Shooting yourself in both feet

Extraordinary news reaches me that Northampton South Constituency Labour Party has been suspended, Lock Stock and Smoking Barrel.

In addition four of their most loyal members Geoff Howes, Anjona Roy, Kathy Smith and Alan Scott are under further investigation.

So what have they done? Called for a return of Clause 4? or for total Renationalisation of the Public Utilities and Coal Mines?

Maybe they have upset the next door neighbour Sally Porter? or embezzled party funds to spend on a Vodka Frenzy?

But it seems it is none of the above, There crime is that they simply tried to win an election.

When Geoff Howes stood in the Borough Council By Election in Duston earlier this year he phoned me and asked me if I would give him an endorsement for his leaflet. He also asked fellow Independent "Fitzy" from Northampton's Market and the late John Gardner BEM for similar endorsements.

I was happy to oblige. Despite my expulsion from the Party and the way they have treated me, individuals within the Party remain my friends. Geoff was a very good Councillor, he is a very able man, and would run rings around a large number of the current incumbents at the Guildhall.

The endorsement simply said that the Council could well do with people of Geoffs calibre, and who could argue with that at present. Fitzy and John Gardner god rest his soul also gave endorsements. All three were published in an election leaflet at the time. I sought nothing from the endorsement other than helping a decent man get elected despite the way I was personally treated by the Labour Party. Geoff, his agent Anjona and Kathy Smith who printed the document sought nothing other than getting their candidate elected. What possible Machiavellian intent was detected by the Labour Party higher offices reveals more about their own insecurity than it does the intentions of those accused. If I wanted to put a leaflet together in Duston I could do so, without using it to support a Labour Party candidate!

Anyhow it seems the national party were not happy, what were local members thinking about, getting endorsements from people who were not party members? Heavens above, its never been done before has it? Alan Scott I hear is up on a different charge of swearing at a party meeting. Well there for the grace of god go half of the f*cking cabinet!.

But yes in fact getting external endorsements has been done before, all the time, and when I was in the party, I was told an endorsement from outside is worth a hundred from a Party member.

But they couldn't possibly have a quote from Tony Clarke on their leaflet could they, so the very slow wheels of Labour Party injustice churned ever onwards towards the inevitable suspension of the whole party, and since the suspension of individual members.

Very helpful with a general election around the corner I here you say. Their Parliamentary Candidate Clyde Loakes (remember him, still twittering away telling us of his leafleting in Northampton at the same time he was at meetings in London, and they say men can't multi task!) seems to be fully supportive of the NEC's actions and happy that at a time that the membership should be preparing for battle that they are spending all their time and energy fighting each other. The national party will now pretend there are "other reasons" for their actions and try to make themselves look conscientious by inventing non existant reasons for their concerns, but it wont wash with anyone in Northampton who knows what is going on.

And of course the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats will be beside themselves with glee

I though am very saddened, I hold no torch now for the modern day Labour Party, and as I have said on numerous occasions the top down, London controlled administration of all three of the main party's make it impossible for local democracy to remain meaningful, but the thought of good people being trodden down by cowards and traitors for simply trying their best to get local representatives elected makes me very angry.

If the Labour Party are unable to challenge the Tories and Liberal Democrats next May at a general election then I am more than prepared to fill that void and in doing so stand up for decent independently minded centre left voters across Northampton, but I can't help but think that any chance of the open wounds within Northampton Labour Party ever being healed will now have to wait until Clyde Loakes and Sally Keeble are back home in London as defeated candidates, both victims of their own stupidity and inability to see and respect loyalty when it is staring them straight in the face.

Free the Castle Ward Two - Update

Well, thankfully myself and John are still at liberty, still awaiting the careful consideration from the Crown Prosecution Services finest minds in their York Based electoral Fraud Office, (See post below, Labour tough on Crime Soft in the head) But the stupidity of our foes it seems knows no limits or bounds.

First of all let me apologise to one or two members of Northampton South Constituency Labour Party who were upset at my general swipe at the party in the last post, it is clear to me now that they or the collective local party, had no hand in "grassing us up" or the decision to do so!

The real snitch and defender of the public good against malicious imprint crime it seems was Tess Scott's agent Les Marriot who we are told acted alone as an individual, although when questioned by unhappy members as to his actions and also for effectively shooting the party in the foot he said that if he "hadn't have done it then, someone else would have" The mind boggles.

Anyhow to my delight I was recently given a copy of Labours latest leaflet that is doing the rounds in Castle and Ecton Brook Wards. It is a shiny little number from 'Clyde and Tess' or 'Clyde and Keith' with scripted text telling us that they called round today (they perhaps would have done better if they called around during the election)

The leaflet is pretty inoffensive, the usual knocking copy and grumble sheet, but it wasn't that which caught my eye. It was not surprisingly the imprint.

The all important legally necessary imprint on the leaflet tells us that it was "Promoted by David Brede. On behalf of Clyde Loakes and Tess Scott all at 97 Charles Street, Northampton NN1 3BG and printed at The Labour Club, 97 Charles Street, Northampton NN1 3BG"

All fine apart from the fact that the Labour Club is a separate business to the Labour Party and has no print facility. The print facility is NLPP (Northampton Labour Print and Press?) and is situated upstairs at 97 Charles Street in the "Labour Halls" office Their printer an aging but well used risograpth doesn't print on glossy card and cannot produce any colours apart from black red and yellow.

So where was this glossy blue, black and white card printed then? it certainly wasn't printed at 97 Charles Street that's for sure? It seems Clyde is unhappy with the quality of their output? And if it wasn't printed at Charles Street why say it was? At least my heinous crime was committed by omission (i.e. I forgot to put an imprint on it) instead of like theirs being an outright deception to hide its true origin, and as a result any expenditure on it.

It was suggested to me that I report this scandalous breach of the imprint law to the boys in blue, as an act of revenge, but of course I won't as I can't be bothered and mores the point I wouldn't waste the time and resources of the Police or the CPS on such a petty misdemeanour. Perhaps Les Marriot will dob em in? Or one of the other caped crusaders of the peoples print police he refers to.

But whatever happens I do hope that someone will learn the lesson relating to stones and greenhouses and I also believe that Clyde and Tess they should concentrate their minds on explaining their actions to NLPP and why they feel it is OK to use their name and company address on a leaflet that was clearly not produced by them. After all the Tax man just might ask NLPP where the invoice is?

In the meantime myself and John are plotting an escape to Dubrovnik in the event that the news from York isn't good

A majority of minorities (pulling and polling together)

Despite fighting 7 elections over the last 18 years at local and national level ( Won 6 Lost 1) Last Thursday's win on Northamptonshire County Council is a contender for my most memorable and the most enjoyable.

Fighting the seat as an Independent, against the Labour Party was always going to be tricky, even with the Labour Party's current difficulties.

Castle Ward was arguably (until now) the safest Labour seat in the County and up until I won one of the two Borough Council seats in 2007 it had known nothing but success for the "peoples party", with many of it's ex councillors remaining my friends to this day, and ex council leader John Dickie proving once again to be a fine agent (apart form calling me a d*ckhead on Polling day, when the in car microphone and loudspeakers were still switched on)

But this time those lovely regional party officers in Nottingham did their very best to assist me in my campaign. First of all they imposed their candidate on the Ward (as they did in 2007) and then tried to run the campaign through their regional office, and it seems through the hapless stewardship of the absent parliamentary candidate Clyde Loakes.

Their campaign was lack lustre, their work ethic miserable and their message? Well I am still not sure what their message was other than "The Independent and the Lib Dems can't win in Castle Ward, A vote for the Independent or the Lib Dems simply lets the Tories in" hardly a vote winner and not even credible.

But it wasn't the Labour Party's regional office's incompetence which cheered me most, it was all those who came out and supported our campaign which made me smile.

In true Obama style, we won the election pure and simply on constructing a majority from minorities in Castle Ward who we have been working with over the last two years. For those of you not local we polled 760 votes against Labours 440, with the Tories on 361 and the Greens with a credible 201. The Lib Dems who in fairness did not really contest the seat came in 5th on 194 votes.

A low overall turnout in the ward was bolstered by a higher than usual turn out of minority groups willing to support a candidate who had supported them over a long time.

On election day the number of Women Muslim voters was a particular joy to see at each Polling Station, and our newest community in Northampton the Somalian community also came out in support and in force. In addition other interest groups in the area, our pensioners, our young and our gay community all equally helped out during the campaign and turned out in support on polling day. It was joy to behold and a ray of bright sunshine in a somewhat overcast election overshadowed by the BNP's successes in the Euro Vote.

So I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every individual who lent their support or registered their vote last Thursday It proves beyond any doubt the old adage "United We Stand" and also shows that when we stick together and work for the common good that small communities with big hearts can win massive victories.

But my gold medal for loyalty and perseverance came from a tale relayed to me, related to our eve of poll leafleting team in Spring Boroughs. The team was made up of three pensioners, an 11 year old girl and a 14 year old boy, and they were faced with delivering 1000+ leaflets across a large area dominated by high rise flats. I told them to only do what they felt they could and not overdo it as we could finish off the task on Polling Day morning.

But when I rang for an update on the Wednesday evening I was told "it's all done" that in itself was a massive achievement, but on polling day I learnt a little more about their exploits. You see one of our tower blocks Barnabus House has no lift at present due to refurbishment works, so the task of carrying themselves and bundles of heavy leaflets up such a concrete mountain should have been enough to stop them in their tracks, so did it deter them? No, instead our eldest volunteer 87 climbed the stairs to the top floor, resting at each level whilst her accomplice a spring chicken at 76 waited at the bottom. once the summit was reached the 89 year old then lowered a rope to the bottom where the bags of leaflets were duly tied on ready for hauling up and stuffing through letterboxes.

Loyalty like that can never be bought, and it just goes to show what can be achieved if people work together and are given a reason to feel part of a much broader collective family. Across the patch similar things are happening, tenants are digging up unkempt council land outside their flats to grow vegetables and young and old working together on community projects, residents are adopting "potholes" in order to shame the authorities into action, leisure space is being reclaimed from the drug users and drinkers and used by families and dog walkers.

Not all of this can be connected with last weeks election, in fact much of it has its roots much deeper in Northampton's proud Independent past stretching from the Civil War through to Bradlaugh's election in the late 1800's. But it has me proud to be elected to serve the area and delighted to have such people in my Ward.

And who said Politics couldn't still be enjoyable?

"What a Jerk"

I promised myself I would avoid any more story's about Clyde Loake's activities, mostly because he gets more press on my blogspot, than he been able to achieve in total elsewhere in his so far lack lustre campaign for the Northampton South seat. But his latest antics are just too bizarre to be passed over without comment.

I am sure you may have read elsewhere that last week Clyde "went national" in the press to defend the stance of his council as they "raided" an Afro Caribbean restaurant, the "Bamboo Joint"in Leytonstone High Street.

7 Police officers in stab vests and 3 councils officials paid an early morning visit to this most dangerous of establishments and ordered it's owners to close within three days.

Their crime? well having reapplied for planning permission after a refit and despite having already traded for 3 years in the premises, they fell foul of the Councils new by law of selling "junk food" within 400 metres of a school or 200 metres of a park. The "junk food" they sell includes stewed cabbage, spinach, aki and salt fish, steamed fish, ox tail, soups, rice and peas, yam and bananas, curried goat and curried chicken and of course jerk chicken. Nothing is deep fried.

As part of the councils war on child obesity this "big brother" attitude towards local families means that the restaurant will now close , it's staff will be made redundant and it's owners business will go to the wall. . So whats Clyde's view? any chance of a change of heart or an acknowledgement that in a time of recession local jobs might be worth protecting? No chance, he just told the news crews that" 'This fast food outlet has not got planning permission and has absolutely no chance of getting it, because of its proximity to a park and a school, so we're closing it down." What a hero, I hope he is thoroughly proud of himself.

The restaurant has had problems in the past with it's Hygiene certificate, however the recent refit brought the standard up to the Councils requirements, So for them to sit back and allow the owners to invest in bringing the restuarant up to standard and then close it under this ridiculous bylaw is just cruel and unnecasary.

So will the children of Waltham Forest be any safer or healthier? No of course not. The primary school children Clyde is so keen to protect are not allowed out at Lunchtimes anyway, but can still buy full fat ice cream from the van outside the school gates at hometime, or crisps and chocalate bars from the local shops.

Like children all over Britain their obesity risk has more to do with the fats in processed foods eaten at home, and maybe a lack of exercise than it does in sourcing illicit rice and peas from the Bamboo Joint. And considering the closed down restaurant is surrounded by Pizza Parlours, Burger joints and Fish and Chip Shops the Council's policy is pointless.

Furthermore it is damaging the reputation of Local Government, which should be there to educate and provide for local communities, before turning to it's regulatory powers and authority to penalise.

But this story is growing and growing, and so is the resistance. The local Afro Caribbean community are, as you would expect, outraged at this attack on their culture and on a fellow member of the community. They have campaigned outside the store as well as recording "You Tube" protest videos against the Council such as the one below. They also believe their community has been victimised and have wondered if the Council would have acted in the same heavy handed way if the shop was owned by MacDonald's or one of the other multi national chains? They describe our Clyde as an opportunist, who is out of touch with the community, and who could argue?

So what next? Well I for one will be making sure that every restaurant owner in Northampton knows exactly where Mr Loake's stands in respect of supporting local business, just in case he trys to promote his Barmy scheme here. And considering that Northampton has more Parks and Open Spaces than any other District Council area and that most of the restaurants and take aways on the town's arterial routes are within 400m of a local school or park then he will be a busy man.

But one last thought on this whole sorry affair, who gave the permission for seven police officers to be involved in this over the top reactionary farce in the first place? and was it a good use of their time? It reminds me of the time I got stopped at Chigao airport and searched and cautioned by the USA national fruit police for carrying an unlicenced apple!

Watch out Northampton, Big Brother has his eye on you, and no Balti Hut is safe.

CLYDE LOAKES DIRECT- No Fee No Win- 100% complication assured

"Have you or someone you know been expelled from the Labour party when it wasn’t their fault? Or is your local Party suffering through the negligence or interference of regional party staff? The hole left behind in your party by those who have departed can sometimes be difficult to fill, but now with “CLYDE LOAKES DIRECT” we can offer you a full replacement “NEC approved” candidate on a full “no fee no win” basis, and we make sure that you get 100% of the complications. Our service has been developed over a number of years, here are some recent testimonies"

In 2003 Cllr Tony Buckley was Labour Leader of Waltham Forest Council when he received a letter from the General Secretary telling him to “Stand down” The Labour Group were annoyed at this “Top Down” instruction and interference in local matters so they re-elected him once more. The Party then suspended him, two days after his mother died and barred him from holding public office. His local Party condemned the move and stated clearly that he had not broken any party rule and they praised his hard work and achievements. Days later with the deputy leader in hospital undergoing surgery junior cabinet member Clyde Loakes made himself available to the group as it’s saviour and new prospective leader. In fact a “special deal” was arranged so that his leadership election took place in full council chamber rather than waiting for the formality of a Party Group meeting where the full details could be discussed and other candidates could have stood or reaffirmed support for Buckley. Cllrs prior to the council meeting were “Persuaded” to vote him in. One source tells us

“The word persuade is perhaps a kind one. It involved the circulation of an entirely untrue rumour that the whole Labour group/party would be suspended if this was not done”

Although Cllr Buckley had broken no party rules the investigation that followed was able to benefit greatly from Clyde’s knowledge when he told the inquiry “It was clear that the majority of the group wanted him to challenge the request to stand down” and in conclusion “I believe that it would be in the groups best interest if Cllr Buckley is expelled from the Party. His re admittance into the party with whatever strings attached would be seen as a rallying point for his supporters” Only two councillors stood up against this bullying and refused to back Loakes coronation, both were subsequently blocked by the regional party from being on the “panel” for candidates at the 2006 local elections. One of them had the highest vote of any Labour Councillor in their constituency (naturally with his departure and all in the in fighting the seat was lost at the next election)

So do these “ambulance chasing” tactics sound familiar? And was it therefore no surprise when he appeared to fill the vacancy left by my departure from Labours ranks in 2007 after my enforced expulsion? In fact the details relayed to me from a friend in London are very similar to those continuing to trouble the Northampton South Party to this very day, dissenting voices kept off future panels of suitable candidates, dissent in the Labour Group, Regional involvement in local investigations, and Constituency Party’s passing resolutions which are ignored by the NEC.

History it seems is repeating itself.

My source told me “I hate to see a once proud party being taken over by careerists while democratic process is just shoved aside".

I couldn’t agree more, in fact I would broaden the concerns I hold to include all of the main three political parties, full of careerists and more at home selling accident mitigation and insurance than truly representing the electorates they should serve.

Et tu Brut'e ?

News reaches me from Waltham Forest that a Coup D'etat is underway in this most troubled of London Boroughs (See below "Poplar or Popularist") It seems that the Labour Leader and so far publicity shy Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton South is giving up the day job to spend more time with his new constituency.

The Local Waltham Forest Guardian are saying that "Sources close to the authority’s Labour and Lib Dem-run administration have revealed that Cllr Loakes will not contest the leadership" at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/4183061.WALTHAM_FOREST__Loakes_to_stand_down_in_May/

Clyde has no words of confirmation on the subject but three of his colleagues already seem to be lined up as favourites to succeed him.

This may be the cunning plan Clyde spoke of to the Local Government Chronicle less than a month ago when he refused to tell LGC when he plans to step down as council leader to concentrate on his Parliamentary ambitions. He told them "I have a plan, that's all you need to know." Then he insisted that he can do both jobs by stating "I'm managing okay thank you very much." Now though, less than a month later things seem to have changed dramatically?

You can only but wonder if the ongoing inquiry over "missing" regeneration funds (see here) has finally taken it's toll? in the report again in the WF Guardian his Labour Collegues were less than impressed with the whole affair and were "so concerned about the BNI/NRF fiasco that they have passed a strongly worded resolution calling for misused money to be paid back by the council."

I wonder how many of these "concerned" colleagues will be campaigning for a fresh start for Waltham Forest?

So did he jump? or was he pushed? and what more is to come from an inquiry and a police investigation already being closely followed by Local MP's Harry Cohen (Lab) and Ian Duncan Smith (Con) together with government advisor Lord Toby Harris (Lab)

And will he have a constituency party left in Northampton left by the time he has cleared his town hall desk, or will the NEC have suspended them all?

What a Bl**dy mess, and no sign of any of it abating.

I ought to gloat but there is still a large part of me that is very sad at how the Local Party and it's members has been treated and also how the regional and national party's have stormed in with their size nines and walked all over local democracy and replaced it with what?

Who needs an opposition when your own side can make more trouble for you than all the rest combined?