I have been not that political during my lifetime. Recently following run ins with council employees I have found it is possible to make a difference to my lot by accessing my local councillors and local MPs. That in mind, on Friday 26th June 2009, I attended the Billesley Ward Meeting, as a member of the public who uses facilities in the ward that are currently under threat. Due to a mix up with my cousin Trevor and friend Frank, thinking start time was 7.30PM, we mistakenly arrived at the venue, Swanshurts Girls School, half an hour late. We found ourselves in the middle of the item that I was interested in, The fiasco at the Billesley & Yardley Wood Community Centre. From what I gather, the centre not only has an annual general electrical inspection, but also a five yearly major inspection. This years 5 year inspection had unearthed several major problems in the electrics. The inspection had been performed by a Birmingham Council Contractor called Dodds, and they had also given quote of £50,000 for repairs. The councillors attending the meeting were Sue Axeford and Len Gregory. Colin Hughes (billed as the invisible man by some other attendees, as he never answers his phone or returns calls) was absent.
Mr Gregory blatantly, with a presumed arrogance, failed to answer adequately every single question put to him by the floor. He was evasive and vague.
EVERY SINGLE QUESTION WITH AN AIR OF ARROGANCE ONLY POLITICIANS SEEM TO EXHIBIT!
Swanshurst Girls school, venue for the meeting.
Then, having talked to my own councillor, Neville Summerfield the next day, (who was just out pushing leaflets into the doors of my road) I told him about my own voting habits, being Labour from age 18 right up until the last election, and then having been told with a Glaswegian presumptive arrogance by New-Labour MP Steve McCabe, that "if I didn't vote New-Labour, my vote would be wasted", I promptly voted for the opposition. I firmly told Neville that following Mr Gregory's blatant lack of regard for his ward (which is part of my electoral constituency, Selly Oak), I would not vote for his party at the next election either. I am now wondering whether to go green or orange or indeed, just spoil my paper letting New Labour Whip Mr McCabe and the Tory fighting the seat, Councillor Dawkins, what a couple of despicable toe-rags I think they are! Then as my voting paper is not secret, I would probably be rounded up, and made an example of...
Back to Friday night, following Mr Gregory's arrogance I left the meeting. I made sure that both he and Mrs Axeford were aware what I thought of them by repeatedly shouting "Shame on you Mr Gregory" and "Shame on you Mrs Axeford" as they left the meeting.
Furthermore, I am not sure what action I can take as to the police filming the meeting, with one junior plod pointing his camcorder and focusing on the faces of people speaking. Surely there is some point of law or byelaw being broken, or freedom being infringed here?
As Eric Blair wrote "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU"
Mind you he also wrote "ALL PIGS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME PIGS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS" which is quite profound knowing some of modern uses of the Porcine adjective.
DTW 28/6/2009
Mr Gregory blatantly, with a presumed arrogance, failed to answer adequately every single question put to him by the floor. He was evasive and vague.
EVERY SINGLE QUESTION WITH AN AIR OF ARROGANCE ONLY POLITICIANS SEEM TO EXHIBIT!
Swanshurst Girls school, venue for the meeting.Back to Friday night, following Mr Gregory's arrogance I left the meeting. I made sure that both he and Mrs Axeford were aware what I thought of them by repeatedly shouting "Shame on you Mr Gregory" and "Shame on you Mrs Axeford" as they left the meeting.
Furthermore, I am not sure what action I can take as to the police filming the meeting, with one junior plod pointing his camcorder and focusing on the faces of people speaking. Surely there is some point of law or byelaw being broken, or freedom being infringed here?
As Eric Blair wrote "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU"
Mind you he also wrote "ALL PIGS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME PIGS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS" which is quite profound knowing some of modern uses of the Porcine adjective.
DTW 28/6/2009
dave, the police have no right to film anyone who is speaking. it was a area committe meeting open to the public to air their views as long as they are not abuseive. don't the police have any thing usefull to do?
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