Wonder how our county council will respond to this damning indictment of farming in Lincolnshire.
Many of the controlling group of councillors are themselves farmers of course - including the Conservative Leader Martin Hill, so I'll be watching with fascination...
Former journalist Phil Dilks is chairman of Deeping St James Parish Council in south Lincs. Served 8 years (2001-09) on Lincolnshire County Council (Labour lead on Education and Children's Services). Former member Lincolnshire Police Authority (2002-09). Member of Royal Anglian Association (former TA CSM), Co-operative Party, and GMB trade union. Promoted by Phil Dilks, DSJ, PE6 8HD. A personal view and not that of any organisation of which I am a member or associated.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
An American view on how Cameron would marginalise UK...
Tory lunacy on Europe would marginalise UK's influence, according to a New York Times op-ed spotted by Alex Smith and posted on LabourList
Friday, October 23, 2009
U-turn on bus passes by SKDC...?
South Kesteven may finally be dragged into the twentieth century with the same travel concessions for elderly and disabled people as have been enjoyed for years in every other part of Lincolnshire. The Conservatives who run the Grantham based South Kesteven District Council have finally been persuaded that they can afford to offer free concessionary travel on local buses before 9.30 in the morning. Every other council in our county of all political persuasions snapped up the Labour Government's generous cash handout to give elderly and disabled people a better deal a couple of years ago.
The change of heart is a victory for the long running campaign by local people - and supported by the Stamford Mercury.
Today's Mercury reports that a decision will be made next week to go for a 'consultation' before possibly making the changes in six months time.
If you see Deeping St James Conservative district councillors Ray Auger or Brian Hellyar - or any of their Tory mates - ask them why they are delaying doing the decent thing for another six months...
WHY NOT NOW...?
The change of heart is a victory for the long running campaign by local people - and supported by the Stamford Mercury.
Today's Mercury reports that a decision will be made next week to go for a 'consultation' before possibly making the changes in six months time.
If you see Deeping St James Conservative district councillors Ray Auger or Brian Hellyar - or any of their Tory mates - ask them why they are delaying doing the decent thing for another six months...
WHY NOT NOW...?
BNP's Nick Griffin and Ku Klux Klan
Here's the video evidence of right-wing extremist Nick Griffin appearing with Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.
Racist Griffin is seen talking about his plans to change his language to sell his policies until he gets control the British media before revealing his true agenda.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Tory revolt as another Londoner parachuted into Lincs...
Local Conservatives are outraged at a decision by their Party to parachute another Londoner into a Lincolnshire parliamentary seat.
Some are threatening to quit Cameron's Conservatives after learning that all local applicants to replace disgraced North Hykeham and Sleaford MP Douglas Hogg have been excluded from the selection process - without even reaching the interview stage.
Mr Hogg hit the national headlines over his expense claims for cleaning his moat at his country pile.
The local would-be candidates include Christine Talbot, my old sparring partner at Lincolnshire County Council, who has broken cover to tell the Lincolnshire Echo to say even non-Tories are upset with the process.
Christine was Conservative candidate in Lincoln in the 2001 general election when she was beaten by Labour's Gilly Merron, now a Government Minister.
The Tory parachute row follows a similar row over their selection in Grantham and Stamford where Christine was also one of the hopefuls.
Another, then Tory county councillor Mark Horn for Bourne went public and attacked the shortlist which he said was made up of
With many more MPs expected to resign of the parliamentary expenses scandal, I'm sure we haven't heard the last of Christine!
Some are threatening to quit Cameron's Conservatives after learning that all local applicants to replace disgraced North Hykeham and Sleaford MP Douglas Hogg have been excluded from the selection process - without even reaching the interview stage.
Mr Hogg hit the national headlines over his expense claims for cleaning his moat at his country pile.
The local would-be candidates include Christine Talbot, my old sparring partner at Lincolnshire County Council, who has broken cover to tell the Lincolnshire Echo to say even non-Tories are upset with the process.
Christine was Conservative candidate in Lincoln in the 2001 general election when she was beaten by Labour's Gilly Merron, now a Government Minister.
The Tory parachute row follows a similar row over their selection in Grantham and Stamford where Christine was also one of the hopefuls.
Another, then Tory county councillor Mark Horn for Bourne went public and attacked the shortlist which he said was made up of
wealthy, metropolitan, privileged, bright young things...totally out of touch with ordinary folk with no local connections...simply careerists looking for a safe seat.The result was the selection of Londoner Nick Boles.
With many more MPs expected to resign of the parliamentary expenses scandal, I'm sure we haven't heard the last of Christine!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Wee Georgie's £3 billion mistake...
Seems wee Georgie has been reading his Ladybird book of Economics again. Today's Guardian reports that his reputation as would-be Tory chancellor is unravelling after his claimed savings by making us all work longer are some £3 BILLION short, and will take five years longer than he estimated!
Doh...
Doh...
Friday, October 09, 2009
Public forced to pay for Waltzing Matilda...
A council leader standing as a Conservative MP at the next election has fiercely defended one of his councillors who has claimed over £2,000 from the public purse while on an Australian walkabout for the past three months....
He's the same leader of Barnet council in north London who was hailed by wee Georgie Osborne recently for facing the "age of austerity and showing the Conservative Party how its done..."
Now we know exactly what wee Georgie meant...
He'll be telling us next that "We're all in this together..."
Same old, eh?
He's the same leader of Barnet council in north London who was hailed by wee Georgie Osborne recently for facing the "age of austerity and showing the Conservative Party how its done..."
Now we know exactly what wee Georgie meant...
He'll be telling us next that "We're all in this together..."
Same old, eh?
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Tory Monkees...
Tories playing the Monkees as Cameron finishes his Conference speech...
Id we're "all in it together" as he's have us believe, how come his first priority is still a tax break for a few of the richest estates in the country by cutting inheritance tax for millionaires...?
Id we're "all in it together" as he's have us believe, how come his first priority is still a tax break for a few of the richest estates in the country by cutting inheritance tax for millionaires...?
back soon...
Sorry for the longest gap since last post...Conference season hugely busy and now up in Glasgow for a few days...back soon!