Join Labour And Vote For The Leader - If They Like You

The Labour Party has always been a strange animal in my eyes but now it is turning into an absolute joke. Some may think it always has been but a political party that ruins the economy of this country whenever it is in power does not make me laugh.

Why is it becoming a joke? Simply because there are now calls from within the Parliamentary Labour Party for the leadership election to be stopped, suspended, cancelled or whatever word you wish to use.

You can if they like you and your politics!

Is this the Labour Party?

Why is this happening? Simply because you can join the Labour Party for £3 and then have a vote in their leadership election. Why is that bad in the eyes of Labour? Well because it might well mean that they will finish up with a leader that they don't want.

It would appear that this Democratic Socialist Party, according to the official Labour website, does not actually want either a Socialist Leader nor Socialists joining the Party. Anybody see the logic in that because I can't.

If the Labour Party, a Democratic Socialist Party, does not want a socialist leader nor socialists in the Party then what does it want? If it isn't socialist then what actually is it? What does it actually stand for? Does it stand up for its Democratic Socialist principles or does it understand that voters in this country are highly unlikely to ever elect a truly socialist government and therefore they are not going to be socialists in reality so that they have a chance to get elected? Does anybody really know?

Or is this the Labour Party?

It appears to me that Labour is a political party with neither heart or soul and without a clear path to follow. It is in disarray now. It was once explained to me that under that great Socialist Tony Blair, the left wing of the party made a decision to keep quiet, not rock the boat and not actually look to socialist principles whilst he was leader so that they could get into government. The latest debacle relating to the leadership contest would appear to confirm that to me. Don't be socialist because socialist policies are not popular. What are they then? Conservatives in dead sheeps clothing?

The New Boy At School - No Longer!!

Well it has been just over a month since I was elected to both East Lindsey District Council and Skegness Town Council. How time flies! In a past blog I likened the experience as being "The New Boy At School", which I do believe it was. I have to report that is no longer the case.

I would describe the whole experience as very busy and exciting. Not that I am complaining as that is what I volunteered for. For the record these are the committees that I attend, as well as attending Full Councils.

East Lindsey District Council.

• Scrutiny "A" Committee.
• Audit Committee.
• Planning Committee.
• Skegness Area Committee (Chairman).

Skegness Town Council.

• Direction and Strategy Committee.
• East Lindsey District Council/Skegness Town Council Liaison Committee.
• Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Joint Advisory Committee. (Skegness Town Council Representative)

In addition to all of that I am also the Chief Whip for the Conservative Group at ELDC. That is not quite as exciting as it sounds but the interaction that I have with the members has certainly let me get to know them and for them to get to know me also.

So as you can see there is plenty to do. I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of help that I have received from both the officers of both councils, those that are employed by the council, and also from my fellow councillors who have far more experience than I.

As well as all of the committee work there is also the personal issues that come your way from the residents. I have already been involved in a couple of things and I still have a couple of irons in fires for issues that I am still awaiting outcomes for. If anybody reading this has any issues that they think I can help with, then please do not hesitate to contact me and I will do whatever I can to help.

So that is it. I am in and learning by the day. This is going to be my life for at least the next 4 years. Am I looking forward to it? You bet I am. Bring it on as they say. Plenty to be done. Lot's of positives to be gained for the town of Skegness and despite what you may hear from the knockers and those with negative outlooks, there is every opportunity for the gains to be obtained.

£250,000 It Is Just Not True!

There is a story being put about and statements made that those councillors on Lincolnshire County Council are going to have their allowances increased by 22% at a cost of a quarter of a million pounds. This story is, quite simply, not true.

The facts are these. The Independent Remuneration Panel have recommended the rise of 22% which would have cost the tax payers of Lincolnshire £250,000. Because of this the ruling Conservative group prudently allocated this sum in the last budget in case it was agreed upon by the council that this rise should take place. Not to have done this could have led the council into financial difficulties if they had not made an allowance for the possible increase and it had come about.

As it turns out the ruling Conservative group have decided that, in the present economic climate, the rise was not something that was acceptable to them, nor to the tax payers of the county. They have therefore decided that allowances will be frozen for the next two years. A completely sensible decision. I believe that this will mean that allowances will not have been increased for 4 years by 2013 when the next county elections will be held. As far as I am aware all political groupings on the council are in agreement with this decision.

This decision, which will be ratified by the full council this week, means that the £250,000 will not now be allocated to councillors allowances and will therefore be available as "spare monies". I do not know how this money will now be allocated.

Readers may be interested to know that Lincolnshire County Councillors actually and traditionally receive smaller allowances than other councils in the East Midlands, so it could be said that they are good value for money.

So you see, this is really a non-story, with no basis in fact whatsoever.

The Highs And Lows Of Life

I think that I have rarely experienced so many soaring highs and diving lows in my life in such a short time as over the last 24 hours.

Firstly, I had a long-time ambition fulfilled by being elected to both East Lindsey District Council and also Skegness Town Council. The last few months of my life have been geared up to this election. I, like my party colleagues, have put so much work and effort into the campaign and the election itself that to be rewarded as we were was fantastic. Personally I was completely blown away by my election and also hugely pleased with the success that my colleagues have also enjoyed. To have been awake most of the time since early Thursday morning until now is a small price to pay, although I am paying it, believe me.

Then we get the low. Off I went to the home of Lincoln City, Sincil Bank, this afternoon, in the knowledge that my beloved Imps needed a win at home against Aldershot to ensure their survival as a Football League team. After not much huffing an puffing by a Lincoln side that only appeared to half-care about the plight they were in, a 3-0 home defeat ensued. Given that Barnet, our main relegation rivals, conjured up a 1-0 home win against Port Vale and thereby eased above us in the league, we have been condemned to a long and cold stay in Non-League football. A huge and despairing thing to happen to such a club with a history such as ours. So now I am as far down in the dumps as I was high in the clouds only 24 hours ago.

Life is nothing if not interesting and at least it is not predictable. Cest La Vie. Onwards and upwards. I will be working for the residents of Skegness whilst at the same time the hierarchy at Lincoln City Football Club are working to get my beloved team back into the football league.

I hope we both have a huge measure of success in our endeavours!!!!!!!

Flooding - Is The Risk Exaggerated? No New Homes In Skegness?

Have a think about this. How many of you actually believe that we on the East Coast are at a high risk of flooding? The last time it happened was 1953. When was the time before that?

Should we not put the possible risk, depending on what you believe it is, in perspective? Should we really be held to ransom by the fear of flooding, because that is the situation we are in at the moment.

No new houses to be built in the town for several kilometers from the shore-line. The Environment Agency have made it totally clear that they will oppose any new developments. Where will the growing population of the area live? Is this decision making investment into our area, both domestic housing and commercial/business investment more or less likely? I think that is pretty much a silly question. Of course it is going to put investors off. Where does that leave us?

There is light at the end of the tunnel however. A planning decision has been made in the South of the county, within the apparent flood-blighted area, has gone in favour of the applicant and against the wishes of the Environment Agency. This is excellent news as it gives hope to any other planning applicant to get a positive outcome.

In addition the MP for Boston and Skegnss, Mark Simmonds, is firmly on the side of those of us that believe that the Environment Agency are being  far too cautious regarding the risks. It would also appear that the government is also viewing this risk-assessment by the Environment Agency with some scepticism.

Hopefully then, we will be able to climb out from under the Environment Agencies risk assessment which has the potenial to damage our town and make our town a more vibrant place that investors can view as being a worthwhile and viable place to be.

And Yet Another Famous Man.......

Attended the launch of the Lincolnshire No 2 AV Campaign today at Lincoln. The guest speaker was a political hero of mine Kenneth Clarke, QC, MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.

He gave an excellent presentation as to why we should vote No 2 AV. He talked for the best part of half an hours, in a very knowledgable way without the use of any notes at all. He was very impressive. Afterwards he took questions on a wide range of subjects.

After the presentation and question and answer session there was refreshments, during which I was introduced to Mr Clarke. A very nice man. I don't always agree with his policies but still think he is an asset to both the Conservative Party and the nation.

On 5th May please vote NO 2 AV.

Definitely Not A Labour Of Love!!!

Those of you who read my previous posts on my original blog site will know that I am always banging on about Skegness Town Councillors having the ability and the desire to liaise with each other across the local authorities, i.e. East Lindsey District Council and Lincolnshire County Council. It is extremely important that this liaison is carried out for the good of Skegness as a whole.

I have long accused the Labour Councillors (some very much more than others) on Skegness Town Council of not wishing to do this for their own political ends and have said that this attitude does absolutely nothing to enhance the town or it's residents. Indeed, in my view, having such an insular outlook actually damages the prospects of the town and it's residents.

Last night proved my point. Let me explain.

Last night was the scheduled meeting of the Skegness Area Committee. This is a meeting which brings together councillors from our three local councils to hear of and discuss the important happenings that are directly affecting our area. This is an opportunity to exchange ideas based upon the agenda items and to hear what others think. A meeting of the minds and of opinions. To have your say and to help influence the policies of the future relating to our area. Very unfortunately, the local Labour councillors representing Skegness wards on both Skegness Town Council and also East Lindsey District Council were conspicuous by their absence. It is reliably reported to me that not one of them managed to attend. NONE. The Labour Party has the largest contingent of any one party on Skegness Town Council and none of them turned up last night. Now it is very much accepted that, on occassion, councillors cannot make it to meetings and committees, but for none of them to turn up is very much beyond the pale.

Perhaps the construction of an enormous eye-sore building on our beautiful coast relating to the wind turbines was not of interest to any of them? Perhaps there was not any real need for them, nor a desire, to receive a presentation regarding the local Youth Council, perhaps nothing else on the agenda tickled their fancy?

I am sure if they do need to find out what went on they can always ask any of their Conservative councillor colleagues from all three local authorities who did manage to attend. They will, I am sure, be more than happy to liaise with them to bring them up to speed. Working together for the good of the town does not appear to be a problem to them.