It rained heavily in December. Thousands of acres of farmland were flooded. Villages became isolated and a railway line was washed into the sea. Floods then hit the well- heeled occupants living in Berkshire and Surrey. In austerity hit Britain the Prime Minister now declared that ‘money was no object’.
For four years the government has claimed Continue reading Party Point – March 2014
I have previously warned that the ConDem government is going down the route of privatising our NHS. As if to confirm my view the government is about to sell our medical records.
GP practices are, from the 1st March 2014, required to give our Personal Confidential Information to Continue reading Party Point – February 2014
What is happening to our NHS? The Prime Minister promised ‘No top down reorganisation of the NHS’ and then launched the biggest top down reorganisation of the NHS in its 60 year history. The ConDem government then promised ‘no cuts’ to the NHS budget. However the costs in health provision are rising due to the cost of new drugs and hospital procedures. As a result Continue reading Party Point – January 2014
When will politicians learn? Politicians ‘promise the earth’ and then do not even attempt to deliver. Most politicians try to say what the public want to hear. Thus they all become the same. The logic of these two approaches is “there is no point in voting”. Let me lay out some Liberal ideas. You judge if they are different. Continue reading Party Point – November 2013
Cropton Mill,
Pickering,
North Yorkshire
Department for Communities and Local Government,
Eland House,
Bressenden Place,
London,
SW1E 5DU
23/10/2013
Dear Mr. Pickles, Continue reading Party Point – Dear Mr. Pickles – October 2013
There is a massive split in the planning policies of the ConDem government. On one side they have the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which says there is a ‘presumption in favour of development’. On the other is the Localism Act which states that ‘local people should decide’. On one side the emphasis is on growth and on the other appropriate development that is best for the local area as well as protecting our countryside and green belt. No wonder at the planning committee Councillor Cousins pressed the ‘wrong’ button. Continue reading Party Point – September 2013
Feudalism is alive and well and living near you. My first experience of this way of running the world was in rural Oxfordshire in the 1980s. I asked “Who are you liable to support in next week’s by-election?”
He replied “The Lord tells us who to vote for.”
This must be some religious twist of which I was unaware. No. The Lord of the Manor told all his tenants and employees which candidate to vote for. One ‘man’ one Continue reading Party Point – August 2013
Tony Blair moved the Labour Party to the right. It has stayed there. Cameron moved the Tories to the centre, got elected and then moved back to the right. The Liberal Democrats promised to change the way politics were done. They ditched all this for the chance of grabbing power and propping up the Tories. Labour has now completed the circle by saying they will not reverse any cuts unless they can Continue reading Party Point – July 2013
Who does the council belong to? Does it belong to the officers? Often that impression is given. Does it belong to the councillors? Often that impression is given. Does it belong to the people? Usually no.
This doesn’t just apply to Ryedale District Council, many councils are similar. It applies most often when there is a powerful controlling group or when this group is weak and pushed around by the officers. The result is Continue reading Party Point – June 2013
I enjoy canvassing. Despite the occasional abuse most people appreciate their candidate talking and listening to them. The numerous offers of coffee are much appreciated. In order to represent people effectively a councillor needs to know their electorate, their problems and concerns.
The biggest issue in this campaign brings a Continue reading Party Point – May 2013