Archive for Opposition watch
“Toffs legislating for toffs” – how Cotswold Conservatives fear they are viewed
The Cotswolds were the scene for some of the best Liberal Democrat and worst Conservative local election results in May, with the Tories losing 10 seats. A local newspaper has got hold of an internal Conservative post-mortem: The document reveals concerns within Cotswold Conservatives that the organisation is seen by voters as: “toffs legislating for [...]
Kensington & Chelsea spends £4,100 on sending paperwork to councillor’s holiday home
Out campaigning in the Norland ward by-election this evening (including an, er…, interesting delivery round), I caught up on one of the many ways that Kensington & Chelsea Council has been rather profligate with money when it comes to looking after senior council staff or Conservative councillors. It turns out that Kensington & Chelsea has [...]
In case you missed it: Ed Miliband, interview masterclass part 2
Ouch, ouch, ouch: In case you missed it too, part 1 of the Ed Miliband interview masterclass took place in July. I do have some sympathy with the way in which he is suffering from the decision of picture editors to use unflattering photographs of him (even in The Guardian) but interviews like these will [...]
The strangest political interview you’ve never heard: Cllr Peter Martin
“Want to hear the most ridiculous beginning to a political interview that you’ve possibly ever heard?” So starts a clip from BBC Surrey’s breakfast show featuring an interview with Conservative Cllr Peter Martin, the person in charge of education at Surrey County Council. You can listen to the clip here. (Remember to listen all the [...]
Labour councillors ordered: don’t speak to journalists
Odd news from Liverpool, where Labour council leader Joe Anderson has taken such exception to local media coverage of a leaked document relating to the council’s controversial interim Chief Executive appointment that he, Has ordered all Labour councillors and council officials, including the press office, not to talk to either newspaper. (Liverpool Echo) A curious [...]
Ken Livingstone: mine won’t be a grassroots funded campaign
It was Ken Livingstone’s poor taste joke about Boris Johnson, Hitler and people who don’t vote for him being sent to burn and flayed for all eternity that got the most attention following his interview in Total Politics.* Taking a look at the printed version of the interview (and forcing my eyes to move past [...]
Meet Fred Walker, Wigan Labour's answer to Brian Coleman
Step one: you are a Labour councillor serving on the local fire authority and you oppose the axing of first class train travel for members of the fire authority. Step two: you put in a back claim for three years worth of travel, including numerous first class travel trips, totalling £20,000. Step three: your embarrassed [...]
A very unusual use for a Conservative Party membership card
Take a young man, alcohol, a police station, a Conservative Party membership card, a police-issue balaclava and a cup of tea, and what do you get? Why, this story of course (with further details from here).
Hat-tip: Richard Clare
Brentwood & Ongar Conservatives apologise for false claims
Here is the apology leaflet put out door to door by Brentwood & Ongar Conservatives for “false” and “inappropriate” claims: Liberal Democrat Karen Chilvers says over on her blog: Cllr Nigel Clarke and I are now wondering what effect this had on my campaign and the narrow loss of my seat, given that we were [...]
Even Boris Johnson is moved to criticise Brian Coleman’s latest expense claims
Even London Mayor Boris Johnson (a man not adverse to a generous claim or three for expenses) has been moved to criticise fellow Conservative Brian Coleman, whose latest expense claims for a London body attracted criticism a few days ago. Boris Johnson said, We have had a word with Brian and I think he understands [...]
