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Claire Wright, Hugo Swire, Tax avoidance

Sidmouth (non?) Conservative Club, a tax protest and Swire’s take on it all

The photograph below is taken at Independent Councillor Claire Wright’s demonstration on fat cat tax avoidance outside (on the public pavement) the Sidmouth Conservative Club, which until recently had a rather scruffy and spider-infested pic of Hugo Swire on its notice board.

Apparently, a person from the club insisted that it is “non political” though it appears in a list of Conservative member clubs

http://www.toryclubs.co.uk/page/website-linkup

and was keen to persuade the protesters to move away from the vicinity of the club when they protested last week.

For Mr Swire’s views on tax evasion and avoidance (which he appears to confuse) see here:

http://www.hugoswire.org.uk/news/blog-tax-evasion-and-avoidance

where he states:

“” … Even though companies may avoid paying tax on their profits, they do contribute to the public purse in other ways. Their employees will pay Income Tax and National Insurance, as well as any additional taxes they may occur. In the UK – when you add up VAT, business rates, national insurance contributions, and so on – about 30% of tax revenues come from businesses, of which only eight per cent comes from corporation tax. …”

So, that’s ok then. As long as WE pay our 20-40 % taxes and pay 20% VAT when we spend what’s left, the mega-companies that employ us (which should pay 20% corporation tax) can happily 3-4% max! If we tried that we would be given hefty fines or prison sentences!

Reminds Owl of tales of the old British Empire where, in Africa, people got paid by mine companies – and could only spend the money in mine company owned shops!

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Claire Wright, Democracy

Party politics: where black is white and white is black …

What an interesting political world we live in!

Tory MPs are told by David Cameron to take no notice of their constituency parties about Europe:

“Forty-four local party chiefs write to the Telegraph warning the Prime Minister he has no ‘divine right’ after EU referendum ‘snub'”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/12144564/EU-referendum-show-us-respect-local-Tory-party-chiefs-tell-David-Cameron.html

while Jeremy Corbyn does the exact opposite over Syria:

“When I was elected I said I wanted Labour to become a more inclusive and democratic party,” he adds. “So I am writing to consult you on what you think Britain should do. Should Parliament vote to authorise the bombing of Syria?”

http://labourlist.org/2015/11/corbyn-turns-to-labour-party-members-in-syria-dispute/

So, Tory constituency members are marginalised in favour of MPs personal views whereas Labour MPs are marginalised in favour of members’ views.

Don’t let anyone now tell you that a vote for a party MP is a vote for the party!

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Austerity cuts, Claire Wright, DCC, Economy, Hugo Swire, Tax avoidance

Claire Wright’s speech on tax avoidance yesterday

“Before I begin I have a small announcement to make.

If you have got trouble paying your tax bill, don’t worry … I’ve had a word with George and said to just give him a call and he will do a deal with you. You might even get three per cent!

So, despite the public outrage, Cameron and Osborne STILL think that a three per cent tax deal from Google after a six year investigation is a “major success!”

What do we think about that?!

And despite our government lobbying the EU to PROTECT tax havens, ministers still insist that this country is leading the way in clamping down on corporation tax avoidance!!

What do we think about that?!

And despite HMRC getting a pasting last November by the public accounts committee for its record on tax avoidance, the Conservative government STILL insists that it’s doing a great job on getting companies to pay up!

Over the weekend news broke that six large companies, including AstraZeneca and Shell, have COMPLETELY avoided paying tax in the UK!

Using tax expert, Richard Murphy’s figures we have estimated that Devon could lose around £380m every year to corporation tax avoidance.

£380m is twice the adult social care budget and 22 times the children’s care budget. Effectively, it is equivalent to around an extra £500 for every person living in the Devon County Council area.

That’s money that could be spent on our schools, our hospitals, children’s services and the elderly. All these services are horribly underfunded and horribly under pressure.

Over the past five years £174m has been shaved off Devon County Council’s budgets. We have seen the closure of care homes, youth centres, children’s homes, bus cuts, highways related cuts.

But things are about to get worse. On 10 February (we think) MPs will vote on yet more massive council funding cuts. Devon County Council is set to lose around £28m. This will mean the axing of school crossing patrols, the arts and a raft of other cuts. The social care budget is so under pressure that its scrutiny chairman said last week that the risks of the budget cuts are “massive.”

So this demonstration is aimed at both drawing Mr Swire’s attention to the modern day scourge that is tax avoidance AND also to the forthcoming vote in the House of Commons and how important it is for him speak and vote against it.

And Devon County Council has already urged Devon MPs to vote against the funding cuts.

Mr Swire is a Foreign Office minister for the Commonwealth and responsible for economic and commercial diplomacy, and so in a sound position to press for action on this issue.

I wrote to him about this a few weeks ago but the only reply I received stated that the email was being forwarded to the treasury minister, David Gauke.

This is all very well, but I think we want to know what MR SWIRE himself is doing about corporate tax avoidance – and where he stands on next week’s council funding cuts vote!

Otherwise some of us might start to wonder whether a more appropriate title for him should be Minister for Tax Havens!!

I organised this demonstration BEFORE the Google scandal kicked off, but I am absolutely delighted that it has prompted this issue to dominate the news agenda. The white light of public scrutiny is the ONLY way that we will ever see the rules change on this.

One last thing this is a protest demonstration and we need to demand action verbally as well as visually.

How about:

Hugo Swire: No ifs, no buts, vote AGAINST the council cuts!”

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Austerity cuts, Claire Wright, DCC

Good turnout for tax avoidance demo outside Sidmouth Conservative Club

Organised by Independent DCC councillor, Claire Wright. More information to follow.

http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/election-2015/pictures_tax_avoidance_protest_staged_in_sidmouth_1_4402492

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Austerity cuts, Claire Wright, DCC

Sometimes you wonder if DCC and EDDC are on the same planet let alone run by the same party

From the blog of Independent DCC Councillor Claire Wright. My comparison, EDDC’s majority councillors from the same party seem to be rolling on their backs to be ticklec.

County councillors today overwhelmingly agreed to urge Devon MPs to speak and vote against the swingeing funding cuts that are set to be debated in the House of Commons in mid February – possibly on 10 February.

I made the proposal at today’s joint budget scrutiny meeting, which saw all four scrutiny committees come together to scrutinise the budget, which is set to have £28m shaved off it by central government.

I said (among other things) that if enough MPs actually voted against the settlement central government might think twice about imposing such draconian cuts, which affect the most vulnerable in society.

It comes on top of £174m of funding cuts since 2010.

This year’s cuts will mean the removal of funding for the arts, school crossing patrols and many many other cuts within services, which will mean a poorer service for vulnerable people.

The tenor and tone of today’s meeting from all parties was total exasperation, anger and frustration with central government – firstly for providing news of the final financial settlement so late as to be almost impossible to set a budget within the required timetable. The public health budget isn’t even available.

Voicing his own frustration, Conservative deputy leader, Cllr John Clatworthy said of the delay “It’s really not good enough.” And referring to the areas (most) where Devon is hugely underfunded compared with other parts of the country, Cllr Clatworthy pointed the finger at local MPs saying: “MPs are the guys who should be doing something about this.”

Leader, Cllr John Hart said “This has been the most difficult budget so far. We still don’t know what the final settlement will be. If it is lower, it will have to come out of our reserves.”

The council’s reserves are among the smallest in the country and would last for just a few days if relied on for austerity funding cuts.

Cllr Sara Randall Johnson – chair of people’s scrutiny said: “The people’s department (social services etc) is very very fragile. Just a small number of adults or children would topple that budget.”

And speaking generally about the people’s budget, she said: “The risks are massive…”

A briefing to all Devon MPs described the scale of the proposed funding cuts as “unprecedented.”

Chief executive, Phil Norrey, pointed out that this was the last budget of the first stage of austerity and next year the council would be not only planning for three years, but would be looking at the complete removal of the government grant, to be replaced with by a new distribution of business rates.

Devon County Council will have to rely on business rates and council tax income only in the coming years. John Hart commented that he was sceptical that any redistribution of business rates would see Devon better off.

The joint scrutiny committees voted in favour of the the proposed budget and in favour of the increase in council tax of four per cent, on the basis that there was simply no other choice given the unprecedented government funding cuts.

The criticism of central government’s cuts as well as the tardy financial settlement was powerfully made throughout each recommendation.

Devon MPs are set to receive the minute this afternoon, urging them to speak and vote against the huge funding cuts.

Here’s the webcast – http://www.devoncc.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/195910 (my speech is at 57 minutes)

http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/devon_county_council_to_urge_mps_to_speak_and_vote_against_funding_cuts

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Claire Wright, Economy, Hugo Swire

Tax avoidance demo: Sidmouth, 1 February 11 am

From the Facebook account of Councillor Claire Wright (Independent, DCC)

PROTEST DEMO! BIG BUSINESS TAX AVOIDANCE RIFE WHILE MPs SET TO VOTE THROUGH HUGE FUNDING CUTS TO COUNCILS

MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY AT 11AM, ON PAVEMENT OUTSIDE SIDMOUTH’S CONSERVATIVE CLUB.
Please bring your own placards!

There will be a high profile PROTEST against the forthcoming vote in the House of Commons, which will see Devon County Council lose £28m, while big business tax receipts could fund Devon’s public services to around £380m.
The Conservative government’s austerity measures mean that our precious public services are being eroded each year, which is hitting the poorest and most vulnerable the hardest.

I wrote to Hugo Swire asking him to take action on t his subject last week—including speaking against, and voting against the budget cuts.

But this subject is too important to leave it there…..

Here’s a map – http://sidmouthconservativeclub.co.uk/map.htm

It is REALLY important that there is a big turnout to give a clear message that we think it is unacceptable that our council services are being cut so severely, while the government does little or nothing to address the persistent loopholes in the tax system.

The House of Commons vote will probably take place on Wednesday 3 February.
Here’s more information – http://www.claire-wright.org/…/devon_portion_of_avoided_cor…

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Claire Wright, Flooding, Tipton St John

Flood defence cuts ” false economy” says Claire Wright

” … In November 2014, a damning report from the National Audit Office (NAO)found the risk of flooding was indeed RISING as a result of government funding cuts. Furthermore, half the nation’s flood defences had been left with “minimal” maintenance, according to the spending watchdog.

The NAO also contradicted Cameron’s claim that his government was spending more than ever before on flood defences. Funding had fallen by 10 per cent in real terms, said the NAO, when £270m of one-off emergency funding after the 2013-14 floods was excluded.

Flood defences are big ticket items and hard to fund when the nation’s finances are tight. But not finding the money is a clear false economy, as well as causing misery to many people. The NAO report said every £1 spent on flood defences prevented almost £10 in damage. It noted that Cameron’s £270m bail-out was poor substitute for sustained spending: “Ad-hoc emergency spending is less good value than sustained maintenance.”

The government’s £2.3bn of planned capital spending on flood defences over the next six years compares to £15bn on roadsover the same period – and almost £16bn on high-speed rail. …”

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Comment-Cuts-spending-flood-defences-false/story-28533310-detail/story.html

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Comment-Cuts-spending-flood-defences-false/story-28533310-detail/story.html

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Claire Wright, DCC, Devolution, EDDC, Hugo Swire

Comments

Claire Wright asks: ” Why is Mr Swire angry over devolution criticisms?”

I see that Mr Swire has been publicly critical of those of us who have expressed concerns about devolution.

Devolution is essentially the transfer of some government responsibilities to local councils.

I am not opposed to the principle of devolution, however, Chancellor, George Osborne has strong-armed councils into taking on these extra responsibilities, which gives me a cause for considerable scepticism.

A group of councils in Devon and Somerset, as well as the NHS and businesses are currently negotiating a deal to be put to ministers for devolved powers.

As Devon County Council prepares to shave off nearly £40m again, from its budgets in a few weeks, thanks to austerity measures, it will be even less well equipped than before to provide vital services.

But now Local Enterprise Partnerships (run by largely by business people) must take a leading role in preparing a bid to government for devolved powers. Ministers have insisted that bids must be business focused.

At the Devon County Council meeting in December, councillors voted in favour of my motion to allow public consultation on the bid. Although, from Mr Swire’s recent opinion, one might be forgiven for thinking that this was a Conservative proposal!

East Devon District Council Independents (especially the East Devon Alliance councillors) have been very proactive in raising concerns about plans, which up until now have been extraordinarily vague and tricky to get to grips with.

From what I have seen however, the bids will be very big business focused. And politically conservative, with a huge emphasis on the importance of Hinkley Point for example … while renewable energy, which has been a thriving industry in the south west – or at least it will be until the 64 per cent subsidy cut hits in a few weeks, doesn’t appear to get a look in.

Mr Swire might not like Independents expressing opposing views to government policy (has he ever voted against the party line?) but I tend to take the view that councillors (and MPs) are here to represent constituents, not to protect corporate interests or nod in sage agreement with every ministerial announcement.

I have raised many important issues in many of my columns in this newspaper and invited Mr Swire’s to respond.

He appears to favour silence, however.

Here’s the article – http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Comment-renewable-energy-sidelined-devolution/story-28436976-detail/story.html

http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/why_is_mr_swire_angry_over_devolution_criticisms

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Claire Wright, DCC, Scrutiny, Transparency

Claire Wright calls for public scrutiny at DCC

It’s hard to see an argument AGAINST the public being able to speak at Scrutiny Committee meetings, but DCC seems to be afraid of it.

Transparency is something that all councils SAY they have but time and again they show that this is just meaningless.

Is DCC up to this? We shall see.

http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/ottery_st_mary_representative_calls_for_public_speaking_at_county_scrutiny_talks_1_4345549

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Claire Wright, DCC, Environment (local)

UK ” moving backwards” with climate change

With so many jobs now cut in Devon due to cuts in green energy projects we stand to suffer more than most from them.

“The UK has given up its leadership role at the UN climate talks in Paris and is “moving backwards” with a string of cuts to green domestic policies, according to Prof Anne Glover, the former chief scientific adviser to the European commission.

Her comments were endorsed by business people, NGOs, an ex-diplomat and two former ministers who are worried that the government is squandering the UK’s international standing on climate issues.

David Cameron told a gathering of world leaders at the Paris climate talks last week that they would have to answer to their grandchildren if they failed to agree a deal that stopped dangerous warming. But since taking power in May his government has been criticised for taking the axe to a series of green policies.

“The UK does not have a leadership role, nor is it regarded to have a leadership role in Brussels,” said Glover, who is vice-principal of the University of Aberdeen. “If we don’t lead, who does? To me it looks like we’re moving backwards.”

Ed Davey, who was energy minister from 2012 to 2015, told the Guardian: “No wonder the UK is being criticised in Paris – it’s the worst possible moment to undermine the UK’s strong record on leading the global climate change debate.”

http://gu.com/p/4fv6d

See how Devon County Council wholeheartedly supported these cuts yesterday in Claire Wright’s blog here:

http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/devon_county_council_tories_vote_down_urgent_debate_on_crippling_renewable

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Claire Wright, EDDC, Exmouth, Moirai Exmouth project

Swire to have ” talks” about Exmouth Splash

As a 100% supporter of the government’s “growth agenda” we can pretty much see how those will go.

On the other hand, there must be even more Claire Wright supporters in Exmouth than ever before …!

How to appear to keep both sides happy? Well, his Foreign Office job – which keeps him away from East Devon so much – in fact, almost all the time – should help there.

http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/mp_in_seafront_talks_as_group_campaigns_1_4342213

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Claire Wright, Hugo Swire

West Hill or Westminster – local author shares experience of Claire Wright campaign

PRESS RELEASE

West Hill or Westminster

“This is the remarkable story of an independent’s first ever campaign to win the Parliamentary seat of Devon East. In the 2015 General Election, lacking a party label, an experienced party machine and relying on private donations and friends, County Councillor Claire Wright, a hard-working and energetic candidate from West Hill in Devon, contested one of the country’s safest Tory seats. She won the highest number of votes, 13,140, of any independent in the UK. Only one other independent candidate attracted even 5,000 votes. Usually, independents fail to win more than a few hundred votes and their story is seldom heard.

This book offers a rare insight into what is necessary to challenge the big parties. Written by a member of the core team, it reveals the techniques and dilemmas, the problems and successes of the campaign. It explains how the independent, backed by hundreds of supporters, beat three of the four national parties. The developing drama is put into the context of the wider national political scene during the last 100 days and the immediate aftermath of the General Election is discussed.

West Hill or Westminster? will appeal to all those interested in politics, especially at grass roots level, and will be a revelation to the inhabitants of East Devon on the mechanisms behind their own election. This is the 10th book by Philip Algar. Initially an economist, he spent many years as an editor, journalist, lecturer and occasional broadcaster, working in 30 countries.

This book is available from local bookshops and from Amazon or Lulu within the next few weeks. The author, Philip Algar, can supply copies for £9.99 including postage and packing.”

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Claire Wright, NHS (local)

North Devon GPs powerfully challenge the closure of community beds

Our thanks to the blog of Claire Wright for this post from North Devon GPs to the Commissioning Group which has already closed community beds in our area –

Dear Dr Diamond,

‘Safe and effective care within the budget’ consultation

We, the undersigned GPs, would like to register our grave concerns over patient safety regarding the forthcoming plans of Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (NDHT) to close community beds, either in totality or part of the locality, in an unprecedented move before this coming winter as proposed in your current consultation paper.

The current consultation process for “safe and effective care within the budget” has been experienced as a hasty cost improvement process given the far-reaching safety implications of the proposed changes. Whilst we recognise the current context of austerity, we are concerned that the untried, untested closures of so many community hospital beds in this area could prove dangerous for a significant population of patients who might need to rely on community beds to bridge the gap between acute hospital care and their homes when they become severely ill this winter.

The population in North Devon is 166,093 with 1555 people living in residential care homes. There are 4 community hospitals in Holsworthy, Bideford, South Molton and Ilfracombe which has 10 community beds but is temporarily closed. The current 64 beds in 3 community hospitals are fully occupied. East of the Water near Bideford and Ilfracombe are among the most deprived areas in the country with complex health and social needs. Patients in our rural areas will have more difficulties in getting transport to North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) in Barnstaple should all the community hospital beds be closed. Patients in Holsworthy areas will have to travel 35 miles to NDDH should Holsworthy community hospital be closed.

We have particular concerns over the safety of these proposals that are being made in the absence of concrete plans for bolstering and investing in safe staffing levels of the existing very stretched community nursing service. Vulnerable patients this winter could find themselves with inadequate community nursing, physiotherapy and other ancillary services, as well as an over-stretched primary care GP services which will be forced into taking clinical responsibility in an inadequate and under- resourced system. The current time-frame does not suggest any contingency or risk and impact assessment to account for laying down sufficient and timely investment in community services and staff to prevent this.

It must be recognised that North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) currently faces frequent bed shortages, resulting with patients at times having to be placed temporarily in the day surgery unit overnight in bed state emergencies with inadequate facilities as in a normal ward and delayed admissions. Closing community hospitals beds will further compound this situation and may also affect the safe running of NDDH itself.

NEW Devon CCG’s suggested strategic direction is for a timely process of reduction in the numbers of community beds shared over a number of community hospital sites, with money saved by reduction of community beds reinvested in community staffing. This is a very different proposal.

If staff cannot be attracted to work at the community hospitals, it is unlikely they will be recruited in a timely manner to provide sufficient community nursing cover to the local population, resulting in unsafe levels of staff to cover patients discharged from NDDH in the community, often very early in the course of their illness with multiple needs, both medical and social.

Similarly, we are not convinced by the proposal of a community bed unit based at NDDH to be established in time for the winter prior to the closure of all community hospital beds, nor the proposal that a “Frailty Consultant” will be recruited in time to provide clinical guidance and leadership to those proposed beds at NDDH reserved for community patients. NDHT has had severe difficulties and is unable despite multiple advertisements in replacing recently resigned Care of Older People Consultants. North Devon population will end up with no community hospital beds, no consultant with the appropriate skills to provide clinical skills and direction and an over-stretched community service in addition to an acute hospital with bed shortages over the winter.

It has been suggested that the closure of Torrington Community hospital was a success. The truth of the matter is that these patients were often placed in other community hospitals which are still open and evidence shows these community beds are needed.

We agree that patient safety is paramount and as such we do not support the current “safe effective care within budget” plans and their time-frame. We propose NDHT engage all stakeholders including the CCG and staff for a timely and proper consultation to find the best and safe solution for our population.

Yours sincerely

Dr Glenys Knight, Senior Partner, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Mark Clayton, GP Partner, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Geoff Spencer, GP Partner, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Duncan Bardner, GP Partner, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Alison Stapley, Executive & GP Partner, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Yuk Chan, GP Partner, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Ed Bond, GP Partner, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Ruth Down, GP Partner, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Richard Davies, GP Partner, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Andrew Clarke, GP Partner, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Sarah Ansell, Salaried GP, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Nicky Relph, Salaried GP, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Steffan James, ST4, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Fiona Duncan, ST3, Bideford Medical Centre
Dr Alan Howlett, Senior Partner, Black Torrington Health Centre
Dr David Hillebrandt, semi-retired Holsworthy GP, Sessional and OOH GP
Dr Birgit Hole, Sessional GP
Dr Caroline Flynn, Session GP
Dr Chris Gibb, Senior Partner, South Molton Health Centre
Dr Justin Bowyer, GP Partner, South Molton Health Centre
Dr Rebecca Geary, GP Partner, South Molton Health Centre
Dr Wayne Sturley, GP Partner, South Molton Health Centre

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Affordable and Social Housing, Claire Wright, Cranbrook, East Devon Growth Point, EDDC, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation, Skypark

Comments

Did Claire Wright have a crystal ball when speaking about Cranbrook and the ‘Growth Point’ in 2012?

Here are a few comments she made at that time when she and other councillors visited the Growth Point on 11 May 2012l:

“I asked how many companies had bought space at Skypark.

Answer: None.

And Skypark has been marketed for well over a year.

I remembered the stark warning given by consultants, Roger Tym, who state on page 75 of their Housing and Employment Study 2011, that marketing for a 1.4m sq ft scheme at Langage Business Park in Plymouth has progressed over the last five years without success of obtaining a single occupier.

It is the challenge of dealing with large strategic allocations, they say.

Hopefully, Skypark will achieve full occupation in time. But it does rather put the challenge of filling the many and large industrial allocations for the rest of East Devon, into perspective.

If Skypark, in a hugely convenient location is not proving a goer (so far), what hope is there for almost 50 acres of industrial land allocated for Honiton?”

Recall that Asda pulled out of Heathpark and now EDDC is plugging the gap by moving there itself at enormous cost. Skypark is still mostly empty with its owners having gone on record to say it could take many, many years to rent it all out.

And, having just returned from a visit to Cranbrook on the same day, she wrote:

“When I got home I couldn’t help wondering whether:

– the Skypark would ever get off the ground, or instead would mirror the non-progress of Langage Business Park in Plymouth

– the Science Park would ever consist of any more than Exeter University’s Innovation Centre

– If the inhabitants of Rockbeare would be swallowed up by Cranbrook, following a highly dubious decision, backed by the majority of the Local Plan Panel (not me) and Development Management Committee, to allocate south of the A30 for future expansion, despite a promise that this would not happen

– the public would ever consider the millions of pounds of public money ploughed into ‘growth point’ and Cranbrook, as money well spent.

– What sort of town Cranbrook would become. How big would it grow? Would I enjoy visiting it?

I have no answers to these questions yet. No one does. Only time will tell.

I have to say I am already rather tired of the pictures in local papers of grinning councillor and developer faces at turf cuts, of the continual talk of ‘great excitement’ and the oft heard promises of thousands of jobs and creation of wealth, none of which has materialised yet… and may not ever do so.

That said, I genuinely hope that ‘growth point’ and Cranbrook are huge successes.

Mainly because any other outcome would be a staggering waste of public funding, not to mention an irreplaceable loss of beautiful countryside.”

http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/an_honest_look_at_cranbrook_and_growth_point

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Claire Wright, Exmouth

Claire Wright writes about Exmouth seafront plans in new Express and Echo column

Devon County Councillor and recent Independent candidate at the general election, Claire Wright, is not impressed with EDDC’s plans for Exmouth seafront:

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/letter-Claire-Wright-Exmouth-seafront-plans-right/story-27772921-detail/story.html

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Claire Wright, Hugo Swire

Hugo is handbagged …

This really doesn’t need any comment …!

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Claire Wright, Democracy

Comments

“Time for a political uprising?” asks Claire Wright

… The Independent Candidate who secured 13,000 votes at the last General Election:

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Comment-time-political-uprising/story-27646072-detail/story.html

And loved the comment underneath the web post:

KazzieLove1 | August 20 2015, 3:26PM
Can we have Claire’s commentary instead of Swire’s as a regular please E&E?

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Claire Wright, East Devon Alliance

East Devon Alliance hits the headlines

” … Another conversation that influenced me was with Paul Arnott, one of the founders of the East Devon Alliance. The EDA was formed only two years ago to take on the Conservative-dominated council, but it already has 10 councillors and the independent candidate it backed in the general election came second to Tory Hugo Swire, polling an astonishing 13,000 votes, well ahead of Ukip, Labour and the Lib Dems.

“I just wanted to take young Russell Brand and flush his head down the khazi,” Arnott told me. “It was so frustrating because we were doing precisely what he was advocating, though we were rather more middle-aged and unattractive. We really wanted to provide an alternative, but because unlike him we’re grown-ups, we knew the only way to do it is to put yourself up at local elections – do the hard yards first, Russell.”

I warmed to this notion of a disparate band of locals demanding greater transparency and accountability in local government, drawing support from all parts of the political spectrum and taking on the might of the Conservative political machine.

“People from different backgrounds could come together because they shared a similar radicalism as far as reforming governance was concerned,” said Arnott. “It’s made some quite rightwing people think very hard about the social economy.

This sounded like fluid, grassroots modern politics, not the class-based trench warfare of old. I mooted a national Citizens’ party to Arnott, the EDA writ large. “If you are prepared to launch the Citizens’ party,” he said, “the East Devon Alliance would be interested in opening talks with you.”

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/12/could-you-build-new-part-of-the-left-labour-jeremy-corbyn

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Claire Wright, Hugo Swire, Neil Parish, NHS (local)

Comments

Neil Parish to campaign to keep Axminster hospital open

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Letter-Neil-Parish-campaign-reopen-ward-beds/story-27512283-detail/story.html

Now, where is the same sort of letter from Hugo Swire about Ottery? Not just the anodyne phrases he has trotted out so far – some real fighting words.

He will say that, as a Minister, he cannot bring this up in Parliament. So why did people choose to vote for him?

Imagine what an Independent MP could have done, free from party shackles – including joining forces with Neil Parish to double exposure of the situation in Parliament.

It is all up to former parliamentary candidate and current DCC councillor Claire Wright now – and a great job she is doing.

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Claire Wright, EDDC, Tourism

Local Tory MPs agree with Claire Wright on tourism funding

We can recall not long ago Claire Wright being savaged by Leader Diviani and many of his cronies for daring to put forward a motion at EDDC for a cut in tourism VAT to bring it in line with other European countries:

http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/motion_on_cutting_tourism_vat_is_headline_grabbing_soundbites

As she wrote:

“I also asked for a recorded vote to take place. The conservatives voted against a recorded vote. … To much chuntering and heckling, the final vote was 23 votes against to 14 in favour. The conservatives voted largely as a block, with a few abstentions. Cllr Mike Howe DID vote in favour, however.”

Now it appears that South West Tory MPs agree with her:

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Westcountry-MPs-challenge-Government-tourism/story-27456110-detail/story.html

Which just leaves East Devon District Council out of step … again.