Full Council last night was disrupted by a gentleman who seems to be making it his mission to challenge the legality of Council meetings; he was at Cabinet last week doing the same. I don't think he is correct in his argument, but it certainly makes for a rough ride at meetings. Especially when combined with justifiably annoyed young people, campaigning against proposed Tory cuts to their Student Rider. The combination proved to be combustible as the public gallery was cleared for 15 minutes and the police had to have a stern word with said gentleman......
By the time I got onto my anti-VAT increase motion I felt quite low key. Of course I argued my case that it unfairly penalises pensioners and the low paid far more than the better-off, then received support from numerous independents, and then listened to Cabinet members - though not backbench Tories - blame everything since the 'fall of man' on the last Labour government ! As expected my motion was lost by 23 votes (all 21 Tories present and 2 independents) to 7 (myself and 6 independents), with 5 abstentions - one independent and all four LibDems. No surprise there then as their 'Tory VAT bombshell' from prior to the general election becomes settled LibDem policy. Vote Liberal, get the Tories..........don't forget Islanders........
We then moved onto the Tory proposals for starting to cut back the budget for this year and the next 4 years. The Student Rider abolition is one facet of these savage and draconian cuts, but they are also targeting vulnerable people, young people in need, bus users, and various other groups. All part of the new ConDem governments determination to unnecessarily reduce the national budget deficit in just 5 years, putting our entire economy at risk.
As usual it seems these days, all of this is my fault as the Council leadership try to decide who is the bigger bogey man on the island - me or Southern Vectis.
After the debate a named vote approved the Cabinet cuts proposals, including abolition of the Student Rider, by 20 votes to 11:- all 20 Tories still present in favour, all opposition councillors still present against - including this time the 2 LibDems still in the room. Strange - but welcome......
Meeting then concluded at 10pm after 4 roller-coaster hours.
3 comments:
Jeez, but you've got to have some patience to deal with those creeps. That Pugh leads those political midgets is no suprise; his mediocre talents soar above the intellects on the righthand side of the chamber. I've heard better arguments than those against your motion at school debating societies. I'm so glad you put the Tory backbenchers on the spot: are they always so quiet?
It was interesting to see your motion supported by those councillors behind you. One of them, Churchman the ex-Tory who was taunted, is councillor for my area; I remember she came to my door canvassing.
But there is no question that even on your own you rile the Tories. To keep coming up with ad hominem remarks shows you get under their skin. And for Pugh to suggest apologies were in order would be laughable if his extreme rightwing party wasn't so revolting. There is a reason the Tories are shunned by mainstream rightwing parties in the European Parliament - it's one of the most rightwing in Europe! The more mention the national Tory party gets the more worried they are here, and rightly.
I see on Ventnorblog that the Tory council's £4k weekly payments to the County Press were brought up again over the likely reporting of this council meeting. It is little wonder we have to struggle to get a propaganda foot in the door, despite any sympathetic reporter's best efforts.
Anyway, more power to your elbow. You certainly rise head and shoulders above that crew on any unbiased measure.
Thankfully the crazed man on the balcony didn't ruin proceedings. (Of course, he may have his legal facts correct for all I know.) It was great to see the youngsters participating.
So Geoff,
What's word on the street about Bingham's standing down? Odd that p2 of county press quote that it was not due to falling out with Pugh - why would anyone think that?
You've been quiet on the blogging front recently Geoff, good stuff and we need more of it>>>>>>>Dont take any notice of that twat Gary Taylor at the meeting of the full council yesterday (22.09.10) just proving to the Island that if you have nothing worth saying its best to not say anything. He is my councillor and believe me he is about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike>>>>>>Keep up the good work Geoff as we are relying on you, and keep up the blogging if you can find time:)
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