[News] Nigel Farage and Reform

[abc]

'No meetings, no direction': Reform accused of 'paralysing' Kent Council

Although Reform are riding high in the polls, their first month in local government is causing concern within Kent County Council.

www.thelondoneconomic.com

“After the first Full County Council meeting of 22nd May saw Kent County Council elect its new Leader, and she then appointed her Cabinet, a slew of timetabled Council meetings have been cancelled or postponed. They are also yet confirm which Cabinet Committees will be formed, if at all.

“For the first three weeks of June, there were FIVE committee meetings timetabled. FOUR have been cancelled – on topics including health, planning, and governance – and watch this space for [the cancellation of] the Personnel Committee.” | Folkestone & Hythe Liberal Democrats

Having had various dealings with different departments of West Sussex County Council over recent years, there is no doubt in my mind that they have far too many committees and far too many committee meetings. There are too many Councillors who are predominantly incompetent and incapable of making any decisions, let alone rational ones. But they all love to go to a meeting and spend hours listening to the sound of their own voices. The net result is little is ever achieved and the wheels of local government dont even get to grinding speed. All of this is to the detriment of the people of West Sussex from both a financial and a county management perspective. I have no doubt Kent County Council has similar issues. Change is desperately needed.

BUT

This is not the way to do it.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

The very mention of any of the following words sends members of the gang into paroxysms of rage and invective.
.......Tory.....Trump.....Johnson.....Brexit.....Farage.....Reform.....Musk.....Starkey....Powell.... Hitchens.....Robinson.....Right.....Far......Racist....Thick....Northern....Class.....Working......Thatcher......Davidson.....Galloway.....Sovereignty....Family.....Royal.....King.....Prince.....Crown.....Monarchy.....Immigrant.....Illegal......Creation....Wealth.....Trade....Slave.

These are the particularly sensitive ones.....the ' hair trigger ' ones......please avoid these for all our sakes.

There is no need to put a space between a quote mark and a letter.

(Neither rage nor invective. Just disappointment, and a little sadness).

 

[TomandJerry]

Another new councillor gone, actually suspended by Reform.

West Northants Reform councillor suspended 34 days after election

The party says there are a "number of concerns" about Adam Smith's conduct.

www.bbc.co.uk

Surely it's a positive sign that they are suspending councillors that are being investigated?

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Surely it's a positive sign that they are suspending councillors that are being investigated?

You make a good point.
But it would be better to conduct proper vetting rather than accept anyone and wait for a whistle blower.
Reform have a habit of this sort of thing, in their short history....

Reform UK MP James McMurdock 'should be expelled over assault'

The Labour leader at Basildon Council says Nigel Farage should "throw" the MP out for good.

www.bbc.co.uk

And they were not always so swift to do the right thing:

Domestic abuse campaigners 'appalled' by Tice's defence of Reform MP who kicked girlfriend

Women's Aid accuses the Reform deputy of showing a "complete disregard for the role of justice in dealing with domestic abuse".

news.sky.com

So I guess hats off to them for suspending yet another wrong 'un.
If they suspend another ten wife beaters, paedophiles or racists, I may become so impressed I'd be willing to give them my vote.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Surely it's a positive sign that they are suspending councillors that are being investigated?

It matters to the voters who think they are being represented by a particular party.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

It matters to the voters who think they are being represented by a particular party.

Like what I said. Only succincter

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

 

[BadFish]

The very mention of any of the following words sends members of the gang into paroxysms of rage and invective.
.......Tory.....Trump.....Johnson.....Brexit.....Farage.....Reform.....Musk.....Starkey....Powell.... Hitchens.....Robinson.....Right.....Far......Racist....Thick....Northern....Class.....Working......Thatcher......Davidson.....Galloway.....Sovereignty....Family.....Royal.....King.....Prince.....Crown.....Monarchy.....Immigrant.....Illegal......Creation....Wealth.....Trade....Slave.

These are the particularly sensitive ones.....the ' hair trigger ' ones......please avoid these for all our sakes.

Oh my god, I read all of those and now I need a lie down.

Still I guess they got the 'we love reform but aren't brave enough to admit it' all very excited.

 

[A1X]

.......Tory.....Trump.....Johnson.....Brexit.....Farage.....Reform.....Musk.....Starkey....Powell.... Hitchens.....Robinson.....Right.....Far......Racist....Thick....Northern....Class.....Working......Thatcher......Davidson.....Galloway.....Sovereignty....Family.....Royal.....King.....Prince.....Crown.....Monarchy.....Immigrant.....Illegal......Creation....Wealth.....Trade....Slave.

Did…did you write this while your other hand was…”otherwise engaged”?

 

[BadFish]

Do reform give discounts on membership to snowflakes, because they're definitely attracting lots of them

They are working on an ad campaign as we speak reminding their timid supports that at the ballot safe space no one can ask them for evidence or say hurty words to them or as they vote.

'Vote Reform, remember you don't have to admit it'.

 

[BadFish]

Having had various dealings with different departments of West Sussex County Council over recent years, there is no doubt in my mind that they have far too many committees and far too many committee meetings. There are too many Councillors who are predominantly incompetent and incapable of making any decisions, let alone rational ones. But they all love to go to a meeting and spend hours listening to the sound of their own voices. The net result is little is ever achieved and the wheels of local government dont even get to grinding speed. All of this is to the detriment of the people of West Sussex from both a financial and a county management perspective. I have no doubt Kent County Council has similar issues. Change is desperately needed.

BUT

This is not the way to do it.

Our resident reform voters (who pretend they don't like them) are liking the sound of this and wonder how they can vote for them.

Throw in a few trips to the US at the tax payers expense and a sprinkling of racism and you will clinch the deal.

 

[BadFish]

I always thought we were a brigade rather than a gang.

 

[clapham_gull]

The very mention of any of the following words sends members of the gang into paroxysms of rage and invective.
.......Tory.....Trump.....Johnson.....Brexit.....Farage.....Reform.....Musk.....Starkey....Powell.... Hitchens.....Robinson.....Right.....Far......Racist....Thick....Northern....Class.....Working......Thatcher......Davidson.....Galloway.....Sovereignty....Family.....Royal.....King.....Prince.....Crown.....Monarchy.....Immigrant.....Illegal......Creation....Wealth.....Trade....Slave.

These are the particularly sensitive ones.....the ' hair trigger ' ones......please avoid these for all our sakes.

I quite like Hitchens. He's bonkers. Has no time for Farage, hates cars and the Conservative party.

 

[BadFish]

I quite like Hitchens. He's bonkers. Has no time for Farage, hates cars and the Conservative party.

Me too, I like northerners too.

. . . And Ringo starr

Oh and Prince.

Oh and I am an immigrant so I guess they are okay too.

 

[clapham_gull]

Having had various dealings with different departments of West Sussex County Council over recent years, there is no doubt in my mind that they have far too many committees and far too many committee meetings. There are too many Councillors who are predominantly incompetent and incapable of making any decisions, let alone rational ones. But they all love to go to a meeting and spend hours listening to the sound of their own voices. The net result is little is ever achieved...

If you've worked for a large Corporation (particularly an American one) you are going to be incredibly disappointed.

 

[BadFish]

If you've worked for a large Corporation (particularly an American one) who are going to be incredibly disappointed.

I think it's fair to say, if Reform created a policy to stop pointless meetings, they would get a lot of voters.

 

[clapham_gull]

I think it's fair to say, if Reform created a policy to stop pointless meetings, they would get a lot of voters.

If they went further and banned stand up meetings at 9am and departmental newsletters they are a shoo-in.

 

[Bodian]

I think it's fair to say, if Reform created a policy to stop pointless meetings, they would get a lot of voters.

They could make meetings cheaper and more efficient by using Teams and Zoom, so Councillors could log in from home, cutting down on travel time and expenses.

Oh dear - they don't like WFH do they, so that's out......

 

[clapham_gull]

Reform are making the same mistake that many have done in the past trying to inject "business practice" into the public sector.

I'm not sure where these large businesses are that are devoid of pointless meetings and death by PowerPoint.

Arguably small businesses and globally successful businesses but Local Councils are neither.

I've long come to the conclusion that the public sector is what it is.

 

[Bodian]

Maybe they are cutting down on meetings as their councillors can't be arsed to attend them anyway?

Attendance record - Councillor Jo Monk - Modern Council

She is now leader of Worcestershire Council and is calling for councillors who miss meetings because they are ill to resign.