Swinton South Liberal ————

It seems like only yesterday i was elected to Council, don’t let anyone kid you  it’s nerve racking. But if you go for it you will never regret it. It as been one of the best experiences of my life. I have never hid the fact of my far left leanings i could not wait to join the Labour party, me and thousands of others.It was sad how that dream was brought down to earth by people who felt by giving up their principles for electoral gain was worth it.

Sadly some parts are a game. it’s when policy agreed by the few effects the life of others and many fail to argue it’s shortcomings.If you lack understanding of issues then you still need to ask the question to gain clarity in your mind, that what you agree to is the right way forward.

I remember after election i spoke with a senior member of the Liberal Democrats Cllr John Pooley i said what’s next, He said “pick up the ball son and run with it” i hope i did.You need to be brave in this business and by doing so you can make enemies.The system within council as never really changed in years. Labour make the policy, and what ever you try or do to highlight or make  changes, makes little odds, it will still go through.

I have witnessed heated debate by members and many who sit and say nothing,i sometimes wonder why so many choose this role. Don’t get me wrong there are some excellent councillors who fight with passion. Maybe it is time to put these debates on radio and there you could see who works the best for you.

Over the years i have fought many battles for people, individuals all with their own problems and yes it offers great satisfaction to have achieved something. Of course you covet the power Labour hold in real decision making.As an Opposition Councillor you can only dream of what it would be like to try something different,but we live in a system that says the first past the post is the winner, and i of course abide by that formula.

It’s funny in a sense i don’t think people understand how PC as effected political parties, i did a leaflet early last year on it i put a picture of a fist coming through a window,and the caption said Tories soft on crime, Norman was concerned over it.It would upset the Tories, i ran with it, Was i wrong no one came back.But the point i am trying to make is why should we be afraid of saying what we feel, as long as we don’t create offence.We have seen the disgraceful growth of the BNP. When i was out talking to residents i was shocked at the support for this group,and yet no one from the Three main parties attacked their stance.The real issue is migration we have long been a country that as offered safety to abused groups,but what we have now is a flood and the reality is our system cannot cope, Every day i see the intense strains on every thing from our schools, our hospitals,and sadly our housing and even our police.These statements are not racist my concern is for the many ethnic cultures who have lived here for many years who could suffer a backlash.We are a multi culture nation and long may that continue, but if we do not face the facts we will destroy what we have worked so hard to maintain.

You will of course read the reams of leaflets and TV propaganda put out by Labour and the Tories less so from the Liberal Democrats because of Funding. They all offer one thing or another, but ask yourself something or even pop on to your Local councillors web site, i Often look on Councillor Ian Lindlys web site he is a Local conservative he tells you the Tories are the only answer for Salford,but look closely at is site i do. And i cant find out how he is going to create such a fantastic Salford for us without saying who is going to pay for it.You or me?as with everything there is always a cost, it’s a shame they forget to mention it.

How many of us could be honest and say we are happy with the present political system as it stands.Take for example Mrs Blears? well i was told you can claim so much a month so divide it by four.When i heard that i was disgusted, no one who does a job should be out of pocket but how can you justify what she did.Over the past three years as a councillor i have claimed nothing,tomorrow many of your Councillors will be chomping away on a Christmas dinner and drinking wine. Who pays for it? guess you do. Myself and my son turned down the invitation, the same as last year. It’s sad when many will struggle to put Christmas dinner on the Table this year.I bet Mrs Blears will be there.

The reality is most of your Councils and Parliament are made up of career Politicians some who have never worked at all. We lack balance and a diverse make up. And untill we gain that nothing will change.

I would ask if any one as a view or is willing to fight for something a little different contact me, by the second week in January i hope to have put together a small band of people with experience, ex Liberal Democrats, Independents and any one else with a real passion to fight for their area.You loose little by trying but you could gain a lot.

Just because i have decided to move away from the Liberal Democrats means very little.In reality i will not have any fears of upsetting Party members with my attacks on Labour Or the Tories. Norman will fight from one corner and i will be able to come from another. Just because i felt let down with his leadership matters little to the opposition within council. My background is from the left,not sitting in council with them matters little, i will be able to be more vocal than ever before.Your candidate, come on what experience or credentials can he show, in reality you have placed him in Salford as nothing more than Paper, a name on a ballot. You no the public in Salford will not fall for that,or do you think Cameron s magic will carry him past every one. Sorry we will not be at the Xmas dinner, yes we cancelled on Principle months ago.But in January i look forward to the debate.Enjoy your Meal.

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Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing
Monday 14th December 2009 – 9:07am 

“Yes of course i would have had to take a day on a course to be a PPC but this was just a formality, if cllr Owens could get it then i had no concerns, but why waste my time and others, when i fight i fight to win”

It is galling to see you suggest that you didn’t want to waste people’s time. If you didn’t want to waste your time and others, why did you express an interest back in March and then spend the best part of a year claiming that you were about to complete the paperwork? You couldn’t even get yourself on the course. You were arrogant enough to
think it was just a formality, when in fact there was a very real chance of you being judged such a bad candidate that you couldn’t even take the test again for 5 years. It’s simply not true to say that you “refused” to fight Worsley, as even in the past few weeks you had continued to string the party leadership along.

You yourself were one of the most independent-minded members of the Lib Dem group, even labelling your blog “Independent Political viewpoint from Sunny Salford”. I won’t detail the disrespect you have shown to Norman’s leadership and group decisions. It’s simply illogical to complain that you were part of a group of individuals,
when you yourself have shown no willingness to be a ‘team player’.

Of course, it’s easy to pick holes in your argument. Usually the difficult part is figuring out what you meant to say in the first place.

So you are forming your own gang, where you make the rules, and you get to be the leader. As things stand, your own son hasn’t clearly stated that he’s in your gang. What hope anyone else?

Sad how many times i have seen this, and we are supposed to put over a professional image? So you are forming a new gang and you can be leader it’s a bit like being back at school, perhaps if Mr Gregory had bothered to ask i have requested for people far more experienced than me to set up a group consisting of Chair, secretary, a constitution and of course fair and open voting. I have no wish to lead anything, only to continue to fight for the people of this city.I would take your advice but from a man who as failed so poorly in Pendlebury maybe not. Sadly i will not be at Council this week so the fun and games will  be at next  Council. Perhaps we can see who handles the pressure the Best. You see i have very little to loose i have worked hard and if i was to loose i can hold my head up with pride. Do you find it except able working with a group that allows someone to claim expenses and is living in Black pool? i don’t how can you criticise hazel Blears and yet condone that. No sadly truth hurts and of course overt he next four month perhaps we may see some strong lines taken.How do you wish to play it? I for one would rather we fight on the issues not this rubbish.

I have held back from any form of comment,i was in reality hoping for a contest where both parties could offer their reasons for asking the people of this city for their vote.This is not a game, we are in situation within this city where we lack real growth,crime is still with us,alcohol and drug abuse,people looking for work must commute out of the city  and we cannot even fore-fill one of mans greatest needs shelter,the housing situation within this city is in meltdown.

With the large increase in Economic migration we have seen even future strains on our finances.Over the past couple of years we have seen the growth in groups like the BNP.and not one of the major parties have had the guts to fight it. I cannot in any shape or form attack individual members of the Liberal Democrat group only it’s leadership.Tim Perkins left the Liberal democrats stating we were a group of individuals, that note as stuck with me for the past two years,because he was right.There as been no leadership or guidance only brave individuals fighting for the people who they represent.The reality is without someone taking on the challenge and offering policy that will help this city grow there is no party.Cllr Owen must understand to lead you need vision and the willingness to take a chance,you must formulate ideas and put them to your party for thought, aimless rhetoric serves no purpose it only alienates you from what you have set out to achieve.Sadly we must be the only party who fails to take up the chance to talk freely and openly with the Labour leadership. I ask again if you do not talk to the people who run the City then how can we have any influence in it’s make up.Cllr Owen for what ever reason as tried to infer that i have left the Liberal Democrats because i was not offered a Seat to fight In Worsley? i find his comment shame full, why because i had refused to fight in a seat i could not win. I had even spoken to The Local Conservative candidate and wished him well. Yes of course i would have had to take a day on a course to be a PPC but this was just a formality, if cllr Owens could get it then i had no concerns, but why waste my time and others,when i fight i fight to win, you should no that better than any one Cllr Owen,

It would be unfair on me not to offer the readers of the blog one of my main reasons for leaving,over the past four years with my Family and friends we have set out to remove Labour from Swinton South, it was my vision to push on outside my ward once i had finished my task .Cllr Owen would have you believe it was support for the Liberal Democrats,in reality there was no support it was only hard work and getting people to believe in You.To that end i have succeeded,i have seen many people leave the Liberal Democrats over four years and the people who have joined sadly seem more like camp followers and not serious activist.To win you need fighters people with a passion.I have been very lucky over four years to meet with and gain many friends, two weeks ago we met as a group and in January we will hold a meeting when we will finalise and put forward a new Party to the people of this city, it will offer change and a determination to win.Yes i will be banging on your doors many of you will be sick of my name by may. the group will be small we will place candidates in the may elections to test the water,and if we have success we could have the beginning of something willing to wipe out the tired old three party system.  Yes it could take years and then still fail, but i have never been afraid of a fight. i will of course be making contact with the independent section within council formally over the next week and asking them to join with us.I hope we can throw away the silly games and fight on the issues, i for one will not use gutter politics first but i will fight hard, i hope this clears the air. For readers of the blog i will be Changing the format, thank you for all the emails of support that i have received and the kind comments in the MEN also.

Regards

It always amazes me that people will print the problems,but never ask the parties concerned to come up with the answers. We can all see the obvious, but without serious answers on how each party will deal with the issues what is the point of printing nothing more than party rhetoric.

The Conservative slant seems to have come straight off Cllr Lindleys website.but there again where are the answers.

Each parties proposals will have effects, and the people who will be voting must ask what what those effects will be. Will my front line services be cut, will my job be affected,with my children’s education suffer.

Will you offer full costed breakdowns to the electorate?

The Questions are endless but i suggest you ask them.

HAZEL BLEARS EXPENSES   Star date: 11th December 2009  SALFORD MPS’ STRANGE EXPENSES CLAIMS… HAS HAZEL GOT DIVORCED??? Details of expenses claims made by Salford’s MPs Hazel Blears, Ian Stewart and Barbara Keeley for the years 2008 and 2009 released by Parliament yesterday expose more odd stuff…like the end of Hazel’s marriage? Full details here, together with a link to a unique game where you can throw custard pies at Hazel – although judging by the amount of food she’s claimed for over the years, she’s had enough pies to sink a flip…sorry…ship… CLEANING, COUNCIL TAX, MORTGAGES AND PIES… More fun and games were revealed yesterday as Parliament exposed Salford MPs’ expense claims for `Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure’… Perhaps knowing that Parliament was going to publish MPs’ claims in July 2009, all three of our MPs were on their best financial behaviour during the 2008/9 claims year – there were no Hazel receipts for £200 bath towels or two tvs, although Barbara Keeley did claim £139.50 for a tv licence. Not that she’s got any chance of seeing herself on there, she’s so anonymous… Here’s what they did claim… COUNCIL TAX Has Hazel got divorced? The records reveal that on her second home in London, Hazel claimed a `single person discount’ of 25% on her Council Tax. However, Barbara Keeley, who’s also married, merely claimed a 10% `Second Home’ discount, and Ian Stewart didn’t claim at all for Council Tax. Has the personal strain on Hazel led to a parting with her partner – or is it merely a clever ruse to save us tax payers some money, as we pick up the bill? WHO ATE ALL THE PIES? No contest here. Roll forward, Ian Stewart, who claimed the full £400 food allowance every month throughout the year – including during the summer recess when Parliament isn’t even sitting. Apart from his mortgage, that’s all he did claim for the year. Which conjures up a sad image of Ian sat in his London flat stuffing pies, while Babs, who didn’t claim for any food at all, lies on her couch chewing her nails, watching tv and waiting in vain to see herself on screen.  Meanwhile, Hazel comes second in the pie eating contest, claiming £200 a month for food until November 2008, including during the summer recess when Parliament isn’t even sitting. In December the food claim jumps to £300 a month to February ‘09, and then no food at all for the next two months. It was in February that the Daily Telegraph exposed the full extent of Hazel’s expense claims including those Kit Kats – probably put her off…   CLEANING Neither Barbara nor Ian claimed anything at all for cleaning but Hazel tries to claim three lots of £120 a month for April, May and June ‘08. Parliament’s Assistant Validation Officer writes Hazel a letter explaining that if she can’t produce receipts “the department will not be able to reimburse you”. According to the records on view, no receipt is ever produced and no further cleaning claims are made until December ‘08 when the bill suddenly drops to £80 a month.  THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MORTGAGE PAYMENT While Ian Stewart’s property payments remain the same all year, and Barbara Keeley’s mortgage payments merely vary by a couple of hundred pounds, Hazel’s second home payments on the balance of her £285,867.36 mortgage (Oct 2008) absolutely plummet from a high of £1287 a month in April ‘08, down to £1122 in October as interest rates get cut, to payments of £525 in January ‘09, £406 in February ‘09, £287 in March ‘09 and a mere £167 in April ‘09. Perhaps someone can explain this but £167 monthly interest payment on a £285,000 mortgage? Is this the best mortgage in the world or has Hazel virtually paid it off from the same money well where she found that cheque for £13,000 for the tax man? None of our business, of course, but fascinating… Although between 2004 and 2008 Hazel did claim a total of £51,523 on mortgage payments (and a bit on hotels) for various homes. Back in October this year, the Salford Star exclusively revealed how Hazel explained her previous excessive Parliamentary expenses to the Labour Party re-selection meeting at the Civic Centre in Swinton, where she fought for her political life… “When I first went into Parliament I was told by existing MPs `These are the expenses, basically divide it by twelve and that’s what you claim every month’…That’s what was the established culture. And that was wrong…It did develop into that culture of entitlement rather than what was needed in order to do your job… She added: “It enabled you to claim things that are utterly bizarre and that no reasonable rational person would have agreed to pay for…” Now that the public can see those bizarre claims, Salford’s MPs are financially behaving themselves… So, for old time’s sake, here’s a lovely game we’ve found on the net where you can throw pies at Hazel in the House of Commons…just click here and then click on Hazel… Details of all Salford MPs expenses here Who should take on Hazel at the General Election? Click here to vote! More Salford Star stuff on Hazel’s expenses here… var addthis_pub = “lewishw”; Please enter your comment below: Name: Email: comments: var RecaptchaOptions = { theme : ‘clean’, tabindex : 0}; Recaptcha.widget = Recaptcha.$(“recaptcha_widget_div”); Recaptcha.challenge_callback();     Help the Salford Star… all donations welcome     More articles… SALFORD COUNCIL CHILDREN’S BOSS SACKED Star date: 9th December 2009   JILL BAKER SACKED AS OFSTED AGAIN CRITICISES CHILDREN’S SERVICES… Jill Baker, Director of Children’s Services at Salford Council has been sacked this morning for “gross misconduct”. Councillor Bill Hinds, chairman of the cross party disciplinary panel which made the decision said that “there had been a loss of trust and confidence…in Mrs Baker’s ability to lead and manage the Children’s Services directorate…”   But, as OFSTED today again criticises Salford Council’s Children’s Services in its annual letter to the Council, we ask why those who are also responsible for “significant weaknesses” in the service have not resigned… Full story here… Salford Regeneration Failing Star date: 9th December 2009  Pathfinder Part 2 IT’S ALL GOING WRONG…BUT THE DEMOLITIONS CONTINUE In Part 1, we revealed how the Audit Commission slated the multi-million pound Government housing regeneration project, Pathfinder, for informing everyone of what it’s up to – except the community. In Part 2, we reveal what Pathfinder is actually up to, according to the same report by the Audit Commission… On its own terms the Pathfinder seems to be failing but, while land is cheap, it is “accelerating acquisition of land and property” – which usually means more demolitions and more misery… Full story here… PANORAMA IN SALFORD Star date: 8th December 2009 WHAT PANORAMA MISSED ON HAZEL BLEARS… Anyone who saw Panorama on BBC1 last night will have seen Hazel Blears refuse to answer any questions on her expenses… The programme provided a good balanced view on the Salford MP but only hinted as to why Salfordians are so angry with Hazel. It’s about the knackered `regeneration’…it’s about Hazel virtually ignoring Salford while she was a Minister and now scurrying round looking for support…and it’s about the full expenses claims…over £9000 for food? Can You Forgive Your MP? Read this exclusive Salford Star story from October for the full details… And see/place comments on last night’s programme here SALFORD HAPPENING Star date: 8th December 2009 NO TURN UNSTONED presents… Following last month’s launch of the No Turn Unstoned live night at The Racecourse pub on Littleton Road, it’s back this Saturday by popular demand… Throw ‘Em A Kipper, which kicks off around 8pm, will see one live open mic night of raw explicit entertainment featuring poetry, live music, tall tales, comedy and way more – and it’s all free! Further details here… SALFORD HALLELUJAH Star date: 8th December 2009   HALO! HALO! HALO! Salford Choral Society Handel’s Messiah Saturday 12 December  7.30pm Royal Northern College of Music This Saturday the Salford Choral Society are bringing it on with a heaven lifting, halo scorching, angel snogging mix of Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Northern College of Music… Further details here…     SALFORD STAR WINS PLAIN ENGLISH AWARD!!! The Salford Star has won the Plain English Campaign’s Best Regional Newspaper Award 2008 The prestigious award was presented by Rory Bremner at a special ceremony in London. The judges said: “The Salford Star campaigns in the best traditions of a regional paper working to protect the interests of its local community. ”It’s presented in a magazine style which makes it easy to read. It uses good headlines and narrative with interesting articles aimed at the people of Salford.   written and produced by Salfordians for Salfordians with attitude and love xxx

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Tory local housing trust proposals ‘could hand veto to Nimbys’

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing
Friday 11th December 2009 – 9:41am