell off all the Care Homes – to a private company.
So Cllr Cenci, I can’t believe you have seen the light and are now a great believer in Public Transport not only being provided by a council but subsidised by the tax payer.
When I had only been on the council a short while(January 2010) I attended a Borough scrutiny meeting – where a leading Ipswich Tory councillor told us he would never travel on an Ipswich bus as it was like ‘hell on wheels’, last year the Tory transport spokesman did not even know how much is cost on the bus for a trip to town. Public Transport is not and never will be safe under a Tory administration.
My week ahead 10 - 17 June 2013
Monday 10 June – 6pm, Labour campaigning- East Ipswich
Tuesday 11 June – 6pm, East Ipswich Housing Panel
Thursday 13 June – 4pm, Meeting at SCC about proposals for Rushmere Hall School
6pm – Ipswich Borough Council Scrutiny meeting
Friday 14 June – 4pm, Pearl Izumi Cycle Tour series, Ipswich town centre
Saturday 16 June - 10am, Labour campaigning, North West Ipswich
This week has been both satisfying and difficult – the good part was being able to inform residents that their bus service (22 and 31) were not to be lost. The first cuts by the Tory run Suffolk County Council are starting to leak out (no mention in any Tory election leaflet) and subsidies to bus routes are one of the first cuts to hit Ipswich. The good news is that the 22 and 31 will be replaced by a new service – the 39 – though it does cease working earlier in the afternoon as it then moves to the County run school bus service later in the afternoon. I will continue to both fight with residents against these Tory cuts and also work with the Borough Council and Ipswich Buses to try and help in areas where a bus service is lost.
The frustrating part has been dealing with residents’ concerns about the building of the new supermarket on the ‘Golden Key’ site on Woodbridge Rd. Chaos is the best way to describe what Rushmere residents woke to on Monday morning. The traffic jams and chaos were not acceptable. Fortunately our new Labour County Councillor was onto the task straight away and managed to get the County Council to change part of the road layout.
We now have a further 6 weeks of this chaos on one of the town’s main arterial routes! We (Ipswich Borough Council) did turn down the planning application because of traffic concerns – Monday was just yet one more example of where we (and residents) were right. Pity the Government Inspector did not listen – or visit the site during term time!
But to finish on a positive note, was a pleasure to visit the Beverley/Whitby Rd Community 'Front garden' sale today - after the success of the 'Big Lunch' held on Brunswick Recreation Ground last week, it is nice to know that we live in a ward with a real community feel.
Tuesday 11 June – 6pm, East Ipswich Housing Panel
Thursday 13 June – 4pm, Meeting at SCC about proposals for Rushmere Hall School
6pm – Ipswich Borough Council Scrutiny meeting
Friday 14 June – 4pm, Pearl Izumi Cycle Tour series, Ipswich town centre
Saturday 16 June - 10am, Labour campaigning, North West Ipswich
This week has been both satisfying and difficult – the good part was being able to inform residents that their bus service (22 and 31) were not to be lost. The first cuts by the Tory run Suffolk County Council are starting to leak out (no mention in any Tory election leaflet) and subsidies to bus routes are one of the first cuts to hit Ipswich. The good news is that the 22 and 31 will be replaced by a new service – the 39 – though it does cease working earlier in the afternoon as it then moves to the County run school bus service later in the afternoon. I will continue to both fight with residents against these Tory cuts and also work with the Borough Council and Ipswich Buses to try and help in areas where a bus service is lost.
The frustrating part has been dealing with residents’ concerns about the building of the new supermarket on the ‘Golden Key’ site on Woodbridge Rd. Chaos is the best way to describe what Rushmere residents woke to on Monday morning. The traffic jams and chaos were not acceptable. Fortunately our new Labour County Councillor was onto the task straight away and managed to get the County Council to change part of the road layout.
We now have a further 6 weeks of this chaos on one of the town’s main arterial routes! We (Ipswich Borough Council) did turn down the planning application because of traffic concerns – Monday was just yet one more example of where we (and residents) were right. Pity the Government Inspector did not listen – or visit the site during term time!
But to finish on a positive note, was a pleasure to visit the Beverley/Whitby Rd Community 'Front garden' sale today - after the success of the 'Big Lunch' held on Brunswick Recreation Ground last week, it is nice to know that we live in a ward with a real community feel.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
The EDL, the military and the aftermath of the savage murder of Drummer Rigby
I am sure that most of this country were appalled and shocked by the murder of Drummer Rigby 10 days ago. As an ex-soldier it was reminder of the threat from Irish extremism that we lived under for the majority of my time in the army. The way Drummer Rigby was murdered and the callous way the two murderers asked people to photograph them and then call the police was something we have never witnessed in this country before. But members of the IRA and INLA murdered many soldiers, police members, innocent civilians, and children but maybe as we never had 24/7 news coverage and those murders were carried out by people who did not want to get caught and quickly sneaked away into the background we did not have the same revulsion we feel today about the murder of Drummer Rigby.
Some good may come out of his despicable act, the military will be reminded again that unlike the 70’s and 80’s they are much loved and respected by the British public and more importantly the Muslim community has quickly condemned the actions of the two murderers and not only that have opened up their Mosques to the general public and in some places like York, even invited members of the Far Right EDL into the mosque to talk and share tea and biscuits.
Even here in Ipswich some members of the Muslim community joined EDL members on their march through the town, though I for one feel this was step too far and gave the EDL some form of legitimacy they do not warrant.
But where does that leave us now both in the UK and closer to home in Ipswich?
There has been more dialogue between faiths and communities, we do not want people to just retreat into their own groups and areas. But I do fear about the growth of the Far Right over the next two years. This country is tolerant and has always welcomed immigrants, refugees and visitors into this country- in most cases with open arms. But mistakes have been made and some communities have found it harder to feel this is their home. Some like the Somalian community have seen many of their younger members find themselves drawn into gang culture in parts of London and even small towns. But this country has shown that Right Wing extremism isn’t wanted here, the rise of the BNP was a concern over the last few years but their failure to win seats at the May County Council elections indicated that their day was over. Partly due to the in-fighting and the incompetence of their leaders like Griffin. But many from the Far Right have just looked for a new vehicle for their racism, some have joined UKIP and attempted to gain from the anti-Europe bandwagon and others have found themselves in the EDL. Not really a political group but a hotch potch of football hooligans and others on the edge of society. Many who are more interested in a having a few beers, a punch up and a row with the police than discussing politics.
The murder of Drummer Rigby, and the natural anger this country felt about that event has led more people to feel that the EDL are in the right, seeming willing to overlook the criminal records of their leadership and the previous EDL marches that have mainly ended up in a pub and clashes with the police.
As an ex solder, I am concerned that soldiers and veterans are not drawn into the EDL. The right will use their support as a sign of legitimacy and those soldiers will suddenly find themselves thrown out of the army- reports today in the press state that at least 15 soldiers are under investigation for posting messages showing support for the EDL on social media. Both the family of Drummer Rigby and his Regiment asked the EDL not to march on Saturday but they were ignored.
I remember as a young soldier many of my colleagues who spent many months in fighting the IRA in West Belfast and South Armagh talking of their support for loyalist groups like the UVF and the UDA, but for many of us who spent longer in the province that the UDA, UVF were as cowardly and murderous as the IRA and INLA. I hope that Commanding Officers and Regimental Serjeant Majors are reminding soldiers of the pitfalls of getting involved in far right groups. Dan Jarvis MP, a former officer in the Parachute Regiment has informed that he will ask a question to the Armed Forces Minister to ask what steps are being taken to protect young soldiers who could easily be influenced.
In Ipswich, I have spoken to the British Legion and a number of veteran’s organisations warning them that the EDL may attempt to draw them into protests by pretending they are organising charity events or a march to support our troops.
But I am concerned about the rise of the Far Right those who are fascists, Nazis who will use events like last week to gain members and support – we must remember the past, I was undecided if I should write this post or at least the next part of it, but the rise of nationalism does remind me of the events of 30’s Germany and the rise of Nazism- I have just finished the book ‘Dominion’ by C J Sansom, and it portrays a Britain that made peace with Germany but then saw the likes of Mosley lead us to the right eventually sending British Jews to Germany and death. It may only be a book but at the end of it C J Sansom speaks of is own fears as nationalism takes hold in Europe using the rise of the SNP in Scotland as an example. We can't just shut our eyes and think things will be all right. we need to stand up and be counted and do all we can to help our community to continue to live in peace.
UKIP had amazing success in the May elections, taking votes off all the main political groups and there is no doubt that their support covers the whole political spectrum, but they will attract ex BNP members and current EDL members, they admit themselves that they do not have the vetting procedures in place to keep those extremists out. The number of those elected in May who are now under investigation is an example where they have grown too fast.
But UKIP may say they are not of the Far Right but they have been quick to play the immigration card to gain support and locally that seemed to be the topic they discussed most rather than Europe. The leadership at the top of UKIP are mainly ex Tory, but UKIP support as I have said comes from left and right but the concern is now that the Far Right will see UKIP as their natural home as the BNP is in its death throes.
Next week, ‘Hope not Hate’ the organisation that did do much to defeat the BNP is holding a meeting in Ipswich to discuss how we must work together to defeat the EDL plus those from the Fra Right who find their way into the UKIP, I am afraid that UKIP has shown it can’t control who joins or even stands for election under a UKIP banner currently.
But the left has also got to control elements of groups within the UAF that just see fighting the EDL as the only way to protest, ‘Hope not Hate’ has shown there is another way. The Labour Party and the Government also has to continue to work with Muslim communities to stop the rise of extreme Islam.
The way ahead is difficult, we must be prepared to discuss immigration the fears of all communities but more importantly we must be prepared to stand up against extremism- from the right or the left.
Some good may come out of his despicable act, the military will be reminded again that unlike the 70’s and 80’s they are much loved and respected by the British public and more importantly the Muslim community has quickly condemned the actions of the two murderers and not only that have opened up their Mosques to the general public and in some places like York, even invited members of the Far Right EDL into the mosque to talk and share tea and biscuits.
Even here in Ipswich some members of the Muslim community joined EDL members on their march through the town, though I for one feel this was step too far and gave the EDL some form of legitimacy they do not warrant.
But where does that leave us now both in the UK and closer to home in Ipswich?
There has been more dialogue between faiths and communities, we do not want people to just retreat into their own groups and areas. But I do fear about the growth of the Far Right over the next two years. This country is tolerant and has always welcomed immigrants, refugees and visitors into this country- in most cases with open arms. But mistakes have been made and some communities have found it harder to feel this is their home. Some like the Somalian community have seen many of their younger members find themselves drawn into gang culture in parts of London and even small towns. But this country has shown that Right Wing extremism isn’t wanted here, the rise of the BNP was a concern over the last few years but their failure to win seats at the May County Council elections indicated that their day was over. Partly due to the in-fighting and the incompetence of their leaders like Griffin. But many from the Far Right have just looked for a new vehicle for their racism, some have joined UKIP and attempted to gain from the anti-Europe bandwagon and others have found themselves in the EDL. Not really a political group but a hotch potch of football hooligans and others on the edge of society. Many who are more interested in a having a few beers, a punch up and a row with the police than discussing politics.
The murder of Drummer Rigby, and the natural anger this country felt about that event has led more people to feel that the EDL are in the right, seeming willing to overlook the criminal records of their leadership and the previous EDL marches that have mainly ended up in a pub and clashes with the police.
As an ex solder, I am concerned that soldiers and veterans are not drawn into the EDL. The right will use their support as a sign of legitimacy and those soldiers will suddenly find themselves thrown out of the army- reports today in the press state that at least 15 soldiers are under investigation for posting messages showing support for the EDL on social media. Both the family of Drummer Rigby and his Regiment asked the EDL not to march on Saturday but they were ignored.
I remember as a young soldier many of my colleagues who spent many months in fighting the IRA in West Belfast and South Armagh talking of their support for loyalist groups like the UVF and the UDA, but for many of us who spent longer in the province that the UDA, UVF were as cowardly and murderous as the IRA and INLA. I hope that Commanding Officers and Regimental Serjeant Majors are reminding soldiers of the pitfalls of getting involved in far right groups. Dan Jarvis MP, a former officer in the Parachute Regiment has informed that he will ask a question to the Armed Forces Minister to ask what steps are being taken to protect young soldiers who could easily be influenced.
In Ipswich, I have spoken to the British Legion and a number of veteran’s organisations warning them that the EDL may attempt to draw them into protests by pretending they are organising charity events or a march to support our troops.
But I am concerned about the rise of the Far Right those who are fascists, Nazis who will use events like last week to gain members and support – we must remember the past, I was undecided if I should write this post or at least the next part of it, but the rise of nationalism does remind me of the events of 30’s Germany and the rise of Nazism- I have just finished the book ‘Dominion’ by C J Sansom, and it portrays a Britain that made peace with Germany but then saw the likes of Mosley lead us to the right eventually sending British Jews to Germany and death. It may only be a book but at the end of it C J Sansom speaks of is own fears as nationalism takes hold in Europe using the rise of the SNP in Scotland as an example. We can't just shut our eyes and think things will be all right. we need to stand up and be counted and do all we can to help our community to continue to live in peace.
UKIP had amazing success in the May elections, taking votes off all the main political groups and there is no doubt that their support covers the whole political spectrum, but they will attract ex BNP members and current EDL members, they admit themselves that they do not have the vetting procedures in place to keep those extremists out. The number of those elected in May who are now under investigation is an example where they have grown too fast.
But UKIP may say they are not of the Far Right but they have been quick to play the immigration card to gain support and locally that seemed to be the topic they discussed most rather than Europe. The leadership at the top of UKIP are mainly ex Tory, but UKIP support as I have said comes from left and right but the concern is now that the Far Right will see UKIP as their natural home as the BNP is in its death throes.
Next week, ‘Hope not Hate’ the organisation that did do much to defeat the BNP is holding a meeting in Ipswich to discuss how we must work together to defeat the EDL plus those from the Fra Right who find their way into the UKIP, I am afraid that UKIP has shown it can’t control who joins or even stands for election under a UKIP banner currently.
But the left has also got to control elements of groups within the UAF that just see fighting the EDL as the only way to protest, ‘Hope not Hate’ has shown there is another way. The Labour Party and the Government also has to continue to work with Muslim communities to stop the rise of extreme Islam.
The way ahead is difficult, we must be prepared to discuss immigration the fears of all communities but more importantly we must be prepared to stand up against extremism- from the right or the left.
Another Ipswich Lib Dem lie
We are used to suspect Lib Dem leaflets - they seem the same all over the country- dodgy bar graphs and accusations that 'only the Lib Dems can beat the Tories/Labour here' - (delete which ever party your trying to fool the voters of)
As the Lib Dems in Ipswich are now only in evidence in one ward in the town - St Margaret's, we saw the Lib Dem lies appear on leaflets as they attempted to keep a foothold in the town, - the classic one being 'Labour can't win here' well after the votes were counted we had won and not only that we had only just failed to take the second Lib Dem seat by 16 votes. What made the win for Sarah Adams more pleasing was the fact that St Margaret's seemed to be the Tories number one target and they only managed 4th and 5th!
So now St Margaret's has its first Labour Councillor since the 19th Century - Joseph Robinson winning the seat in 1891 under a Labour banner though a Cooperative candidate, Sidney Foulger won in 1919 with Labour support.
So to 2014, when we hope to also have a Labour Borough councillor elected in the Ward.
The demise of the Lib Dems in Ipswich has been so rapid that now the Ipswich Lib Dem website is full of news from Bob Russell - the Lib Dem MP for Colchester!
As the Lib Dems in Ipswich are now only in evidence in one ward in the town - St Margaret's, we saw the Lib Dem lies appear on leaflets as they attempted to keep a foothold in the town, - the classic one being 'Labour can't win here' well after the votes were counted we had won and not only that we had only just failed to take the second Lib Dem seat by 16 votes. What made the win for Sarah Adams more pleasing was the fact that St Margaret's seemed to be the Tories number one target and they only managed 4th and 5th!
So now St Margaret's has its first Labour Councillor since the 19th Century - Joseph Robinson winning the seat in 1891 under a Labour banner though a Cooperative candidate, Sidney Foulger won in 1919 with Labour support.
So to 2014, when we hope to also have a Labour Borough councillor elected in the Ward.
The demise of the Lib Dems in Ipswich has been so rapid that now the Ipswich Lib Dem website is full of news from Bob Russell - the Lib Dem MP for Colchester!
My week ahead 2 - 9 June 2013
Monday 3 June – 4pm, Culture Portfolio meeting
6pm, Labour Group meeting
Tuesday 4 June – 5pm, Sidegate School, Full Governing Body
Wednesday 5 June – 6pm, ‘Hope not Hate’ meeting
Saturday 8 June - 10am, Labour campaigning, South East Ipswich
Last week was quite positive with a meeting of the Ipswich Town Independent Supporters Trust, where I was honoured to be made Chair. We will be launching a number of campaigns that we feel will be supported by most Ipswich Town fans over the coming season.
On Thursday we had our regular councillor training session, this time the topic was the use of social media. Disappointingly not one Tory or Lib Dem turned up- I will give them the benefit of the doubt and believe they will be attending the second session on this topic.
They both obviously need training on the use of social media, as both the Lib Dem and Tory websites and twitter feeds are so out of date. The Lib Dem website now just features posts about the Lib Dem MP for Colchester! Not even in the same county.
Whilst the Tory twitter feed has not been updated for over a month!
I was disappointed to see an EDL March take place in the town over the weekend, at least it went by peacefully. But both the Army and more importantly the family of the murdered soldier had asked for the EDL not to march- their wishes were ignored by the Far Right group. Only 50 turned up in Ipswich some would say that is still 50 too many! This week I will be attending a ‘Hope not Hate’ meeting in Ipswich as we look at ways to campaign against the menace of far right extremists groups. It is hard to understand why anyone would support the EDL but we have at least one local Tory supporter willing to use twitter to pass on the EDL message and even act as an apologist for their leader. She also seems to like to re-tweet supporters of UKIP!
On a far more positive note, I write this post just after returning from the Brunswick Road residents ‘Big Lunch’ or better described as ‘Big Picnic’ – all were having a great time in the park, with a larger attendance than the EDL had in the town yesterday – this says far more about how great our town is to live in than a far right march.
6pm, Labour Group meeting
Tuesday 4 June – 5pm, Sidegate School, Full Governing Body
Wednesday 5 June – 6pm, ‘Hope not Hate’ meeting
Saturday 8 June - 10am, Labour campaigning, South East Ipswich
Last week was quite positive with a meeting of the Ipswich Town Independent Supporters Trust, where I was honoured to be made Chair. We will be launching a number of campaigns that we feel will be supported by most Ipswich Town fans over the coming season.
On Thursday we had our regular councillor training session, this time the topic was the use of social media. Disappointingly not one Tory or Lib Dem turned up- I will give them the benefit of the doubt and believe they will be attending the second session on this topic.
They both obviously need training on the use of social media, as both the Lib Dem and Tory websites and twitter feeds are so out of date. The Lib Dem website now just features posts about the Lib Dem MP for Colchester! Not even in the same county.
Whilst the Tory twitter feed has not been updated for over a month!
I was disappointed to see an EDL March take place in the town over the weekend, at least it went by peacefully. But both the Army and more importantly the family of the murdered soldier had asked for the EDL not to march- their wishes were ignored by the Far Right group. Only 50 turned up in Ipswich some would say that is still 50 too many! This week I will be attending a ‘Hope not Hate’ meeting in Ipswich as we look at ways to campaign against the menace of far right extremists groups. It is hard to understand why anyone would support the EDL but we have at least one local Tory supporter willing to use twitter to pass on the EDL message and even act as an apologist for their leader. She also seems to like to re-tweet supporters of UKIP!
On a far more positive note, I write this post just after returning from the Brunswick Road residents ‘Big Lunch’ or better described as ‘Big Picnic’ – all were having a great time in the park, with a larger attendance than the EDL had in the town yesterday – this says far more about how great our town is to live in than a far right march.
May Day celebration causes Tory bloggers to fall out!
It has been amusing this week as Ipswich Tory bloggers and Ipswich Spy ‘fall out’ over May day!
Maybe I should describe the group as Ipswich Tory bloggers (but some thinking of joining UKIP) – The Three Tory bloggers all seem to be attempting to take the credit for the increase in fees now charged to the organisers of the annual ‘May Day’ event held in Alexandra Park.
Sorry to disappoint them all but as the Deputy Portfolio holder for parks, no one has ever mentioned their blogs- fees are constantly being looked at as we suffer from savage cuts to the local government grant from this Tory/Lib Dem Government.
But they also seem to be annoyed that Ipswich Spy keeps reminding them they said nothing when the Tories/Lib Dems were in power in Ipswich and they hired the park to the same ‘May Day’ organisers at the same low community rent that the current council does.
This is where the Tory blogs sudden and rare show of unity falls apart, Gavin Maclure informs us that backbenchers’ never know what is going on whilst Kevin Algar states it is because he was not a backbencher and if he had he would have kicked a fuss up about it.
So is Kevin telling us the Tory backbenchers are not up to the job? Many are still there- Goldsmith, Vickery, Terry – if they are not up to it why does he keep campaigning to get them re-elected? But more interesting is the comment that the backbenchers on the Tory Group are not informed of what their executive were up to – even funnier as Mrs Maclure was a member of that same executive! Or is the truth that actually the executive were also kept in the dark and that John Carnall and a smaller group of senior Tories ran the show?
As a Labour Group, we discuss all policy and our executive are left in no doubt about our feelings on certain matters and our views are always taken in to account. It seems that was not happening when the Tories were in power in Ipswich.
On a separate matter but one linked to the ‘May Day’ story – is the use of ‘Freedom of Information’ requests – FOI’s. I think they are an important piece of legislation that keeps Governments, councils and public bodies on their toes. But there is a cost to them both in time and money – and often they are just used by lazy journalists when they are short of a story - such as how many biscuits have been purchased for council meetings! Also as a council the public already have the ability to ask questions both at Full Council and now Area Committees – and in particular on the issue about the cost of the May Day celebration – why haven’t Algar, Spencer or Maclure asked a question at Full Council? Or even more importantly why hasn’t a Tory Cllr asked about the costs? The answer is they know the reply would have mentioned that the Tories charged the same community rent the whole time they were in power.
Who pays for these FOI requests? Us – the Ipswich Council Tax payer!
Maybe I should describe the group as Ipswich Tory bloggers (but some thinking of joining UKIP) – The Three Tory bloggers all seem to be attempting to take the credit for the increase in fees now charged to the organisers of the annual ‘May Day’ event held in Alexandra Park.
Sorry to disappoint them all but as the Deputy Portfolio holder for parks, no one has ever mentioned their blogs- fees are constantly being looked at as we suffer from savage cuts to the local government grant from this Tory/Lib Dem Government.
But they also seem to be annoyed that Ipswich Spy keeps reminding them they said nothing when the Tories/Lib Dems were in power in Ipswich and they hired the park to the same ‘May Day’ organisers at the same low community rent that the current council does.
This is where the Tory blogs sudden and rare show of unity falls apart, Gavin Maclure informs us that backbenchers’ never know what is going on whilst Kevin Algar states it is because he was not a backbencher and if he had he would have kicked a fuss up about it.
So is Kevin telling us the Tory backbenchers are not up to the job? Many are still there- Goldsmith, Vickery, Terry – if they are not up to it why does he keep campaigning to get them re-elected? But more interesting is the comment that the backbenchers on the Tory Group are not informed of what their executive were up to – even funnier as Mrs Maclure was a member of that same executive! Or is the truth that actually the executive were also kept in the dark and that John Carnall and a smaller group of senior Tories ran the show?
As a Labour Group, we discuss all policy and our executive are left in no doubt about our feelings on certain matters and our views are always taken in to account. It seems that was not happening when the Tories were in power in Ipswich.
On a separate matter but one linked to the ‘May Day’ story – is the use of ‘Freedom of Information’ requests – FOI’s. I think they are an important piece of legislation that keeps Governments, councils and public bodies on their toes. But there is a cost to them both in time and money – and often they are just used by lazy journalists when they are short of a story - such as how many biscuits have been purchased for council meetings! Also as a council the public already have the ability to ask questions both at Full Council and now Area Committees – and in particular on the issue about the cost of the May Day celebration – why haven’t Algar, Spencer or Maclure asked a question at Full Council? Or even more importantly why hasn’t a Tory Cllr asked about the costs? The answer is they know the reply would have mentioned that the Tories charged the same community rent the whole time they were in power.
Who pays for these FOI requests? Us – the Ipswich Council Tax payer!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
My week ahead 29 May - 2 June 2013
Wednesday 29 May – 9am, Planning meeting
7pm, Ipswich Town FC Independent supporters Trust meeting
Thursday 30 May - 2pm, Councillor training on use of social media
Saturday 1 June - 10am, Labour campaigning, North West Ipswich
4pm, Labour post-election party
Sunday 2 June – 2pm, Brunswick Road ‘Big Lunch’ – Brunswick Rd Park
The murder last week of a young soldier on the streets of London was a reminder of the dangers myself and fellow servicemen faced in the 1980’s – then the threat was from Irish extremists – who not only targeted soldiers but also our families. I thought and hoped those days were well in the past but the murder of the young Drummer in Woolwich showed that the enemy may have changed but the threat still continues.
The aftermath of the murder and the actions of the English Defence League also make this a week that will have a lasting effect on this country. I will write a more detailed post about the events of the last 6 days later in the week.
Last week we had another North East Ipswich Area Committee meeting, as this was the first meeting of the municipal meeting a new Chair had to be elected (or the old Chair – me – re-elected)
When it came to the election of the Chair one of our Labour members was stuck on a train so the Tories proposed Cllr Pope to be elected as Chair whilst my colleagues proposed me. The vote was 4-4 and a second secret ballot was also 4-4. Standing Orders then state a Chair has to be nominated for the meeting and the Chair of the committee will be elected at our next meeting.
Cllr Stroet again suggested Cllr Pope stating that I might learn from watching another Chair I action, from his tone it was obvious that I had plenty to learn.
Now if you read Ipswich Spy – or the Tory blog that just copies/steals posts from others you will know (according to them) I reluctantly seconded Cllr Pope! Now I was disappointed that the Tories decided to try and score cheap points over the election of the Chair but I then decided to quickly second Cllr Pope rather than have another 4-4 vote and leave the meeting to be chaired by an Officer. The reason I did this was that I was sure the many residents who had turned up for the meeting were there to hear about matters concerning our local area rather than witness petty party squabbling and this seemed to easiest way to get the meeting to go ahead as planned.
Now ‘Ipswich Spy’ does declare itself to be neutral and even though the main contributor is a former Tory councillor ‘Spy’ does attempt to be neutral but in this case he has just taken a story direct from a Tory source as he was not at the meeting or bother to check the facts with myself.
Did I learn anything from Cllr Pope as he chaired the meeting? Not really but he did do a good job and it became obvious that he had as much difficulty as I do in stopping Cllr Judy Terry from acting as if she is running the meeting!
So what now for the committee? Fortunately work on the action plan can continue as Cllrs have volunteered to lead on the 3 main points – all Labour Cllrs as it seems the Conservative councillors have decided not to get involved in working on the action plan (that is for the benefit of their residents)
After the meeting it was obvious that Cllr Carnall thought it was all a great laugh and said it was our fault for not making sure we had all our Cllrs present, he then seemed surprised when I informed him that not one of the 3 Tory Cllrs in the South East had turned up for their last meeting. At least Cllr Pope was more constructive and we agreed that we would hold a joint meeting with officers to plan the agenda for the next Area Committee.
But after the events in Woolwich the behaviour of the Tory Cllrs seems even pettier that it seemed on the night.
7pm, Ipswich Town FC Independent supporters Trust meeting
Thursday 30 May - 2pm, Councillor training on use of social media
Saturday 1 June - 10am, Labour campaigning, North West Ipswich
4pm, Labour post-election party
Sunday 2 June – 2pm, Brunswick Road ‘Big Lunch’ – Brunswick Rd Park
The murder last week of a young soldier on the streets of London was a reminder of the dangers myself and fellow servicemen faced in the 1980’s – then the threat was from Irish extremists – who not only targeted soldiers but also our families. I thought and hoped those days were well in the past but the murder of the young Drummer in Woolwich showed that the enemy may have changed but the threat still continues.
The aftermath of the murder and the actions of the English Defence League also make this a week that will have a lasting effect on this country. I will write a more detailed post about the events of the last 6 days later in the week.
Last week we had another North East Ipswich Area Committee meeting, as this was the first meeting of the municipal meeting a new Chair had to be elected (or the old Chair – me – re-elected)
When it came to the election of the Chair one of our Labour members was stuck on a train so the Tories proposed Cllr Pope to be elected as Chair whilst my colleagues proposed me. The vote was 4-4 and a second secret ballot was also 4-4. Standing Orders then state a Chair has to be nominated for the meeting and the Chair of the committee will be elected at our next meeting.
Cllr Stroet again suggested Cllr Pope stating that I might learn from watching another Chair I action, from his tone it was obvious that I had plenty to learn.
Now if you read Ipswich Spy – or the Tory blog that just copies/steals posts from others you will know (according to them) I reluctantly seconded Cllr Pope! Now I was disappointed that the Tories decided to try and score cheap points over the election of the Chair but I then decided to quickly second Cllr Pope rather than have another 4-4 vote and leave the meeting to be chaired by an Officer. The reason I did this was that I was sure the many residents who had turned up for the meeting were there to hear about matters concerning our local area rather than witness petty party squabbling and this seemed to easiest way to get the meeting to go ahead as planned.
Now ‘Ipswich Spy’ does declare itself to be neutral and even though the main contributor is a former Tory councillor ‘Spy’ does attempt to be neutral but in this case he has just taken a story direct from a Tory source as he was not at the meeting or bother to check the facts with myself.
Did I learn anything from Cllr Pope as he chaired the meeting? Not really but he did do a good job and it became obvious that he had as much difficulty as I do in stopping Cllr Judy Terry from acting as if she is running the meeting!
So what now for the committee? Fortunately work on the action plan can continue as Cllrs have volunteered to lead on the 3 main points – all Labour Cllrs as it seems the Conservative councillors have decided not to get involved in working on the action plan (that is for the benefit of their residents)
After the meeting it was obvious that Cllr Carnall thought it was all a great laugh and said it was our fault for not making sure we had all our Cllrs present, he then seemed surprised when I informed him that not one of the 3 Tory Cllrs in the South East had turned up for their last meeting. At least Cllr Pope was more constructive and we agreed that we would hold a joint meeting with officers to plan the agenda for the next Area Committee.
But after the events in Woolwich the behaviour of the Tory Cllrs seems even pettier that it seemed on the night.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
My week ahead 20 - 27 May 2013
Monday 20 May - 4pm Culture portfolio meeting
6pm Labour campaigning in South West Ipswich
Wednesday 22 May - 7.30pm - Fabians meeting - 'Asylum and immigration - have we got it right?'
Thursday 23 May - 7pm - North East Ipswich Area Committee, St John's Church Hall, Cauldwell Hall Road
Friday 24 - 27 May - Trip to Verona and last stage of the Giro D'Italia
Saturday was like the first day back at school after the summer holidays, seeing your friends for the first time in ages and catching up with the gossip - but this was not our first day back at school but our first day back campaigning after two weeks off! We had 16 of us out in South West Ipswich, delivering thank you leaflets to our residents.
This is the way to deal with UKIP, getting out and talking to residents about their concerns. It is also important to be able to talk about issues like immigration and the Suffolk Fabians have a meeting about this issue on Wednesday.
But what are the other two main political groups doing to counter the rise of UKIP and to deal with the issues that concern the people of Ipswich? The Lib Dems have gone back into their 11 month hibernation, just counting the days when they are out of the coalition and they can go back to being a minor opposition party - whilst the Tories seem all over the place, blaming UKIP, thinking of joining UKIP and then attacking each other!
Locally an Ipswich Tory activist called me a moron on twitter - water off a ducks back, but I thought that sort of behavior just puts more people off politics and gets all politicians a bad name. trouble is there seems to be no self-discipline or leadership in the local Tory Party to stop it. Two of their members/candidates who have blogs seems to enjoy calling opposition Councillors names (when not attacking each other) but then it seems that this sort of behavior is also rife at the top of the Tory Party with the accusations that a senior adviser to Cameron called Tory activists 'swivel-eyed loons'.
Getting back to dealing with good news, this week the Ipswich HEARS service has now reached the target of 1,000 customers, this is a great service that looks after our senior residents and gives families peace of mind. When we took over at IBC, the Tories were planning to hand HEARS over to Suffolk County Council and we know that they would have looked to get rid of it (like the library service) as soon as they could. Well done to all those involved in HEARS.
6pm Labour campaigning in South West Ipswich
Wednesday 22 May - 7.30pm - Fabians meeting - 'Asylum and immigration - have we got it right?'
Thursday 23 May - 7pm - North East Ipswich Area Committee, St John's Church Hall, Cauldwell Hall Road
Friday 24 - 27 May - Trip to Verona and last stage of the Giro D'Italia
Saturday was like the first day back at school after the summer holidays, seeing your friends for the first time in ages and catching up with the gossip - but this was not our first day back at school but our first day back campaigning after two weeks off! We had 16 of us out in South West Ipswich, delivering thank you leaflets to our residents.
This is the way to deal with UKIP, getting out and talking to residents about their concerns. It is also important to be able to talk about issues like immigration and the Suffolk Fabians have a meeting about this issue on Wednesday.
But what are the other two main political groups doing to counter the rise of UKIP and to deal with the issues that concern the people of Ipswich? The Lib Dems have gone back into their 11 month hibernation, just counting the days when they are out of the coalition and they can go back to being a minor opposition party - whilst the Tories seem all over the place, blaming UKIP, thinking of joining UKIP and then attacking each other!
Locally an Ipswich Tory activist called me a moron on twitter - water off a ducks back, but I thought that sort of behavior just puts more people off politics and gets all politicians a bad name. trouble is there seems to be no self-discipline or leadership in the local Tory Party to stop it. Two of their members/candidates who have blogs seems to enjoy calling opposition Councillors names (when not attacking each other) but then it seems that this sort of behavior is also rife at the top of the Tory Party with the accusations that a senior adviser to Cameron called Tory activists 'swivel-eyed loons'.
Getting back to dealing with good news, this week the Ipswich HEARS service has now reached the target of 1,000 customers, this is a great service that looks after our senior residents and gives families peace of mind. When we took over at IBC, the Tories were planning to hand HEARS over to Suffolk County Council and we know that they would have looked to get rid of it (like the library service) as soon as they could. Well done to all those involved in HEARS.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
My week ahead, 13 - 19 May 2013
Monday 13 May – 4pm – Culture Portfolio meeting
6pm – Labour Group meeting
Wednesday 15 May – 6pm Annual Meeting of Ipswich Borough Council, Town Hall
Saturday 18 May – Labour campaigning in North East Ipswich
This week seemed strange, no doors to knock on, no leaflets to deliver but rather than being thankful for the rest I felt bored and also felt the need to be out campaigning. Good news for me is that we will (Ipswich Labour) be back on the doorstep this Saturday!
But I have managed to spend some of the week speaking to Rushmere residents, on Friday we had the launch of the ‘No Cold Call’ zone (NCZ) in Whitby Road. Now a certain Tory will say we are taking the credit for something that was the brainchild of our former Tory County Councillor! But the force behind the Whitby Road scheme was a resident (as it should be for the setting up of a NCZ) and Labour activist and she was assisted by our new County Councillor, Sandra Gage. Sandra had got a NCZ set up in Meadowvale Close and she was able to help the Whitby residents work alongside Suffolk Trading Standards to get the scheme operating. Our former Tory County Councillor has had nothing to do with the scheme.
The launch of the NCZ did give me a chance to ask the Treading Standard officers how they intended to implement the Suffolk Tory manifesto policy of a Suffolk wide NCZ – from their answers it seemed obvious that they had not been consulted on the proposal and secondly they did not think it would work!
On Wednesday we have the formal business of the Annual Council meeting, let’s just hope the Tories do not use it as they have in the past to make stupid little points of order!
6pm – Labour Group meeting
Wednesday 15 May – 6pm Annual Meeting of Ipswich Borough Council, Town Hall
Saturday 18 May – Labour campaigning in North East Ipswich
This week seemed strange, no doors to knock on, no leaflets to deliver but rather than being thankful for the rest I felt bored and also felt the need to be out campaigning. Good news for me is that we will (Ipswich Labour) be back on the doorstep this Saturday!
But I have managed to spend some of the week speaking to Rushmere residents, on Friday we had the launch of the ‘No Cold Call’ zone (NCZ) in Whitby Road. Now a certain Tory will say we are taking the credit for something that was the brainchild of our former Tory County Councillor! But the force behind the Whitby Road scheme was a resident (as it should be for the setting up of a NCZ) and Labour activist and she was assisted by our new County Councillor, Sandra Gage. Sandra had got a NCZ set up in Meadowvale Close and she was able to help the Whitby residents work alongside Suffolk Trading Standards to get the scheme operating. Our former Tory County Councillor has had nothing to do with the scheme.
The launch of the NCZ did give me a chance to ask the Treading Standard officers how they intended to implement the Suffolk Tory manifesto policy of a Suffolk wide NCZ – from their answers it seemed obvious that they had not been consulted on the proposal and secondly they did not think it would work!
On Wednesday we have the formal business of the Annual Council meeting, let’s just hope the Tories do not use it as they have in the past to make stupid little points of order!
The election result in Ipswich and what do we do about UKIP
Just over a week has gone since the County Council elections, plenty has been written and blogged about the results with most of the articles concentrating on the success of UKIP at the ballot box. This has meant most articles and debate has been similar all over the country with little discussion about local results.
Before the election a number of local journalists complained that politicians in Ipswich and Suffolk were spending most of their time talking on the doorstep or producing leaflets concentrating on national issues not on matters that are the concern of Suffolk County Council. Welcome to the real world! Ever since I have been campaigning, most elections seem to be decided on national issues and results often depend on the performance of national politicians in Westminster. Now I would have liked this election to have concentrated on County Council issues, the terrible state of education in the county, and how it is deteriorating under Tory control should have been the main issue on the doorstep and I am sure the Tories only wanted the talk to be about their promise/bribe of 0% Council tax rise for the next 4 years. But in the end many voters voted on national issues- economy, Europe and immigration. Local issues can effect elections on occasions, the way the Tories have badly handled the building of a waste incinerator in Norfolk certainly helped the downfall of the Norfolk Tories.
So journalists, political commentators and politicians are left to discuss the reasons why UKIP did so well and also how to campaign against UKIP in the future and more importantly, I believe in how to regain the trust of the voting (or non-voting) public.
Ipswich Tories seem to be just burying their head in the sand and coming up with the much used statement that UKIP took more votes from Labour than they did the Tories. Firstly I am not sure that statement is correct but I also believe that where UKIP got votes from varies from region to region and even ward to ward.
There is no doubt that UKIP took voters from Labour in Whitehouse Ward but the Tories would have also lost votes to UKIP in Whitton and St Margaret’s and the failure of UKIP to stand in Bixley makes it harder to see the UKIP effect on the Tory vote but in 2012 when UKIP were not the ‘flavour of the month’ they took many votes from the Tories in their safest ward.
It is important that all political groups try and understand why voting UKIP was popular and you can’t just follow the Cameron example and call them all fruit cakes, loonies and racists. I think you also have to distinguish between UKIP Voters, recent UKIP activists and others using UKIP for their own purposes.
I spoke to an elderly couple in Sprites Ward and they had voted UKIP but also they had voted for the Greens! So certainly a protest vote and the man said it was but more concerning the lady had said it was a protest vote but she did believe (from the UKIP leaflets and the Mail) that 21 million Bulgarians would be arriving at Dover by Christmas!
Of course the Tories only have themselves to blame when UKIP gain support over Europe and immigration. The Tories are full of anti EU rhetoric but the likes of Cameron know we are better off in the EU than out of it, but he now even has minsters openly saying they will vote to leave Europe. On immigration they were happy for the Mail and the Express to lie about immigration and migrant workers, it suited them when they were in opposition but now the boot is on the other foot, and so they blame Europe as they are worried about UKIP taking their supporters.
Europe and immigration are both issues that we need a grown up debate about, but it is almost impossible with the one sided reporting of the national press – but voters want it to be debated and solutions found. Voting UKIP is not a solution but part of the problem.
Voters (and I also believe) non- voters have turned to UKIP as they see that all politicians have their greedy noses in the trough – they believe all politicians are as bad as those MP’s who abused the Westminster expenses system. They also believe that many in politics come from the same political class or in the case of the Tories from the upper class. The funny thing about this is most of the UKIP MEP’s do seem to come from a rich political class, many have been caught out with their claims and some have even gone back to being real Tories (as in the case of the UKIP MEP in this region)
It is important that we speak to residents about immigration and Europe when we are campaigning on the doorstep. It is also up to those in Westminster to make sure they are seen to be squeaky clean – trouble is the headlines in the papers this Sunday are about a Tory MP been taken to court for failing to pay mortgage expenses back and a Tory PCC employing a chauffeur.
So we need to speak to UKIP voters, don’t label them as nutters or just discount their decision to vote UKIP as a protest, we need to continue to engage with our constituents and make sure we regain their trust.
Even those who decide to stand and campaign for UKIP, we must treat them with respect – in some cases it will be difficult and the UKIP leadership do have a number of problems to make sure they are not just seen as ‘BNP in ties’ or ‘old Tories’. The UKIP leader has admitted that they never had time to vet their candidates and a number of those elected are about to be thrown out of UKIP after it has come to light that they have close links to the BNP, EDL or have put racist posts on social media.
In Ipswich we know we have work to do, but in one way it will not see a change in the way we work – we campaign every week and in all wards in the town not just the ones we know we have to win. We are used to a party gaining votes without doing any groundwork – the UKIP votes have replaced the Lib Dem votes in many wards. We will work harder to engage with all constituents and I am sure the national party will also ensure that immigration and Europe is debated in a sensible way.
For the Ipswich Tories it will be a much harder task, they seemed to throw all their effort into St Margret’s Ward to end up getting nowhere – they do not have many activists and little leadership – and at a UKIP meeting in Ipswich this week a number of their members attended. At least one ex councillor and a regular candidate- it seems that at least one of them will stand for UKIP next year, but this is also a problem for UKIP – are they a new force in British politics or just a home for refugees from the Tory Party – many who have either left over single issues (Gay marriage) or are jumping to UKIP as they feel they have more chance of being elected. What UKIP does in Ipswich over the next two years will be of interest to all local politicians?
Before the election a number of local journalists complained that politicians in Ipswich and Suffolk were spending most of their time talking on the doorstep or producing leaflets concentrating on national issues not on matters that are the concern of Suffolk County Council. Welcome to the real world! Ever since I have been campaigning, most elections seem to be decided on national issues and results often depend on the performance of national politicians in Westminster. Now I would have liked this election to have concentrated on County Council issues, the terrible state of education in the county, and how it is deteriorating under Tory control should have been the main issue on the doorstep and I am sure the Tories only wanted the talk to be about their promise/bribe of 0% Council tax rise for the next 4 years. But in the end many voters voted on national issues- economy, Europe and immigration. Local issues can effect elections on occasions, the way the Tories have badly handled the building of a waste incinerator in Norfolk certainly helped the downfall of the Norfolk Tories.
So journalists, political commentators and politicians are left to discuss the reasons why UKIP did so well and also how to campaign against UKIP in the future and more importantly, I believe in how to regain the trust of the voting (or non-voting) public.
Ipswich Tories seem to be just burying their head in the sand and coming up with the much used statement that UKIP took more votes from Labour than they did the Tories. Firstly I am not sure that statement is correct but I also believe that where UKIP got votes from varies from region to region and even ward to ward.
There is no doubt that UKIP took voters from Labour in Whitehouse Ward but the Tories would have also lost votes to UKIP in Whitton and St Margaret’s and the failure of UKIP to stand in Bixley makes it harder to see the UKIP effect on the Tory vote but in 2012 when UKIP were not the ‘flavour of the month’ they took many votes from the Tories in their safest ward.
It is important that all political groups try and understand why voting UKIP was popular and you can’t just follow the Cameron example and call them all fruit cakes, loonies and racists. I think you also have to distinguish between UKIP Voters, recent UKIP activists and others using UKIP for their own purposes.
I spoke to an elderly couple in Sprites Ward and they had voted UKIP but also they had voted for the Greens! So certainly a protest vote and the man said it was but more concerning the lady had said it was a protest vote but she did believe (from the UKIP leaflets and the Mail) that 21 million Bulgarians would be arriving at Dover by Christmas!
Of course the Tories only have themselves to blame when UKIP gain support over Europe and immigration. The Tories are full of anti EU rhetoric but the likes of Cameron know we are better off in the EU than out of it, but he now even has minsters openly saying they will vote to leave Europe. On immigration they were happy for the Mail and the Express to lie about immigration and migrant workers, it suited them when they were in opposition but now the boot is on the other foot, and so they blame Europe as they are worried about UKIP taking their supporters.
Europe and immigration are both issues that we need a grown up debate about, but it is almost impossible with the one sided reporting of the national press – but voters want it to be debated and solutions found. Voting UKIP is not a solution but part of the problem.
Voters (and I also believe) non- voters have turned to UKIP as they see that all politicians have their greedy noses in the trough – they believe all politicians are as bad as those MP’s who abused the Westminster expenses system. They also believe that many in politics come from the same political class or in the case of the Tories from the upper class. The funny thing about this is most of the UKIP MEP’s do seem to come from a rich political class, many have been caught out with their claims and some have even gone back to being real Tories (as in the case of the UKIP MEP in this region)
It is important that we speak to residents about immigration and Europe when we are campaigning on the doorstep. It is also up to those in Westminster to make sure they are seen to be squeaky clean – trouble is the headlines in the papers this Sunday are about a Tory MP been taken to court for failing to pay mortgage expenses back and a Tory PCC employing a chauffeur.
So we need to speak to UKIP voters, don’t label them as nutters or just discount their decision to vote UKIP as a protest, we need to continue to engage with our constituents and make sure we regain their trust.
Even those who decide to stand and campaign for UKIP, we must treat them with respect – in some cases it will be difficult and the UKIP leadership do have a number of problems to make sure they are not just seen as ‘BNP in ties’ or ‘old Tories’. The UKIP leader has admitted that they never had time to vet their candidates and a number of those elected are about to be thrown out of UKIP after it has come to light that they have close links to the BNP, EDL or have put racist posts on social media.
In Ipswich we know we have work to do, but in one way it will not see a change in the way we work – we campaign every week and in all wards in the town not just the ones we know we have to win. We are used to a party gaining votes without doing any groundwork – the UKIP votes have replaced the Lib Dem votes in many wards. We will work harder to engage with all constituents and I am sure the national party will also ensure that immigration and Europe is debated in a sensible way.
For the Ipswich Tories it will be a much harder task, they seemed to throw all their effort into St Margret’s Ward to end up getting nowhere – they do not have many activists and little leadership – and at a UKIP meeting in Ipswich this week a number of their members attended. At least one ex councillor and a regular candidate- it seems that at least one of them will stand for UKIP next year, but this is also a problem for UKIP – are they a new force in British politics or just a home for refugees from the Tory Party – many who have either left over single issues (Gay marriage) or are jumping to UKIP as they feel they have more chance of being elected. What UKIP does in Ipswich over the next two years will be of interest to all local politicians?
Monday, May 6, 2013
Well done Sandra!
First off I must say it has been a pleasure to campaign for and alongside Sandra Gage. There is no doubt in my mind that Rushmere will now be far better represented than previously now we have Sandra as our County Councillor.
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She lives in the ward, her children went to local schools and she cares passionately for the community she lives in. Her previous experience at Suffolk County Council will also be a great asset as she starts to work for us - her constituents. Working alongside Tracy Grant and myself she will make sure we have a strong Labour team in Rushmere, she will also bring a number of skills (plus passion) to our North East Ipswich team.
There certainly is no love lost between myself and Tory Judy Terry so I am glad that she is no longer representing us on the County Council, her disastrous handling of the Library service and more locally her involvement in the dispute over a the provision of a lollipop person outside Sidegate Primary School means she will not be missed by many residents. She has certainly let down many Rushmere residents with her ill thought out statements about the prefabs in Inverness Road but it does mean we have plenty of work to do to repair the trust between those residents in the prefabs and their elected representative's.
We also can't just ignore the number of votes that UKIP gained in the ward, we must listen to their concerns - was it just a protest vote? It is understandable that many residents have concerns about immigration and debate on the matter is needed but it is not helped by the inflammatory leaflets put out by UKIP (highlighting the number of Bulgarians that could enter the UK) or some of the very right wing press reports written by the likes of the Mail and the Express.
We will soon be delivering a leaflet to all Rushmere residents giving our contact details. But for now it is just to say 'well done' Sandra and 'thank you' to the Rushmere residents who voted for Labour.
Candidate Name Party Name Votes
GAGE, Sandra Labour 1117
TERRY, Judy Conservative 628
ELLIS, Peter UK Independence Party 401
WILMOT, Kirsty Green 94
JONES, Gareth Liberal Democrat 90
JACKSON, Dale Independent 34
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She lives in the ward, her children went to local schools and she cares passionately for the community she lives in. Her previous experience at Suffolk County Council will also be a great asset as she starts to work for us - her constituents. Working alongside Tracy Grant and myself she will make sure we have a strong Labour team in Rushmere, she will also bring a number of skills (plus passion) to our North East Ipswich team.
There certainly is no love lost between myself and Tory Judy Terry so I am glad that she is no longer representing us on the County Council, her disastrous handling of the Library service and more locally her involvement in the dispute over a the provision of a lollipop person outside Sidegate Primary School means she will not be missed by many residents. She has certainly let down many Rushmere residents with her ill thought out statements about the prefabs in Inverness Road but it does mean we have plenty of work to do to repair the trust between those residents in the prefabs and their elected representative's.
We also can't just ignore the number of votes that UKIP gained in the ward, we must listen to their concerns - was it just a protest vote? It is understandable that many residents have concerns about immigration and debate on the matter is needed but it is not helped by the inflammatory leaflets put out by UKIP (highlighting the number of Bulgarians that could enter the UK) or some of the very right wing press reports written by the likes of the Mail and the Express.
We will soon be delivering a leaflet to all Rushmere residents giving our contact details. But for now it is just to say 'well done' Sandra and 'thank you' to the Rushmere residents who voted for Labour.
Candidate Name Party Name Votes
GAGE, Sandra Labour 1117
TERRY, Judy Conservative 628
ELLIS, Peter UK Independence Party 401
WILMOT, Kirsty Green 94
JONES, Gareth Liberal Democrat 90
JACKSON, Dale Independent 34
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
LABOUR LAUNCHES FIGHTING FITTER CAMPAIGN
Labour yesterday launched a campaign, ‘Fighting Fitter’, to encourage the leisure sector to offer discounted services to members of the Armed Forces. Whether Local Authority-led or privately-run, fitness facilities play a vital role in our communities keeping people fit. This is essential for members of the Armed Forces who, when away from their base, can often lack the resources to access health and fitness centres.
The campaign is working with two leading health facilities, PureGym and Virgin Active and expects similar initiatives to be rolled out across the sector in the coming weeks and months.
PureGym is waiving the joining fee of £25 for all members of the Armed Forces. To reclaim the offer they have to visit their local PureGym and show their ID card.
Labour is also encouraging Local Authorities to offer similar discounts. In this region, Ipswich Borough Council gave free 'i' cards- giving use of IBC swimming pools to soldiers from Wattisham residing in Ipswich.
Our Armed Forces, veterans and their families deserve respect. Labour is standing up for our Armed Forces. In the local election on 2 May a vote for Labour councillors is a vote for a five point plan of action, below, to support our Armed Forces:
•Naming streets after fallen heroes, offering families the chance to have a lasting commemoration to lost loved ones
•The Veterans Interview Programme (VIP), offering employment support for veterans
•Veterans Champions, a single point of contact to help veterans transition to civilian life
•Supporting the Community Covenant, urging local communities to support veterans and service families
•Fighting Fitter, working with the leisure sector to deliver discounts for members of the Armed Forces
I added:
“Ipswich led the way, supplying free tickets for the Regent through the Forces Charity- 'Tickets for Troops' and then went further by giving out free 'i' cards- giving use of IBC swimming pools to soldiers from Wattisham residing in Ipswich.
“As Veterans Champion, I know how important the 'fighting fitter' campaign is as soldiers struggle with the physical and sometimes mental scars left by their time in uniform. Ipswich is a great town to settle in and many soldiers from Wattisham will make this town their home when they leave the services, it is important we do all we can to help them settle into civilian life after they have served this country for so long.”
Jim Murphy MP Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary said:
“Fighting Fitter will benefit those who serve in the dust and danger of battlefields overseas.
“It is essential that all parts of our communities at home give to those who give so much on the frontline.
“We must protect the health and fitness of those who protect our nation.
“I am delighted major national companies and councils have taken the lead to demonstrate the pride we all feel in our Forces.
“We all have a responsibility to ensure the Armed Forces Covenant can become a reality for each and every member of the Forces and their families.”
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Tory candidate claims Ipswich Labour have a special printing machine!
After being actually taken by surprise in that the Tories are delivering leaflets beyond Bixley, Rushmere and St Margaret’s – I thought I would take a quick look to see what the Tories are actually saying.
In the South West the Tory candidate (who is still failing to remove inaccuracies from his own blog) is claiming that he helped Ben Gummer in his successful campaign to get Chantry High School (Suffolk New Academy) re-built – funny that when I drove past it today whilst campaigning it looked the same as iit did last year. When researching the claim that Mr Gummer and Algar have been successful in their campaign, all I can find is a claim that it will be re-built in the future, but no start date.
Mr Algar then continues with one of his favourite topics – in that candidate’s should live in the ward, hypocritically in his next post he is promoting Cllr Judy Terry – who does not only live outside the ward she represents but seems hell bent on upsetting Rushmere residents. Mr Algar claims that Judy Terry and her Tory colleagues saved the Suffolk Library service, but forgets to mention that the mobile library service in Ipswich has been decimated. In Rushmere we have lost mobile library rounds in Meadowvale Close, Sidegate Avenue and Sidegate Lane. We also lost the service in Inverness Road – home of the Ipswich prefabs – what has Judy Terry got against our senior citizens who live in the North East of our ward? First of all she wants to build a care home on top of their homes and also feels they do not need a library service. So maybe I should ask Judy Terry why she thinks we do not need a mobile library service serving the prefabs.
As she has not answered my five previous questions, I will post them again and add a question about the mobile library service. I am sure if Judy will not answer the questions her personnel spokesman Kevin Algar will – if he can take a break away from claiming that he influences Labour candidate selection!
Over to you Judy Terry (or Kevin Algar)
1. Why did she say Colin Noble had not visited the prefabs?
2. Why did she make an incorrect statements about the attendance of Tracy Grant without checking the facts?
3. Who are the two developers, did they approach her or did she approach them?
4. Are Care UK involved with the proposed care home?
5. Will the replacement 220 homes be council owned?
And the new one –
6. Why does she think Rushmere residents do not need a library service but Bixley ward still keeps a stop?
Kevin Algar has now added a footnote to his blog posts, a common practice once you are declared as a candidate- but what someone also should have told him is that you are not supposed to print inaccurate statements when you are a candidate - though his claim that Ipswich Labour have a special printer to make our leaflets look cheap - is comedy gold!
In the South West the Tory candidate (who is still failing to remove inaccuracies from his own blog) is claiming that he helped Ben Gummer in his successful campaign to get Chantry High School (Suffolk New Academy) re-built – funny that when I drove past it today whilst campaigning it looked the same as iit did last year. When researching the claim that Mr Gummer and Algar have been successful in their campaign, all I can find is a claim that it will be re-built in the future, but no start date.
Mr Algar then continues with one of his favourite topics – in that candidate’s should live in the ward, hypocritically in his next post he is promoting Cllr Judy Terry – who does not only live outside the ward she represents but seems hell bent on upsetting Rushmere residents. Mr Algar claims that Judy Terry and her Tory colleagues saved the Suffolk Library service, but forgets to mention that the mobile library service in Ipswich has been decimated. In Rushmere we have lost mobile library rounds in Meadowvale Close, Sidegate Avenue and Sidegate Lane. We also lost the service in Inverness Road – home of the Ipswich prefabs – what has Judy Terry got against our senior citizens who live in the North East of our ward? First of all she wants to build a care home on top of their homes and also feels they do not need a library service. So maybe I should ask Judy Terry why she thinks we do not need a mobile library service serving the prefabs.
As she has not answered my five previous questions, I will post them again and add a question about the mobile library service. I am sure if Judy will not answer the questions her personnel spokesman Kevin Algar will – if he can take a break away from claiming that he influences Labour candidate selection!
Over to you Judy Terry (or Kevin Algar)
1. Why did she say Colin Noble had not visited the prefabs?
2. Why did she make an incorrect statements about the attendance of Tracy Grant without checking the facts?
3. Who are the two developers, did they approach her or did she approach them?
4. Are Care UK involved with the proposed care home?
5. Will the replacement 220 homes be council owned?
And the new one –
6. Why does she think Rushmere residents do not need a library service but Bixley ward still keeps a stop?
Kevin Algar has now added a footnote to his blog posts, a common practice once you are declared as a candidate- but what someone also should have told him is that you are not supposed to print inaccurate statements when you are a candidate - though his claim that Ipswich Labour have a special printer to make our leaflets look cheap - is comedy gold!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Helping local traders in East Ipswich
This evening we had a very productive meeting at the 'Taste' café on Woodbridge Road, the meeting was to see if we can help local traders, shops and businesses set up an organisation. Most of the early work had been done by Swaraj Jeyasingh and he had managed to get along a number of local traders.
The North East Ipswich area Committee is looking to help promote local traders and one idea was a local shops map. Swaraj has spoken at a recent Area Committee, pupils from Copleston then took this idea away and 3 young girls from Year 8 presented their map and plan tonight. A great slogan of 'Live local, shop local'
Now the pupils will be helped by a local Rushmere business and produce a mock up map, and then this will be presented to a future North East Ipswich Area Committee and then we hope the map can then be distributed to local residents
s
.
Live local, shop local
The North East Ipswich area Committee is looking to help promote local traders and one idea was a local shops map. Swaraj has spoken at a recent Area Committee, pupils from Copleston then took this idea away and 3 young girls from Year 8 presented their map and plan tonight. A great slogan of 'Live local, shop local'
Now the pupils will be helped by a local Rushmere business and produce a mock up map, and then this will be presented to a future North East Ipswich Area Committee and then we hope the map can then be distributed to local residents
s
.Live local, shop local
Monday, March 25, 2013
Tory Judy Terry accused of hypocrisy - by another Tory
It seems Rushmere councillor and Tory candidate for this years County Council elections, Judy Terry is not even popular amongst her Ipswich Tory colleagues. I do not normally poach articles or comments from other blogs, but the comment from former Tory Front bench portfolio holder Steven Wells on Ipswich Spy this morning was too brilliant not to re publish. Thank you Spy and Mr Wells for this golden comment:
Steven Wells, on March 25, 2013 at 8:30 am said:
Some good candidates in there. Just such a shame that one of them betrays their own words for just to suit herself and for political expediency.
The one things voters hate Ms Terry is when you say one thing in your manifesto, then argue against it, then when it comes to being elected again start to sing the same tune you did previously. It sums up everything that is wrong with modern politics and you are the perfect example of that!
Try to wriggle out of why your manifesto said effectively in 2006 ‘no to the Northern Fringe’ then you vote for the LDF which condemns it whilst viciously criticising the 6 Whitton and CastleHill Conservative Councillors who refused to cave in, only then to recently be spouting about protecting the Northern Fringe, Agricultural land and that there is no need to build on it.
Summary: If the voters see you for what you have really done – Political doom and Hypocrisy!
I could not have put it better myself!
Steven Wells, on March 25, 2013 at 8:30 am said:
Some good candidates in there. Just such a shame that one of them betrays their own words for just to suit herself and for political expediency.
The one things voters hate Ms Terry is when you say one thing in your manifesto, then argue against it, then when it comes to being elected again start to sing the same tune you did previously. It sums up everything that is wrong with modern politics and you are the perfect example of that!
Try to wriggle out of why your manifesto said effectively in 2006 ‘no to the Northern Fringe’ then you vote for the LDF which condemns it whilst viciously criticising the 6 Whitton and CastleHill Conservative Councillors who refused to cave in, only then to recently be spouting about protecting the Northern Fringe, Agricultural land and that there is no need to build on it.
Summary: If the voters see you for what you have really done – Political doom and Hypocrisy!
I could not have put it better myself!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Ipswich Prefabs and Judy Terry - 'Looking for Colin Noble'
On Thursday we held our latest North East Area Committee meeting and though we have had a healthy attendance at most of our meetings at this one we had over 70 residents attend, our best attendance so far.
Many attended for the first time and they came along to question Tory Councillor for Rushmere, Judy Terry about her statements in the local press about their homes – the much loved prefabs
These bungalow type houses were built just after the war and were at first were expected only to last 25 years but over 60 years later they are still going strong. Other prefabs in the town have been knocked down, but the proximity of the Rushmere prefabs tom the Suffolk countryside and the long gardens have made these dwellings much demanded.
The reason for the sudden interest in the prefabs is that Cllr Judy Terry mentioned her plan for their demolition and replacement with new houses and a care home at a Suffolk County Council meeting – now this is quite strange as the prefabs are the responsibility of Ipswich Borough Council and Richard Pope is the Tory spokesman for housing and he also seems to have been caught unaware by the plans of Judy Terry. She indicated that she already had been in discussion with two developers and a local architect and had even take her County colleague Colin Noble along to ask him advice on the site for a care home. ( a point of information it is worth reminding everyone that the prefabs sit 400 metres from two existing care homes that the County has handed over to Care UK and that Judy Terry sat on the planning committee that approved a care home to be built 200metres further up Humber Doucy Lane.)
Within hours of the Judy Terry making her proclamation of this new development in Rushmere (the announcement of this proposed development did seem to be another excuse to be used to back up the Tory view that the Northern Fringe development is no longer needed) residents were up in arms, and quite quickly Judy Terry had issued a press release to say all she was calling for was a debate about the future of the prefabs and was not calling for their demolition.
The press release was used by Ipswich Spy and even received a comment from her Tory colleague Colin Noble – who tweeted: “Cllr. Terry recently took me for a walk around the estate and shared her vision, I could not agree more with this campaign, clearly residents do what they can to make the best of the situation but Ipswich Borough Council should be ashamed to have these pre-fabs in their stock. Time to rebuilt, residents deserve better than the pathetic sticky plaster proposed by the Labour Leadership. “
Now what followed was number of letters from residents and ex residents of the prefabs, all unhappy with Judy Terry’s plan – many of the residents are some of our senior citizens (not all) and they were very concerned that were suddenly to lose their homes.
It quickly became quite obvious that her ‘vision’ for Inverness Rd was not one shared by the residents and this led to a number attending the area committee, two had also sent in formal requests for a detailed answer on the future of the prefabs from the council.
At the start of the meeting, one Tory councillor asked me why so many people were at the meeting showing that the Tory Group were oblivious to the uproar Judy Terry’s statements had caused.
As chairman of the committee, I read out the two questions and also the prepared answer I then allowed Judy Terry to comment. Her only line of defence was that she wanted to start a debate- not sure you start a debate by talking to two developers and getting plans drawn up before you speak to either the landlords (Ipswich Borough Council) or the residents.
Her excuses did not seem to please the residents and a number then asked Judy Terry a number of questions, one asked why she had taken Mr Noble round the area- Judy Terry said she did not know anyone called Noble, I then indicated that they meant her Tory County colleague, Colin Noble. She still seemed to deny that she had taken Cllr Noble round the area of the prefabs.
Two 24 year old sisters then stated that they were unhappy with Cllr Terry’s claim that the majority of the residents were aged or disabled. A number of the prefabs have been purchased from the council by the tenants and one lady who had purchased hers was almost in tears as she informed Judy Terry that her irresponsible comments had now made it impossible to sell her own home.
After 15 minutes of questions we had to move onto other agenda items but I allowed Judy Terry to make a closing statement, she then blamed a Labour councillor for saying that the homes need to be demolished. I then added the closing remarks to the debate, stating that we know the prefabs will not last forever but when we do make a plan for their future it will be the residents who will be the first to hear and they will be consulted. I then asked Judy Terry two direct questions in front of the audience, did she invite Colin Noble to visit the area and if she did not why did he say he had visited the area of the prefabs? She stated for the third time that evening she had not taken Cllr Colin Noble round the prefabs and did not know why he had said he had visited!
At the end of the meeting Judy Terry spent a number of minutes discussing the prefabs with residents as her two Tory colleagues seemed in a hurry to leave. I and my Labour colleagues also spoke to some very angry and upset residents who informed us that they would call for the resignation of Cllr Judy Terry at the next are committee.
An eventful meeting that left many of us shocked and rather unsure what Judy Terry had planned. We did not have to wait long – under 10 hours to be even more confuses! The next morning Ipswich Spy spoke to Judy Terry and reported her view of ‘prefab gate’. She now informed us that she had invited Colin Noble round the area of the prefabs (she had denied this in a direct question from me only hours earlier) she still stated that she only wanted to start a debate (no mention of developers and plans already drawn up). She also indicated that by myself saying the ‘prefabs will not last forever’ that we do have a plan and we were hiding it from the residents. Only a week earner she said she had only raised the matter because we did not have a plan!
She then accused Labour of inviting residents to the meeting (not that would be wrong) in a leaflet we had delivered on the estate – the leaflet we did issue to allay residents’ fears does not mention the area committee. (The false accusation about the Labour leaflet was then repeated by another Tory blogger here). But most upsetting was her comments on why Labour councillor Tracy Grant was not at the meeting, implying that Cllr Grant was scared to attend in case she was asked about her views on the prefabs. Again Cllr Judy Terry is wrong Cllr Grant had given her apologies over two weeks before the meeting and before Cllr Terry had raised the prefab issue. Tracy works for Suffolk Police and they are so short staffed she was not allowed to have time off for the meeting. I hope Judy Terry has the decency to apologise to Tracy Grant (this inaccuracy about the attendance of Cllr Grant was again repeated on an Ipswich Tory blog)
So it seems Colin Noble did visit the area of the prefabs and thinks we should be ashamed of these much loved houses – people’s homes!
This still leaves a number of questions for Judy Terry to answer;
1. Why did she say Colin Noble had not visited the prefabs?
2. Why did she make an incorrect statements about the attendance of Tracy Grant without checking the facts?
3. Who are the two developers, did they approach her or did she approach them?
4. Are Care UK involved with the proposed care home?
5. Will the replacement 220 homes be council owned?
Alasdair Ross and Sandra Gage looking for Colin Noble in Inverness Road
More worrying is that Judy Terry seems to have difficulty in remembering what she has written or what she has done. At the last Full Council we had #Flyergate where Judy seemed to forget what she had written only weeks earlier in her Flyer column (her excuse then was she must have written it last year and had forgotten what she said) and now we have even more worryingly her inability to remember inviting a fellow cabinet member round the Inverness Rd area. She also seems to have none or little support from her Ipswich Tory colleagues, the Tory housing spokesman, Richard Pope did not even know of her plans for the prefabs. Maybe the pressure is getting too much for her.
I hope she will use the comment section on this blog to answer the 5 questions I have asked, and also that she has the decency to apologise to Tracy Grant.
But I think that this episode shows that many residents no longer have confidence in her ability to look after their best interests- and that many of them will use their vote on May 2nd to say that she is no longer wanted as their elected representative.
Footnote: Cllr Tracy Grant could not attend the Area Committee because of her work for Suffolk Police but on the same night the Police and Crime Commissioner attended the South East Area Committee – but he also seemed to lack the support of his Tory colleagues as all 3 Tory Borough councillors in the South east failed to turn up!
Many attended for the first time and they came along to question Tory Councillor for Rushmere, Judy Terry about her statements in the local press about their homes – the much loved prefabs
These bungalow type houses were built just after the war and were at first were expected only to last 25 years but over 60 years later they are still going strong. Other prefabs in the town have been knocked down, but the proximity of the Rushmere prefabs tom the Suffolk countryside and the long gardens have made these dwellings much demanded.
The reason for the sudden interest in the prefabs is that Cllr Judy Terry mentioned her plan for their demolition and replacement with new houses and a care home at a Suffolk County Council meeting – now this is quite strange as the prefabs are the responsibility of Ipswich Borough Council and Richard Pope is the Tory spokesman for housing and he also seems to have been caught unaware by the plans of Judy Terry. She indicated that she already had been in discussion with two developers and a local architect and had even take her County colleague Colin Noble along to ask him advice on the site for a care home. ( a point of information it is worth reminding everyone that the prefabs sit 400 metres from two existing care homes that the County has handed over to Care UK and that Judy Terry sat on the planning committee that approved a care home to be built 200metres further up Humber Doucy Lane.)
Within hours of the Judy Terry making her proclamation of this new development in Rushmere (the announcement of this proposed development did seem to be another excuse to be used to back up the Tory view that the Northern Fringe development is no longer needed) residents were up in arms, and quite quickly Judy Terry had issued a press release to say all she was calling for was a debate about the future of the prefabs and was not calling for their demolition.
The press release was used by Ipswich Spy and even received a comment from her Tory colleague Colin Noble – who tweeted: “Cllr. Terry recently took me for a walk around the estate and shared her vision, I could not agree more with this campaign, clearly residents do what they can to make the best of the situation but Ipswich Borough Council should be ashamed to have these pre-fabs in their stock. Time to rebuilt, residents deserve better than the pathetic sticky plaster proposed by the Labour Leadership. “
Now what followed was number of letters from residents and ex residents of the prefabs, all unhappy with Judy Terry’s plan – many of the residents are some of our senior citizens (not all) and they were very concerned that were suddenly to lose their homes.
It quickly became quite obvious that her ‘vision’ for Inverness Rd was not one shared by the residents and this led to a number attending the area committee, two had also sent in formal requests for a detailed answer on the future of the prefabs from the council.
At the start of the meeting, one Tory councillor asked me why so many people were at the meeting showing that the Tory Group were oblivious to the uproar Judy Terry’s statements had caused.
As chairman of the committee, I read out the two questions and also the prepared answer I then allowed Judy Terry to comment. Her only line of defence was that she wanted to start a debate- not sure you start a debate by talking to two developers and getting plans drawn up before you speak to either the landlords (Ipswich Borough Council) or the residents.
Her excuses did not seem to please the residents and a number then asked Judy Terry a number of questions, one asked why she had taken Mr Noble round the area- Judy Terry said she did not know anyone called Noble, I then indicated that they meant her Tory County colleague, Colin Noble. She still seemed to deny that she had taken Cllr Noble round the area of the prefabs.
Two 24 year old sisters then stated that they were unhappy with Cllr Terry’s claim that the majority of the residents were aged or disabled. A number of the prefabs have been purchased from the council by the tenants and one lady who had purchased hers was almost in tears as she informed Judy Terry that her irresponsible comments had now made it impossible to sell her own home.
After 15 minutes of questions we had to move onto other agenda items but I allowed Judy Terry to make a closing statement, she then blamed a Labour councillor for saying that the homes need to be demolished. I then added the closing remarks to the debate, stating that we know the prefabs will not last forever but when we do make a plan for their future it will be the residents who will be the first to hear and they will be consulted. I then asked Judy Terry two direct questions in front of the audience, did she invite Colin Noble to visit the area and if she did not why did he say he had visited the area of the prefabs? She stated for the third time that evening she had not taken Cllr Colin Noble round the prefabs and did not know why he had said he had visited!
At the end of the meeting Judy Terry spent a number of minutes discussing the prefabs with residents as her two Tory colleagues seemed in a hurry to leave. I and my Labour colleagues also spoke to some very angry and upset residents who informed us that they would call for the resignation of Cllr Judy Terry at the next are committee.
An eventful meeting that left many of us shocked and rather unsure what Judy Terry had planned. We did not have to wait long – under 10 hours to be even more confuses! The next morning Ipswich Spy spoke to Judy Terry and reported her view of ‘prefab gate’. She now informed us that she had invited Colin Noble round the area of the prefabs (she had denied this in a direct question from me only hours earlier) she still stated that she only wanted to start a debate (no mention of developers and plans already drawn up). She also indicated that by myself saying the ‘prefabs will not last forever’ that we do have a plan and we were hiding it from the residents. Only a week earner she said she had only raised the matter because we did not have a plan!
She then accused Labour of inviting residents to the meeting (not that would be wrong) in a leaflet we had delivered on the estate – the leaflet we did issue to allay residents’ fears does not mention the area committee. (The false accusation about the Labour leaflet was then repeated by another Tory blogger here). But most upsetting was her comments on why Labour councillor Tracy Grant was not at the meeting, implying that Cllr Grant was scared to attend in case she was asked about her views on the prefabs. Again Cllr Judy Terry is wrong Cllr Grant had given her apologies over two weeks before the meeting and before Cllr Terry had raised the prefab issue. Tracy works for Suffolk Police and they are so short staffed she was not allowed to have time off for the meeting. I hope Judy Terry has the decency to apologise to Tracy Grant (this inaccuracy about the attendance of Cllr Grant was again repeated on an Ipswich Tory blog)
So it seems Colin Noble did visit the area of the prefabs and thinks we should be ashamed of these much loved houses – people’s homes!
This still leaves a number of questions for Judy Terry to answer;
1. Why did she say Colin Noble had not visited the prefabs?
2. Why did she make an incorrect statements about the attendance of Tracy Grant without checking the facts?
3. Who are the two developers, did they approach her or did she approach them?
4. Are Care UK involved with the proposed care home?
5. Will the replacement 220 homes be council owned?
Alasdair Ross and Sandra Gage looking for Colin Noble in Inverness Road
More worrying is that Judy Terry seems to have difficulty in remembering what she has written or what she has done. At the last Full Council we had #Flyergate where Judy seemed to forget what she had written only weeks earlier in her Flyer column (her excuse then was she must have written it last year and had forgotten what she said) and now we have even more worryingly her inability to remember inviting a fellow cabinet member round the Inverness Rd area. She also seems to have none or little support from her Ipswich Tory colleagues, the Tory housing spokesman, Richard Pope did not even know of her plans for the prefabs. Maybe the pressure is getting too much for her.
I hope she will use the comment section on this blog to answer the 5 questions I have asked, and also that she has the decency to apologise to Tracy Grant.
But I think that this episode shows that many residents no longer have confidence in her ability to look after their best interests- and that many of them will use their vote on May 2nd to say that she is no longer wanted as their elected representative.
Footnote: Cllr Tracy Grant could not attend the Area Committee because of her work for Suffolk Police but on the same night the Police and Crime Commissioner attended the South East Area Committee – but he also seemed to lack the support of his Tory colleagues as all 3 Tory Borough councillors in the South east failed to turn up!
My Month ahead - now till May 2nd, 2013
Allegedly we are now in Spring! Which means in Ipswich we start the final push towards another set of elections- this time for the Suffolk County Council.
Now as we approach April, it may even mean you bump into an Ipswich Tory activist, but that may depend on where you live in the town and you might even get to see one of their leaflets - but do not hold your breath if living in Gainsborough or Priory Heath. There might even be a rarer sight on the streets of Ipswich, a Lib Dem activist! But unless your walking on a street within sight of Christchurch Park you are unlikely to see the lesser spotted Lib Dem.
Ipswich Labour have continued to campaign since May last year and our results in Ipswich during the PCC elections indicates that the Ipswich public would rather be represented by a party that works all year round on behalf of the town rather than just appear during the month of April.
So last week we moved from campaigning two days a week to every day of the week- we will also be campaigning in EVERY WARD in the town, there are not any 'no-go' areas for Ipswich Labour.
Normal council work and meetings do continue and campaigning has to be fitted round these plus work- and also some downtime is needed to last through till May.
This week I have two meetings at Sidegate School plus later in the month I am taking a group of teenagers on their Duke of Edinburgh Gold expedition to Mid Wales. So until Mid May, I am suspending my weekly blog post - 'My Week ahead' now the blog post was heavily criticised by one Ipswich tory activist- but guess what? He has now copied the idea and posts his own 'week ahead' post each week.
But as from now till the 2nd May - it will have campaigning down on almost every day - I think you know what I will be doing each day without looking at a post and of course I hope to speak to many of you as I spend most evenings knocking on doors.
I will be working as hard as I can to help Ipswich Labour win every County Council seat in the town (and the wider county) in particular I will be fighting hard in Rushmere Ward to get our superb candidate Sandra Gage elected - a local resident who understand the concerns of her Rushmere neighbours - a skill (understanding residents concerns)that it has become obvious that our the current Tory incumbent Judy Terry does not possess - with the her latest statements about the Rushmere Prefabs yet another example of how out of touch she has become.
So on the 2nd May - Vote Labour - where ever you are in Suffolk but in particular in Rushmere Ward, Vote for Sandra Gage, local resident, community champion and Labour activist.
So on May 2nd - where ever you are in Suffolk- Vote Labour and in Rushmere Vote Sandra Gage - local resident, community champion and Labour activist.
Now as we approach April, it may even mean you bump into an Ipswich Tory activist, but that may depend on where you live in the town and you might even get to see one of their leaflets - but do not hold your breath if living in Gainsborough or Priory Heath. There might even be a rarer sight on the streets of Ipswich, a Lib Dem activist! But unless your walking on a street within sight of Christchurch Park you are unlikely to see the lesser spotted Lib Dem.
Ipswich Labour have continued to campaign since May last year and our results in Ipswich during the PCC elections indicates that the Ipswich public would rather be represented by a party that works all year round on behalf of the town rather than just appear during the month of April.
So last week we moved from campaigning two days a week to every day of the week- we will also be campaigning in EVERY WARD in the town, there are not any 'no-go' areas for Ipswich Labour.
Normal council work and meetings do continue and campaigning has to be fitted round these plus work- and also some downtime is needed to last through till May.
This week I have two meetings at Sidegate School plus later in the month I am taking a group of teenagers on their Duke of Edinburgh Gold expedition to Mid Wales. So until Mid May, I am suspending my weekly blog post - 'My Week ahead' now the blog post was heavily criticised by one Ipswich tory activist- but guess what? He has now copied the idea and posts his own 'week ahead' post each week.
But as from now till the 2nd May - it will have campaigning down on almost every day - I think you know what I will be doing each day without looking at a post and of course I hope to speak to many of you as I spend most evenings knocking on doors.
I will be working as hard as I can to help Ipswich Labour win every County Council seat in the town (and the wider county) in particular I will be fighting hard in Rushmere Ward to get our superb candidate Sandra Gage elected - a local resident who understand the concerns of her Rushmere neighbours - a skill (understanding residents concerns)that it has become obvious that our the current Tory incumbent Judy Terry does not possess - with the her latest statements about the Rushmere Prefabs yet another example of how out of touch she has become.
So on the 2nd May - Vote Labour - where ever you are in Suffolk but in particular in Rushmere Ward, Vote for Sandra Gage, local resident, community champion and Labour activist.
So on May 2nd - where ever you are in Suffolk- Vote Labour and in Rushmere Vote Sandra Gage - local resident, community champion and Labour activist.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Ipswich Prefabs - No cause for concern
Myself outside the prefabs in Inverness Road with local campaigner, Sandra Gage.
At the North East Ipswich Area Committee this week, a number of residents from the prefabs in Rushmere Ward attended, many to inform Tory Cllr, Judy Terry that they were not happy with her comments about their homes. Certain Ipswich Tories have since accused me of delivering a leaflet to the area of Inverness Road to invite residents to the committee meeting. Below is a copy of the leaflet and you can see there is no mention of the Area Committee - another Tory statement made without any evidence to back it up!
Dear Residents,
The highly-publicised call by Tory Councillor Judy Terry for the prefabs to be demolished, calling them ‘not fit for purpose’ has caused unnecessary alarm and anxiety among residents.
We want you to know that there is no cause for concern.
We agree with the statement made by Councillor John Mowles, the borough council’s Housing spokesman, on learning of Cllr Terry’s outburst:
“The prefabs are some of the council’s most challenging properties to maintain and as a responsible landlord we are constantly reviewing how best to keep them up to modern standards.
However, we know that the vast majority of our tenants living in these houses love them. Whatever we do in future will be done with their best interests in mind and in full consultation with them.
It is deeply irresponsible of Councillor Terry to start waving her ill-thought out plans around in public without any thought about the effect it would have on residents. It has caused a lot of distress for many elderly and vulnerable residents.”
What Cllr Terry got wrong:
• Her condemnation of the prefabs was made at a meeting of Suffolk County Council, who have no responsibility for housing
• She said the homes were unfit and even got her Tory colleague, Colin Noble, the county council’s Health and Adult Care cabinet member, to say that Ipswich Borough Council ‘should be ashamed to have these prefabs in their stock’
• She has obtained from architects a plan for redevelopment of the site
• Her insults have smeared the community and worried elderly residents.
What we say:
• The prefabs are fit for purpose
• They are very popular with residents
• Cllr Terry should know that when she comes out with her unconsidered thoughts about these houses she is talking about your homes.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Save our Post! Save Ipswich Sorting Office
The Ipswich sorting Office is under threat, with a likely plan of moving operations to either Chelmsford or Norwich. This could see the potential loss of 500 jobs and will also mean a much reduced service for Ipswich residents - where will you go to collect parcels? Ipswich residents lose the ability to post a letter as late as 7.30pm. When will our first post now arrive?
Plus we may lose the Ipswich postmark!
Now when campaigning to get elected as our MP, Ben Gummer was all for campaigning to save post offices, collecting signatures and then delivering them to Number 10 (for a photo opportunity) but he seems to have now opted out of this campaign to save our Ipswich Sorting Office - why?
Ipswich Labour has joined the CWU - The Communications Union in distributing 'Save our Post!' leaflets throughout the town - now you can do your bit - sign the petition to save our Sorting Office here
My week ahead 18 - 23 March 2013
Monday 18 March, 4pm – Culture Portfolio meeting
6pm - Labour Group meeting
Tuesday 19 March, 6pm – East Area Housing panel
Thursday 21 March, 7pm – North East Ipswich Area Committee, St John’s Church, Cauldwell Hall Road
Friday 22 March, 7pm – School quiz, St Helen’s Primary School
Saturday 23 March, 10.30am – Labour campaigning, South West Ipswich
With no Full Council this week the highlight will be the next North East Area committee meeting, we have had some success in getting things done for residents but I hope over the next 12 months we can focus on our North East Action plan and work towards achieving some positive outcomes for our three main priorities.
To achieve this it will require all nine councillors from the area, IBC Officers and residents working together, my concern is that some of the Tory councillors still wish the Area Committees to fail or just see them as a means of moving council money to their own pet projects.
This week at Scrutiny we looked at Area Committee’s, and from the start we could see that at least one member of the Tory group was more interested in scoring political points, in a leak to Ipswich Spy from the Tory Group they indicated that they were not happy that some of the Area Committee Chairs were on the Scrutiny committee, they also indicated that the chairs were refusing to stand down from the committee, if the Tory Group are going to leak information to Ipswich Spy they should leak the truth. The Tories had not mentioned that they were unhappy about myself and two of my colleagues sitting on Scrutiny, they did not actually mention it till the start of the meeting. Fortunately we had already approached the Legal Officers at the council and were told that we were able to sit on Scrutiny.
Questions for the Tory Group:
1. Why did they not ask the legal officers at the council about the issue before the meeting?
2. Why did they not raise the matter at the Scrutiny Steering meeting? – This may have been difficult as no opposition councillors turned up for steering- and the Tory member on steering is the Tory Group leader!
Area Committees are here to stay and if all councillors’ work together we can see achieve positive results in our own wards – let’s hope the Tories come to the meeting on Thursday with an attitude of getting things done for their residents rather than attempting to score cheap political points.
6pm - Labour Group meeting
Tuesday 19 March, 6pm – East Area Housing panel
Thursday 21 March, 7pm – North East Ipswich Area Committee, St John’s Church, Cauldwell Hall Road
Friday 22 March, 7pm – School quiz, St Helen’s Primary School
Saturday 23 March, 10.30am – Labour campaigning, South West Ipswich
With no Full Council this week the highlight will be the next North East Area committee meeting, we have had some success in getting things done for residents but I hope over the next 12 months we can focus on our North East Action plan and work towards achieving some positive outcomes for our three main priorities.
To achieve this it will require all nine councillors from the area, IBC Officers and residents working together, my concern is that some of the Tory councillors still wish the Area Committees to fail or just see them as a means of moving council money to their own pet projects.
This week at Scrutiny we looked at Area Committee’s, and from the start we could see that at least one member of the Tory group was more interested in scoring political points, in a leak to Ipswich Spy from the Tory Group they indicated that they were not happy that some of the Area Committee Chairs were on the Scrutiny committee, they also indicated that the chairs were refusing to stand down from the committee, if the Tory Group are going to leak information to Ipswich Spy they should leak the truth. The Tories had not mentioned that they were unhappy about myself and two of my colleagues sitting on Scrutiny, they did not actually mention it till the start of the meeting. Fortunately we had already approached the Legal Officers at the council and were told that we were able to sit on Scrutiny.
Questions for the Tory Group:
1. Why did they not ask the legal officers at the council about the issue before the meeting?
2. Why did they not raise the matter at the Scrutiny Steering meeting? – This may have been difficult as no opposition councillors turned up for steering- and the Tory member on steering is the Tory Group leader!
Area Committees are here to stay and if all councillors’ work together we can see achieve positive results in our own wards – let’s hope the Tories come to the meeting on Thursday with an attitude of getting things done for their residents rather than attempting to score cheap political points.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Latest Tory plan? Sell Portman Road
Our MP Ben Gummer has suggested that Ipswich Borough Council should sell Portman Road to the Ipswich Town FC in order to finance the compulsory purchase of waterfront land for redevelopment
Ben suggested this in an article in the Ipswich Star at the start of the week, MP Gummer says he believes the council should cash in on the ground in order to buy waterfront land close to Stoke Bridge for redevelopment: “I don’t want to tell the council what they should or should not sell, but we know the football club is keen to buy the freehold of Portman Road.”
This had led to a debate on Ipswich Town fans website TWTD, with most comments against the idea.
There are many reasons why I am against the plan both as a Councillor and an Ipswich supporter.
As a councillor I can see that buying the last disused buildings close to Stoke Bridge may help re-start development again on the waterfront but the same could be said if the council purchased the CO-OP building in Carr Street, this may give the town centre a boost.
It is believed the club offered a million pounds but currently the council gets £100 thousand a year from the club so with interest rates so low the council are getting a good return on their land already whilst the club have a long lease of over 100 years and are still paying a very low rent.
To be fair to Mr Gummer, Archant Press (the Star and EADT) are keen to kick start the waterfront development as they wish to sell their premises close to the river and Mr Gummer may have not come up with the plan on his own but Mr Gummer is keen to get the waterfront sorted as he has made it a big issue that he gets the Irish banks to work with others to see the ‘wine rack’ turned into a finished building. This might help and he would love to see building started again before 2015 – might be his only hope to make a fight of the election.
But as a Football fan I am very against the sale of the ground, just look at was happened at clubs Brighton, Chester, Darlington and Wrexham – fans left fighting to save their clubs- look at the current state of Portsmouth, the supporters trust have agreed to buy the club, but who owns the ground is holding the deal up and may see Portsmouth fold.
Brighton sold their ground and ended up playing in East Kent- miles from their Sussex home.
Marcus Evans has put plenty of money into the club but what if he sold his interests to a new owner? At least with the ground in the council ownership we know that an unscrupulous owner can’t sell the ground from underneath us.
So Mr Gummer seems to have come up with an idea without consulting supporters first, similar pattern immerging here – sound like Cllr Terry planning to knock down the pre-fabs in Inverness Rd without asking residents. Though Cllr Terry may use the same excuse Cllr Cenci used in defence of Mr Gummer – “ he may have been misquoted"
Sunday, March 10, 2013
My week ahead 11 - 17 March 2013
Monday 11 March, 4pm – Culture Portfolio meeting
6pm - Labour Group campaigning
Tuesday 12 March, 10am – Briefing on Ransomes
5pm – Sidegate Primary School Governor training
Thursday 14 March, 6pm – Scrutiny meeting at Grafton House
Saturday 16 March, 10.30am – Labour campaigning, North West Ipswich
This week we have just seen how desperate and divided the Ipswich Tory group is, Cllr Judy Terry declared at a Suffolk County Council meeting that we would not have to build on the Northern Fringe if we built on brown field sites or if we knocked down the pre-fabs in her own ward. She even went as far to say she had been in talks with architects and developers and she then got out the plans at a County Scrutiny meeting!
Now this was news to Ipswich Borough Council and also more importantly to the residents of the pre-fabs. Cllr Terry often goes on about a lack of consultation on certain issues, well it seems she had not mentioned the plan to any resident of Inverness Road, Sidegate Lane, Lanark Road or Humber Doucy Lane. She did take Cllr Colin Noble on a tour of the area and show him her great plan – but it also seems she has forgotten to inform any of her Tory colleagues on the Borough Council!
Part of the plan is also to build a care home – now Mr Gummer is promoting a Care Home 200 metres away and the County Council may be shutting a Care Home in Sidegate Lane. So is another care home needed in Rushmere?
So Judy Terry has just managed to scare the residents and upset many – she also leaves many questions unanswered – will the replacements be Council owned? What will happen to the current residents? Is this Ipswich Tory Group policy or just a plan she has hatched up with Colin Noble?
If this is part of a plan to stop building on the Northern Fringe? If so it seems strange that the plan revolves round upsetting many of the residents that she has been elected to represent.
6pm - Labour Group campaigning
Tuesday 12 March, 10am – Briefing on Ransomes
5pm – Sidegate Primary School Governor training
Thursday 14 March, 6pm – Scrutiny meeting at Grafton House
Saturday 16 March, 10.30am – Labour campaigning, North West Ipswich
This week we have just seen how desperate and divided the Ipswich Tory group is, Cllr Judy Terry declared at a Suffolk County Council meeting that we would not have to build on the Northern Fringe if we built on brown field sites or if we knocked down the pre-fabs in her own ward. She even went as far to say she had been in talks with architects and developers and she then got out the plans at a County Scrutiny meeting!
Now this was news to Ipswich Borough Council and also more importantly to the residents of the pre-fabs. Cllr Terry often goes on about a lack of consultation on certain issues, well it seems she had not mentioned the plan to any resident of Inverness Road, Sidegate Lane, Lanark Road or Humber Doucy Lane. She did take Cllr Colin Noble on a tour of the area and show him her great plan – but it also seems she has forgotten to inform any of her Tory colleagues on the Borough Council!
Part of the plan is also to build a care home – now Mr Gummer is promoting a Care Home 200 metres away and the County Council may be shutting a Care Home in Sidegate Lane. So is another care home needed in Rushmere?
So Judy Terry has just managed to scare the residents and upset many – she also leaves many questions unanswered – will the replacements be Council owned? What will happen to the current residents? Is this Ipswich Tory Group policy or just a plan she has hatched up with Colin Noble?
If this is part of a plan to stop building on the Northern Fringe? If so it seems strange that the plan revolves round upsetting many of the residents that she has been elected to represent.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
My week ahead 4 - 10 March 2013
Monday 4 March, 6pm – Labour Group campaigning
Thursday 7 March, 7pm – Ipswich and Suffolk Fabians meeting
Saturday 9 March, 10.30am – Labour campaigning in North West Ipswich
This week we have had the budget setting meeting of Full Council (more details of ‘Flyergate’ here) and we got to see how disorganised the Tory opposition is – and that was before their terrible result at Eastleigh on Thursday!
Much will be made by the Tories of how they have frozen Council tax at the County Council and also the neighbouring Tory District Council have also set a 0% rise. What they will not tell you is at the County they have made savage cuts including at a time when Suffolk schools sit at the bottom of the league table – a cut of £200,00 from the school improvement fund! In neighbouring District councils the same Tory Cllrs who voted for a freeze have put a rise to the tax claimed by Parish Councils- not something we can do In Ipswich and in Suffolk Coastal, they have put the rent up on beach huts- in some cases a 20% rise – and where do most beech hut owners live? Ipswich.
Over the next few weeks you will get the opportunity to tell councillors and activists your thoughts – well you will be able to tell members of the Labour Party your views, do not expect to see the Lib Dems wander far from the streets round Christchurch Park and the Tories may only be seen in 3 or 4 wards. But you will certainly be contacted by the Ipswich Labour Party, either on the doorstep or by phone or at the very least a leaflet.
Yesterday we had over 20 out in Westgate Ward plus small teams delivering in the South West and the best bit was that we had new members joining us out knocking on doors from an 18 year old 6th Former to a retired couple out for the first time. We also saw this at our final candidate selection meeting on Thursday, with far more applicants that seats available – a problem I am sure the Lib Dems and Tories in Ipswich do not have.
Thursday 7 March, 7pm – Ipswich and Suffolk Fabians meeting
Saturday 9 March, 10.30am – Labour campaigning in North West Ipswich
This week we have had the budget setting meeting of Full Council (more details of ‘Flyergate’ here) and we got to see how disorganised the Tory opposition is – and that was before their terrible result at Eastleigh on Thursday!
Much will be made by the Tories of how they have frozen Council tax at the County Council and also the neighbouring Tory District Council have also set a 0% rise. What they will not tell you is at the County they have made savage cuts including at a time when Suffolk schools sit at the bottom of the league table – a cut of £200,00 from the school improvement fund! In neighbouring District councils the same Tory Cllrs who voted for a freeze have put a rise to the tax claimed by Parish Councils- not something we can do In Ipswich and in Suffolk Coastal, they have put the rent up on beach huts- in some cases a 20% rise – and where do most beech hut owners live? Ipswich.
Over the next few weeks you will get the opportunity to tell councillors and activists your thoughts – well you will be able to tell members of the Labour Party your views, do not expect to see the Lib Dems wander far from the streets round Christchurch Park and the Tories may only be seen in 3 or 4 wards. But you will certainly be contacted by the Ipswich Labour Party, either on the doorstep or by phone or at the very least a leaflet.
Yesterday we had over 20 out in Westgate Ward plus small teams delivering in the South West and the best bit was that we had new members joining us out knocking on doors from an 18 year old 6th Former to a retired couple out for the first time. We also saw this at our final candidate selection meeting on Thursday, with far more applicants that seats available – a problem I am sure the Lib Dems and Tories in Ipswich do not have.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Fly(er)ing off the handle
Last Wednesday was the budget setting meeting of the Full Council in Ipswich. After savage cuts forced on us by Erick Pickles and the Tories – with Lib Dem support (though Eric seems to be ignoring his own 50 top tips!) we had to increase Council tax – this will help save frontline services and the cost to most residents will just be 9p a week.
The Tories had to withdraw their own alternative budget – as they only handed it in a few hours before the deadline! Now one Tory blogger has commented that Labour never presented an alternative budget in 7 years – forgetting that when the Tories/Lib Dems were in charge we were not able to see the accounts till the last minute whilst the Tories and Lib Dems have been involved in the budget making process through working groups and Scrutiny.
So no Tory budget but they did use the meeting to say where they would save money – scrap area committees seemed to be their number one plan – or it seemed their only plan.
But after their leader said scrap the committees and in particular the pay the chairs of those committees get it all started to unravel quickly. Cllr Vickery forgot it was the Tory leader who was the first to claim the Chair’s allowance. Cllr Cenci then also attacked the area Committee (but only a day later was tweeting how good the last SW Area Committee was) but then mentioned bringing back Area Forums (cost?) and then said it would be better to give Cllrs locality money – so no saving just moving money to a different pot!
The whole of the Tory response was turning into a farce, only saved by their former leader – Cllr Harsant making a speech that displayed any passion for this town.
When you thought it could get no worse for the Tories – Judy Terry rose to speak – she did not get off to a great start, quoting from confidential papers but then she mentioned her great money saving idea – only hold elections every four years – what price democracy? Many other types of council do hold elections every four years but it can lead to Cllrs being invisible for the first three years then suddenly appear at election time. With elections every year, it forces political groups to campaign all year long – of course with very few members the Lib Dems struggle to leave St Margaret’s and the Tories seem to have lost a large number of members and more importantly- activists, so in Rushmere we have only seen one leaflet in the 10 months since the last election and some wards have not seen anything for over a year. Maybe she thinks it will mean we will cancel next year’s election? Probably the only way she will save her seat!
So after we had heard all the great Tory money saving ideas – well the two of them – scrap area Committees and hold election every 4 years – David Ellesmere the Labour Leader took to his feet and indicated that Judy Terry had forgot to mention her plans to spend more money – a referendum on the Northern Fringe!
Straight away, I thought how strange – she wants to reduce democracy and have elections every 4 years then on the other hand she wants to hold an expensive referendum on a plan that originally had all party support! I also wondered why she had not proposed referendums on the sale of Kiln Meadow, the Wind Turbine contract or the sale of the Ipswich Bus Company.
When did Judy Terry suddenly become anti-development on the Northern Fringe? She was on the executive that put the original plan forward and voted for it – how do the 6 Tory Cllrs from the North West feel (well the 4 who are left) one of their members even gave up his front bench role over the plan. I guess her sudden change of heart is caused by realisation that she is in great danger of losing her seat in the May election – she even seems to have persuaded the County Council cabinet to suddenly become anti Northern Fringe development.
Now when David Ellesmere mentioned the referendum, Judy Terry quickly jumped to her feet to say she had not said that- Cllr Ellesmere told her she had put in her column in the Ipswich Flyer- she said she never wrote that (allegedly she thought David said her column in Ipswich Spy!) The Mayor eventually got her to stop behaving like Boris Johnson and to sit down. After the meeting David showed her the Flyer column. Still not happy she said she could not remember writing it and may have written it last year! Funny as she has a column each month and in the infamous column she mentions attending a meeting on the Northern fringe at the end of January! So much for last year!! She got caught out and instead of putting her hand up she has continued to keep digging- Cllr Cenci offered me some advice last week about engaging brain before writing- maybe she should phone her Tory colleague up before we read the April Ipswich Flyer- unless she wrote that column last year as well!
So let’s get this Northern Fringe debate straight – Judy Terry would rather see more houses built on brown field sites in the town rather than the Northern Fringe, so every spare space off Foxhall Road? St Clements? – So her own Rushmere residents will see more traffic and congested routes into town- Woodbridge Rd, Spring Rd and Foxhall Rd whilst her Lib Dem NIMBY friends on Westerfield Rd will have the occasional car? I hope Cllr Terry gets that message over to the residents of Rushmere, St Johns and Bixley at the next Area Committee!
The Tories had to withdraw their own alternative budget – as they only handed it in a few hours before the deadline! Now one Tory blogger has commented that Labour never presented an alternative budget in 7 years – forgetting that when the Tories/Lib Dems were in charge we were not able to see the accounts till the last minute whilst the Tories and Lib Dems have been involved in the budget making process through working groups and Scrutiny.
So no Tory budget but they did use the meeting to say where they would save money – scrap area committees seemed to be their number one plan – or it seemed their only plan.
But after their leader said scrap the committees and in particular the pay the chairs of those committees get it all started to unravel quickly. Cllr Vickery forgot it was the Tory leader who was the first to claim the Chair’s allowance. Cllr Cenci then also attacked the area Committee (but only a day later was tweeting how good the last SW Area Committee was) but then mentioned bringing back Area Forums (cost?) and then said it would be better to give Cllrs locality money – so no saving just moving money to a different pot!
The whole of the Tory response was turning into a farce, only saved by their former leader – Cllr Harsant making a speech that displayed any passion for this town.
When you thought it could get no worse for the Tories – Judy Terry rose to speak – she did not get off to a great start, quoting from confidential papers but then she mentioned her great money saving idea – only hold elections every four years – what price democracy? Many other types of council do hold elections every four years but it can lead to Cllrs being invisible for the first three years then suddenly appear at election time. With elections every year, it forces political groups to campaign all year long – of course with very few members the Lib Dems struggle to leave St Margaret’s and the Tories seem to have lost a large number of members and more importantly- activists, so in Rushmere we have only seen one leaflet in the 10 months since the last election and some wards have not seen anything for over a year. Maybe she thinks it will mean we will cancel next year’s election? Probably the only way she will save her seat!
So after we had heard all the great Tory money saving ideas – well the two of them – scrap area Committees and hold election every 4 years – David Ellesmere the Labour Leader took to his feet and indicated that Judy Terry had forgot to mention her plans to spend more money – a referendum on the Northern Fringe!
Straight away, I thought how strange – she wants to reduce democracy and have elections every 4 years then on the other hand she wants to hold an expensive referendum on a plan that originally had all party support! I also wondered why she had not proposed referendums on the sale of Kiln Meadow, the Wind Turbine contract or the sale of the Ipswich Bus Company.
When did Judy Terry suddenly become anti-development on the Northern Fringe? She was on the executive that put the original plan forward and voted for it – how do the 6 Tory Cllrs from the North West feel (well the 4 who are left) one of their members even gave up his front bench role over the plan. I guess her sudden change of heart is caused by realisation that she is in great danger of losing her seat in the May election – she even seems to have persuaded the County Council cabinet to suddenly become anti Northern Fringe development.
Now when David Ellesmere mentioned the referendum, Judy Terry quickly jumped to her feet to say she had not said that- Cllr Ellesmere told her she had put in her column in the Ipswich Flyer- she said she never wrote that (allegedly she thought David said her column in Ipswich Spy!) The Mayor eventually got her to stop behaving like Boris Johnson and to sit down. After the meeting David showed her the Flyer column. Still not happy she said she could not remember writing it and may have written it last year! Funny as she has a column each month and in the infamous column she mentions attending a meeting on the Northern fringe at the end of January! So much for last year!! She got caught out and instead of putting her hand up she has continued to keep digging- Cllr Cenci offered me some advice last week about engaging brain before writing- maybe she should phone her Tory colleague up before we read the April Ipswich Flyer- unless she wrote that column last year as well!
So let’s get this Northern Fringe debate straight – Judy Terry would rather see more houses built on brown field sites in the town rather than the Northern Fringe, so every spare space off Foxhall Road? St Clements? – So her own Rushmere residents will see more traffic and congested routes into town- Woodbridge Rd, Spring Rd and Foxhall Rd whilst her Lib Dem NIMBY friends on Westerfield Rd will have the occasional car? I hope Cllr Terry gets that message over to the residents of Rushmere, St Johns and Bixley at the next Area Committee!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Labour - one day to go in Eastleigh
A great example why we campaign hard for the Labour Party - because it is about improving our community- the 'one nation' party
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Did look and brain was engaged
My post about Mr Gummer and his out of date website drew some criticism from both a Tory councillor and a Tory activist. Cllr Cenci suggested that I – ‘look, check, engage brain ‘
Cllr Cenci then went onto explain that the website did not have up to date data on casework as all records are erased on January 1st.
I explained that this may be the case but no data had been added since February 2012. I also received an email from Mr Gummer’s office and this explained that I had been correct and no casework had been added since February 2012. This was due to the employee who had undertaken that work had left in February and the work would now be done by Mr Gummer’s campaign manager who had not started work till late 2012. I explained to the office that this was understandable but maybe the reason should have been placed on the website. I was told this had not been possible due to the web design. The information should now be updated by the campaign manager (I guess she is paid for by the Conservative Party as the website is not paid for by the taxpayer).
Some may think I was attempting to make a cheap shot at our MP, but I was not – I was just highlighting that an up to date website is a vital tool for the modern MP and that Mr Gummer’s website was failing miserably to do this.
Why Cllr Cenci thought she had to defend Mr Gummer, I do not know and I wonder who gave her the wrong information? I will now look forward to reading an up to date MP website.
Cllr Cenci then went onto explain that the website did not have up to date data on casework as all records are erased on January 1st.
I explained that this may be the case but no data had been added since February 2012. I also received an email from Mr Gummer’s office and this explained that I had been correct and no casework had been added since February 2012. This was due to the employee who had undertaken that work had left in February and the work would now be done by Mr Gummer’s campaign manager who had not started work till late 2012. I explained to the office that this was understandable but maybe the reason should have been placed on the website. I was told this had not been possible due to the web design. The information should now be updated by the campaign manager (I guess she is paid for by the Conservative Party as the website is not paid for by the taxpayer).
Some may think I was attempting to make a cheap shot at our MP, but I was not – I was just highlighting that an up to date website is a vital tool for the modern MP and that Mr Gummer’s website was failing miserably to do this.
Why Cllr Cenci thought she had to defend Mr Gummer, I do not know and I wonder who gave her the wrong information? I will now look forward to reading an up to date MP website.
My week ahead 25 February - 2 March 2013
Monday 25 February, 4pm – Culture portfolio meeting
6pm – Labour Group meeting
Wednesday 27 February, 6pm – Ipswich Borough Full Council meeting
Thursday 28 February, 5pm – North East Ipswich Area committee, agenda setting meeting
Saturday 2 March, 10.30am – Labour campaigning in East Ipswich
On Wednesday we have Full council where the Council tax rate will be set for 13/14 – expect a very heated debate but we will stick to what we were elected to do – save and protect front line services. The Tories will go on about how the county have not only not raised their part of the council tax but also promised to cap it for the next 4 years. Just a blatant piece of electioneering – how do they even know what central Government is going to grant them next year – let alone in 4 years’ time.
The Tory Police and Crime Commissioner has also frozen the police part of the tax, even though the outgoing Tory run Police Authority proposed a rise – Mr Passmore just decided to spend all the reserves – what is he going to do next year?
Tories may also point to the other district councils in Suffolk who have also frozen their part of the tax, but many of those same Tory councillors have agreed to raise the Parish council part of the tax – and of course we have no Parish councils in Ipswich to use in this way.
How each party gets the message over after Wednesday may help decide the election fortunes of the three main groups come May.
6pm – Labour Group meeting
Wednesday 27 February, 6pm – Ipswich Borough Full Council meeting
Thursday 28 February, 5pm – North East Ipswich Area committee, agenda setting meeting
Saturday 2 March, 10.30am – Labour campaigning in East Ipswich
On Wednesday we have Full council where the Council tax rate will be set for 13/14 – expect a very heated debate but we will stick to what we were elected to do – save and protect front line services. The Tories will go on about how the county have not only not raised their part of the council tax but also promised to cap it for the next 4 years. Just a blatant piece of electioneering – how do they even know what central Government is going to grant them next year – let alone in 4 years’ time.
The Tory Police and Crime Commissioner has also frozen the police part of the tax, even though the outgoing Tory run Police Authority proposed a rise – Mr Passmore just decided to spend all the reserves – what is he going to do next year?
Tories may also point to the other district councils in Suffolk who have also frozen their part of the tax, but many of those same Tory councillors have agreed to raise the Parish council part of the tax – and of course we have no Parish councils in Ipswich to use in this way.
How each party gets the message over after Wednesday may help decide the election fortunes of the three main groups come May.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Football on Dumbarton Rd Rec, Rushmere Estate- Ipswich
FREE FOOTBALL SESSION
DURING FEBUARY HALF TERM AT Dumbarton Rd Recreation Ground
Delivered by Suffolk Positive Futures
Thursday 21st Feb 1pm-2.30pm
Activities are FREE and there is no need to book, just turn up and join in.
Ages 10-19
Sessions delivered by Suffolk Positive Futures in partnership with Suffolk County Council
For further information please contact Paul Knight on 07717 290545 or email paul.knight@suffolk.gov.uk
Contact Positive Futures through facebook at ‘suffolk positive futures’ or on twitter @suffolkpf
DURING FEBUARY HALF TERM AT Dumbarton Rd Recreation Ground
Delivered by Suffolk Positive Futures
Thursday 21st Feb 1pm-2.30pm
Activities are FREE and there is no need to book, just turn up and join in.
Ages 10-19
Sessions delivered by Suffolk Positive Futures in partnership with Suffolk County Council
For further information please contact Paul Knight on 07717 290545 or email paul.knight@suffolk.gov.uk
Contact Positive Futures through facebook at ‘suffolk positive futures’ or on twitter @suffolkpf
Sunday, February 17, 2013
No casework for a year?
Ben ruined my idea for a blog post! I have in the past been quite critical of Mr Gummer for certain administrative tasks – the delay in opening an office in the town and the delay in getting a website up.
One excuse given for the delay in getting a web presence was that he wanted to get it right rather than rush in and the other positive mentioned was that the website would not be paid for by the taxpayer.
When the website went live it (like most MP’s now) gave a link to data on his expenses plus a link to a video clip of every time Ben spoke in Westminster.
One extra piece of information Mr Gummer offered was a record of his performance when it comes to casework. It was this part of our MPs website that was going to be the subject of my blog post.
Mr Gummer introduced the section on his performance date with these fine words:
“I receive hundreds of requests for help and for information every week. Although it is sometimes difficult to give a quick answer, I try to give as prompt a service as possible to all my constituents. I think it is important that you can see how efficiently I am dealing with queries.
So, every week we will update you on the maximum amount of time it takes me to respond to your queries. In time I would like to provide more information on the performance of my office, so you can properly hold me to account. I am the first MP to publish this data”
But as you can see there is not data on the site – here.
But up to last week there was data on the site, but it indicated that no casework had been undertaken since February 2012! Now I know that is wrong as I have spoken to a number of residents who have had or are having casework dealt with by Mr Gummer. This is not the only part of Mr Gummer’s website that is woefully out of date, according to the site he has not spoken in Parliament since January 2012.
Now you might say why should we be bothered when the website is not costing the taxpayer any money, well it is getting some updates including pictures of ‘Ben in the Pub’ and I would expect that work is being done by staff who are paid by us – the taxpayer and I would not be concerned if the website was paid for out of Mr Gummer’s allowances if the site was up to date and gave out relevant information.
Now some of you may think why I have not taken up this matter with Mr Gummer directly, but unfortunately our MP is not replying to my emails. I had contacted him to ask why he had blocked me on twitter. I have not been rude to Mr Gummer through social media and know we do not agree on many topics but I have enjoyed debating with Mr Gummer via twitter. I also think that twitter is a good way for residents to find out what their MP is up to or what his views are on national topics and for the MP to gauge the thoughts and concerns of residents, councillors and those in commerce in his constituency. Twitter should not just be a one way form of communication.
A concern for me now is that if a constituent approaches me with some casework that would be better dealt with by our MP – I will not be sure that any email communication that I submit will be read by Mr Gummer. If I do get any casework that needs my MP's support I would phone his office or post it but I do not think it asking for much to receive a reply to my emails - even if just to say that he would continue to block me on twitter.
So I would suggest Mr Gummer either keeps his website up to date, or removes the sections that show it is woefully behind the times.
One excuse given for the delay in getting a web presence was that he wanted to get it right rather than rush in and the other positive mentioned was that the website would not be paid for by the taxpayer.
When the website went live it (like most MP’s now) gave a link to data on his expenses plus a link to a video clip of every time Ben spoke in Westminster.
One extra piece of information Mr Gummer offered was a record of his performance when it comes to casework. It was this part of our MPs website that was going to be the subject of my blog post.
Mr Gummer introduced the section on his performance date with these fine words:
“I receive hundreds of requests for help and for information every week. Although it is sometimes difficult to give a quick answer, I try to give as prompt a service as possible to all my constituents. I think it is important that you can see how efficiently I am dealing with queries.
So, every week we will update you on the maximum amount of time it takes me to respond to your queries. In time I would like to provide more information on the performance of my office, so you can properly hold me to account. I am the first MP to publish this data”
But as you can see there is not data on the site – here.
But up to last week there was data on the site, but it indicated that no casework had been undertaken since February 2012! Now I know that is wrong as I have spoken to a number of residents who have had or are having casework dealt with by Mr Gummer. This is not the only part of Mr Gummer’s website that is woefully out of date, according to the site he has not spoken in Parliament since January 2012.
Now you might say why should we be bothered when the website is not costing the taxpayer any money, well it is getting some updates including pictures of ‘Ben in the Pub’ and I would expect that work is being done by staff who are paid by us – the taxpayer and I would not be concerned if the website was paid for out of Mr Gummer’s allowances if the site was up to date and gave out relevant information.
Now some of you may think why I have not taken up this matter with Mr Gummer directly, but unfortunately our MP is not replying to my emails. I had contacted him to ask why he had blocked me on twitter. I have not been rude to Mr Gummer through social media and know we do not agree on many topics but I have enjoyed debating with Mr Gummer via twitter. I also think that twitter is a good way for residents to find out what their MP is up to or what his views are on national topics and for the MP to gauge the thoughts and concerns of residents, councillors and those in commerce in his constituency. Twitter should not just be a one way form of communication.
A concern for me now is that if a constituent approaches me with some casework that would be better dealt with by our MP – I will not be sure that any email communication that I submit will be read by Mr Gummer. If I do get any casework that needs my MP's support I would phone his office or post it but I do not think it asking for much to receive a reply to my emails - even if just to say that he would continue to block me on twitter.
So I would suggest Mr Gummer either keeps his website up to date, or removes the sections that show it is woefully behind the times.
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