Last night Vicki Morris asked Mike Freer, Conservative Leader of Barnet Council if he agreed with this quote from David Cameron.
Right now most people feel totally insignificant in the political process. Frankly, that's because - in the current over-centralised system - they are insignificant. If you're unhappy about decisions made by your council there's very little you can do about it outside election day. We're going to change that by giving people the power to instigate referendums on local issuesMike Freer said "No I don't, I know better than the people of Barnet" or words to that effect. This was at a public meeting of the Cabinet of Barnet Council Cabinet. As well as the members of the Tory Cabinet, the hall was packed with press and members of the public.
Another quote that I saw from David Cameron :-
"If we win the next election, we’ll be asking the whole country to come together to show social responsibility, personal responsibility and thrift. So the least we can do is to ask Parliament to live by those values as well"Fine words. But how does one of London's senior Tories view the public? Talking about disclosing his expenses, Brian Coleman said this :-
"I won't do it voluntarily. It's none of the public's business. They have coped well without knowing this kind of detail for more that 75 years"When David Cameron's son died, it emerged how he had a deep personal commitment to the NHS. I actually believe that he is the first Tory politician who I'd trust with Great Britains finest institution. The thing is, the more Cameron says, the more he seems out of step with his own party. Coleman flaunts his extravagence, when he could quite easily disclose his expenses - what has he got to hide? Freer is in a position to impliment Cameron's suggestions. He's the head of Barnet Council. What happened? He scoffed at the idea. Boris gave Brian Coleman his post at the Fire authority. Has he sacked Coleman? Nope.
The point is whilst I actually trust David Cameron, it is as clear as daylight that the behaviour of his senior colleagues shows they see him as a useful stooge, the acceptable face of Conservatism. As I see it, David Cameron has a choice. He can sack Freer, Coleman and the rest of them and show the PEOPLE of GreatBritain he means business. The other alternative? Well he just plays the stooge & takes the cash for being the frontman. I'm afraid to say that while I have no problem with David Cameron, the rest of the Tory Party are simply beyond the pale. Once he's served his purpose, he's expendeble. Rather like Brian Salinger was when Mike Freer ousted him after Salinger lead the Tories to victory at the last Council elections in Barnet.
Rog
ReplyDeleteThere are many right wing Conservatives who are hoping there will be a coup after the Party wins the General Election and that David Cameron will be ditched. No wonder Freer wants to be an MP - he is the perfect person to advise them!
I did not vote for Cameron and I disagree with many of his policies. However, he won the leadership contest fair and square - and by a very big margin - so naturally I accept the will of the majority of members and support him as Leader. But I seriously doubt whether he would take immediate action against Coleman - even if the party rules allowed it.
What he can and should do is make it clear that people like Freer and Coleman are never allowed to stand again as Conservative candidates. Freer has already been chucked off the candidates list once. I hope the Party now accepts it was a mistake to let him back on. It is not too late to select a new PPC for Finchley. Pam Chesters would be the ideal candidate.
As for Totteridge next year, my support goes to ABC - Anyone But Coleman.
As he did with the MPs expenses, David Cameron needs to use whatever powers he has to take swift and efffective action against this bad apple. Failure to do so will certainly damage the Conservative Party.
ReplyDeleteBrian Coleman (aka Mr Toad) has GOT to go! - campaign on Facebook