Now it may surprise you to know that not every Tory Councillor in Barnet crosses the road when they bump into me. Sometimes I get rather interesting emails from them and have a chat about the price of fish. As with all rather sensible people, our Barnet councillors wouldn't ever say anything to me which may in any way undermine their glorious leader, Councillor Mike Freer. Fortunately for me, sources rather close to one or two of the more sensible Tories do speak candidly to me from time to time.
They have given me some rather interesting "non attributable" quotes (ie when asked they'll deny all knowledge and blame Councillor Brian Salingers dog, or some other unfortunate).
Anyway here's a few prime quotes
Freer's future :- "What will you write about in May when he resigns"
Leader Listens Blog :- "Complete waste of time, the sooner we get rid of it the better. He's just given himself a lot of bother"
Icelandic Deposits :- "No Comment"
Next Leader :- "I don't think you'll like her"
Do you like the Barnet Eye :- "Sometimes you can be funny. It would be far better if you weren't so obsessed with certain high profile figures, who we won't name. You should cover local sports more"
What do you think of Alison Moore and Jack Cohen :- "Honestly? I feel a bit sorry for them sometimes, it's not much fun in opposition. Not that sorry though."
Would you like to be Mayor :- "Ho Ho Ho, definately no comment"
Have the Tories done a good job since they got back in :- "Of course. We've done great things in a quiet sort of way. Not that you read any of that in your blog"
What is their biggest achievement :- "The massive improvement in school facilities and the rebuilding program."
Biggest failure :- "Ho Ho Ho, nice try"
3 comments:
No way Rog, you are sh*tting me. Santa is involved with Barnet Council? And he wants to be Mayor!
I vote Santa for Mayor. (At least everyone loves Santa, unlike Marmite)
Dan,
Marmite - You'll enjoy the description in this online dictionary
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/marmite
Unlike our councillors, Santa has a long track record of delivering projects on time, on budget and he keeps the naughty elfs who work for him in order.
Mind you, rather like our Councillors only has a part time job.
Not all of those comments are fair. You have written many blogs praising things the council has done right, especially in the field of education. Some people clearly feel that you must always praise and never criticise, which is daft.
I suspect that one of the factors which turns people off politics is politicians refusing to apologise for messing up. Gordon Brown is a classic example. But nobody in Barnet has apologised for the Icelandic banking scandal, even though we now know the rules were broken. Politicians are not required or expected to be perfect. We all make mistakes. But for some, sorry seems to be the hardest word. It’s a sad sad situation.
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