Monthly Archives: June 2017

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7 Jun 2017

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Accountability, Claire Wright, General Election, Hugo Swire

Claire Wright hits Russia Today news, Swire whinges!

But just to be clear – she has NOT run an anti-Brexit campaign – she has accepted Brexit and has campaigned to have it scrutinised by MPs in Parliament.

Meanwhile, all Swire can do is whinge about media bias!

https://www.rt.com/uk/391134-independent-devon-wright-swire/

While Claire is attracting young, old, male, female, urban and rural voters, this is Swire’s most recent campaign photograph:

This is (one of) Claire’s teams:

Vote for Swire: Vote Swire, a vote for old men! Vote Wright: a vote for everyone!

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6 Jun 2017

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Accountability, East Devon Electoral/Returning Officer, EDDC, General Election, Voting

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Postal vote cock-up entirely EDDC’s fault – postal ballot papers “could have been run off on a home printer”

“Postal votes sent out to voters in East Devon without an official security mark were printed by East Devon District Council, it has been confirmed.

The Acting Returning Officer for the East Devon Constituency, Mark Williams, issued a statement earlier this week to reassure postal voters who have not yet returned their postal votes after the postal votes after packs that were issued on May 25 contained voting slips that did not have an official security mark visible on the front of the ballot paper.

It has now been confirmed that it was East Devon District Council who were responsible for printing the ballot papers.

Latcham Direct Limited, who are is a specialist digital print, direct mail production, print management, document management, and fulfilment operation, have been commissioned by EDDC for services that in their annual reports are for printing and for postage.

A spokesman for Latcham Direct said: “Latcham produced the postal vote statements and enclosed the matching BRE’s into outer envelopes keeping in strict sequential order, and returned back to East Devon.

“East Devon printed the ballot papers and hand enclosed them into the filled packs from Latcham Direct ready for distribution.”

It is believed that this means that it was East Devon District Council who were responsible for the mistake that has been put down to ‘human error’.

East Devon District Council were contacted for comment but a spokesman said that they did not wish to add anything further to the previous comments that they had issued.

A statement issued by Mr Williams had said: “It has come to my attention that the postal vote packs we issued on 25th May contained voting slips that did not have an official security mark visible on the front of the ballot paper. This has affected a total of 9,000 postal voters.

“I want to reassure those postal voters affected that if they have not yet returned their postal votes they should still do so. We have taken all the necessary steps to ensure the postal votes are valid and will be counted. I apologise for the error but want to reassure postal voters that they should still complete their postal voting statements and return their postal voting envelopes back to me for validating as part of the normal postal voting process.

“To be valid, a postal vote has to be accompanied by a valid postal voting statement containing the voters date of birth and signature. After these are checked, the envelope containing the postal voting slip is opened and the slip is put into a sealed ballot box where it is kept safe until the formal count. My postal vote opening teams will ensure that all validly completed postal votes are double checked so that they will go forward to the count along with all the other votes that will be cast on polling day itself.”

But calls have been made for Mr Williams to resign from his post after the ‘unforgiveable mistake’ and the chairman of the East Devon Alliance has said they are appalled that Mark Williams is even in his post to be able to commit this unforgivable mistake after the ‘disaster’ of the 2015 elections, in which Parliamentary, District and Town council elections were all held on the same day.

The Electoral Commission have been informed of the postal voting error.

But the ‘cock-up’ has left Paul Arnott, chairman of the East Devon Alliance, furious, and said that he would have more confidence in a village raffle than in Mr Williams running the forthcoming election.

Mr Arnott said: “The East Devon Alliance is appalled that Mark Williams is even in his post to be able to commit this unforgivable mistake. In 2015, after the debacle of the elections for town, district and Parliament, we wrote a measured report, in which our concerns included his prematurely calling results at his chaotic count for district elections with no reference to candidates or agents even when majorities were easily within the need for a recount.

“As a result we are not confident that two current serving councillors were duly elected. He had no control over who was at the count itself, and we know about the 2015 disaster with the postal vote. All our concerns in 2015 were mirrored by a report from the Elecotral Commission.

“As a result, I was successful this year in demanding that the County Solicitor’s office and the Electoral Commission observed the County election last month. Under this level of scrutiny the conduct of the 2017 county election was unrecognisable from the disgrace of 2015.

“Now we are witnessing the final tragedy for democracy in East Devon because Mr Williams remains in position to make what must be his final mistake.

“How is the electorate meant to trust that he forgot to check before sending out no fewer than 9,000 postal votes that they did not bear any proper markings? It’s his job to check them and to have a commissioning relationship with the printers.

“How did these ballot papers, which frankly any of us could have run off from a home printer, ever get to be created? This must be the last election he ever runs and we will be issuing a report on this and take it to the highest level. The dog has eaten his homework for the last time.

“Meanwhile the only honourable act for Mr Williams himself is to resign from all future electoral activities, including voter registration, his laxity in which was condemned by a committee in Parliament. I never thought I would live to be a 55-year-old citizen of one of the most beautiful parts of the world and be unable to assure my children that they are able to trust the electoral processes here anymore than in some underfunded and unfortunate part of the developing world.”

A spokesman for East Devon District Council said that the mistake was ‘simply the result of human error for which we apologise’.

They added: “A total of 9,000 postal votes were involved but as we have outlined in our statement the issue has been remedied. We want to reassure those postal voters affected that if they have not yet returned their postal votes they should still do so as we have taken all the necessary steps to ensure the postal votes are valid and will be counted.”

A spokesman for the Electoral Commission said: “The Electoral Commission is aware of the issue surrounding postal ballot papers in East Devon which were issued without an official mark. We were contacted by the Acting Returning Officer and provided advice, and steps have been taken to ensure that these ballot papers will still be counted and nobody will be disenfranchised in the UK Parliamentary General Election.”

http://www.devonlive.com/east-devon-district-council-were-responsible-for-printing-faulty-ballot-papers/story-30374445-detail/story.html

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6 Jun 2017

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Accountability, Democracy, Police (local), Scrutiny, Transparency

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Swamp watch: “Crime czar set to appoint old Tory council colleague as deputy commissioner”

Owl says: Owl says nothing – it’s speechless!!!!!

“Crime czar Alison Hernandez looks set to name a Conservative colleague from her local council days as her second-in-command.

The Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner admitted in April this year that she was considering appointing a deputy commissioner to share the workload, including increased scrutiny.

She had toyed with the idea of campaigning for office alongside a running mate last year but eventually stood alone on the Tory ticket and was elected in her own right.

Now fellow Conservative and Torbay councillor Mark Kingscote has emerged as the strong favourite and is likely to be announced later this month, Devon Live understands.

Ms Hernandez has declined to confirm the appointment of the 55-year-old NHS support worker, who specialises in mental health – one of the areas she has identified she needs extra help.

Cllr Kingscote, chairman of Torbay’s planning committee and a councillor since 2000, joined the commissioner at two public reassurance events in Exeter and Plymouth last week.

He told Devon Live on Tuesday that he had not “had a conversation about” nor been offered the post, which carries an estimated salary level of £50,000 a year though it is expected to be part-time and cost the taxpayer closer to £30,000 annually.

However, he said he believed he had the experience to take on the role.

“I am more than capable of doing the job so I don’t see why not,” he added.

“I am chairman of the planning committee, have been on the scrutiny panel for more than four years and am perfectly capable of putting my hand to lots of different things.

“I have known Alison for a long time and we have worked together on lots of community projects in the past.

“I went down to help her last week – she said “do you want to come along?” and I said “yes”. It was quite casual, just supporting her really.

“I have been doing community engagement for a long time so it’s not unusual that I would get involved in a thing like that.

“I have been involved in diversity and supporting the police in wards I represent.”

Ms Hernandez is free to appoint a deputy, as other commissioners have, without approval from the Police and Crime Panel, which is set to convene early next month.

However, the appointment would be subject to a confirmation hearing within 21 days of any announcement, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has said.

The commissioner’s predecessor, fellow Conservative Tony Hogg, also took on paid help in the role.

He recruited Jan Stanhope for strategic support after he was elected, paying her around £20,000 a year for a two-day post, although she was not officially designated as his deputy.

Phillipa Davey, a Labour city councillor in Plymouth and a member of the panel which oversees the work of the commissioner, said she had not been informed that an announcement ahead of next month’s meeting.

However, she said that if the appointment of Kingscote was confirmed, it smacked of nepotism.

Kingscote, who was born in Torquay and has been in the NHS for 25 years, is the elected member for Shiphay with the Willows, a ward Ms Hernandez used to jointly represent alongside him.

“I have to be careful what I say as at the moment I don’t know anything at all about the appointment or his credentials, she told Devon Live.

“It does seem a bit odd – jobs for people’s friends.

“I would be interested to know what experience he has and how qualified he is to do the job especially as this is a new post which we will all be paying for.

“We are going to have to wait and see what is announced.”

The plans for a deputy come after the £100,000 a year chief executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner left last week.

Andrew White, who was recruited by Mr Hogg, has been hired by Lincolnshire Police to work as second-in-command to chief constable Bill Skelley.

Chief cons Skelly, who left his previous job as assistant chief constable in Devon and Cornwall last year, has hired White to become the force’s most senior civilian officer.

Ms Hernandez declined to comment on Cllr Kingscote’s potential recruitment, but she defended her plans for the appointment of a deputy in April.

She said: “Half of all police and crime commissioners, of all political colours, have appointed deputies – some also have assistant PCCs as well.

“Our strategic alliance partners in Dorset already have a deputy PCC.”

She also said a deputy could carry additional formal responsibilities on scrutiny and could play a greater role with elected members.

“This is the largest policing area in England, with a population of 1.7 million, 18 MP constituencies, three unitary authorities, one two tier authority, numerous districts and offshore islands.

“There are eight community safety partnerships, two fire services and a number of clinical commissioning groups. I plan to play an even greater part alongside all these partners.

“HMIC has identified a number of areas for improvement recently, including the critical area of crime recording in which the public must have confidence.

“Both these areas require considerable scrutiny.

“Therefore I am considering having a deputy to provide specialist support and advice in these areas and also to enhance our understanding of mental health issues.

“I have not made a final decision about appointing a deputy. It is something I am considering.

“Should I decide to make an appointment I will need to provide the Police and Crime Panel with terms and conditions for their confirmation hearing and that will be publicly available at that time.”

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners has said the law allowed commissioners to appoint a deputy.

“It is a matter for the local PCC to decide if he or she wishes to do this,” it said.

“In the event that a PCC is incapacitated or unable to fulfil their duties for any length of time, it is the role of the Police and Crime Panel to appoint an acting PCC.

“If the absence continues for longer than six months, then a PCC election must take place.”

http://www.devonlive.com/crime-czar-accused-of-jobs-for-the-boys-after-appointing-party-colleague-as-deputy-commissioner/story-30374165-detail/story.html

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6 Jun 2017

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Accountability, Democracy, EDDC, Scrutiny, Transparency

“Perception of rubber-stamping holds scrutiny back, research suggests”

“The top three reasons that local government scrutiny is felt to lack impact are a perception that it exists to rubber-stamp cabinet decisions, fails to address pressing issues and ignores the public.

Those findings have come from the Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS)’s 2017 perceptions survey.

This also found that overall confidence in scrutiny’s ability to make an impact was down by 8.5% on the 2016 survey.

The greatest constraints on successful scrutiny were under resourcing, cited by 53% of respondents, internal culture, mentioned by 41%, and lack of skills (15%).

Responses showed that 74% of people thought party politics affected scrutiny, though 76% thought scrutiny’s role was understood.
Two factors found to be common in successful scrutiny operations were focusing on priorities and fostering a culture where challenge is valued.
The more positive this culture the more scrutiny was valued although 39% of respondents felt cabinet members were broadly negative about the role of scrutinisers.

Scrutiny was imposed on all but the smallest councils as part of the reforms of the Local Government Act 2000, which introduced the cabinet system.
The Communities and Local Government select committee had, before the general election was called, launched an inquiry into the effectiveness of scrutiny in councils.

CfPS is an independent charity that seeks to promote the use of scrutiny in public services.”

http://localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31422%3Aperception-of-rubber-stamping-holds-scrutiny-back-research-suggests&catid=59&Itemid=27

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6 Jun 2017

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Accountability, Claire Wright, General Election, Hugo Swire, Voting

“Devonshire Darling set to unseat ‘Dinosaur’ on the Jurassic Coast”?

“In the pretty Devon town of Ottery St Mary, home to the Weasleys and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, an electoral storm is brewing among the cream teas. Independent candidate Claire Wright may be about to wrest the seat from long-time Conservative MP Hugo Swire. And it’s all down to people power.

With 700 active supporters and 400 publicity boards across East Devon, and leaflets delivered to 45,000 homes, Claire is taking on the might of the Conservative party with the backing of literally thousands of local people. Her crowdfunding appeal has raised over £12,000 in just 4 weeks: with 75% of donations being in small amounts of £50 or under.

At the 2015 General Election, Claire gained 13,140 votes from a standing start, winning 24% of the vote. Since then, she has been re-elected as County Councillor for Ottery, with a stunning 76% of the vote on a high turnout. One of Claire’s team said “Claire stood up to Hugo in 2015, and despite a brilliant campaign got knocked back down. Instead of accepting defeat, she used that experience as a platform from which to fight even harder for the people of East Devon. If you’d asked me when I moved down here in 1995 that my vote could make a difference in this safe rural Tory seat, I would have laughed.” But now the team are quietly confident that the support they’re feeling on the streets will be translated into a massive vote this Thursday.

“It’s amazing” Claire said “after a recent hustings in Exmouth, people were queuing up to shake my hand, and telling me ‘you’re the only person who has bothered to try to win my vote’. One of my team was stopped in the street by a man waving my manifesto who wanted more information: he will be voting for me. Young people voting for the first time, older people who are worried about the dementia tax, doctors, teachers, mothers with young children, students, the unemployed, a whole range of professions, all are uniting in a shared desire for a passionate, caring, hardworking MP for East Devon.’

‘A Sidmouth woman marrying an Exmouth man took time out from her wedding day on Saturday to have her photo taken with one of my boards. All her family are voting for me this time’.

Joshua and Jamie Anderson (aged 21 and 19 respectively) are from Exton on the river Exe. They said “We would prefer to vote for our own parties, but having read Claire Wright’s manifesto, we are happy to put our preferences aside and vote for her. For too long, the Tories have treated East Devon as a safe seat and Mr Swire has been neglecting us – and getting away with it. Whatever party you belong to, we need to rally now behind Claire Wright, our only hope in East Devon.”

West Hill resident and Claire’s team member Lisa Simpson said “I’ve been a Labour supporter since I was old enough to vote and never contemplated supporting another party, nor indeed tactical voting, but I was won over, not only by a realistic opportunity to unseat a Conservative MP but by Claire’s integrity and work ethic.”

But it’s not only Labour and Lib Dem supporters who are putting up her posters “There are disenchanted Conservatives, angry that their man did not bother to attend hustings, showing their support. The local Green party is backing me all the way. But more importantly, people who’ve never voted before, young voters, people who abstained last time, are realising they can be part of a quiet revolution right here in Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth. We’re demonstrating a new way of doing politics that responds to local people and seeks consensus rather than confrontation.”

Pollsters, bookies and tactical voting sites all agree that she’s offering a strong challenge. All the tactical voting sites endorse her: Best for Britain and Tactical 2017 see her as the best option to defeat the Conservative. Yougov polling shows Wright and Swire running neck and neck. And William Hill have been progressively shortening her odds over the last few weeks: she’s now at 3/1. Even Booker prize-winning writer Hilary Mantel has endorsed her campaign, saying ‘she is local, energetic and knowledgeable… Claire Wright is the candidate who will speak up for Devon East.’

The final word goes to a key member of Claire’s core team: “This campaign has been life-changing, energetic and electric. From the moment our voluntary core team was created and more than 500 people immediately offered to support Claire, it was clear that something extraordinary was taking place. Watching people rise up to support a person of genuine integrity, sincerity and morality through giving support, time and money, has been amazing and emotional. Democracy in its raw and rarest form is taking place right here in Devon and we are all a part of that story. The welfare of the people in this Constituency is finally being placed above the interest of the wealthy minority by a figure that people are willing to stand behind, protect and defend. But there is no aggression, no fear, no anger. What is taking place in East Devon is a considerate, positive and energetic revolution, with Claire Wright at the helm; our Devonshire darling”

Can that darling, the most successful genuine independent in the UK in the 2015 election secure a historical victory in 2017? With the right amount of local support: Yes she can!

As Margaret Mead put it: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”.

Or as local boy Samuel Taylor Coleridge said “Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm.”

Source: press release

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6 Jun 2017

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Claire Wright, General Election, Voting

Could Claire Wright become a king or queen maker if elected? Probably!

According to this poll if there is no overall control one Independent could indeed be one of the most powerful MPs in Westminster!

Do right, vote Wright!

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6 Jun 2017

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Accountability, General Election, Lobbying, Scrutiny, Transparency

“‘Chilling’ Lobbying Act stifles democracy, write charities to party chiefs”

“Charities have been forced to change their key messages to the public during the general election because of the “chilling” effect of the controversial Lobbying Act, a group of leading UK organisations has warned.

Democratic debate on some of the biggest issues in the election campaign has been stifled by the law, a group of more than 50 charities writes in a letter sent to the main party leaders on Monday night.

“Voices are being lost at this crucial time, and our democracy is poorer for it,” they said. Their concerns echo those of many charities, particularly in the field of social care, which told the Guardian they were unable to raise vital concerns over, and experiences of, the impacts of current and future policies.

Charities say ‘gag law’ stops them speaking out on Tory social care plans
The Lobbying Act restricts what non-governmental organisations can say in the year before a general election. Billed as a brake on corporate lobbying as well as NGOs when it was brought in, its provisions have fallen harder on the non-profit sector, leading to an independent commission and the House of Lords recommending amendments.

In their letter, more than 50 UK charities called for the urgent reform of the controversial legislation, which they said was having a “chilling effect” on debates over policy ahead of Thursday’s snap election. They warned that charities were “weighed down by an unreasonable and unfair law which restricts our ability to contribute fully to a democratic society”. …

Theresa May’s decision to call a snap general election caused particular consternation because it means all charities’ communications in the preceding year fall under the rules retrospectively. When the act was introduced under the coalition, charities were reassured by ministers that parliamentary elections would be on a five-year cycle, giving them time to formulate and publicise key messages ahead of the formal start of any election campaign.

A review by the Conservative peer Lord Hodgson found that “the right balance” had not been struck in the act “as presently drafted”, and a House of Lords committee found the rules “threaten the vital advocacy role of charities”.

Labour and the Green party have called for the legislation to be repealed, while the Liberal Democrats and the SNP have urged reform. Baroness Parminter, the Lib Dem peer, said the act was “pernicious” and was having a chilling effect on democratic debate.

Within the next few days, the UN special rapporteur will present what is expected to be a critical review of the act and its impact.”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/06/chilling-lobbying-act-stifles-democracy-write-charities-party-chiefs

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5 Jun 2017

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Accountability, General Election, Voting

Plymouth postal votes “go astray”

“A number of postal ballot papers appear to have gone missing on their way to voters in Plymouth.

Royal Mail and the council’s electoral registration office are understood to be investigating after receiving several complaints.

The BBC are reporting an “unspecified number” of ballot papers have “gone astray”.”

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/postal-ballot-papers-have-gone-missing-in-plymouth/story-30372759-detail/story.html

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5 Jun 2017

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Accountability, General Election, Hugo Swire

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Where does Swire go to meet “ordinary people”?

Remember Swire refused to go to hustings because he wanted to go out and about meeting “ordinary voters”?

Darts Farm Vintage Car Show!

Anyone seen him anywhere more “ordinary”?

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5 Jun 2017

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Accountability, Austerity cuts, Police (local)

Devon and Cornwall Police chief calls for more resources

“The chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police has called for more resources following the London terror attack.

On Twitter, Shaun Sawyer said there should be increased spending on areas from counter-terrorism to community policing.

Mr Sawyer also thanked the public for its support for the police’s work. As a precaution, there are extra patrols across the region.”

Source: BBC Devon website today

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4 Jun 2017

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Accountability, Health and Social Care (local), Honiton/ Gittisham, NHS (local)

Meeting on the future of Honiton Hospital – 13 June 7 pm

Date for your diary:
June 13th – 7pm – Mackarness Hall.
There’ll be a public meeting to let people know the latest on the hospital.

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4 Jun 2017

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Misc

Swire to appear the evening before the election – tie and proof you are not on benefits useful!

Telfer Centre, Exmouth Community College,
Gipsy Lane
EX8 3AF

7 pm
Wednesday 7 June 2017

He’s not daring to appear alone – he is bringing Daily Telegraph journalist Simon Heffer, also known for controversial comments about the Hillsborough Football disaster, saying that a welfare benefit culture meant that people from Liverpool gave them a “deeply unattractive psyche”. He has opposed getting rid of hereditary peers and bemoans the fact that most British men no longer wear ties!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Heffer

So, Owl suggests that you attend in a double-breasted blazer, old school tie and perhaps show proof that you are not in benefits! Especially as we know Swire despises poor people too:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3008182/Tory-minister-filmed-cracking-jokes-people-benefits-glamorous-party-fundraiser.html

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4 Jun 2017

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Accountability, General Election, Hugo Swire

Swire: Daily Telegraph had him taped in 2008!

Some extracts from an article in the Daily Telegraph from July 2008 when Swire was “last executive standing” at Photo-me which had got in financial difficulties. It was eventually sold to Sunday Times Rich List executive Serge Crasnianski and he gets an “advisory allowance” of £3,000 per month for approximately 8 hours work in that period as detailed in this article:

https://eastdevonwatch.org/2017/05/31/swires-other-jobs-which-includes-advice-to-a-company-that-owns-jolly-roger-amusement-rides-ltd/

The profile was written after he was “sacked from David Cameron’s shadow cabinet after a brouhaha about Tory policy on museum admission charges” but before he became a Government Minister.

THE EXTRACTS:

“Life has been something of a pigsty for Photo-Me, best known for its photo booths in shops and train stations. So it’s familiar territory for the MP for East Devon, whose prize possession is a five-year-old show pig called Maud. …

With his ivory shirt, pale blue tie, military bearing and slightly thinning comb-over, the 48-year-old bears many of the hallmarks of an old-school Tory.

Eton-educated and raised in the Oxfordshire village where Cameron now resides, Swire is married to Sasha, novelist and daughter of the former defence secretary Sir John Nott, and is a member of the Swire shipping dynasty. …

As for the Swire empire, he has but “a small number of shares” in one of its subsidiaries. “It’s a huge international conglomerate controlled by my relations, and my relations with them are extremely cordial but they are genetic rather than financial… unfortunately,” he chuckles, charmingly self-mocking.

“It was useful shorthand for people to assume that I am, first, a multi-billionaire and, second, an Eton crony and deputy of David, but none is based on fact – alas, in both cases.” [Cameron gave him one of the croney knighthoods when he jumped the Brexit ship last year]

… Swire, who joined as a non-executive director in 2005 – before taking the interim chairmanship in April and, more recently, the permanent chairmanship – bought 25,000 shares at 85p in 2006. They closed at 12p last week. Whoops.

… So what of the £4.3m the company splurged on advisers’ fees relating to the failed sale of the vending division? “It is extraordinary, extraordinary,” says Swire. “And perhaps the only guy who’s more unhappy about that than me is Thierry Barel, who just cannot understand it.”

Erm, hold on, did Swire not know at the time how much money was being spent? “Well, I wasn’t the chairman.” Yes, but he was on the board. “Well, yeah, we did know it was happening but what could we do at the time? We had to produce the data and when you start having accountants producing that kind of data, lawyers and things like that, we all know the fees ratchet up.”

… Swire’s desire is to hand over the chairmanship before too long to re-enter top-level politics and realise an ambition of over 30 years. “Nothing is forever in life. I am up for re-election as a non-executive in October and it may be that shareholders don’t want me to continue at that point, or it may that I don’t want to continue at that point.”

Then he lurches into political fantasy [except unfortunately for us, ir wasn’t]. “I think I will want to stay, but clearly if the Prime Minister goes down badly in the Glasgow East by-election this week and is forced to resign and an incoming Labour PM calls a snap election, it’s not impossible that by the autumn that we might be in a General Election, in which case if the Conservative Government were to win, maybe I would be asked to step up to some plate in the Prime Minister’s Cabinet, in which case outside interests have to go anyway. [You can see here how far in advance Tory plans are made]

“My guess is the maximum I will be at the company is two years – that’s assuming that I am offered a job by David.” [The bloke he says above isn’t a croney] Then he pauses and reflects. “So maybe I’ll be at the company forever!” [Indeed, that is what seems to have happened]

Despite his winning self-deprecation, Swire looks well-qualified for government, especially a role relating to the arts, although his old job is occupied by Jeremy Hunt. [Oh heck!]

“I think it’s very difficult for me to aspire to that job when it is being occupied by a very capable colleague, so I don’t think I am going to get it,” he says, before adding, with political savvy: “There are huge issues facing that department, though.

… Like Dave, he even had a spell in financial PR. He also boasts expertise in Middle Eastern politics [yes, seems he has been interested for a long time] and has a track history of fund-raising for charity [whilst making some very bad taste jokes about the poor]. Then there’s Maud the show pig.

If Swire and his team can lift Photo-Me out of the muck, it would surely be a comeback to rival the Tory renaissance.” [And, perhaps not surprisingly, it was!]

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/2793133/Hugo-Swire-MP-clicks-as-new-head-of-Photo-Me.html

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4 Jun 2017

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Accountability, General Election, Hugo Swire

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Terrorism, Saudi Arabia and Swire – a complex relationship

“An investigation into the foreign funding of extremist Islamist groups may never be published, the Home Office has admitted. …

[This inquiry was set up while Hugo Swire was at the Foreign Office

https://eastdevonwatch.org/2016/09/13/new-inquiry-into-arms-for-saudi-arabia-under-hugo-swires-watch/

after which, following his sacking by Theresa May, he became ChAirman of the Conservative Middle East Council and Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC)]

… The inquiry commissioned by David Cameron, was launched as part of a deal with the Liberal Democrats in December 2015, in exchange for the party supporting the extension of British airstrikes against Isis into Syria.

But although it was due to be published in the spring of 2016, it has not been completed and may never be made public due to its “sensitive” contents.

It is thought to focus on Saudi Arabia, which the UK recently approved £3.5bn worth of arms export licences to. …

Accusing the Conservatives of being “worried about upsetting their dodgy friends in the Middle East”, he said party had “broken their pledge to investigate funding of violent Islamist groups in the UK”.

He added: “That short-sighted approach needs to change. It is critical that these extreme, hard line views are confronted head on, and that those who fund them are called out publicly.”

It comes after Home Secretary Amber Rudd suggested during a leadership debate, that UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia are good for industry.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/home-office-terrorist-funding-report-saudia-arabia-focus-not-publish-conservatives-government-a7766381.html

SWIRE’S TAKE ON ARMS TO SAUDI ARABIA:

“I am reassured that the Government takes seriously its legal obligations as regards the licensing of arms for export to Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. The UK has one of the most rigorous licensing regimes in the world.

Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking into account the precise nature of the equipment and the identity and track record of the recipient. The Government has consistently said it does not, and will not, issue licences where it judges that the proposed export would provoke or prolong internal conflicts, or where there is a clear risk it might be used to facilitate internal repression or be used aggressively against another country. I have always fully supported this stance.

Saudi Arabia has publicly stated that it is investigating reports of alleged violations of International Humanitarian Law. This is an important process and the UK is fully behind thorough investigations into all allegations of violations of International Law. Finding a political solution to the conflict in Yemen is the best way to bring long-term stability and peace talks are a top priority.

As you know, the Saudi-led coalition confirmed in December that a limited number of BL755 cluster munitions that were exported from the UK in the 1980s were used in Yemen, including by a coalition aircraft not far from the Saudi border. The coalition, whose members are not parties to the convention on cluster munitions, has said that they were used against a legitimate military target and did not therefore contravene international humanitarian law. However, Saudi Arabia has now confirmed that it will not use BL755 cluster munitions further, which I welcome.

The Government continues to monitor the situation closely, using cross-Departmental resources to seek further information. Additionally, the Government continues to welcome any further information NGOs can provide.”

https://www.hugoswire.org.uk/sale-arms-saudi-arabia-0

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4 Jun 2017

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Accountability, Economy, EDDC

How many beans make 5 with the EDDC workforce?

Why has East Devon District Council not updated its “monthly” workforce statistics since December 2016?

http://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-business/our-performance/employee-statistics/

Has there been a sudden increase or decrease in the number of employees?

An increasing number of employees has been the trend for some time, defying the trend of reductions at other local authorities when “efficiencies” take place when income is reduced. If it has increased what exactly are the new employees doing, and at what cost?

But with at least £10 million to find for relocation, might it be decreasing and, if so what jobs have been cut?

Or, could the workforce be decreasing but wages costs rising – indicating shrinkage of lower paid workers but some big salary recruitment?

Remember, WE pay these people.

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4 Jun 2017

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Claire Wright, General Election, Hugo Swire

“Latest YouGov poll predicts Claire Wright to WIN in East Devon”

EVERY VOTE WILL COUNT!

“The political landscape of East Devon could be set to change as the latest YouGov poll suggests that Claire Wright is on course to win in East Devon.

The poll says that the Independent candidate has a 40 per cent likelihood of winning the seat, while Hugo Swire, the sitting Conservative candidate, has a 39 per cent chance of retaining the seat that he has held since 2001.”

Source: http://www.devonlive.com/latest-yougov-poll-predicts-claire-wright-to-win-in-east-devon/story-30366447-detail/story.html

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3 Jun 2017

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Accountability, General Election

Comments

1 Comment

Lies, damned lies and Iain Duncan Smith!

“Iain Duncan Smith suffered a rather unfortunate slip of the tongue while speaking on BBC Breakfast on Saturday morning.

The former work and pensions secretary was asked by Naga Munchetty about the confusion over tax pledges in the Tory manifesto.

She said: “Theresa May has dropped the triple tax lock.

“Why would you take it out only to come back in and say there would be no tax rises? This is very confusing.”

IDS responded: “What we are trying to get away with in the manifesto – get away from, rather – is the idea that you set out every single thing in detail, saying ‘we won’t do this, we won’t do that’.” …

https://t.co/SzZEjGESUA
(Huffington Post)

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3 Jun 2017

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Accountability, Developers/ Development, Taylor Wimpey

Another Taylor Wimpey new-build horror story

“Denise De Souza, 30, was seven months pregnant when she went to get a mug out of her kitchen cupboard in Dartford, Kent, before it fell on top of her and landed it on the floor. …”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4555608/Distraught-wife-feared-daughter-brain-damage.html