POLICE ACTION IMPEDES LOCAL DEMOCRACY? - Cllr Mike Harrison when will Labour act

Maybe it's a first in British politics but it would appear that, Kent  Police, in issuing Cllr Mike Harrision with a notice under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, it may well have, the consequence of directly interfering with Thanet Council business.

I'm told a decision on Cllr Mike Harrison's future in the Thanet Labour Group has been passed on to the Party's chief whip for consideration also advice has been sought with TDC's legal bods, clearly since no charge has been made or accepted this is different to Cllr. Gregory's situation. Still I just wonder whether implications of the notice issued to Mike Harrison have been fully appreciated.

Labour leader Cllr. Clive Hart to his credit acted swiftly on hearing of latest developments with Mike Harrison, saying this " Immediately I learned of yesterdays events I instructed our Chief Whip to start an investigation on behalf of our group into matters leading to Cllr Mike Harrison being given an harassment warning by the Police. That investigation is underway".

I don't doubt we all expect and want a swift resolution to this messy matter, and a return to issue led politics not the personal insults, threats and provocation of recent, still it occurs to me, that we now have a situation in which Kent police have become an unwitting player, in the democratic process, not something you expect in a civilised western society.

Although there has been no police investigation, a notice has been issued to Mike Harrison under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 which prevents him contacting or communicating via third parties with Cllr. Driver, a clear impediment to democracy in my view, since Councillor Driver is Chairman of the important Scrutiny and Overview Committee, rather unfortunately Cllr Mike Harrison is the Vice Chair a fairly tricky situation if the two cannot communicate.

Imagine the potential situation which would be funny, were it not so serious, your council the  Chair of Scrutiny and Overview  invites comment on the Leaders commitment to equality issues, the Vice Chair communicates a desire to speak, a pause, a council officer is summoned, a discussion ensues the question on everyones lips 999 or 101,  999 the answer and so ends democracy!

In my view there are occasions where you cannot do right, for doing wrong.

Finally perhaps to prevent the embarrassment and shame of the police arresting a democratically elected councillor for speaking to a fellow councillor it might help if Mike Harrison just resigned particularly after this quote from Thisiskent website Mr Harrison said "I probably did say them things and somebody deleted it, that is why I thought I was hacked , but as far as I am concerned I have not been found guilty of anything."

Cllr Ken Gregory Suspended from Conservative group

Not much causes shock in the goings of local democracy even with the somewhat crazy elements that have cropped up in this current Thanet council. Still news comes of the suspension of Cllr Ken Gregory, apparently for having received a police caution for an offence against another councillor.

This comes from what I see as  a background of tensions within the council that are effecting the governance of council and the zealous pursuit of the slightest non politically correct comment or the mildest of perceived slight is becoming untenable.

I'm quite clear that I have been threatened by councillors on the mildest of points with police action, with hysteria and over-reaction. Even apologising for comments made by others, isn't good enough. Let's get this clear once and for all nobody cares if your miserable, gay or what, get over it.

It seems incumbent on the either the Chair of the Council or indeed the leader Cllr Clive Hart to get their head out of the sand or whatever dark place, and speak with elements within the council that are now using the law in an unintended way.

On a personal note Cllr Ken Gregory has my best wishes and support, if he has transgressed I can only assume it has been a reaction, as the result of the pervasive, repressive, and threatening atmosphere in which some councillors are now in my opinion abusing the law. 

It seems those happiest to invoke allegations of "hate crime" are themselves guilty of trying to manipulate the law, in a way not dissimilar, to both fascist and socialist in the past. I cannot help but think some councillors dream of show trials in which political enemies are disposed of.

Still we've probably not heard the end of this, as I understand at least one Labour councillor is alleged to have made abusive comments via the internet and again I can only assume that if true it might have been the result of the malign atmosphere of threats of which I've myself been a victim.

Press Release

31 May 2012

Statement from Cllr Bob Bayford

It has come to my attention that Cllr Ken Gregory has
received a police caution for an offence against another
Council member.

The TDC Conservative Group demands the highest standards
of conduct from its members and I have decided to suspend
group membership from Cllr Gregory with immediate effect,
pending further consideration of the situation.

For the time being, I will assume responsibility for
shadowing the Housing and Planning portfolio.

-ENDS-

Stratford and Hackney Olympics another example of Bent Britain

I cannot remember the last day, that I wasn't reminded of  Britains slide toward corruption and the increasing curb of personal liberty. 

I see daily how the country is in a frenzy of excitement as the sacred flame from Greece makes its way to the  Hackney and Stratford Olympics, whipped up by an on message BBC, who blandly cover the hysterical scenes daily and at times hourly on BBC news channel with absolutely no journalistic treatment whatsoever basically, BBC which often kids us about its fearsome independence but is acting like sleazy Public relations outfit.

I know I'm a miserable cynic and yes of course there is nothing wrong with celebrating this event, but that said, a news channel is surely for news items, the daily six o'clock news is for news. I just wonder if they have to devote so much airtime, maybe they could perhaps question aspects of the PR fest such as the CO2 emissions from all this malarkey.

Any how as it happens I was reminded by a helpful email informing me by Transport for London of the more details on how occupation forces of Olympic dignitaries top knobs and honest Olympic committee members from tinpot countries will be riding roughshod over the travelling public during the events.

Still  I suppose the fantasy of the Hackney and Stratford Olympics, is preferable to the ragbag of bent cabinet ministers, crooked cops and journalists we hear so much of. 

Time for Labour to Face up to responsibility of Power

With Thanet Labour having recently spent much of their energies horse trading, in a move which apart from costing the public Ten thousand pounds in services, has resulted in little benefit unless you happen to be in Clive Hart's Cabinet or indeed the smalll group of Independently minded councillors knows as TIG who are in receipt of generous allowances.

Still tonight's local news on BBC's South East Today,  gives Clive Hart the opportunity to show what he's made of, Labour Councillor Mike Harrison appeared prominently and not in the best light, the story introduced by presenters Rob Smith and Polly Evans relaxing the usual smiley faces and switching to stern faces normally reserved for disaster, tragedy, crime and budgets as once again Mike Harrison  is alleged have made unfortunate comments, this time accused of homophobia on facebook.

Homophobia has become, a topic of near hysteria in some circles in Thanet, ever since Sir Roger Gale MP, took a stand on same sex marriage, clearly the accusations  are serious and it would now be expected that Cllr Mike Harrison should stand down from the Labour group until his name is cleared, and if he doesn't then Cllr. Clive Hart should insist, if this doesn't happen then it would of course render any statements of Thanet Labour toward belief in equality.

For what it's worth I don't think that homophobia exists in Thanet, I'm sure most would agree, irrespective I imagine most of us whatever our circumstances, are preoccupied with jobs, homes our own lives and family and friends too busy for petty nastiness.

If Labour are fit to govern then, they need to do the right thing and if Cllr Harrison doesn't stand down from Labour until this issue is resolved, then he should be suspended from the group.

How could you resist? Tracy's invite

Not easily, if you care for Margate, Thanet and East Kent, the Turner Contemporary like it or not is the establishments big chip in the regeneration game. A lot hangs on it.

I think you should make your own mind up on this, suffice it to say I'd measure Tracy Emin's talent on the same scale as that of Damien Hirst. After seeing the exhibition I watched the Andrew Marr Show, noting that it seems Mr Marr has tired of politics and appears to be boosting his credentials as an art expert, hence a fairly substantial interview with Tracy Emin.

Anyway it's good to see the Harbour Arm lively with it's own contribution to art, generally Margate looked busy.

Dream On - What's a name worth?

Announced on the front page of the Gazette this week, news that the company, much associated with the late Jimmy Godden has now changed its name from the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company to the equally in my opinion misleading name, DreamlandLive.

Calling itself the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, always seemed rather insulting to the town given that its largest assets in Margate was surely the old Dreamland Amusement park, which as far as I know had  been dismantled by Mr Godden and his associates and has lain in pretty much either derelict or run down state before and during the life of this blog, now to add insult again in my opinion they are choosing to call it DreamlandLive giving it a snazzy new identity, under its previous brand it didn't regenerate much and I cannot imagine any group of businesses and banks looking too kindly on keeping any part of Dreamland alive.

The idea that the current owners are going to pay some homage to the past, is just an impression, still if that were true, why have they not rebuilt the Scenic Railway, which is in their ownership, why have the council had to step in and make repairs to Dreamland building?

Chief Executive Toby Hunter, has the cheek to claim that Thanet residents do not realise the scale of Thanet's potential commitment to invigorating the Dreamland site, still I'd hazard a guess the Mr Hunter doesn't realise the scale of contempt for the blight caused to the area, by the speculative nature of destroying what was once an important asset for Margate, the Dreamland Amusement park, on the assumption that if you can get away with building hundreds homes on what was a once an important leisure site, you'll make far more wonga.

Maybe Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company DreamlandLive could take a look just how the property, market is doing in these parts or anywhere else for that matter. Worryingly according to the company, they've cut plans to shoe horn 800 homes on to the site and but still hope to go for five hundred, no doubt they've considered whether the infrastructure, roads, drains and all that will support maybe a thousand plus residents also given the extreme deprivation in Margate, who's going to want to live on the proposed estate, if this high density project goes ahead, the most likely occupants will be, social security dependents and migrants on poverty wages.

Still since I understand back in January this year it was reported that "the Close Brothers bank, is owed £6 million from mortgages on the site and is understood to be willing to lend MTCRC at least half of the estimated £20 million development costs" that there must be incredible pressure to steam roller the authorities in capitulation, myself I assume that the banks made a cynical decision at some time that they could ride roughshod over the greater interests of the people of Margate a gamble on their part and I hope they lose.

Hopefully the compulsory purchase order to purchase part of the park, will be decided in favour of the council and those wishing to create a heritage park will get the go ahead and even better we get our Margate back from the speculators and banks.

DreamlandLive as the new company is now called and its predecessor MTCRC has so far looks to have contributed nothing in Margate other than maintaining an eyesore and blighting the area for some many years, lets hope those in authority can give Toby Hunter and his associates a message from the people. Dream on!

Another day another dollar TDC discuss Manston

Disappointed not to see any excitement outside the council offices tonight as the council debate Manston Airport with extra helpings of night flights. Any how THE COMMENTS IN THIS POST WILL BE MY OWN VIEWS AND SUBJECT TO CORRECTION and may well be wrong please use the comments section at the bottom of the post to correct the inevitable errors.

A quick thought before hostilities in the debate begin, apart from two members in the labour(Greens), the group were in support of night flights last time this was debated.

A petition presented to the council will not be considered by the council as of the 2200 odd signatures only 700 of those could be confirmed by email or read addresses. A bit odd ?

Clive Hart says Airport boss Charles Buchanan is a man he could do business, really. Bob Bayford pointed out that the time he had to challenge the councils motion was at three minutes not enough which seems a fair point . Still for those of us who distrust opinion polls Bayford, pointed out that while the council found 70 odd percent not in favour of night flights although Manston have found a similar number in favour.

As you can imagine things get heated at these meetings, Sandy Ezekiel upset at being barracked, by some members of the public sitting to my left, some of whom were making offensive and defamatory comments. These in my opinion were a rabble, however the mob being referred to looked to me like the usual crowd attracted by the Labour group. No surprise Sandy complained at the barracking from these people, referring to them as a rabble Still oddly the Chair unsympathetic to free debate rather than support him, demanded Ezekiel apologise which he did to those of us who respect elected representative although not mob.

One overall impression is how jobs really don't come up on the Labour horizon, although concerns of Thanet people in respect of having an opportunity of work are uppermost in those on the conservative side. Still at the heart of Labour, the dependency culture is uppermost, we see it with the unprincipled way they acquired support to keep in power at the AGM, support for a bloated public sector, and keeping people trapped in the benefits system.

Well at half eight it looks like the debate will drone on for some time, unfortunately and I have to go work, still I don't doubt Labour will win the vote how sad. Any way as Iris Johnson speaks of ancient history I have to leave.

Margate Mayor what's it all about? Labour Lording it up!

I have to say I'd forgotten about the Margate Mayor making malarkey, until what I believe to have been one of those chauffeur driven civic cars (it had one of those coat arms type thingies could have been the queen I suppose) failing to indicate yesterday and cutting across my path at a roundabout up by the hospital.

Anyhoo I've always thought that the idea of a mayor is an anachronism, which should be left  back in the middle ages where it belongs, particularly of the ceremonial type, admittedly such posts exist in general to give elderly past it dinosaurs, grown to tired to deal with the everyday horse trading of politics

Quite what Cllr Will Scobie has to offer in the role is beyond me, other than of course, to benefit the Labour Party's chances of securing a Kent county seat, with Will ingratiating himself visiting local organisations and old peoples homes and engaging no doubt in scintillating conversation, on life, politics and who knows what.

I worry that Will Scobie has the potential to become that, irritating cliche in politics the career politician, yes he is clearly talented and untainted, particularly some of the more outlandish activities in Thanet Labour.

I'm always troubled by the pomp surrounding politics, just coming back to the TDC? civic car ( or what I assume was)  this seems a terrible waste of money, maybe posts such as Chairman of Thanet Council, could be given to those able to drive themselves, funding the cost out of those allowances we hear so much of.

I realise politicians have thick skins but I just wonder if Labour bods get embarrassed Lording it up.

Minor Point

Why has Simon Moores taken to renaming blogs in the sidebar of his blog, myself becoming miserable of Margate or something similar.

                                                                                                    I'm almost inclined to repay the compliment but lack the energy etcetera, although "Tit" sprang to mind not for the first time, still let's be mature we are adults after all.

It's not just me then, Conservatives give their verdict

Found at the bottom of the Bignews In-Tray, some rather passionate, press release (below) from Thanet Conservatives.

A tad intemperate in its language but there appears little to disagree with in the content.

As always I keep an open mind, have always been inclusive and honest, unlike some bigots in Thanet and if anyone from Labour would like to retort, please knock yourself out, Bignews Margate, now in its seventh year is still fighting hypocrisy in the pursuit of truth and justice, and the British way of life.

My view is that Clive Hart, will struggle to justify recent events, still if he can cobble together a response I will happy to publish it, even better a response which is signed and supported by the whole council Labour group (not likely!).

Press Release 21 May 2012

The Perversion of Democracy in Thanet

At last week’s Annual General Meeting, the minority Labour administration at Thanet District Council sealed a sordid alliance with the Thanet Independent Group members to retain their hold on power.

The pact ordered by socialist Council Leader Cllr.Clive Hart was a cynical and desperate manoeuvre to keep his party in control, and was further discredited by his nomination of all three TIG members (Cllrs. Cohen, Driver and Worrow) to the chairmanships of the most powerful committees at the Council, giving these largely unrepresentive councillors, two of whom have changed parties since they were elected only last year, large allowances to guarantee their continuing support.

TIG members have already secured concessions from the Labour administration costing many thousands of pounds to secure their votes and there can be no doubt that further concessions will be solicited in the future to keep the TIGs onside.

Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Bob Bayford said: “Every true and principled member of the Labour Group at Thanet District Council must be feeling ashamed today after their leader’s capitulation to the demands of the Thanet Independent Group. I call on all those with any decency to reassert their party’s honour by instructing their leader to meet with me to discuss an arrangement which has the proper interests of Thanet residents at heart, or to stand down.”

-ENDS-