tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post767872527232651624..comments2024-03-13T10:32:22.656+00:00Comments on thanetonline: Conservatives lose majority at Thanet District CouncilMichael Childhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-10108297393309568212011-11-29T14:59:07.899+00:002011-11-29T14:59:07.899+00:00Anon 10.11 You are obviously happy with the low le...Anon 10.11 You are obviously happy with the low level of service received from your local council.<br /><br />When I pay over £1200 in council tax per annum I don't think it is TOO MUCH to expect a seagull proof bag, worth about a fiver, in return.Readithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04343086161535755495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-66035622711050144162011-11-29T10:11:02.200+00:002011-11-29T10:11:02.200+00:00Understand Driver and Worrow are to call their new...Understand Driver and Worrow are to call their new party "MILITANT TWODENCY!" Maybe Readit will also join them so that he can influence the distribution of seagull proof bags his way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-87089185553588568742011-11-29T00:01:50.192+00:002011-11-29T00:01:50.192+00:00Dr M, Ramsgate Resident here. STILL WAITING FOR MY...Dr M, Ramsgate Resident here. STILL WAITING FOR MY SEAGULL PROOF BAG.Readithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04343086161535755495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-80196043029865976262011-11-28T19:44:42.139+00:002011-11-28T19:44:42.139+00:00To clarify, I'm not saying that Roger Gale is ...To clarify, I'm not saying that Roger Gale is a nice lady! ; )Peter Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06283534498743254609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-65866260604706233182011-11-28T19:19:12.769+00:002011-11-28T19:19:12.769+00:00Laura is wonderful (& a nice lady too), though...Laura is wonderful (& a nice lady too), though I'd also say the same about Roger Gale. They must be very embarrassed at the behaviour of TDC Tories at times.Peter Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06283534498743254609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-65063257750856610222011-11-28T19:07:35.276+00:002011-11-28T19:07:35.276+00:00Please we cannot afford to lose Laura Sandys. She ...Please we cannot afford to lose Laura Sandys. She is the best constituency that Thanet has had for years. <br /><br /> I agree with anonymous at 17:13 when he says that the Conservative Councillors should support Laura Sandys. On his website Simon Moores ponders, " if there is some small political space for the Marxist argument and Conservative policy in the same room" I may be old fashioned but that does not sound true blue to me.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-69604466056644653272011-11-28T17:51:26.686+00:002011-11-28T17:51:26.686+00:001713. Spot on. I hadn't thought of the Parliam...1713. Spot on. I hadn't thought of the Parliamentary aspect but of course you're right; that is Cllr Driver's real aim. Laura Sandys is doing a fine job in South Thanet and deserves the support of every Conservative in the area; that includes the support of the so-called Conservatives on TDC; Bayford, Moores, Wells etc. They need to get out and really get behind her; it is her effiorts behind the scenes that will put an end to the animal trade not Cllr Driver's incitement to law- breaking which will only serve to prolong the agony for these poor creatures and was a telling indication of how little he really cares about them. At the meeting last Saturday he pleaded for more people to turn up at the demonstrattions when lorries arrive so that they could block the road and prevent the lorries entering the docks. Imagine how the animals will react to that. If anyome needed any proof that he is working to his own personal agenda then this was it; and the sooner our local Conservatives start to comabat this inpublic the better. Rebecca Smith; get off the fence and start publishing this sort of thing. Saul Leese was at the meeting; make sure he reports it honestly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-53741887263581096522011-11-28T17:13:39.592+00:002011-11-28T17:13:39.592+00:0016:50 You are merely stating what I have pointed o...16:50 You are merely stating what I have pointed out repeatedly before, Driver is about raising his own profile, nothing more or less and the unfortunate beasts presented an opportunity to do just that. However, I disagree with you beyond that, for I think he has bigger targets than just leader of TDC.<br /><br />The new proposed constituency gives Labour a real chance of wresting what we knew as South Thanet back from the Tories. Who will be the candidate with the redder than usual rosette. Clever boy, you guessed it.<br /><br />Before that, however, as with Nottingham, there has to be the dawn showdown with Hart and frankly poor old Clive is out of his league with this one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-55079977275122790162011-11-28T16:50:44.187+00:002011-11-28T16:50:44.187+00:00Back to the animals again because Dr Moores is aga...Back to the animals again because Dr Moores is again missing the point of my earlier comments and at the same time confirming himself as a political pygmy.<br />Consider why Cllr Driver has taken up this cause. I very much doubt that it is solely motivated by a love of animals - he hasn't shown any signs of this in any of his previous manifestations. So there is a further political motive. If you had been at the meeting on Saturday you would have seen him get a standing ovation at the end of his speech (the only representative that did); this from an audience that was only 50% tree-huggers. A sizeable proportion was what you might call middle England. A lot of the people I spoke to said that they didn't suppport Ian Driver's politics but thought that his efforts in stopping this trade were laudable.<br />Now it is likely, if not certain, that this trade will eventually leave the port of Ramsgate. Either the Jolene will be declared unfit or some other intervention will halt things. Who has made the most noise and been most closely associated with it in the public eye and will therefore claim all the credit? Who is associated in the public eye with Herod-like wringing of hands and condemnation of protests at Rodins Kiss?<br />Now John Worrow's departure from Conservataive ranks leaves the ruling Party extremely exposed. Any more hiccups and we're talking about confidence votes and a change of rulers (Sandy Ezekiel being convicted is the obvious hurdle on the horizon)- and who do you think wants to emerge from the chaos as Leader of TDC? Remember Ken Livingstone and the GLC or the similar takeover of Liverpool Council by a political Militant running mate of Cllr Driver. Maybe pygmies is too large a term; protozoa maybe?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-74275305280834307442011-11-28T12:16:34.772+00:002011-11-28T12:16:34.772+00:00John, more Broadstairs than Margate though the lat...John, more Broadstairs than Margate though the latter was my favoured stamping ground as a teenager. Supported Margate FC, danced at the St. Mildred's Hotel at Westgate and recall Sid Phillip's talent shows at the Winter Garden.<br /><br />No, I am not related to Alan Clarke, and, since my folks originated from London and only settled here after Dad finished his time at RAF Manston, I have no relatives in Thanet outside my own immediate family. Even my folks moved away whilst I was in the army.Tom Clarkenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-41398468250751576482011-11-28T11:48:26.112+00:002011-11-28T11:48:26.112+00:00Tom Clarke,
I agree with you. Margate Old Town is...Tom Clarke,<br /><br />I agree with you. Margate Old Town is looking good. It is a credit to those responsible.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-86220173139418594392011-11-28T11:43:27.221+00:002011-11-28T11:43:27.221+00:00Tom Clarke,
Hello Tom. You are a Margate man. My ...Tom Clarke,<br /><br />Hello Tom. You are a Margate man. My parents used to keep the Station Hotel in Margate. I have memories of falling asleep to the sound of the steam trains opposite and to the screams of the girls on the Scenic Railway in Dreamland. These sounds never bothered me. I looked forward to the day when I would be old enough to ride the Scenic Railway. <br /><br />The Station Hotel later became the Flag and Whistle and is now up for sale.<br /><br />We moved from Margate to the Admiral Fox in Ramsgate and that is now flats.<br /><br />Are you perchance related to Alan Clarke who went to Dame Janet School?John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-32303078562647502232011-11-28T11:26:33.732+00:002011-11-28T11:26:33.732+00:00John, I can only speak as I find and there are are...John, I can only speak as I find and there are areas of improvement. Margate old town is like a rediscovered gem since the opening of the Turner. Not necessarily attributing full credit to TDC, but they must be entitled to some.<br /><br />The litter situation around my home patch is much improved from the comination of wheelie bins and seagull proof bags. A much needed dog litter bin requested for Nelson Place appeared a few weeks back. An untidy area of gardens and memorial benches has been tarted up.<br /><br />Generally the graffiti seems to be reduced, though that may be seasonal trend, who knows? The new shelters on the Eastcliff at Broadstairs are a welcome replacement for the rotting and frequently vandalised ones there before.<br /><br />There is good though there is still much to do, much sadly that the cash will not run to I guess. I accept that it would make little difference at the moment who was in charge at TDC politically, but individually there are some committed and well intentioned councillors. Just happen to think Dr. M is one of those and at least he tries to keep us informed through his blogging activity. <br /><br />I am not deliberately at variance with you and perhaps used the word 'demean' wrongly in what I was trying to convey. Like I said, I usually enjoy your comments and think we are of similar Thanet vintage in that we both remember the Thunder Jets!Tom Clarkenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-32231633571081716322011-11-28T10:49:20.914+00:002011-11-28T10:49:20.914+00:00Tom Clarke,
You say, "There is very evident ...Tom Clarke,<br /><br />You say, "There is very evident progress for the good on several issues, if not all, in Thanet". Can you please expand your statement. I am truly interested. In the absence of a proper local newspaper I have to search for knowledge where I can.<br /><br />Please do not anyone tell me that it all goes on behind the scenes and imply that as a consequence I should not worry my head about it. I have an answer to that all prepared.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-60126879488111113232011-11-28T10:47:18.355+00:002011-11-28T10:47:18.355+00:00Once again a few thoughts on the comments.
First ...Once again a few thoughts on the comments.<br /><br />First thanks to commentators for not posting offensive comments, I haven’t had to delete any comments.<br /><br />14.30 I can’t see anyone resigning because of anonymous comment.<br /><br />John I hope you will attempt to do something about what is becoming perceived as a very Margate focused council. As I said before I think a leader directly elected by local people is the way forward for Thanet.<br /><br />Frankly trying to play at party politics at this low level of government in a district that is broadly evenly split between Conservatives and Labour is just ludicrous.<br /><br />I would say that the able councillors with sufficient time to devote to our problems all working together would be hard pressed to improve this area significantly.<br /><br />As far as the flag thing goes, I think that although it says Conservative on the tin when we vote in Thanet district, what we actually get is a tad different, and not easy to explain. <br /><br />18.05 you will be glad to know that I still have a few more to put up.<br /><br />Retired, it is Monday morning and I have read your comments twice, perhaps I will understand them later in the day. <br /><br />Tom again, in reality what happens in our local elections is that the vote is usually for Labour or Conservative with the floating voters, the tiny minority that actually make any difference, basing their vote on their feelings for the national government of the time. What tends to happen is that people vote against whichever national party has been in power for a significant time. <br /><br />19.09 good point about Winston Churchill, if he can change sides than I suppose John has sufficient mandate.<br /><br />Peter, believe me this part of Ramsgate is pretty bad, have a look sometime.<br /><br />19.32 and DrM on the live animal issue, I suppose the problem here is that the senior council officers and the cabinet have not been seen to be visibly proactive on this issue. Possibly because the petition was launched and much of the campaigning driven by a Labour activist. <br /><br />The time it took the council to get around to publicising the petition relative to the time it took the leader to criticise what was a peaceful protest when Rodin’s Kiss arrived, as examples. <br /><br />The defence that there is nothing that can be done is a weak one, and one that the council is often inclined to use.<br /><br />JH I think this comes back to the councillors deciding that they should chose a leader rather that having one chosen democratically by the electorate. <br /><br />DrM at 20.16 recommend you have a glance at some of your own postings before you became a councillor. Truth is that most people perceive the local council as one lump, county district and parish, and when like many of us in Thanet are, those people are suffering from years of poor council management, the main iconic council owned real estate in Ramsgate being a good example of what I mean, councillors are inclined to get blamed. You may be doing your best from where you are sitting, but from outside it doesn’t look so good.<br /><br />21.07 I have just replaced my iphone and at the moment I can’t even get it to accept me writing the word Margate, while on DrM’s blog the recent comment relates to someone who got confused with theirs, I think it is called living in the modern world. <br /><br />Don’t think I can catch up with the rest at the moment.Michael Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-909969259384861422011-11-28T10:39:13.188+00:002011-11-28T10:39:13.188+00:00Tom Clark,
Thank you. I fail to see how my questi...Tom Clark,<br /><br />Thank you. I fail to see how my questioning of a DrM, a Councillor, about his policies demeans me. <br /><br />Perhaps you were upset about my earlier use of words such as 'playground politics'. I take your point. But maybe it is the case that I remember all to well the Councils that once had their own foreign policy and even declared themselves nuclear free zones. I do not want to hear about a Councillor's politics or their internecine squabbles. It does not do for them to hide behind The Party. I want to hear what they personally are doing and have done to affect life here in Thanet. If that demeans me then so be it.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-26477870667542998162011-11-28T10:07:06.597+00:002011-11-28T10:07:06.597+00:00But many are married with kids so the present inba...But many are married with kids so the present inbalance on accommodation types needed addressing.<br /><br />Is there another silly little bloke in Birchington other than Worrow. I guess there must be, but he happens to be the prime subject of this thread.<br /><br />John Holyer, you are usually one of the more sensible contributors to these pages so simply attacking Dr. M demeans you. There is very evident progress for the good on several issues, if not all, in Thanet and live animal exports is not within local authority power to stop other than by lobbying parliament.<br /><br />Personally I support the notion, suggested elsewhere, that Ian Driver is profile raising and has a separate agenda. One that does not necessarily serve the longer term best interests of Thanet Labour harmony.Tom Clarkenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-75510655891507669112011-11-28T10:05:41.655+00:002011-11-28T10:05:41.655+00:00DrM,
Thank you. I do indeed want to drill into th...DrM,<br /><br />Thank you. I do indeed want to drill into the detail of individual portfolios, as you suggest. Please tell me more about your policy to control the spread of one bedroom flats. How will this benefit Thanet?<br /><br />I feel my apology coming on. But not quite yet.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-72593950648913147122011-11-28T09:04:38.277+00:002011-11-28T09:04:38.277+00:00So you're the one! Not all of us are married w...So you're the one! Not all of us are married with kids you know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-9613882950152378122011-11-28T07:55:23.611+00:002011-11-28T07:55:23.611+00:00Mr Holyer..
We all make a contribution to polici...Mr Holyer.. <br /><br />We all make a contribution to policies and decisions that have the objective of making Thanet a better place. One of mine, for example, is introducing a policy to control the spread of single bed flats. Then there's wheelie bins and seagull bags and much much more if you want to drill into the detail of individual portfolios.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03755236438987278120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-66793762274506207882011-11-27T23:20:03.160+00:002011-11-27T23:20:03.160+00:00anon again!
re 1st message:
Which silly little bl...anon again!<br />re 1st message: <br />Which silly little bloke from Birchington did you mean?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-49620411411479788082011-11-27T23:08:00.249+00:002011-11-27T23:08:00.249+00:00DrM,
Your replies are couched in political terms,...DrM,<br /><br />Your replies are couched in political terms, once again, which some might suggest proves my point.<br /><br /> I am not interested in what goes on behind the scenes. You have the stage. Please explain to me how you personally have made Thanet a better place. I will then offer you a grovelling apology.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-71284969807451915632011-11-27T22:11:06.067+00:002011-11-27T22:11:06.067+00:00"Normally a function of policy" I've..."Normally a function of policy" I've switched to a PC<br /><br />In regard to the animal rights meeting, it's simples...!<br /><br />1) It's a Westminster issue now, firmly in the hands of Laura Sandys, the local MP to lobby on the matter and as previously explained, outside of the remit of the local council, which has represented it's views to all the agencies, our MPs and the Minister.<br /><br />2) The Labour Group, in the shape of Driver, Fenner et al, know quite well that all their noise is simply a political smokescreen to give the impression of indignant action in the constant search for votes.<br /><br />The real work happens behind the scenes and we are quite aware of the strength of feeling but this is NOT a political issue regardless of how hard certain Labour members are trying to convince the public it is. It's a matter of law, European and domestic and that lies with Westminster and Brussels and not with TDC, which as a council has an entirely different remit and no authority in the matter.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03755236438987278120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-86438912865269055112011-11-27T22:03:46.835+00:002011-11-27T22:03:46.835+00:001932 If you'd been at yesterdays meeting you w...1932 If you'd been at yesterdays meeting you would have learnt from the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming guys that<br />1. Only new born male calves are exported - no use for dairy farmers<br />2. RSPCA and CWF are working very successfully with the big retail chains, Tesco, etc, and this is encouraging the supermarket chains to buy the young animals and rear them until a later age prior to supplying their shops with beef.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-16148788017687862552011-11-27T21:58:08.094+00:002011-11-27T21:58:08.094+00:00If the Council, and in particular Bob Bayford, hav...If the Council, and in particular Bob Bayford, have been working so hard pursuing the animal transport issue why weren't they at the meeting yesterday? Cllrs Driver and Fenner were there - Cllr Driver whipping up the masses in true Militant Tendency style and Cllr Fenner dithering through a speech. Laura Sandys appears to be doing a great job but I'm sure she could have done with a little support from her so-called political allies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com