Barnet Councils very own Hyacynth Bucket - Step forward Brian Coleman !

As ever, the genesis of this particular blog started with someone telling me something uttered by a Senior Barnet Tory. As ever, a little digging shows that in actual fact there is a bigger truth seeking to be exposed.

This particular blog is the result of something I was told a couple of months ago, which has been causing me to emit the odd random snigger in the most inappropriate of places. The particular indescretion was repeated, third hand to me. Apparently, Barnet Councils deputy Leader, Andrew Harper was having a few drinks with a few other Tories from other parts of London (where and why I don't know, but it seems a social gathering ensued and some libation may have been taken).

Anyway, one of the assembled Tories happened to comment to our esteemed Deputy Leader that his colleague, Councillor Brian Coleman, could at times (how can we put this politely), affect certain aires and graces. Now Councillor Harper is certainly one Councillor who doesn't put on anything. Whatever you think of him, he's a pretty down to earth sort of guy. If he wasn't Deputy Leader of Barnet Council, I could quite imagine whiling away an evening in the pub, discussing Englands prospects for the Ashes (something which I doubt Brian Coleman has ever wasted a second thinking about). Anyway, it appears that Councillor Harper, tongue possibly loosened by the relaxed company and a sherbet or two, quipped "Yes he can come over as a bit Hyacynth Bucket at times".Now this legendary quote made it's way back to the offices of the Barnet Eye.

Whilst it caused me much myrth in the pub when it was relayed, I hadn't thought about writing a blog about it until now. I have however realised that Councillor Harper was closer to the mark than he realised. You see the reason Hyacynth Bucket is so funny isn't because she's posh, but because she isn't. She just pretends to be. Now our Brian is known for his love of bling, flaunting his wealth and status. He enjoys the finer things in life, such as £350 Harvey Nicks Hampers (courtesy of Assettco, whom the Fire Authority he chairs have awarded multi million pound contracts to). He loves a spot of nice dinner, especially when he's being treated.

But what makes the whole thing funny is that fact that Brian Coleman isn't really posh. He isn't rich, in fact he's virtually destitute. He is so poor that is it wasn't for all of his friends treating him, he'd probably never go on holiday at all. Brian Coleman is so poor that he has to live in a flat owned by the Methodist Church (a charitable organisation). The flat has a controlled rent and I think it's great that the Methodist Church is able to support a penniless councillor, who barely scrapes together a living, allowing him to lead a lifestyle which would normally be way beyond his means. I mean how can any single bachelor survive without some help from a charity on a mere £114,000 per annum?

No wonder he "Comes over a bit Hyacynth Bucket". The poor dear is probably terrified that all of his rich Tory mates, so impressed by his bling will find out that he's not really all he seems.  I mean, lets face it, the Tory party are always banging on about spongers. How embarrassing would it be for poor old Hyacynth Brian to be exposed as one himself.

I wonder if keeping up appearances is on any of the satellite channels? I wonder who the "Onslow" in the Coleman family is? I've always wondered where our Brian picked up his rather affected accent? I mean, I used to go to school only a couple of miles down the road from him. I even did a "Building Studies" O level at the curriculum centre in Byng road, next door to Colemans old school QE boys. Now I realise, he got it from old Hyacynth Bucket repeats.

By the way, Hat Tip to David Hencke for the copy of Colemans rent details


http://davidhencke.wordpress.com/2010/11/15/armchair-audit-brian-coleman-britains-highest-paid-councillor/

The Barnet Eye war on Barnets spongers and parasites

Today the Barnet Eye declares war on the spongers and parasites of Barnet. Those people who's whole existence seems to be one of taking the piss at the expense of the taxpayer. We at the Barnet Eye believe that the taxpayers money is meant to be spent on providing good public services to the people of Barnet. We believe that taxpayers money should not be wasted on paying unnecessarily large allowances to people such as Brian Coleman (a man who earns over £100,000 per year for a string of part time,tax funded jobs and lives in a house provided by the church on a controlled rent, designed for people on low incomes).

We believe it is outrageous that Barnet's Tory Councillors have voted for huge payrises (100%) and we are committed to ensuring that all spongers and parasites such as these are put into the public spotlight. I must at this point commend Conservative Councillor Kate Salinger. Whilst I disagree with her politics, she has shown herself to be decent, honest and principled. It is sad to note that all of her colleagues took such exception to her refusal to abandon her principles that they sacked her from all her positions on committees. Presumably they couldn't trust her to do the right thing for the people of Barnet.

I have been informed that one of the committees she's been removed from is the one responsible for fostering. This committee has the power to have a major influence on the lives of young people. How on earth can our local Tories believe that refusal to sanction a payrise for your colleagues, on grounds of principle, means that you lack the judgement to advise on such issues. This matter above all others displays the complete lack of judgement of our current Tory cabinet. A report has reached me of a "last minute deal" to secure the vote of Graham Old. I believe that Graham Old has a moral duty to tell us what this deal was.

I am not alone in my campaign. I call on all bloggers in Barnet to join the war. I call on all Conservative party members to join the war. I call on all Councillors of the Labour and Lib Dem group to join the war. I call on all members of these parties as well the Greens and the Residents party to join the war. You may ask what you can do?

Well if you click on this link - http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/council/listcouncillorname.asp?intSubSectionID=13&intSectionID=9 -, you can find out the name, email address, telephone number and address of your local councillor. I suggest you contact them and tell them they are a disgrace. If you voted for them before, tell them that they have let you down. You are paying through the nose for them, so you have every right to contact them. They are your elected representative and it is there job.

You will be pleased to know that a Barnet Eye fifth columnist at Barnet Council has very kindly put up pictures of these spongers all over Barnet so you can recognise them. Of course the Barnet Eye would never advocate such childish actions as defacing these posters with the words "sponger", "Hypocrite" or "Parasite". This would be extremely naughty and we'd have to tell you all off. What we would do is encourage you to look very closely at the pictures so that if you see them out and about, you can take the opportunity to do what our posters say and tell them what you think of them. Brian Coleman has said publicly that you will be pleased that he's doubling his pay. I think you'd be doing Mr Coleman a grave disservice if you allowed him to carry on under this delusion.

Finally one word about the spongers and parasites of Barnet. One of  Barnets most idiotic and wet behind the ears Councillors, Tom Davey (who incidentally has not exactly ever sweated on a building site to earn his daily bread) suggested that poverty is the fault of the poor (rather odd for someone with a wealthy mummy to put him through college - how would he know?). Well as far as I'm concerned, the worst spongers and parasites are ones such as Mr Davey and his colleagues. They are well off, well educated and well connected. They don't need to ponce. They just do it out of complete bone idleness. They are in no position to lecture anyone on anything  (with the honourable exception of Kate Salinger, who has given us all a lesson in honesty, courage and decency).

************* Update **************
I've just noticed that former Edgware Tory Councillor Richard Weider has left a comment on the Not the Barnet Times blog stating that he's upset and disappointed with his former colleagues (apart from Kate Salinger). I've also had several more communications about Graham Old and his sudden conversion to troughing, having originally opposed it. None of the comments portray Mr Old in a good light. I am going to email him for a comment  - I will update on what I get back.