Que Sera Sera

Whilst not an original chant, I had to admire the vocal courage of the travelling hordes of Cobblers fans who took the long trek up to the relegation gallows at Leeds yesterday in singing out the season.

As events unfolded elsewhere (Carlisle and Brighton, who were also both threatened with the drop) and on the pitch in front of us the possible became inevitable and then became a stark reality.

So the Cobblers faithful decided to answer the chants from "play off bound" Leeds fans of "Que Sera Sera, whatever will be will be, were going to Wembley" with their own version of "Were going to Shrewsbury" and not just Shrewsbury, you can also add Dagenham and Redbridge and Burton Albion and Morecombe and Accrington Stanley to the list of clubs we will be visiting in League 2 next season. A long way away from the expectation of visits to and from Southampton, Charlton, Norwich and possibly Leeds again?



And so it was a most disastrous season ended in relegation and a 3-0 drubbing by Leeds United in front of a crowd 34,000 where as next season we will probably start the season away at Bury in front of a crowd of 3400. That's the game, that's how unfair and cruel life as a football supporter can be.

And so it is today that despite the inevitable comments from some saying "It's only a game" I find myself wrapped deep in depression, unable to watch any football on the TV, unwilling to go out and face a world that seems not to care about the plight of us obsessive football fans. My therapy is to write this blog entry and get off my chest all of my feelings and forebodings.

First of all though well done to Brighton and Carlisle, you both really had to win to have any chance of surviving, and then also look to others (us) to foul up. We did, you didn't. You did the job asked of you, we didn't. You deserve to stay in League one, we don't.

Secondly, in speaking to just a few similarly afflicted souls such as myself I detect a stirring of "no one likes us we don't care" about our mood.

In a season when the Council couldn't be arsed to get behind us when it really mattered most, and when you felt that some in the town (thankfully not too many) almost seemed to take some satisfaction at our ongoing plight, the fan base seem to have formed an opinion of robust indifference, saying "think what you like, do your worst, we are here to stay and we are not going away and we are never, ever, giving up on our dream.

Last Thursday we met with the Council about our much revised plans, it was a good meeting, at the same time the Saints plans have really thrown a hand grenade into the planning arena just as I am sure Keith Barwell expected them to. We can only but wait for the views of the politicians at the Guildhall who I have to say have so far been less quick off the mark with their opinions than they were when the football club announced their own plans. Time will tell.

But all this means that we will be having the debate against a background I hope of acceptance from some that we won't give up on our ambition off the pitch any more than we will relinquish our hope of future success on it.

A creature is at it's most dangerous when backed into a corner and when it is feeling under threat from all those around. So beware, the pain of relegation today stings, our wounds are open, and some will be quick to rub salt into them, but we will rise again.

Now what price will Ladbrookes give me on us being champions of League Two next season?

International Workers Day

It is resolved that: "eight hours shall constitute a legal day's labor from and after May 1st 1886 and that we recommend to labor organizations throughout this jurisdiction that they so direct their laws as to conform to this resolution by the time named".

And so it was that the Federation of Organized Trade and Labor Unions of the United States of America and Canada (FOTLU) having passed it's historic resolution in Chicago sparked a General Strike across AmericaThere were an estimated 10,000 demonstrators in New York and 11,000 in Detroit In other cities throughout the United States, smaller gatherings were made unique by the unity of black and white workers marching side by side.

In Chicago the press made much mischief as to the intentions of the Strikers and warned readers that

"There are two dangerous ruffians at large in this city. One of them is named Parsons. The other is named Spies. Mark them for today. Keep them in view. Hold them personally responsible for any trouble that occurs. Make an example of them if trouble does occur." Trouble did occur but not through the actions of the Strikers On Monday May 3rd the police opened fire into an innocent crowd with gattling guns and rifles, six were killed. The next day at a protest at the killings, a bomb was thrown into the ranks of the assembled police officers, killing one immediately and wounding 65 others, seven of whom later died of their injuries. The remaining police officers drew their revolvers and fired into the crowd, wounding 200 and killing an unknown number.

Several witnesses identified Rudolph Schnaubelt as the man who threw the bomb. Schnaubelt was arrested, but was later released without being charged with any crime. There was, and still is, some question as to whether or not Schnaubelt was an agent provocateur hired by either the police department or the industrialists of Chicago.

Within days seven labor leaders were arrested for the murder of Mathias J Degan, the police officer who died at Haymarket Square. Those arrested were August Spies, Samuel Fielden, Michael Schwab, Adolph Fischer, George Engel, Louis Lingg andOscar Neebe. Albert Parsons, who was also indicted, avoided arrest until the first day of the trial, when he walked into the courtroom and announced 'I have come to stand trial, your Honor, with my innocent comrades.'

At the trial itself, the prosecutors made no attempt to prove that any of the defendants threw the bomb or conspired to throw the bomb. Instead, they set about trying to prove that the bomb was thrown by an unknown person motivated by the ideals held by the defendants. Prosecuting Attorney Julius Grinnel, in his closing remarks, stated that:

Law is upon trial. Anarchy is on trial. These men have been selected, picked out by the grand jury and indicted because they were leaders. They are no more guilty than the thousands that follow them. ... Convict these men, make examples of them, hang them and save our institutions, our society.

In his final comments to the court, August Spies said

If you think by hanging us you can stamp out the labor movement... if this is your opinion, then hang us! Here you will tread upon a spark, but there and there, behind you and in front of you, and everywhere, flames blaze up. It is a subterranean fire. You cannot put it out.

And now these are my ideas. They constitute a part of myself. I cannot divest myself of them, nor would I, if I could. And if you think you can crush out these ideas that are gaining ground more and more every day, if you think you can crush them out by sending us to the gallows... if you would once more have people suffer the penalty of death because they have dared to tell the truth... then I will proudly and defiantly pay the costly price! Call your hangman! Truth crucified in Socrates, in Christ, in Giordano Bruno, in Huss, in Galileo still lives - they and others whose number is legion have preceded us on this path. We are ready to follow!

All of the defendants were convicted. With the sole exception of Oscar Neebe, all of the defendants were sentenced to death. Neebe was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He asked that he also be condemned to death, because he was no more innocent than the other defendants.

Samuel Fielden and Michael Schwab petitioned for clemency and had their sentences commuted to life in prison. Louis Lingg avoided hanging by committing suicide. Some reports say that he accomplished his own death by biting a percussion cap. Others say that he exploded a stick of dynamite in his mouth. On 11 November, 1887, the other defendants were hanged.

In the UK in 1884, Tom Mann had joined the Social Democratic Federation (SDF) and published a pamphlet calling for the working day to be limited to eight hours. Mann formed an organization, the Eight Hour League, which successfully pressured the Trades Union Congress to adopt the eight-hour day as a key goal.

In 1889, at the Marxist International Socialist Congress in Paris, a resolution was passed calling for a 'great international demonstration' for the eight hour day to take place on 1 May, 1890. On that date, there were May Day demonstrations in the United States and many European countries, as well as in Chile, Peru and Cuba.

In 1891, May Day was celebrated in Russia, Brazil and Ireland. China first celebrated May Day in 1920. In 1927, the holiday had spread to India, where there were demonstrations in Calcutta, Madras and Bombay (Mumbai)

As May Day was becoming a worldwide holiday, with the date having been chosen to commemorate the union fight for the eight-hour work day in the United States, within the United States itself the mainstream labour movement, now represented by the American Federation of Labor, was becoming more conservative. That organisation chose to support the first Monday in September as Labor Day. In 1894, federal legislation designating the September Labor Day holiday was passed and signed into law by the then-United States President, Grover Cleveland.

America and the World were made to wait a while after that protest in 1886 for their * hour day, and many today will wonder if it has now been conceded again.

But in memory of the Haymarket Martyrs, and all good honest working men and women across the globe who fight against the injustices of those who seek to enslave them I wish you all well on this International Workers Day.

Perhaps also we should pay tribute on this year anniversary to our recently departed Comrade Jack Jones, Trade Union Giant, Spanish Civil War Hero, Workers friend, and an Internationalist of the highest order.

Sleep Well Comrade

"Hope not Hate" is the real winner

Last night my team Northampton Town (The Cobblers) went down 0-1 in a local derby against the franchised, Milton Keynes Dons. The defeat means we go into the final game of the season away at Leeds United on Saturday needing a point (or others to not succeed) in order to retain our League One status.

It was a miserable night, and the mood at the club this morning is dark, but we will pick ourselves up dust ourselves down etc and move on.

But last night also had a bright side. The Cobblers lent their support to the "Hope not Hate" campaign with write ups in the programme, and both sides wearing hope not hate t-shirts whilst they warmed up as substitutes in front of the main stand. Anjona Roy CEO of Northamptonshire Race Equality Council and Kathy Smith from the local Hope not Hate campaign attended the game to help spread the message. And the message was clear "Don't vote for the BNP"

As we approach the Euro and local elections on June the 4th we should all be concerned that for a whole host of reasons that the BNP expect to do well at the polls and that Britain will probably be shamed in having it's first fascist Euro MEP's elected to Brussells.

Our job between now and June 4th is to expose the BNP for what they really are, nasty right wing fascists filled with hatred, and in denial about the future of multi cultural Britain. So if you want to know the truth about Britain's Nasty Party then click on the link below.

For instance could anyone really vote for someone who said the following?

"I am well aware that the orthodox opinion is that six million Jews were gassed and cremated and turned into lampshades. Orthodox opinion also once held that the Earth was flat … I have reached the conclusion that the 'extermination' tale is a mixture of Allied wartime propaganda, extremely profitable lie, and latter witch-hysteria"

If not then what is Party Leader Nick Griffin who uttered the above rubbish in a courtroom in 1998 doing on the ballot paper?

On Multi cultural Britain he offers us the following advice:

"Without the White race, nothing matters. [Other right-wing parties] believe that the answer to the race question is integration and a futile attempt to create 'Black Britons', while we affirm that non-Whites have no place here at all and will not rest until every last one has left our land"

The British National Party is becoming a household name. In the process it is trying to appear more moderate and respectable. But it is not. Scratch the surface and you find the same old racists lurking . It is run by hardline nazis who as you see above believe that the Holocaust did not happen. Its rule book remains firmly entrenched in the principles of racial superiority and the banning of racial integration.

The BNP may have got cleverer but its real politics remain the same.

So if Northampton Town last night did it's bit in support of it's opponents then perhaps is wasn't so bad a night after all?

"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.

What value has rememberence, without Justice?

My heart goes out to the families of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster who lives were unnecessarily taken from them 20 years ago today. Those of us involved in Football will never forget the feelings of sickness and helplessness we felt watching those scenes unfold on the pitch. Young People laying on the ground with the life squeezed from them, parents frantically looking for their children.

We will also never forget the sight of other supporters coming to their aid whilst ambulances were kept away because they were told it was a "hooliganism" incident rather than a tragedy. We will never forget the sickness of the Sun newspaper trying to blame and defame other supporters by saying that they were at fault and suggested the most heinous of crimes being committed against the dead.


We also will not forget the inadequacy of the subsequent inquiry, or that no Senior Officer from South Yorkshire Police was ever held accountable. We will not forget that CCTV tapes under the guard of the Police went missing and have not been recovered to this day. Lord Taylor's report into the disaster criticised the senior officers on duty for a "failure to control" but an inquest two years later ruled the deaths were "accidental" an prosecutions were ever brought.

We will remember that proper crowd control outside of the ground and people inside the ground assisting people to find empty space rather than a packed terrace could have prevented those 96 lives being lost.We will wonder at how the police were allowed to Shepherd people like like sheep and treat all as trouble makers rather than treat them as human and as individuals.

We will never forgive Chief Superintendent David Duckinfield for deceitfully and dishonestly" telling senior FA officials that the supporters had forced the gate open themselves, only to have to retract his words in court when he was later found out to have lied. We will wonder why he gave that order to open the gates without any control arranged for those who then entered the stadium and added to the crush. Nor can we forgive the coroner for deciding that anything that happened after 3.15pm on that day was not worthy of his investigation.

But above all today, and until the truth is revealed we will remember that the families of the 96 victims got no justice then, and as a result continue to suffer to this day. Trevor Hicks lost his two young daughters Sarah and Victoria that day he has been campaigning for justice ever since through the Hillsborough Family Support Group

http://www.hfsg.co.uk/1.html

he said

"We're sick of it, we wish it had never happened. Similarly, we're sick of all the backsliding, we're sick of all the lying and cheating, the unfulfilled promises from politicians, from organisations.

"And really we have no option but to keep on doing what we're doing, because quite frankly a lot of people don't listen to us."

If the authorities had any decency they would finally admit their faults now and bring those responsible to justice to help the families move on.

If not, then what value do we apply to our remembrance now in the abscence of the Justice which should have followed at the time of the event?

Tory shame over "unlawful" deal could cost us millions

I have spoken out in the Council Chamber, and written on this blog about the dangers of "Secretive" Cabinet style Local government. Whereby officers and members meet in private without proper minutes being taken and make decisions behind closed doors which are never voted on by elected members. Now it seems that the Tory Party at County Hall have confirmed my worst fears as a report from the Councils monitoring officer informs what will be a stunned council that a potential £56m contract (£8m a year over 7 years) was in the opinion of a QC unlawfully agreed behind closed doors by officers and just one councillor (Cllr Bill Parker) There are strict EU rules governing the letting of contracts over and above £153,000 and it is clear from even a cursory glance at the report that something is badly wrong (and deeply damaging to the Conservative Party) happening at County Hall.

The Council will be discussing this latest scandal at its full Council meeting on the 21st of April and the full report can be found here. (item 6g)

http://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/CmisWebPublic/Meeting.aspx?meetingID=448

The report outlines the sorry history of the letting of a major buildings and maintenance contract to a company called Carillion Services Limited. It is by no means complete, it seems that no one yet has been interviewed and key documents are not available for viewing. It talks about minutes of crucial meetings not being available from key meetings, nor can they even find the original signed version of the document! This is "mother" of all scandals and should blow the Tory's clear out their blue water comfort zone



But don't just take my word for it have a look below at the QC's opinion given when asked for his advice by the monitoring officer, together with just a few lines from the monitoring officers report:

"In reviewing the financial effectiveness of the Contract, it was discovered that the Council had possibly entered into a contract with the Contractor on 22nd January 2007 without Cabinet approval and with no properly authorised delegation to the relevant officers to enter such a contract (contract was signed by the Contractor on 22nd January). Advice was sought, therefore, from Richard Clayton QC and Marion Smith (Counsel) as to whether the contract was unawful and Richard Clayton QC confirmed that, in his opinion, it was ultra vires, i.e. unlawful."

"The Council has been unable to identify any record which would identify a proper line of delegated authority in relation to the award of the contract or any delegation which would justify any Cabinet Member or named officer in taking a decision to award the contract."

"Counsel have advised that, whilst the issue is ultimately one for the courts and will depend on the facts as found by the courts, their view is that the Council did not have the capacity in their opinion to enter into the contract and that the agreement is therefore ultra vires, i.e. unlawful."

"Counsel advised that in their opinion there has been a failure to comply with the procurement regime set out in the Public Contracts Regulations 2006."

"It is also apparent that no records are kept of relevant delegations to officers and members and there is a lack of clarity about whether decision makers have the authority of the Council when making such decisions."

Proof positive (if any more was needed) that our County Council which only bothers to meet quarterly, is not run through the democratic process as laid down by law but by officers who collude with individual Councillors from the ruling party to spend your money and enter into multi million pound agreements without most of the Council being involved or able to speak or vote for or against them.

Of course the full report and outcome of the investigation won't be available until after the County Council elections and already you can see the ease at which "Former employees" and "individuals" will be being prepared to be hung out to dry.

But it is not simply the fault of individuals, it is the fault of the whole system and whilst resignations may be called for, and should be answered, the real problem "The County Council" itself will still remain.

The sooner we are rid of this unaccountable shire circus the better. I am considering standing in June's County Council Election. If I do I will make no secret of my view that the best thing we can do with the County Council is to abolish it, and restore unitary local government in Northampton.

Anyone with the patience to read through the report linked to above will understand fully why.

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Daniel Hannan, the true voice of Conservatism

At a time when David Cameron is falling over himself to be all things to all people and selling his re constructed Tory Party as "green" and "in love with the NHS" thank the lord for Tory MEP Daniel Hannan (South East) who has single handedly reminded us how barmy the Conservative Party really is when it is left to it's own devices.

Like most aristocratic families the Tory Party seem to send all their embarrassing offspring abroad and so it is that Dan Dan the Essex Man was whisked off to Strasbourg in order not to embarrass the Parents. But they forgot about the power of the internet and so it was that a 3 minute rant by Hannan hit "You Tube" and got a million hits after being featured stateside on Stations such as "FOX News" Fox news have him down as the next PM of Britain and his oration in Brussels did deserve some praise for bluster if not for it's content.

His attempts at blaming Brown for all the worlds ills would have had more clout if he had been correct in his comments about the PM overseeing an huge and unprecedented debt crisis forgetting that national debt in 1956, after five years of Tory government, was roughly twice what is now predicted to be. Harold Macmillan, then chancellor, quoted the Victorian historian Lord Macaulay: “At every stage in the growth of that debt the nation has set up the same cry of anguish and despair . . . Yet still the debt kept on growing; and still bankruptcy and ruin were as remote as ever.” But facts, weren't going to stand in Dan's way he was on a roll.

And so it was that his internet success (despite the mistakes including suggesting that the government had renationalised the car industry) went to his head a little too quickly and led to him coming back for more, and his second attempt at Stateside fame had him telling FOX News and the american public that the NHS was a "mistake" that "made people iller".

Asked why he had warned Americans in the past not to adopt the NHS model of healthcare, Hannan replied: "Because you're our friends and if you see a friend about to make a terrible mistake you try and warn him. We have lived through this mistake. We have lived through this mistake for 60 years now."

He added "It began with the best of intentions. It began because people thought it was wrong for those who were not well off ... to be treated differently ... But the reality is it hasn't worked. It's made people iller. We spend a lot of money and we get very bad results. You look at survival rates for cancer or for heart disease, we are well down on all the leagues."

Why bother with the truth when a lie travels so fast around the websphere?

To see his full rant click below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiSPRkq28iU

David Cameron is however shy in coming forward and telling us how Mr Hannans view squares with his own when he says "the NHS is a number one priority for us. The Conservative party is fully supportive of a healthcare system that is free for all who need it."

For more Hannanisms I am grateful to my friend at the Mirror Kevin Maguire who informed us of Hannan's exploits in deepest darkest (and very hot) Peru where our Dan suffered from heatstroke one summer while visiting his family. Kevin's informant recalled that the anti- European insisted on always wearing a tie and full three-piece suit in the baking sun. When asked why, Hannan replied: "We have to show the natives that Englishmen aren't afraid of a bit of weather..."

Hurrah for Blighty old boy, you tell them!

Finally the New Statesman (although a shadow of it's former self I am afraid) at least identified how very odd and how very wrong Mr Hannan and his views can be when they tell us:

"Hannan is a fool. For proof, read a Spectator article he wrote in 2004 (unearthed by the Fabian Society’s Sunder Katwala) praising the “economic miracle” in Iceland. “Icelanders,” he wrote, “. . . have no more desire to submit to international than to national regulation. That attitude has made them the happiest, freest and wealthiest people on earth.”

At a time when the sensible classes need proof positive of how unchanged the Tory Party really are despite their best attempt to dress themselves in others clothes, we are truly grateful to Daniel Hannan for standing up proud and true for the real values of Conservatism in 2009.

Give the man more air time I say...................................

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.

A Mandelson too many

Having inflicted on the general public far too many Mandy comebacks than anyone should have to suffer, the Labour Party has now decided to turn up the volume on it's Peterpainometer and duplicate his Lordship in glorious technicolour by turning him into an avatar in the web based "Second Life" game

Peter's pixelated portrait (pictured below) can now be seen roaming around cyberspace no doubt causing even more havoc in the virtual world to add to all we suffer from him here in the real one.


I wonder if there are any vitual Post Offices in the second life? and whether or not he is planning to sell off the cyber mail?

I also wonder if any of my friends in the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are signed up for Second Life? If so can't they follow the dark lord around and give him a bit of an earful in glorious avatar green custard?

Just a thought.

Still anything the Labour Party and their internet warriors can do, we at Northampton Independent Voice can match! Only cheaper, and with less cheese.

So for your delight and amusement let me introduce to you "TC the virtual Councillor" Oh what fun ! Now to go off and find Mandy.

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?