On the back of Lord Ashcroft and his dodgy funding of Tory candidates in key marginals, it was utterly disgraceful watching Geoff Hoon, Patricia Hewitt and Steven Byers, as well as the rest of the Westminster riff raff, from both sides of the house, attempting to sell themselves for £3000-£5000 a day for their 'contacts' (See C4'Dispatches' via their website).
When found out they seek to back pedal and claim they are making it up. Therefore either complete liars and bullshitters, or completely without morals.
And of course it is all 'within the parliamentary rules' as if that is any excuse.
Appalling, appalling, appalling.
Blair and his ilk were only too keen to give up the beautiful poetry of Clause 4 'By hand and by brain....' and with it the soul of the Labour movement. Keen to embrace big business and loose any ethics the Labour Party had.
These people should have the parliamentary whip immediately removed, and face disciplinary action from the Labour Party and parliament. They should then be dismissed, loose their pension entitlements and any payoffs they would normally get leaving parliament.
There must be an end put to any lobbying by MP's. Now as I write there is news just breaking about how other MP's have also accepted holiday freebees return for asking a question in parliament.
These people never learn, despite everything over the past year, and they are the first people to call for legal action when some single mother over claims her benefit to feed her kids.
We need radical and progressive change (reform is too weak a word) of our 'democratic' system. None of the main parties can do this. They are all too corrupt. It is only for the Green Party to make this change, and ensure we too never become corrupted by power and privilege.
Monday 22 March 2010
Sunday 14 March 2010
Horror at top council officials' salaries (reprise)
Letter to West Briton 11/3/2010
Re: Council criticised for money spent on staff after national newspaper reveals the figures’ (West Briton 11/3/10)
I am sure the article in the West Briton 11/3/10 ‘Council criticised for money spent on staff after national newspaper reveals the figures’ grated ever so slightly the emotions of the good people of Cornwall. Sheila Healy (ex CEO of Cornwall County Council ) receiving a pay off of between £400-£500,000 is no less than an utter disgrace. I am sure that Cornwall Council will be quick to reassure us that there was ‘nothing that could be done due to contractual obligations’ etc etc. Still, fortunately, I am sure we were all pleased to hear , Ms Healy did not have to spend her redundancy as she was able to pick another job up in Shropshire, alas did not like it, and has since returned to Cornwall. Let us hope the taxpayers of Shropshire were not similarly relieved of their council tax on her departure, and we will not get skimmed again for her services again.
I trust it was editorial decision to juxtapose this article with news that hard working ‘shop floor’ civil servants are being relieved of their redundancy rights. I for one noted the irony. It was reassuring of course to hear that Tessa Jowell, minister of the former bastion of ordinary folk- the Labour Government- described ripping up these people’s contractual rights as ‘fair’, and previous obligations were not ‘appropriate for a modern civil service’. I trust similar rationale was just not deemed appropriate in regard to Ms Healy’s payoff.
We are then treated later in the paper to a Mr McGahan’s defence of the £200,000 salary of Kevin Lavery,the current chief executive of Cornwall Council. Those of us who previously complained are deemed by Mr McGahan-whom I note is in Financial Planning-as writing ‘drivel’, and our views should be treated with ‘contempt’. I know, ordinary folk cannot be trusted to have an opinion of any validity, and we should keep our heads down and not complain. However, I look forward to Mr McGahan’s defence of the ordinary civil servants actions about their more humble grievances. I guess however I may be waiting a long time.
When are all these people going to get it?
In the last year we have been through the public’s outrage regarding MP’s and bankers misappropriation of our money. More quietly, but still seething, we are all outraged at the salaries of chief executives in the public and private sector, as well as the monies paid to sport ‘personalities’ and the obscenity of payments to so called ‘celebrities’ such as Cheryl Cole. Yet after the outrage, nothing really changes. We continue to experience ourselves getting ripped off by the ‘deserving rich’ while the rest of us have to subsist on barely the minimum wage, unable to afford a house in our local communities, and constantly being threatened with redundancy due to ‘modernisation’, ‘outsourcing’ etc. Of course these ‘improvements’ are implemented by the said same above chief executives, on their large salaries, who not doubt receive a bonus for putting us out of work.
No doubt I will be accused of ‘the politics of envy’ which is the fashionable phrase to describe those of us who will speak out against these obscenities on behalf of the majority. However we really do need to take action against those in their ivory towers, who seem keen to protect their own status and salaries, but are only too prepared to do so at the expense of the rest of us. It is time to act, but the major political parties will do nothing once in power apart from their pledges, varying in degrees of urgency, to cut public expenditure, and therefore the public services used by you and me.
I am afraid Mr Lavery, Ms Healy, et al. are absolutely nothing special. Many of us will do their jobs for a tenth of what they are paid, and I am sure even without the army of consultants, advisors etc. they are all provided with, we would do equally as good a job. So here’s is a challenge: give me a couple of weeks in Mr Lavery’s job; and I will report back on the dark secrets of his trade.
The Green Party is the only major party that promises, if we are elected, to challenge big pay outs to these people. We would develop a truly fairer progressive tax system introducing a 50% tax rate for those on £100,000 a year. This would raise £2.3 bn a year, and do a lot to decrease the wide discrepancies in pay that exist in this country. We will also introduce an increased ‘Citizens Pension’ for the elderly . We will ensure the majority rather than the few are considered ‘worth it’ for the hard work they put in for building this society. Yes, some of those in their Ivory Towers may ‘up sticks’ and go to Switzerland and the United States where the obscenity of large salaries may continue. However when those societies realise nothing terrible happens here as a result of this policy change, they will soon catch on they have been taken for a ride too.
I may be writing ‘drivel,’ as far as Mr McGahan is concerned, but I am sure the reinvestment of these obscene salaries into basic public services for ordinary people will go down well with the people of Cornwall and the rest of this country.
Ian Wright
Green Party Candidate for Truro and Falmouth
01872 501374
Trevarrick,Portloe, Truro. TR2 5RE
Wrightian298@aol.com
www.cornishgreenparty.org.ukto
www.greenparty.org.uk
www.ianwrightgreentrurofalmouth.blogspot.com
Re: Council criticised for money spent on staff after national newspaper reveals the figures’ (West Briton 11/3/10)
I am sure the article in the West Briton 11/3/10 ‘Council criticised for money spent on staff after national newspaper reveals the figures’ grated ever so slightly the emotions of the good people of Cornwall. Sheila Healy (ex CEO of Cornwall County Council ) receiving a pay off of between £400-£500,000 is no less than an utter disgrace. I am sure that Cornwall Council will be quick to reassure us that there was ‘nothing that could be done due to contractual obligations’ etc etc. Still, fortunately, I am sure we were all pleased to hear , Ms Healy did not have to spend her redundancy as she was able to pick another job up in Shropshire, alas did not like it, and has since returned to Cornwall. Let us hope the taxpayers of Shropshire were not similarly relieved of their council tax on her departure, and we will not get skimmed again for her services again.
I trust it was editorial decision to juxtapose this article with news that hard working ‘shop floor’ civil servants are being relieved of their redundancy rights. I for one noted the irony. It was reassuring of course to hear that Tessa Jowell, minister of the former bastion of ordinary folk- the Labour Government- described ripping up these people’s contractual rights as ‘fair’, and previous obligations were not ‘appropriate for a modern civil service’. I trust similar rationale was just not deemed appropriate in regard to Ms Healy’s payoff.
We are then treated later in the paper to a Mr McGahan’s defence of the £200,000 salary of Kevin Lavery,the current chief executive of Cornwall Council. Those of us who previously complained are deemed by Mr McGahan-whom I note is in Financial Planning-as writing ‘drivel’, and our views should be treated with ‘contempt’. I know, ordinary folk cannot be trusted to have an opinion of any validity, and we should keep our heads down and not complain. However, I look forward to Mr McGahan’s defence of the ordinary civil servants actions about their more humble grievances. I guess however I may be waiting a long time.
When are all these people going to get it?
In the last year we have been through the public’s outrage regarding MP’s and bankers misappropriation of our money. More quietly, but still seething, we are all outraged at the salaries of chief executives in the public and private sector, as well as the monies paid to sport ‘personalities’ and the obscenity of payments to so called ‘celebrities’ such as Cheryl Cole. Yet after the outrage, nothing really changes. We continue to experience ourselves getting ripped off by the ‘deserving rich’ while the rest of us have to subsist on barely the minimum wage, unable to afford a house in our local communities, and constantly being threatened with redundancy due to ‘modernisation’, ‘outsourcing’ etc. Of course these ‘improvements’ are implemented by the said same above chief executives, on their large salaries, who not doubt receive a bonus for putting us out of work.
No doubt I will be accused of ‘the politics of envy’ which is the fashionable phrase to describe those of us who will speak out against these obscenities on behalf of the majority. However we really do need to take action against those in their ivory towers, who seem keen to protect their own status and salaries, but are only too prepared to do so at the expense of the rest of us. It is time to act, but the major political parties will do nothing once in power apart from their pledges, varying in degrees of urgency, to cut public expenditure, and therefore the public services used by you and me.
I am afraid Mr Lavery, Ms Healy, et al. are absolutely nothing special. Many of us will do their jobs for a tenth of what they are paid, and I am sure even without the army of consultants, advisors etc. they are all provided with, we would do equally as good a job. So here’s is a challenge: give me a couple of weeks in Mr Lavery’s job; and I will report back on the dark secrets of his trade.
The Green Party is the only major party that promises, if we are elected, to challenge big pay outs to these people. We would develop a truly fairer progressive tax system introducing a 50% tax rate for those on £100,000 a year. This would raise £2.3 bn a year, and do a lot to decrease the wide discrepancies in pay that exist in this country. We will also introduce an increased ‘Citizens Pension’ for the elderly . We will ensure the majority rather than the few are considered ‘worth it’ for the hard work they put in for building this society. Yes, some of those in their Ivory Towers may ‘up sticks’ and go to Switzerland and the United States where the obscenity of large salaries may continue. However when those societies realise nothing terrible happens here as a result of this policy change, they will soon catch on they have been taken for a ride too.
I may be writing ‘drivel,’ as far as Mr McGahan is concerned, but I am sure the reinvestment of these obscene salaries into basic public services for ordinary people will go down well with the people of Cornwall and the rest of this country.
Ian Wright
Green Party Candidate for Truro and Falmouth
01872 501374
Trevarrick,Portloe, Truro. TR2 5RE
Wrightian298@aol.com
www.cornishgreenparty.org.ukto
www.greenparty.org.uk
www.ianwrightgreentrurofalmouth.blogspot.com
Sunday 7 March 2010
Time to have a Green Belt: Horror of proposals to expand Truro's City Limits
Letter to West Briton dated 7/3/2010 in regard to further proposed developments around Truro
Dear Editor,
Like many readers, I am horrified at the prospect of the proposed development of a supermarket and new housing on the eastern side of Truro ('Duchy is slammed over bid for superstore on city site' WB 4/3/10). The Green Party is totally opposed to this development, as well as other proposed developments in the Truro-Threemilestone corridor, and further commercial development further along the Fal at Newham.
I hope I am not alone in coming to the conclusion that it is totally unsatisfactory that the Duchy of Cornwall is insisting on a 'trade off' to develop more housing and commercial property, in return for a Park and Ride scheme on the eastern side of the city. I believe it is incorrect to 'sell' the park and ride site as an environmentally friendly scheme to ease traffic congestion. The Duchy's proposal represents total hypocrisy compared with the fine sentiments of Prince Charles's recent Richard Dimbleby lecture (among other statements in a similar vein) where he argued the need to restrict development and protect the countryside.
In my view the development of a Park and Ride scheme on the east of the city will not solve the current traffic problems. Since I moved to the area fifteen years ago, I have witnessed the significant increase in traffic build up every morning, which now starts at Tresilian towards the city. If the scheme is developed, why would people want to park at this proposed site, after suffering the majority of the congestion, rather than continue to travel the extra mile or so to the centre of the city? Secondly, the development of housing and a supermarket, on the proposed site will only add to the existing congestion problems. The housing will no doubt be unaffordable to most local people, and the last thing Truro needs is another supermarket; which will undoubtedly destroy the trade of city shop keepers even further, and possibly lead to further closures of local business in the city centre.
The Green Party believes we must work to rebuild sustainable communities in our villages and towns. People must be given the opportunity to work near to where they live. We must not continue to promote and encourage people to commute to Truro, St Austell and Plymouth. Modern information and communications technology makes it possible for more administrative work to be completed at home, which in turn helps individuals improve their work /life balance. The Green Party would also redistribute finance from roadbuilding programmes to reopen many branch rail lines closed by government since the end of the last world war. We would also improve other public transport, to enable those who have to commute to view buses and trains as an affordable and reliable alternative to using private cars.
Importantly I propose a green belt around the existing city limits of Truro, and this is designed and implemented by Cornwall Council as a top priority. No developer should be allowed to make Truro into yet another urban sprall with suburbs spreading out to Threemilestone, Shortlanesend, Ladock and Playing Place. Unless we act now, there is a real danger of Cornwall becoming another anonymous county, with no specific character, and our lives becoming synonymous with the 'hustle and bustle' of people's lives 'up country'.
A green belt around Truro would ensure development only occurs on existing 'brown field' sites rather than destroy the countryside further. Where development is necessary, it should be, where possible, be in areas needing regeneration and where jobs are crucially needed. Lastly I would say shame on Prince Charles for allowing the Duchy to promote this proposal which is completely at odds with his other statements about protecting our culture and natural environment.
Dear Editor,
Like many readers, I am horrified at the prospect of the proposed development of a supermarket and new housing on the eastern side of Truro ('Duchy is slammed over bid for superstore on city site' WB 4/3/10). The Green Party is totally opposed to this development, as well as other proposed developments in the Truro-Threemilestone corridor, and further commercial development further along the Fal at Newham.
I hope I am not alone in coming to the conclusion that it is totally unsatisfactory that the Duchy of Cornwall is insisting on a 'trade off' to develop more housing and commercial property, in return for a Park and Ride scheme on the eastern side of the city. I believe it is incorrect to 'sell' the park and ride site as an environmentally friendly scheme to ease traffic congestion. The Duchy's proposal represents total hypocrisy compared with the fine sentiments of Prince Charles's recent Richard Dimbleby lecture (among other statements in a similar vein) where he argued the need to restrict development and protect the countryside.
In my view the development of a Park and Ride scheme on the east of the city will not solve the current traffic problems. Since I moved to the area fifteen years ago, I have witnessed the significant increase in traffic build up every morning, which now starts at Tresilian towards the city. If the scheme is developed, why would people want to park at this proposed site, after suffering the majority of the congestion, rather than continue to travel the extra mile or so to the centre of the city? Secondly, the development of housing and a supermarket, on the proposed site will only add to the existing congestion problems. The housing will no doubt be unaffordable to most local people, and the last thing Truro needs is another supermarket; which will undoubtedly destroy the trade of city shop keepers even further, and possibly lead to further closures of local business in the city centre.
The Green Party believes we must work to rebuild sustainable communities in our villages and towns. People must be given the opportunity to work near to where they live. We must not continue to promote and encourage people to commute to Truro, St Austell and Plymouth. Modern information and communications technology makes it possible for more administrative work to be completed at home, which in turn helps individuals improve their work /life balance. The Green Party would also redistribute finance from roadbuilding programmes to reopen many branch rail lines closed by government since the end of the last world war. We would also improve other public transport, to enable those who have to commute to view buses and trains as an affordable and reliable alternative to using private cars.
Importantly I propose a green belt around the existing city limits of Truro, and this is designed and implemented by Cornwall Council as a top priority. No developer should be allowed to make Truro into yet another urban sprall with suburbs spreading out to Threemilestone, Shortlanesend, Ladock and Playing Place. Unless we act now, there is a real danger of Cornwall becoming another anonymous county, with no specific character, and our lives becoming synonymous with the 'hustle and bustle' of people's lives 'up country'.
A green belt around Truro would ensure development only occurs on existing 'brown field' sites rather than destroy the countryside further. Where development is necessary, it should be, where possible, be in areas needing regeneration and where jobs are crucially needed. Lastly I would say shame on Prince Charles for allowing the Duchy to promote this proposal which is completely at odds with his other statements about protecting our culture and natural environment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
