Happy Labour Bashing!

Well, of course we are! When there is a deep sickness in society (or anywhere else) it is no good tinkering with symptoms. Like a good doctor, we need to deal with the underlying illness, and that -- as has become increasingly clear in recent years -- is the Labour Government.

I have official figures (including from CIPFA, no less, so they are both official and independent) showing the extent of Medway's (deliberate) underfunding, to the tune of at least £25 million every year, and that is what is at the back of all the major problems in this area. Until that is overcome, matters here will not improve, owing to the stranglehold that those outside dictators have upon our area.

I have written on my own 'blog HERE that -- with the almost-inevitable ratification of the EU Constitution Reform/Lisbon Treaty, there will be no justification for a UK Parliament in future. I propose that all UK taxes go directly to the local communities, who would then, between them, effectively sub-contract some kind of national organisation to deal with the very few topics that (a) truly belong there and (b) still remain to be determined this side of Brussels.

If you disagree with any of this, I challenge you to put up your own proposals -- but do bear in mind that I and my colleagues here have very solid facts behind our stance, so it won't be a trivial exercise.

I can see that it would appear that we are Labour ‘bashing’.

However, this is an open forum, which the Labour Party is fully aware of.

The problem as I see it, is they (the Labour Party) know, that the articles published and highlighted here, are factual and accurate, and based on that, they are unable to join the debate.

Occasionally though, the façade slips.

One such instance is when Bob Marshall Andrews QC MP on the infamous ‘Have I got News for You’ programme, provided a definition of a neurotic and a psychotic. The inference of course, was in relation to a pair of gentleman living in Downing Street.

Honesty, it seems, appears in the strangest of places.

Politics requires at least a modicum of robustness to criticism, and honest constructive criticism can actually be a positive thing.

In fact, if all the critical comments and their suggestions for remedy are actually taken on board, Labour could streak ahead of the Conservatives.

That, of course, is too great a change sometimes to embrace!

Thank you Gary, I can see where you are coming from with this reply "the articles published and highlighted here, are factual and accurate, and based on that" and obviously opening debate is a good thing.

Col_M, you might be pleased to know that over at Conservative Home, many have been bashing the MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup. As the saying goes, there is a black sheep in every family.

Hi Col M, I totally understand where you are coming from, it must appear that way The problem is that all the cards are held by the government, which just happens to be Labour.

I’m pleased that you are interested in knowing the more positive things that we Conservatives are doing? I suppose that what we are most effectively doing both nationally and locally is challenging what the government and their cronies are doing in all our names in an effort that they might think twice about what they are doing.

Recently Medway Council received some more money out of the Government over and above the % that some other councils received. That was not done out of the goodness of their heart, Conservatives in the Council Chamber have been fighting for a greater financial share, as have we on Strood Conservatives. Our argument is based on truth and justice and if we need to keep stating this to embarrass the ruling party as via this site, then that is what we will do. Medway is still a long way off our appropriate funding, after all a % of nothing is still nothing so we will continue to fight. Medway with investment, could be a great place and I want the very best for Strood and its residents.

Occasionally we bash the Liberals, not because they are Liberals but that our past experience shows us that they say all things to all men, but the truth is that they too are a high spending Party and evidence proves that.

I have just posted an article “Strood Kids get their Kicks” which I think demonstrates a really good news story, led by Conservatives. Don’t forget my skate-boarding piece. What about the wonderful new library in Rochester attached to the Adult Education centre? I know there is more and I shall take on board what you are saying. It will be good to know what touches your buttons and to hear your concerns. Who knows, one day you may wish to join us in our efforts and even join the Conservative Party. If interested, why not get in touch with me.

Leaving aside party politics and observing dispassionately, I have been impressed by the Conservatives in Rochester and Strood by their commitment to the community and their sense of justice ever since I made contact with them. Those qualities after all are at the heart of politics, to serve people when in office regardless of their background.

At a local level, it is this the civic-minded spirit and the sincere approach that matter to the people and to the Party. People have left other Parties to join us because of sound underlying principles.

As for the word 'bashing' I don't like it much as it has unpleasant connotations. I prefer 'criticising'!

Well done, Jane! Come and join us, Col_M!

LOL I have no party allegiance, only support for individual people who make a true commitment and positive change.

As for Mr Conway if he was working in the real world he would have been immediately suspended and facing a HR panel... but hey I don't doubt for a second that Labour members are up to the same thing

Col_M, I agree with your sentiments entirely. The public rightly expects and Parliament must now respond to calls for the modernisation of this aspect of the House.

The employment of any staff should be based on defined criteria and suitable qualification for the position intended. What is needed is not a populist and crass response to the recent revelations of parliamentary excesses and abuses, but a structured move toward modernising an archaic and arcane system of poor accountability and transparency. The funding of MPs and their activities is not flawed; the requisite accountability is lacking.

Following on from the inevitable 'change of guard' all parties should and must encourage intake of the highest calibre of people with intellectual skills, life experience and dedication to service matched by integrity. Of late, there has been a measure of dilution of flair and a pressured drift towards the mean. Parliament and, by extension, our democracy is the poorer for that.

Jane,
From your responses I have always felt that you are the type of person I talk about when I say "true commitment and positive change." You give off the impression that you really want to make positive changes for normal people such as myself. You have offered to speak to me and want to listen to what people have to say... no hidden agenda! So when I talk about no party allegiance I mean that when I vote I would vote for someone like you and not because of the party you are affiliated with. I do need to know what you are doing because if I don't know how is any of the good work you are doing going to benefit me or my family.

I feel that there are to many MPs and local council officials that are doing what they do for the wrong reasons. An example is Mr Conway (sorry to use him again!), rather than offering an explanation to his actions he says he is not paid enough and that he will serve the rest of his time, it just shows the contempt that these type of people have towards the people they are suppose to be representing and helping.

There are too many things to list that touch my buttons......
1. Not having the power to discipline my children but then being blamed when they don't behave
2. Too many good fathers being punished by the CSA (the things I've seen are quite unbelievable)
3. Too much support given to the work shy and not enough for low income, hard working families. They even get free pet care now!
4. The new 'colonialism' that is large corporations
5. Stop given people credit so easily
6. More non profit after school clubs for working parents
7. Stop working tax credit... yes I got stung for signing up to that to the tune of £300, I was warned and shouldn't have tried claiming in the first place
8. Try talking to teenagers and not labeling everyone of them as a thug. It's the cycle, they are no different from the teenagers of yesteryear. Mopeds = Mods and Rockers anyone? Gang Violence = Football Hooligans?
9. Council tax..... oh come on I'd prefer to be mugged in the street
but to list a few! :-)

p.s I loved the "Strood Kids get their Kicks!" project