Daily Archives: 25 Apr 2019

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25 Apr 2019

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Accountability, East Devon Tories, Ian Thomas, Independent Councillors, Voting

Independents and “Independents ” – Owl’s view

Well, first of all, what a turn up for the books! Esteemed Leader steps down one week before local elections and, with it being too late to change ballot papers, will be described as “Conservative ” while calling himself “Independent”!

One (Well, Owl) has to wonder – why now? If he blames Tory NATIONAL policy for his decision – what is so different about this week compared to last week, or last month or last year? Nothing – it’s been an omnishambles for what seems like forever!

First, let’s tackle him becoming “Independent”.

Owl has already had a LOT to say about Tories opportunistically becoming “Independent” when the going gets tough, it looks like they might lose to REAL Independents but they want to remain comfy councillors. In reality, if on the very unlikely off-chance they win, they then go on to vote EVERY time with Tories. (And, in the case of “Independent” Geoff Pook, even get a Cabinet position or plum Chairmanship. Beer does like to think it is a bit different, but not TOO different!

No, many of these so-called “Independents” are nothing but panicking Tories either (a) wanting to distance themselves from a bloodbath (b) wanting to distance themselves from the former party in case they are not in the majority and EDDC’s books get opened to the former opposition or (c) Both.

Of course, Councillor Thomas may be telling it as he sees it. But surely, in that case, if you are disaffected with your party at national level, but you are deep-down a Conservative, the right and proper thing to do is to stay in it and effect change from the bottom up.

It hardly seems a ‘Damascene Conversion’ at this point. It seems more like someone seeing a ship sinking and seeing no alternative way of getting off it.

Just remember – REAL Independents have:

A TRACK RECORD OF REAL INDEPENDENCE

STANDING ON A PLATFORM OF DEMOCRACY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN COUNCIL BUSINESS

EMBEDDED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AS INDEPENDENTS AND BEING KNOWN FOR FIGHTING THEIR COMMUNITY’S CORNER

POLICIES THAT ARE DIFFERENT – REALLY DIFFERENT – TO THE MAINSTREAM PARTIES BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFERENT!

FIGHTING CONSTANTLY ON LOCAL ISSUES – COMMUNITY HOSPITALS, NHS, OVER-DEVELOPMENT, REAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EDUCATION, ANTI-ASSET STRIPPING, PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACES, NOT PUTTING BUSINESS PARKS IN THE WRONG PLACES, OR ROADS IN WRONG PLACES (WITH THE WRONG DEVELOPERS), FINANCIAL PROBITY …. PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICS

AND – ASKING THE AWKWARD QUESTIONS AND NOT BEING FOBBED OFF BY NON-ANSWERS

No, Councillor Thomas is an “Independent” not an INDEPENDENT!

Finally, Owl leaves you with its recent musings:

https://eastdevonwatch.org/2019/04/21/beware-far-right-candidates-posing-as-independents-in-local-elections-or-even-as-tories/

https://eastdevonwatch.org/2019/04/18/some-tories-dont-appear-to-know-where-they-live/

https://eastdevonwatch.org/2019/03/24/local-tories-panic-at-last-minute-and-ask-what-you-think-too-little-too-late/

https://eastdevonwatch.org/2019/04/08/tory-council-candidates-list-their-party-as-local-conservatives-in-an-attempt-to-separate-themselves-from-theresa-mays-leadership/

https://eastdevonwatch.org/2019/03/30/councillors-discovering-a-new-sense-of-purpose-just-before-elections/

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25 Apr 2019

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Accountability, East Devon Tories, Independent Councillors, Voting

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EDDC Leader deserts sinking ship one week before elections to become “Independent”!

For Owl’s reaction, see the post coming shortly above this one!

“Shock as leader of East Devon District Council quits the Conservative Party
Cllr Ian Thomas, who represents the Trinity ward, became leader of the council last May

The leader of East Devon District Council has quit the Conservative Party.

Cllr Ian Thomas, who represents the Trinity ward, became leader of the council last May. But just days before the whole of the council is up for election, Cllr Thomas has confirmed he is no longer a member of the Conservative Party.

He has resigned as leader of the East Devon District Council Conservative Group, but he remains as the leader of the council, until either the Annual Meeting on May 22, if he is re-elected to the council, and not elected as the leader. If not re-elected on May 2, Cllr Thomas has said he will step down on May 3.

In his resignation statement sent exclusively to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Thomas blamed the performance of the Party nationally for his departure and emphasised it had nothing to do with local issues.

He also added that if re-elected, he will sit as an Independent and work as hard as he can to ensure delivers the services Axmouth, Combpyne-Rousdon and Uplyme residents want and value, in a caring, open and transparent environment.

Cllr Thomas said: “With a heavy heart, I confirm my resignation from the Conservative Party on April 17, 2019.

“My decision was in no way related to the excellent case being presented by East Devon District Council Conservatives in the pre-election period. Theirs is an outstanding presentation based on the performance delivered by a capable and experienced Conservative led team.

“It rather reflects deep disappointment in the performance of the Party elsewhere.

“I have resigned the leadership of the East Devon District Council Conservative Group but, remain Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting on May 22, if re-elected; otherwise I will step down on May 3.

“I am arranging that all 2,192 electors in my home Trinity Ward receive a personal letter, hand delivered by my team and me. This confirms that should I be honoured by re-election, I will sit as an Independent Councillor not aligned to any political party or group, with this simple aim. To ensure that East Devon District Council delivers the services Axmouth, Combpyne-Rousdon and Uplyme residents want and value, in a caring, open and transparent environment.”

Cllr Thomas was first elected to the council in 2009 and has represented the Trinity ward ever since. He became leader of the council last May after Cllr Paul Diviani stepped down following seven years in the role.

Also standing In the Trinity ward in the elections is Labour candidate Sarah Birnie. Although Cllr Thomas has resigned from the Conservative Party and will sit as an Independent if elected, he will be listed as a Conservative on ballot papers as they have already been printed and sent out to those who have requested a postal vote.

At present, the Conservatives have control of the council, with 32 seats, following Cllr Thomas’s resignation from the Group. The Independent Group are the official opposition, with 14 councillors, while the Liberal Democrats hold seven seats with five further Independents, including Cllr Thomas, making up the 58 councillors.

Due to ward boundary changes, there will be 60 councillors elected on May 2, although three councillors have already been elected.

Mike Howe, as the only candidate in the Clyst Valley ward, and Steve Gazzard and Brenda Taylor as the only two candidates in the Exmouth Withycombe Raleigh ward, will be elected unopposed on May 2.”

https://www.devonlive.com/news/shock-leader-east-devon-district-2798046

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25 Apr 2019

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Accountability, Sleaze

“Boris Johnson paid £123,000 for delivering three-hour speech in Delhi, register reveals – live news”

“Wow! Latest register of MPs’ interests shows Boris Johnson earned – *opens calculator* – £161,149 (and 74p) for just TWO speeches last month, one in London and one in Delhi.”

Nice work if you can get it … second speech in the UK paid somewhat less!

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2019/apr/25/brexit-latest-news-developments-theresa-may-told-tory-mps-expect-her-to-resign-before-end-of-year-as-possible-new-brexit-vote-planned-for-next-week-live-news

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25 Apr 2019

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Accountability, Voting

Tory candidates suspended for ‘liking’ racist and inflammatory posts

” … Two Conservative local election candidates and a woman honoured with an MBE are among 40 new self-professed Tory members who have shared or endorsed racist and inflammatory Facebook posts including Islamophobic material, the Guardian has learned.

The torrent of racist posts include references to Muslims as “bin bag wearing individuals”, calls for the “cult” of Islam to be banned and the Qur’an being branded an “evil book”.

One female Tory supporter even called for a boycott of Muslim-owned shops and endorsed another comment labelling the religion’s followers “sub-human” and “cockroaches”.

Both of the council candidates – one of them claimed “Islamophobia was not surprising” in a rant about Muslims and said he would celebrate the death of the anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller – have now been suspended.

It comes as the Conservative party faces mounting pressure over its handling of Islamophobia. The Conservative peer Sayeeda Warsi has said Theresa May is “burying her head in the sand” over the issue and has led calls for a party inquiry.

Mohammed Amin, chairman of the Conservative Muslim Forum, is also calling for party chiefs to hold an inquiry into Islamophobia. He told the Guardian: “The serious question the Conservative party has to ask itself is: what is it about the image that it is projecting that causes people with these views to think they belong in the Conservative party? …

… The posts have been unearthed by the anonymous Twitter account @matesjacob, who has been exposing racism online among Tories. Online posts have indicated all of the members have joined the Conservatives. Among the tranche of material are posts shared or endorsed by two Conservative candidates in next month’s elections. …”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/25/tory-candidates-suspended-over-racist-and-inflammatory-posts

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25 Apr 2019

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Accountability, Sleaze, Tax avoidance

“Tories resisting efforts to allow scrutiny of secretive trusts, says Labour”

“The UK government has been accused of thwarting Europe-wide efforts to combat money laundering and terrorism by resisting measures to open secretive trusts to public scrutiny.

Under Europe’s fifth anti-money laundering directive, which comes into force next year, member states are supposed to give those with a “legitimate interest” a right to know what assets are owned by trusts and who the beneficiaries are. The Treasury is currently consulting on how it will implement the directive.

Labour says the government’s proposals, published this month, are “extremely restrictive” and will block enquiries by those who should have access to the data, such as journalists, campaigners and the victims of fraud.

Shadow Treasury minister Anneliese Dodds wrote to Philip Hammond on Thursday to urge a rethink. “Investigative journalists have done great work uncovering corruption,” she told the chancellor. “The UK government should not be blocking them from accessing important information.”

In the UK, vast tracts of land and property are controlled and passed from one generation to another using thousands of family trusts. They are used by the biggest landowning families, such as the Duke of Westminster, and by a number of current and former ministers to hold family fortunes. Investigations like the Laundromat series and the Panama Papers have revealed how such vehicles are also used to move and disguise fortunes derived from crime and the proceeds of political corruption.

Trusts are a favoured money-laundering tool because of the secrecy that surrounds them. There is currently no public register listing the names, beneficiaries or holdings of any UK trusts, but the new EU directive is designed to change this.

The tax office currently keeps a register of all trusts that pay UK tax. The new directive means that register will be expanded to cover all trusts, whether they pay tax or not. It will include those with UK resident beneficiaries, settlors or trustees, and foreign trusts that own property in the UK or have business dealings here.

The information will be accessible to law enforcement, to professionals with a duty to make money-laundering checks, such as lawyers, accountants and estate agents, but also, for the first time, to members of the public with a good reason for accessing the information.

However, the government’s consultation paper makes it clear that the Treasury is minded to take a cautious approach to information sharing. Those wanting access will need to already have evidence from another source linking the trust or its beneficiary to money-laundering or terrorism, and that evidence will have to be shared with the government.

Even then, the government reserves the right to refuse to share data if it impedes ongoing law enforcement investigations. Unlike freedom of information requests, the government intends to charge for access to the data. Its consultation paper suggests the charges could be significant, stating: “The government expects to apply fees proportionate to the costs involved in checking and compiling the information.” …”

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/apr/25/tories-resisting-efforts-to-allow-scrutiny-of-secretive-trusts-says-labour

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25 Apr 2019

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Accountability, Austerity cuts, Infrastructure

“£1.25m of taxpayers’ money spent guarding an EMPTY prison”

“TAXPAYERS have footed a whopping £1.25million bill on the running of a prison which has no prisoners.

HM Prison Reading was closed in 2013 and the huge complex has stood empty ever since.

And in the six years since the site was shut, the Ministry of Justice still hasn’t managed to find a new purpose for it, racking up costs to the public purse.

The upkeep on the giant jail has cost Brits an eye-watering average of £24,000 a month since it closed its doors in November 2013.

SECURITY COSTS

Between April 2017 and March 2018 alone, a staggering £303,727 was spent on “security” for the empty cells.

And another £177,236 has been splurged on gas and electricity to keep the complex lit and warm since its closure, despite the lack of inmates.

The figures come after a report found the UK has the highest prison population in western Europe with some 90,000 citizens behind bars.

The vast Grade II listed building was opened in 1844 and has housed several famous inmates over the years, including Oscar Wilde and current heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Decommissioning work and upkeep is necessary to make sure the site is suitable to be sold.

“Parts of the former prison are listed and need to be protected, so preparing for sale is complex. These costs include ongoing security and maintenance.

“Money raised from the sale of the building will be reinvested into the prison system.”

It is not clear when the prison will be sold on but Richard Carling from the Prison Estate Transformation Programme said it was hoped that an announcement would be made later this year.

PRISON CRISIS

A recent report from the justice select committee slammed the “enduring crisis” with the UK prison system’s failure to cope with prisoner numbers.

It said: “Whilst progress made on the Prison Estates Transformation Programme is welcome, the new-for-old strategy is not working as intended.

“Sites for new prisons have proven difficult to obtain, older and decrepit prisons have been forced to remain open owing to population pressures and receipts from the sale of existing sites do not cover the cost of building new prisons.”

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8934914/millions-spent-guarding-empty-prison-reading/

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25 Apr 2019

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Austerity cuts, Economy, Inequality, Poverty

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“Scrap Pensioner ‘Perks’ And Spend More Cash On Young People, House Of Lords Committee Urges”

“Pensioner ‘perks’ such as free bus passes, TV licences and inflation-busting pensions should be scrapped and more money spent on young people instead, a new parliamentary report has urged.

The House of Lords Committee on Intergenerational Fairness called for stronger worker rights for those in the ‘gig’ economy and new policies to create more affordable homes for sale and for rent.

Age impacts of all government policies, including a regular assessment in the Budget, should also be introduced in a bid to end the growing gaps in income between the young and old, the peers said.

The committee – whose members have an average age of 66 – warned that “mutual support and affection” between the generations had been “undermined” by years of unfairness on basic tax and benefits and housing and other public services.

Among the key recommendations in its report are:

ending the ‘triple lock’ on pensions, phasing out free TV licences based on age and restricting winter fuel payments and free bus passes to only five years after retirement age.

wealthier pensioners who keep on working past 65 should pay national insurance, ending the tax-free perk they currently receive.
a massive increase in affordable housing, as well as a radical new system of rent regulation

a default assumption of employment status of ‘worker’ to protect young people from exploitation in the ‘gig’ economy

a substantial increase in vocational and further education spending, plus Intergenerational Impact Assessments for all draft legislation

Committee chairman Lord True said that young and older people have strong bonds because they recognise the contribution the other makes and the challenges they face.

“However, there is a risk that those connections could be undermined if the government does not get a grip on key issues such as access to housing, secure employment and fairness in tax and benefits.

“We are calling for some of the outdated benefits based purely on age to be removed. Policies such as the state pension triple lock and free TV licences for over-75s were justified when pensioner households were at the bottom of the income scale but that is no longer the case.

“Young people told us they feel short changed by the housing market, so we are recommending policies to deliver a significant increase in the supply of social and private housing and recommend protections to give renters long term security be backed a new regulatory framework.”

Frank Field, who chairs the Commons work and pensions committee, said: “The committee has hit the bull’s eye. The injustices in both the housing and labour markets have served to torpedo younger people’s living standards in recent years.

“Will the government now seize this report and use it to forge a new contract with younger people?”

The Association of Colleges said: “The cuts to the education system have had big implications over the last decade. Many young people are leaving education without the qualifications needed to get on in life. Some of the ones who are gaining degree qualifications are often finding themselves in low-skilled jobs.”

But Anna Dixon, of the Centre for Better Ageing, said: “Headline grabbing proposals like abolishing free TV licenses based on age risk distracting from the big structural changes needed across housing, work and communities.”

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/scrap-pensioner-perks-and-spend-more-cash-on-young-people-house-of-lords-committee-urges_uk_5cc0c597e4b0764d31dc3aa5

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25 Apr 2019

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Accountability, Planning System

6 days to local elections – today’s picture

This:

Credit: Standing up for Milton Keynes

reminded Owl of this article about ex-EDDC ex-councillor Graham Brown (the video included in the clip is well worth watching!).

The article made the front page of the Daily Telegraph with the headline:

” ‘If I can’t get planning nobody will’ says [EDDC] Devon councillor and planning consultant.”

and includes the priceless recorded comment:

“I don’t come cheap,” the planning consultant added, stating that he was normally paid £80 an hour or between £1000 and £20,000 for a project.
His fees would vary “depending on the viability of the scheme, if we get it, like if I turned a greenfield into a housing estate and I’m earning a developer two or three million, then I ain’t doing it for peanuts… Especially if I’m the difference between winning it and losing it.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9920971/If-I-cant-get-planning-nobody-will-says-Devon-councillor-and-planning-consultant.html