Sunday 15 August 2010

Allowancegate : The revolt grows

News reaches the Barnet Eye that the Mark Shooter Leadership bid has caused some stirrings in other parts of the organisation. The word on the street is that some of the "young guns" have decided that "establishment lackies" such as group chair Wendy Prentice and group treasurer Hugh Rayner are also a big part of the problem. It seems that many Tories (including some rather important figures from beyond the shores of Barnet) have decided that only a new broom will do. It has become abundantly clear that the organisation is not functioning, with vital organisational tasks such as fundraising breaking down. The Conservative party has traditionally done rather well from rich benefactors. Allowancegate has made some of these question whether it's a brand they want to be associated with.

The Tories are faced with a stark choice. Have a mass clearout of dead wood or find themselves as bankrupt financially as they are morally.  Whilst several local vested interests are currently "helping out", anyone with half a brain realises that this is only a short term stop gap as this cash will dry up when the favours are no longer needed.

The Barnet Eye predicts that the whole shape of the Conservative Party in Barnet will change over the next few months. Names such as Dean Cohen and Rowen Turner are ones to watch. The big question is what will happen after this bloodletting? Word reaches this blog of some rather apocalyptic prophesies from that well known soothsayer Brian Coleman. The terms "betrayal" are being bandied about and talk of "scores being settled". "Sources close" to Brian Coleman have let it known that he intends to "destroy Mark Shooter". Many readers of this blog may recall he made similar threats aboout me and my blog. That plan worked well. There's a well known Barnet blog called "Brian Coleman AKA Mr Toad has got to go". In my role as the mystic meg of Barnet, I have a prediction of my own about that blog. I predict that it may need a name change some time soon.

8 comments:

baarnett said...

What's happened to the man who stuck his head above the parapet?

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/8297992.Conservative_association_member_brands_party_colleagues__greedy_vultures__over_allowance_hike/#commentsList

And as a commentator on that story says, the rot was started by the control-freakery of Mr Michael Freer (and presumably his side-kick Mr Matthew Offord).

Statler and Waldorf said...

Statler and I understand that Lynne Hillan tried to get the Stasi, oops, the Metropolitan Police to feel Mr Murray-Leonard's collar for calling her in Spain on her mobile and using some 'fruity' language.

She clearly feels that for criticising her in such strong terms you result in you being possibly put behind bars.

We understand that following pressure from many people, including Mr Offord, Mr Murray-Leonard wrote to Councillor Hugh Rayner (apparently Lynne Hillan's henchman in Hendon)

"May I take this opportunity to give my unreserved apologies to you regarding the inappropriate comments made to you and others in recent weeks."

We guess that's what happens when you dare to challenge the mad witch oops, the current Leader of the Council.

With fuzzy hugs,

S&W

baarnett said...

So we know that Mr Offord is not someone to respect.

But he criticised the leadership's grab at the money himself, didn't he?

Statler and Waldorf said...

Statler and I note that he did indeed criticise the decision, at length.

We will be interested to see, for how long, he continues to support Lynne Hillan against the view of the bulk of the Hendon Councillors.

All of the rumours we are getting is that he remains strangely wedded to his former conspirator and Council colleague.

With fuzzy hugs,

S&W

Broadway Blogger said...

The revolt is indeed growing - and surely if Mr Coleman has any political ability he will reverse the silly decision before it costs him his future. There is a huge difference between being pig headed and being a pig. It is time for Mr Coleman to admit his mistake and by doing so will head off the revolt....he would not be so stupid to ignore the public and the rest of his party....would he ?

baarnett said...

It seems to me to be unlikely that Mr. Shooter would back down, just because Brian gives back the filthy lucre.

I cannot see the saintly Kate Salinger being placated - would you be? It wouldn't be "for the good of the party", would it?

After all, for the good of the party, Mr Shooter (or some other candidate) ought to win!

Historical note:

"Filthy lucre" appears first in print in 1526 in the works of William Tindale:

"Teachinge thinges which they ought not, because of filthy lucre."

Don't Call Me Dave said...

Rog

Do you mean Dean Cohen, the member of the scrutiny sub committee who voted along with his daddy Melvin Cohen to scrap the wardens.

If he is the future of Barnet, we are really screwed.

baarnett said...

That leaves the Turner fellow in Roger's favored Runners and Riders.

He's in the last picture on:
http://www.barnetconservatives.co.uk/index.php?sectionid=2&pagenumber=23

So why has the flying finkle finger of fate pointed at him?