As regular readers of this blog will know, we have never held back from criticising the local press when they have "backed off" on major stories concerning the Council. I must say that this weeks paper will make gruesome reading for local Conservative Councillors as it plops onto doorsteps around the Borough. Here is a link to the E-edition (scanned version of the paper) :-
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=Y0n42P1bB0q6&PBID=B58E001C-1768-4010-8086-3709A9E597B6&skip=
Front Page : Brian Colemans crass comment "I never knowingly undercharge residents".
Page 3 - Report on John Hart racist attempts to humiliate a resident
Page 3 - Report on the rally against Tory Cuts in Barnet
Page 5 - Former Hendon Tory grandee attacks Tory MP Matthew Offord for cowardice relating to his charge of anti-semitism
Page 5 - Allotments holders up in arms against Tory charge hikes
Page 9 - Two stories concerning uproar about Tory Barnet Councils parking scheme & it's hike in costs for residents
Page 11 - Story about uproar for Tory Mayor Boris Johnson planning to leave tubestations unmanned and unsafe
Page 16 & 17 - Letter after letter about scandals concerning the Tories
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This is completely unprecedented. It is also completely correct. The wheels are coming off the Barnet Conservatives. It must be time for the decent majority of Tory members to call time on the Hillan regime in the Town Hall and the atrocious Matthew Offord MP. I have had dozens of emails and calls from all sorts of Tories this week, from Councillors to regular members. The message "We must put our house in order". It is time for Tory Backbench councillors to form a 1922 committee and speak as one voice for sanity. They can only be whipped if they don't stick together. If they don't it will be political suicide. Whilst that really doesn't bother me personally, the effects on the residents of Barnet does. We have the Tories for three more years in Council. Please can we have a regime that is not a complete laughing stock
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=Y0n42P1bB0q6&PBID=B58E001C-1768-4010-8086-3709A9E597B6&skip=
Front Page : Brian Colemans crass comment "I never knowingly undercharge residents".
Page 3 - Report on John Hart racist attempts to humiliate a resident
Page 3 - Report on the rally against Tory Cuts in Barnet
Page 5 - Former Hendon Tory grandee attacks Tory MP Matthew Offord for cowardice relating to his charge of anti-semitism
Page 5 - Allotments holders up in arms against Tory charge hikes
Page 9 - Two stories concerning uproar about Tory Barnet Councils parking scheme & it's hike in costs for residents
Page 11 - Story about uproar for Tory Mayor Boris Johnson planning to leave tubestations unmanned and unsafe
Page 16 & 17 - Letter after letter about scandals concerning the Tories
-----------------------------------------------------
This is completely unprecedented. It is also completely correct. The wheels are coming off the Barnet Conservatives. It must be time for the decent majority of Tory members to call time on the Hillan regime in the Town Hall and the atrocious Matthew Offord MP. I have had dozens of emails and calls from all sorts of Tories this week, from Councillors to regular members. The message "We must put our house in order". It is time for Tory Backbench councillors to form a 1922 committee and speak as one voice for sanity. They can only be whipped if they don't stick together. If they don't it will be political suicide. Whilst that really doesn't bother me personally, the effects on the residents of Barnet does. We have the Tories for three more years in Council. Please can we have a regime that is not a complete laughing stock
One thing that doesn't ever crop up in Barnet politics is the environment.
ReplyDeleteHaving been a victim of Barnet's "Pothole-Gate" scandal, on destroying my car suspension, I see that roads will (have to) be built to a higher standard, to cope with more frequent temperature extremes: See the BBC news item.
But Barnet councillors are also planning a huge increase in Barnet's population by promoting high-density developments. Do not get used to today's road congestion. It will be much worse in the future.
I also feel we should congratulate both local papers this week: excellent coverage of the many stories, and loads of interestesing letters. I think they now realise the extent of public interest in local politics.
ReplyDeleteI agree too that it is time for the disaffected Tories to try and wrest control of their party from the self serving bullies who have hijacked the group and are doing such a disservice to their own party,locally and nationally, but,more importantly, to the residents and tax payers of this borough.
The faces of the councillors at Tuesday's meeting during Coleman's rant about the complaints over the parking charges said it all. They were like a herd of sheep, sitting there quivering in their pen: not even the Garden Suburb councillors had the guts to stand up for their own residents and put Coleman in his place. I hope they are reading this, and I hope that they screw up what is left of their courage and do the right thing at last.