CatholicLeft
Labour
2032 posts until I was "accidentally" deleted.
Posts: 6,252
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Post by CatholicLeft on Jan 28, 2020 22:39:54 GMT
I do like the idea of a Blackburn with Darren council. To be fair, that is how 'Darreners' pronounce it.
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Post by ideal4radio on Jan 29, 2020 2:42:20 GMT
I am surprised there are any councillors left belonging to either the Brexit Party or UK Independence Party. The United Kingdom is leaving the European Union in five days; after that neither of the aforementioned political parties will have any real reason to exist. As if that was the reason any of the defectors to the Brexit Party were joining it?! It only ever was a staging-post in this way. The new Tory councillors in Burnley will get plenty of financial support for May's elections, now that they have a Tory MP. I rather think the Conservative's have moved towards the Brexit party's position, that the other way .... On the subject of financial support in local elections, I got 7 leaflets from the Greens in last years locals in Burnley, as opposed to one from the Conservatives ....
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Post by owainsutton on Jan 29, 2020 11:45:03 GMT
As if that was the reason any of the defectors to the Brexit Party were joining it?! It only ever was a staging-post in this way. The new Tory councillors in Burnley will get plenty of financial support for May's elections, now that they have a Tory MP. I rather think the Conservative's have moved towards the Brexit party's position, that the other way .... On the subject of financial support in local elections, I got 7 leaflets from the Greens in last years locals in Burnley, as opposed to one from the Conservatives .... The national party pay for that? Hah, we wish!
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Post by Merseymike on Jan 30, 2020 8:07:19 GMT
I wasn't going to respond to the original point, but whether one likes Diane or her politics, she is one of the MPs who very openly likes clothes and is always well dressed
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Post by Pete Whitehead on Jan 30, 2020 9:25:09 GMT
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Post by sonofkrautrock on Jan 30, 2020 9:33:12 GMT
if that is correct then the Conservatives have lost their majority on Surrey Heath council. There is more to it. It seems the two Tories (the former leader and deputy) may have resigned or been pushed. A new administration was formed last night. Just seen this: A statement by Cllr Rodney Bates, leader of Labour Group on Surrey Heath Council This evening, I have attended the Surrey Heath Extraordinary Full Council. Following the recent resignations of both the Leader and Deputy of Surrey Heath Borough Council now becoming independents, 45 years of unbroken Conservative dominance came to an end.Tonight was a unique opportunity for Surrey Heath to reject the failed one party politics of the past and to elect a progressive new alternative for the benefit of all. Instead, the public were forced to witness yet another embarrassing shambles. Over the past days, I can confirm that along with all of the group leaders and many councillors in all parties, a large number of private and confidential meetings and discussions took place. The purpose of these was to establish whether or how this long standing dominance could be broken and a new start using the gifts and talents of all progressive politicians. The detail of those discussions and meetings will remain confidential as befits any serious politician as they were explanatory in nature covering many possible options. This is entirely normal and a standard part of politics at all levels. Sadly, it became immediately clear that despite claiming they are an opposition party, the Liberal Democrat Group had in fact absolutely no interest in putting forward any alternative at all even amongst themselves let alone a credible one. This failure to take any responsibility of leadership led discussions towards several other alternatives for leader including me for a brief time. Several Cllrs from differing viewpoints did indicate private support for this during these few days for which I was personally surprised and grateful. However, there was a better candidate that could better demonstrate the necessary cultural change towards cross party support and culture in my friend and colleague Victoria Wheeler. Despite being an Independent Cllr, we have many of the shared values and shared vision as to what is needed to address the serious community problems within the borough. I was therefore delighted to formally propose her tonight and pledge to help her move forward important issues such as climate change, poverty, social housing and the challenges of rural communities. Victoria also had the highest number of votes and largest majority from any of the Surrey Heath councillors securing more votes from residents than both the new Conservative and Lib Dem group leaders combined. Sadly, the vote on a new leader was lost by 16 votes to 6 so we once again have a Conservative leader. Astonishingly, all 9 Liberal Democrat Cllrs and 2 Greens abstained on this vote and failed to put up an alternative candidate themselves. Embarrassingly, they even kept quiet when the Mayor asked if any Cllr wished to make any statement before the vote was taken. Their 11 votes made the difference and by their actions ensured that the Conservatives will continue to lead Surrey Heath. The new leader immediately then announced another Executive entirely from the Conservatives thus ensuring continued local domination.This unique opportunity and the most important vote that has taken place in 45 years was therefore lost. During the general election, many residents will have voted Liberal Democrat in the mistaken belief that they wished to challenge Conservative domination in our area. Events of tonight show that the only opposition willing to stand up, speak out and make genuine change are Labour and Independents. I know how disappointing this result will be to many but can honestly say that every effort was made on your behalf and that of our broken communities.
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Post by Pete Whitehead on Jan 30, 2020 9:38:39 GMT
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neilm
Non-Aligned
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Post by neilm on Jan 30, 2020 9:41:41 GMT
Reads as though he likes the sound of his own voice.
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carlton43
Non-Aligned
Posts: 48,432
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Post by carlton43 on Jan 30, 2020 10:29:24 GMT
if that is correct then the Conservatives have lost their majority on Surrey Heath council. There is more to it. It seems the two Tories (the former leader and deputy) may have resigned or been pushed. A new administration was formed last night. Just seen this: A statement by Cllr Rodney Bates, leader of Labour Group on Surrey Heath Council This evening, I have attended the Surrey Heath Extraordinary Full Council. Following the recent resignations of both the Leader and Deputy of Surrey Heath Borough Council now becoming independents, 45 years of unbroken Conservative dominance came to an end.Tonight was a unique opportunity for Surrey Heath to reject the failed one party politics of the past and to elect a progressive new alternative for the benefit of all. Instead, the public were forced to witness yet another embarrassing shambles. Over the past days, I can confirm that along with all of the group leaders and many councillors in all parties, a large number of private and confidential meetings and discussions took place. The purpose of these was to establish whether or how this long standing dominance could be broken and a new start using the gifts and talents of all progressive politicians. The detail of those discussions and meetings will remain confidential as befits any serious politician as they were explanatory in nature covering many possible options. This is entirely normal and a standard part of politics at all levels. Sadly, it became immediately clear that despite claiming they are an opposition party, the Liberal Democrat Group had in fact absolutely no interest in putting forward any alternative at all even amongst themselves let alone a credible one. This failure to take any responsibility of leadership led discussions towards several other alternatives for leader including me for a brief time. Several Cllrs from differing viewpoints did indicate private support for this during these few days for which I was personally surprised and grateful. However, there was a better candidate that could better demonstrate the necessary cultural change towards cross party support and culture in my friend and colleague Victoria Wheeler. Despite being an Independent Cllr, we have many of the shared values and shared vision as to what is needed to address the serious community problems within the borough. I was therefore delighted to formally propose her tonight and pledge to help her move forward important issues such as climate change, poverty, social housing and the challenges of rural communities. Victoria also had the highest number of votes and largest majority from any of the Surrey Heath councillors securing more votes from residents than both the new Conservative and Lib Dem group leaders combined. Sadly, the vote on a new leader was lost by 16 votes to 6 so we once again have a Conservative leader. Astonishingly, all 9 Liberal Democrat Cllrs and 2 Greens abstained on this vote and failed to put up an alternative candidate themselves. Embarrassingly, they even kept quiet when the Mayor asked if any Cllr wished to make any statement before the vote was taken. Their 11 votes made the difference and by their actions ensured that the Conservatives will continue to lead Surrey Heath. The new leader immediately then announced another Executive entirely from the Conservatives thus ensuring continued local domination.This unique opportunity and the most important vote that has taken place in 45 years was therefore lost. During the general election, many residents will have voted Liberal Democrat in the mistaken belief that they wished to challenge Conservative domination in our area. Events of tonight show that the only opposition willing to stand up, speak out and make genuine change are Labour and Independents. I know how disappointing this result will be to many but can honestly say that every effort was made on your behalf and that of our broken communities. That is a just wonderful little story in absolute 'Eric Pode of East Surrey'-Speak! One can detect the earnestness of voice and the nasal twang of an Eric Pode all through it. In brief, Conservatives have Palace Revolution allowing opportunity for Opposition to unite and break their control. Being fractious plonkers they miss that opportunity and permit Conservatives to hang on! Small storm in very small teacup. Love it.
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Chris from Brum
Lib Dem
What I need is a strong drink and a peer group.
Posts: 9,180
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Post by Chris from Brum on Jan 30, 2020 11:07:15 GMT
There is more to it. It seems the two Tories (the former leader and deputy) may have resigned or been pushed. A new administration was formed last night. Just seen this: A statement by Cllr Rodney Bates, leader of Labour Group on Surrey Heath Council This evening, I have attended the Surrey Heath Extraordinary Full Council. Following the recent resignations of both the Leader and Deputy of Surrey Heath Borough Council now becoming independents, 45 years of unbroken Conservative dominance came to an end.Tonight was a unique opportunity for Surrey Heath to reject the failed one party politics of the past and to elect a progressive new alternative for the benefit of all. Instead, the public were forced to witness yet another embarrassing shambles. Over the past days, I can confirm that along with all of the group leaders and many councillors in all parties, a large number of private and confidential meetings and discussions took place. The purpose of these was to establish whether or how this long standing dominance could be broken and a new start using the gifts and talents of all progressive politicians. The detail of those discussions and meetings will remain confidential as befits any serious politician as they were explanatory in nature covering many possible options. This is entirely normal and a standard part of politics at all levels. Sadly, it became immediately clear that despite claiming they are an opposition party, the Liberal Democrat Group had in fact absolutely no interest in putting forward any alternative at all even amongst themselves let alone a credible one. This failure to take any responsibility of leadership led discussions towards several other alternatives for leader including me for a brief time. Several Cllrs from differing viewpoints did indicate private support for this during these few days for which I was personally surprised and grateful. However, there was a better candidate that could better demonstrate the necessary cultural change towards cross party support and culture in my friend and colleague Victoria Wheeler. Despite being an Independent Cllr, we have many of the shared values and shared vision as to what is needed to address the serious community problems within the borough. I was therefore delighted to formally propose her tonight and pledge to help her move forward important issues such as climate change, poverty, social housing and the challenges of rural communities. Victoria also had the highest number of votes and largest majority from any of the Surrey Heath councillors securing more votes from residents than both the new Conservative and Lib Dem group leaders combined. Sadly, the vote on a new leader was lost by 16 votes to 6 so we once again have a Conservative leader. Astonishingly, all 9 Liberal Democrat Cllrs and 2 Greens abstained on this vote and failed to put up an alternative candidate themselves. Embarrassingly, they even kept quiet when the Mayor asked if any Cllr wished to make any statement before the vote was taken. Their 11 votes made the difference and by their actions ensured that the Conservatives will continue to lead Surrey Heath. The new leader immediately then announced another Executive entirely from the Conservatives thus ensuring continued local domination.This unique opportunity and the most important vote that has taken place in 45 years was therefore lost. During the general election, many residents will have voted Liberal Democrat in the mistaken belief that they wished to challenge Conservative domination in our area. Events of tonight show that the only opposition willing to stand up, speak out and make genuine change are Labour and Independents. I know how disappointing this result will be to many but can honestly say that every effort was made on your behalf and that of our broken communities. That is a just wonderful little story in absolute 'Eric Pode of East Surrey'-Speak! One can detect the earnestness of voice and the nasal twang of an Eric Pode all through it. In brief, Conservatives have Palace Revolution allowing opportunity for Opposition to unite and break their control. Being fractious plonkers they miss that opportunity and permit Conservatives to hang on! Small storm in very small teacup. Love it. West Surrey, actually.
And the "Leader of the Labour Group" is in fact the sole Labour councillor on the council - the rest of the group he is in (actually the "Community Group" according to the council website - are a bunch of independents. There's a lot of sound and fury in his statement, signifying absolutely nothing. There is bound to be more to this than meets the eye, but we won't learn it from Mr Bates.
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neilm
Non-Aligned
Posts: 25,023
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Post by neilm on Jan 30, 2020 11:12:41 GMT
What's the betting that it'll be like Ribble Valley (or wherever it was) with Tory squabbling leading to three leaders in quick succession and then a retread?
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Khunanup
Lib Dem
Portsmouth Liberal Democrats
Posts: 11,523
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Post by Khunanup on Jan 30, 2020 11:16:42 GMT
Reads as though he likes the sound of his own voice. And he's not 'group leader', he's the only Labour Councillor... What it reads of is that he doesn't think much of the Lib Dem group leader so doesn't regard us as 'serious'. I'm presuming that due to that hostility there weren't the votes from him & the Indies to vote for our group leader so putting ours up was a pointless exercise.
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mboy
Liberal
Listen. Think. Speak.
Posts: 22,378
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Post by mboy on Jan 30, 2020 12:36:46 GMT
I'm happy to believe that Bates isn't an objective reporter. However, failing to put forward a Lib Dem candidate for council leader in a scenario like that is bizarre to say the least - even in the knowledge that the candidate would likely be voted down. It should be the goal of any party on a council to run the council, and that particularly applies to Lib Dems in an area that has had 45 years of Tory rule...
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Post by Merseymike on Jan 30, 2020 13:16:11 GMT
The Diane Abbott picture is photoshopped
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Post by yellowperil on Jan 30, 2020 14:18:06 GMT
I'm happy to believe that Bates isn't an objective reporter. However, failing to put forward a Lib Dem candidate for council leader in a scenario like that is bizarre to say the least - even in the knowledge that the candidate would likely be voted down. It should be the goal of any party on a council to run the council, and that particularly applies to Lib Dems in an area that has had 45 years of Tory rule... I was inclined to think much the same. I have been trying to understand the numbers-did one of the 10 Lib Dems elected in 2019 defect or what , as Bates quoted 9 Lib Dems? Of course they are very inexperienced - I think all were first elected in 2019 except one who had formed a toe hold with a third place in 2015? Bates I think had been around a while as the sole Labourite in an otherwise solidly Tory council, so he will have a pretty jaundiced view of suddenly finding himself surrounded by 9 or 10 Lib Dems.
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Chris from Brum
Lib Dem
What I need is a strong drink and a peer group.
Posts: 9,180
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Post by Chris from Brum on Jan 30, 2020 14:25:38 GMT
I'm happy to believe that Bates isn't an objective reporter. However, failing to put forward a Lib Dem candidate for council leader in a scenario like that is bizarre to say the least - even in the knowledge that the candidate would likely be voted down. It should be the goal of any party on a council to run the council, and that particularly applies to Lib Dems in an area that has had 45 years of Tory rule... I was inclined to think much the same. I have been trying to understand the numbers- did one of the 10 Lib Dems elected in 2019 defect or what , as Bates quoted 9 Lib Dems? Of course they are very inexperienced - I think all were first elected in 2019 except one who had formed a toe hold with a third place in 2015? Bates I think had been around a while as the sole Labourite in an otherwise solidly Tory council, so he will have a pretty jaundiced view of suddenly finding himself surrounded by 9 or 10 Lib Dems. One died, there will be a by-election soon.
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mboy
Liberal
Listen. Think. Speak.
Posts: 22,378
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Post by mboy on Jan 30, 2020 15:04:40 GMT
I'm happy to believe that Bates isn't an objective reporter. However, failing to put forward a Lib Dem candidate for council leader in a scenario like that is bizarre to say the least - even in the knowledge that the candidate would likely be voted down. It should be the goal of any party on a council to run the council, and that particularly applies to Lib Dems in an area that has had 45 years of Tory rule... I was inclined to think much the same. I have been trying to understand the numbers-did one of the 10 Lib Dems elected in 2019 defect or what , as Bates quoted 9 Lib Dems? Of course they are very inexperienced - I think all were first elected in 2019 except one who had formed a toe hold with a third place in 2015? Bates I think had been around a while as the sole Labourite in an otherwise solidly Tory council, so he will have a pretty jaundiced view of suddenly finding himself surrounded by 9 or 10 Lib Dems. Remembering back a couple of decades, ALDC used to have a booklet called something like "So you won control! Now what?" that was designed for exactly this scenario. If the group were in a strong position they should have been thinking about this really... Perhaps tonyhill or tonygreaves remembers this booklet?
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European Lefty
Labour
Can be bribed with salted liquorice
Posts: 5,544
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Post by European Lefty on Jan 30, 2020 15:21:39 GMT
I'm happy to believe that Bates isn't an objective reporter. However, failing to put forward a Lib Dem candidate for council leader in a scenario like that is bizarre to say the least - even in the knowledge that the candidate would likely be voted down. It should be the goal of any party on a council to run the council, and that particularly applies to Lib Dems in an area that has had 45 years of Tory rule... I was inclined to think much the same. I have been trying to understand the numbers-did one of the 10 Lib Dems elected in 2019 defect or what , as Bates quoted 9 Lib Dems? Of course they are very inexperienced - I think all were first elected in 2019 except one who had formed a toe hold with a third place in 2015? Bates I think had been around a while as the sole Labourite in an otherwise solidly Tory council, so he will have a pretty jaundiced view of suddenly finding himself surrounded by 9 or 10 Lib Dems. Especially when those LibDems are elected as an "opposition" and decide they'd rather have the Tories in control.
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Chris from Brum
Lib Dem
What I need is a strong drink and a peer group.
Posts: 9,180
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Post by Chris from Brum on Jan 30, 2020 15:34:01 GMT
I was inclined to think much the same. I have been trying to understand the numbers-did one of the 10 Lib Dems elected in 2019 defect or what , as Bates quoted 9 Lib Dems? Of course they are very inexperienced - I think all were first elected in 2019 except one who had formed a toe hold with a third place in 2015? Bates I think had been around a while as the sole Labourite in an otherwise solidly Tory council, so he will have a pretty jaundiced view of suddenly finding himself surrounded by 9 or 10 Lib Dems. Especially when those LibDems are elected as an "opposition" and decide they'd rather have the Tories in control. No group of councillors sets out to be elected as an "opposition". It may turn out that way once the votes are counted, of course ...
Anyway, I know no more about Mr Bates than I've read here, but if they prefer the Tories in control than having him anywhere near the levers of power, there may be a good reason for that.
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Post by yellowperil on Jan 30, 2020 16:39:05 GMT
I was inclined to think much the same. I have been trying to understand the numbers- did one of the 10 Lib Dems elected in 2019 defect or what , as Bates quoted 9 Lib Dems? Of course they are very inexperienced - I think all were first elected in 2019 except one who had formed a toe hold with a third place in 2015? Bates I think had been around a while as the sole Labourite in an otherwise solidly Tory council, so he will have a pretty jaundiced view of suddenly finding himself surrounded by 9 or 10 Lib Dems. One died, there will be a by-election soon. thanks for that -I should probablyhave picked that one up but somehow hadn't .
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