The Barnet Alliance for Public Services received an Email from a Nomura email account this evening. Nomura is a Japanese Investment Bank. The full text is available on the Barnet Future Shape website :-
http://barnetfutureshape.blogspot.com/2011/01/nomura-banker-attacks-barnet-campaign.html
The email criticises the fiscal policies of the last Labour Government (without acknowledging the role of Bankers in creating the crisis). It attacked the campaign for not being able to create wealth ???? It stated that the Barnet Council cuts will make no difference to anyone. It stated that University is an excuse to "Drink Cider and blackcurrent for thee years and then go backpacking around Thailand at someone elses expense". It ended up by claiming that there was a likelihood of violence on the march on the 30th January.
I personally found the email disgusting. Everyone is entitled to express their views, but to do so in such an abusive way, was for me beyond the pale. It is the policy to put such things on the Future Shape blog without comment. Let people make their own minds up.
This is the blog where I give my opinion. Unlike many people, I don't have a down on Bankers. Banking has helped build prosperity in the UK. London would collapse without the industry, that is why I supported the bale out. What I don't support is the ignorance and arrogance shown by certain members of the industry. At a time when the industry should be pulling out all the stops to improve it's image, the last thing it needs is people like Colin Hewitt attacking people who have a genuine concern for public services. Mr Hewitt may believe that the Council has no effect on peoples lives, but then he clearly isn't Elderly, Disabled, a Disadvantaged Young person, someone with a Brain Injury or someone who relies on Meals on Wheels.
I took the trouble to politely write to Mr Hewitt to explain why I felt he was out of order in sending his email and using the tone and language that he did. Here is my reply to him, in full :-
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Dear Mr Hewitt,
Thank you for your response to the Our Barnet Newspaper.
I note with interest that you work for a financial institution. When you refer to the leaflet having a poor grasp on reality, are you aware that the current financial problems faced by the UK are a direct result of poor decisions made within the banking industry, leading to a massive bail out? Whilst you state that this was the result of "irresponsible government", are you aware that the problems were caused mainly by lax regulation, which is a policy advocated by all senior members of the current Conservative administration?
As to your comments regarding the BAPS campaign not being "in a position to generate revenues", the Alliance is made up of private individuals such as myself. I run a successful company, employ nine people and have helped launch several award winning artists who have brought millions of pounds of revenue into the UK PLC. I trust that you actually didn't read the newspaper properly, therefore failed to spot this. All very well, but you should really check your facts before launching a tirade of insults.
You are also unaware of the situation regarding the finances of Barnet Council. The proposed cuts amount to £43 million. Are you aware that Barnet Council has suffered the following financial crises as a result of mismanagement by the local Conservative administration, losing far more than this. You can find full details of these by following this link
http://barneteye.blogspot.com/2011/01/proper-newspaper-for-our-barnet.html
Briefly though
Failed Icelandic Investments - £27.4 Million
Overspend on Aerodrome Road bridge project - £11 Million
Legal duspute with Catalyst for contract for care Homes £8 million
The Council has also earmarked millions for the Onebarnet/ easycouncil/ Future Shape project. This has employed consultants and cost millions thus far, producing no savings in three years. Given Barnet Councils record of managing contractors, this is likely to be yet another black hole. The Alliance is committed to reducing waste on such schemes.
I am rather diappointed by the abusive tone of your comments regarding students. Surely you accept that the vast majority of the highest wage earners in the UK attended University. Whilst I'm sure many of them enjoyed the odd drink, they also went on to earn significant amounts of money and to pay taxes in copious quantities. As someone who runs a music studio, I would also take the opportunity to inform you that the market for Rap music is a multi billion £ industry. Whilst you may be unaware of the important contribution made by the music industry to the UK economy, I would suggest that a bit of research would be order of the day before making such comments.
As to your comments about the BAPS march breaking windows. May I draw your attention to the fact that the organisers of the event have organised many protests and demonstrations all of which have been entirely peaceful. I myself helped organise a rally at Montrose Park, to protest against the closure of Edgware general hospital. This was attended by people from accross the politcal spectrum and was addressed by the then Tory MP's Sir John Gorst and Sir Rhodes Boyson. Other marches include the one supporting residents of Sheltered Housing who are losing their wardens.
We are all entitled to our own views, but I personally would take a dim view of one of my employees using company time and resources to send abusive emails such as you are offering from your Nomura email account
Regards
Roger Tichborne
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I don't mind if someone thinks some aspect of our campaign is unrealistic, they have every right to say so. I don't believe they have the right to do so in abusive terms and to insult people who have a genuine interest in the well being of the London Borough of Barnet. When that person is a director of a large investment bank, I believe it becomes a matter of public interest.
