Forum Topic

Tories and Farepak

Well it seems that Hounslow Tories have stuck 2 fingers up to the people who have been abused by Farepak by not allowing a resolution to ask all Cllrs to contribute 1 days expence to the the Fund to help all these people out in Hounslow during Christmas, Since one of our streets is the most effected street in the country at least Hounslow Labour Cllrs are putting their hands in the their pockets, unlike Cllr Thompson and Co who are filling their pockets with Hounslow tax payers money and by the look of things they want to increase the amount for leader from his one day a week £25.000 pounds a year to £61.000 and this bunch can not even spare a a quid for Farepak customers, mind you I think the Directors where Tory party funders so that my be the reason to stiff the people of Hounslow.

Dave Hughes ● 7283d36 Comments

I DONT'T BELIEVE THIS,IS THIS GENTLEMAN AN EX CLLR BY ANY CHANCE? CLLR THOMPSON REFUSED THE INCREASE WHEN LABOUR HELD THE STRINGS. I DONT RECALL ANY OF THE LABOUR LOT TURNING IT DOWN. IN FACT CLLR CHATT COMPARED HIS ALLOWANCES WITH OTHER BOROUGHS TO JUSTIFY IT.I WILL AWAIT WITH ANTICIPATION TO SEE HOW MANY LABOUR CLLRS REFUSE ANY FUTURE INCREASES.WHY NOT JUST ASK THE LABOUR CLLRS DAVE TO DO IT UNILATERALLY! THAT MIGHT JUST ENDEAR THEM TO THE PEOPLE THEY IGNORED IN THE PAST.

w John Michael Atkinson ● 7281d

AndrewIf you read (and can translate) some of David's other postings on this forum he seems to be of the view that Labour councillors should receive allowances but non-Labour councillors should not.  As far as I am aware his position on this is unique - I have never heard anybody else, not even from the Labour Party, suggest that there should be a differential of this kind.  But then as you know, David is quite unique himself.

Phil Andrews ● 7281d

PhilI am having trouble translating some, if not all of David's rantings. Does "stiff the public" come from the script of "Ello Ello",remember the postman, he used to say he had just come from the "pist office" but davids script is just as good (I think!!)

w John Michael Atkinson ● 7281d

Andy, to be fair to David Hughes the Tories have indeed convened a members' panel to consider members' allowances. The position of my group remains as at the May elections - we are opposed to increasing allowances.The Tories appear to believe that all the work they are now doing merits financial reward, and they are looking at a report that suggests the Leader of the Council should be paid an MP's salary. To be fair to the ICG they have not declared their position. However, as my take  s that what we are seeing from Peter Thompson and colleagues is the "new pigs at the trough" syndrome.The report they are dealing with is an update on one rejected when I was Leader in 2001. I have never claimed any special abilities, however I do not believe the Tories today are working any harder than I did. At the end of the day we all stood as councillors to represent the community. I see no reason why councillors should expect big salaries for their roles. Indeed, the work people like you carry out with the police, the work of school governors, and of many others goes totally unrewarded financially.Deep down I have nothing but contempt for today's toytown politicians who demand big allowances for what is essentially voluntary work. Their predecessors up and down the country years ago did the job(and more when councillors had more power) for nothing. If the word to describe these opportunists could be printed it would begin with w.!

John Connelly ● 7281d

This appears to be drifting off topic into a pros and cons of Cllr pay.Is David right in that the Tories refused to give up one days pay for the Farepak families?If yes i would be intrested to hear the views of anyone who attended the meeting as too what was said during the debate.

Neil Chippendale ● 7281d

"Is David right in that the Tories refused to give up one days pay for the Farepak families?"NeilI am not a spokesperson nor an apologist for the Conservative Party, but the straightforward answer to your question is "no".As I understand it (and I'm happy to be corrected) Councillor Ruth Cadbury submitted a late motion calling upon every member of the council to donate one day's pay.  The motion was not submitted within the stipulated time so it could not be discussed.Although the motion could not be discussed the Mayor exercised her discretion to allow Cllr. Cadbury to explain the situation and to point out that members of her Group had agreed to donate one day's allowance.The situation is therefore that members of the Labour Group have very decently agreed to each donate one day's allowance to the Fairpak victims.  Other councillors have not been "whipped" to this effect, but may well be contributing (for what it is worth, I have offered one week's money) according to their own conscience.As usual David has identified an opportunity to score a political point, and as usual he has got his facts completely wrong.  It is to the detriment of the local Labour Party that they continue to allow this buffoon to act as a spokesperson for their organisation.

Phil Andrews ● 7281d

PhilYou and I have had our disagreements over the years, but I would like to put on record, and say our heartened I was at your generous offer of one weeks pay to farepak customers. Perhaps your example will shame those who have given nothing, and get them to put their hands in their pockets!As regards David Hughes, leopards don't change their spots do they? If he reads this I would suggest that he gets something useful to do, perhaps Vanessa and he could get together and organise a Christmas "do" for the children of the Farepak customers.

w John Michael Atkinson ● 7280d

PhilThanks again for a quick answer to my question and the explaination of the nights events.

Neil Chippendale ● 7280d

I would happily contribute to something for these people who have been conned - but I cannot see that this is anymore to do with me than anyone else. Why don't you do something?

Vanessa Smith ● 7278d

Its called being charitable Vanessa. I suppose the vulnerable the eldery and isabled are nothing to do with you either. I may be a "prat" and even "patronising", but I care about people. Be a good socialist and show that you indeed have a heart, it's not that difficult...........or is it?

w John Michael Atkinson ● 7278d

What makes you think that I don't do my own bit for charity already? And all the year round too not just occasionally. I do not need lectures from you or anyone else - I am no more responsible for Farepak than anyone else why do you think I should do something when you clearly have no intention of getting your rear into gear? Obviously your mates haven't kept you up to date either judging by your comment.

Vanessa Smith ● 7278d

I must admit I am a LOT out of date with your travels, am I to also understand that you are no longer a "socialist" or a "new labourite" whatever that means. You must be more explicit Van so I can then cruise with my ar*** in top gear. Oh I nearly forgot, you dont have to be "responsible" for Farepak just show a little compassion for at least the children. It wasn't their fault

w John Michael Atkinson ● 7278d

Well thats one way of putting it, I seem to remember Cllr Andrews efforts of claiming not to be the leader of ICG so it would appear he got less money, but has had no diffculty in claiming the larger committee allowance, my my how the mighty have fallen.

Dave Hughes ● 7277d

DaveI've never been mighty, so when it is my time to fall I'll not have far to drop.What is the "larger committee allowance" to which your refer?  I am not aware of any such allowance.  Could you please elaborate?There is no allowance for being leader of the ICG.  There is an allowance for being the Leader of the Community Group on the council, which is a different thing entirely, but I do not claim this as I already receive a Special Responsibilities Allowance for being a member of the Executive.  Please pay attention and this will all fall into place eventually.We could, of course, do what the Labour Group does and appoint somebody as Leader who clearly isn't the Leader just to extract an extra dividend from the taxpayer, but that is not our way.When are you going to get over being rejected by the good people of Bedfont David?

Phil Andrews ● 7277d

No doubt you get some sort of twisted pleasure from singling me out as the target of your venom, why? I have no idea, but little things please little minds, you carry on if you have nothing else to occupy you.

Vanessa Smith ● 7277d

DaveWhy don't you give in, give him credit for stuffing (You will notice I said "stuffing" and not "Stiffing") some of you mates down in Isleworth. I say some, I'm not sure how you got on with Vanessa. He will blow you away just as easy!!

w John Michael Atkinson ● 7277d

Because this man is an idiot who is selling the people of Isleworth so far short of what the very good people of Isleworth need.The man is a hypocrit of the worse kind a moral coward to boot, a back stage bully whose goons he would try and use to bully any one who does not agree with him, note Hittler use the same tactics to gain power.An idiot who does contradicts himself time and time again on this forum, it might be a of note that he has to write Ivytag chair letters when needed for his own political use however he is not fooling anybody.An idiot who has an election agent who goes to council meetings to swear and throw abuse at Cllrs who are asking real questions of policy to which Cllr Andrews must address so far he has failed the people of not only Isleworth but of Hounslow as a whole.Somebody who trys to harress council officers online and who threatens members of the public on-line if they try to attend public meetings.Want me to go.......Myself I am who I am, I work for charities no I am not bothered about not being on the council as I have my Charity work to get on with as you have made a point of Chritmass parties for kids well yes we do have one which we helped raise the money for in the summer to be Held at the FCYA in Feltham and again at the summer bash it was a Tory Cllr who decided they need not pay the 50p entrance fee on the gate that I was on.

Dave Hughes ● 7276d

Hi Davidcan i ask what letter it was that Cllr Andrews supposedly have written for me?Thanks

Simon Anderson ● 7276d

Good grief,so bitter and full of hate.

Paul Fisher ● 7276d

I'm amazed that David considers himself qualified to pontificate about what the good people of Isleworth need when the good people of Bedfont have demonstrated so emphatically that they don't need him.I am only grateful that he hasn't accused me of writing his e-mails for him.  Now that I couldn't live down.

Phil Andrews ● 7276d

No put you and yours have impersonated a lot of false web-replies on forums.

Dave Hughes ● 7275d

"Put" I couldn't impersonate you friend.  You are a one-off.

Phil Andrews ● 7275d

Hi DavidI still not had a reply to my last posting "What letter has Cllr Andrews allegedly written for IVYTAG or for me?"Many Thanks

Simon Anderson ● 7275d

Really Simon one look at Cllr Andrews web-sites of which Ivytag is one clearly shows when you have emailed your comments and when somebody has to write for you, then we had months of the sorry saga when you said something to upset your best mate the election agent for the ICG to which they tryed to freeze you out until you became the nice little pet poodle again who jumps and wags his tail. Well so much for being independent Cllr Andrews new name should be toe as its the only thing we can see from Cllr Thompsons behind.

Dave Hughes ● 7274d

Hy DavidFirstly i appreciate what you have said but i can assure you that IVYTAG is not a Cllr Andrews website, the website/forum was set up by myself and he has no connections to running it he just like others posts on there from time to time.I still don't understand what you mean by "somebody has to write for you" i wondered if you could explain please.Also the saga between myself and the ex agent and ICG member was nothing to do with Cllr Andrews or the ICG it was a argument between me and the other person and i feel we were both to blame for this and it went to far and we both need to grow up a bit and if we fall out we should keep it off these forums, but i can assure you mate i wasn't told to jump or wag my tail by anyone.I find it astonishing that every-time there is a argument on here regarding the ICG or Cllr Andrews i get brought into it i just want to be kept out off it please!!Simon

Simon Anderson ● 7274d

Thats easy dont respond in defence of Cllr Andrews, as for the web sites one look at how they are all set up and the domain Whois leads back to Cllr Andrews even if he has tried to cover as he has done recently to cover his tracks, there are other sites that will give up the old domain owners.

Dave Hughes ● 7274d

I am not defending Cllr Andrews i am saying IVYTAG has nothing to do with him i run it with my Vice Chair.yes i am an ICG member and very proud to be 1 and i for one think the ICG Councilors are doing a fantastic job since winning the elections and going on to the New Executive.I also feel the New Executive is doing a GREAT job, Ive been to many meetings and i think they are putting people first.I still don't know what you mean by "Cllr Andrews writing letters for me"

Simon Anderson ● 7274d

YeaOnly 100 redundencies, closing of Childrens home which will cost the tax payers more as we farm out children to other Councils no swimming pool for Hounslow while chiswick has 2 pools the lost of adult education in Feltham the loss of the Mobile library and possible closure of other library's robbing the grand piano from the Paul Robson Theatre and putting it in Chiswick the near loss of a new swimming pool in Heston, 12 million in budget cuts and a hike in council tax later next year, then to have the cheek to want to put all their expences on level with MPs for one day a weeks work, loss of Hounslow Homes being able to build new homes that are needed for larger families key sites being held up for development with a resulted loss of section 106 monies to the communities the unsuccesful robbing of much needed money of Charities so they can fund their own projects.Yes well done Toe and friends.

Dave Hughes ● 7274d

And dont forget to stick 2 fingers up to the people who this post is about in the first place as well while you try to make out that these people should understand that a Biz like that can go under and they should not expect to be protected.

Dave Hughes ● 7274d

I am not saying that everything is perfect and i am sorry but i am not much of a brain when it comes to politics unlike yourself.I was pointing out that that the other night i heard some reports which went threw by the Tories which a resident and myself were happy about, they wasn't anything we knew about but these reports were clearly being put threw to help the people.I wont get into conversation with you regarding politics as i don't know much about it.I just want to know still what you meant by Cllr Andrews writing letters for me...

Simon Anderson ● 7274d

I am shocked and very upset regarding those that lost money with Farepack so i am not sticking 2 fingers up to anyone.Am i going to get an answer regarding what letter it was that Cllr Andrews allegedly wrote for me please?

Simon Anderson ● 7274d

What planet are you from? Wasn't it "new labour who have run the council for over 30 years what did they actually do in this time. What did your lot do about swimming pools,(near losses dont count Dave!) and when did they NOT put up council Tax.Are you suggesting that labour councillors will turn down ANY increase in their ALLOWANCES I'll await their reaction with baited breath. Did Cllrs Chatt and Ellar turn down the last increase, and I suppose the grant from your heroes at westminster, had nothing to do with the hike in council tax we currently face?Talking of 106 money; remember the Health Centre that never got built! who was to blame Dave. And I almost forgot, the planning "irregularities" in Hounslow Central which prompted a damning report from Nicola Spinks, need I say more? Thats why you got slung out or hadn't you noticed.

w John Michael Atkinson ● 7274d

"...i am sorry but i am not much of a brain when it comes to politics unlike yourself."Simon, I presume the above was written with your tongue firmly in your cheek?  If David is even half as dense as his rants on this forum would suggest I would venture that his wife has to water him twice a week."...loss of Hounslow Homes being able to build new homes that are needed for larger families..."David, could you expand on this rather bizarre remark please?  The New Build was approved by the new Executive on Tuesday on mine and Councillor Bowen's recommendation.  Derrrr......

Phil Andrews ● 7274d

PhilI find amazing that David accuses you off writing a letter for me but can even answer my question "What letter"as to the Tories and ICG being bad can i just ask wasn't it the Labour party who sent us to War?Isn't it a Labour MP who still refuses to answer the questions regd her 2nd flat which is costing Tax payers money.Isn't it the Labour party who are being investigated for Money for peerages?Ive spoken to residents on Ivybridge who think you are doing a great job mate!!Simon

Simon Anderson ● 7274d

Harsh Simon...but fair.You forgot the robbing of pension funds and the complete mess at the Home Office.

Keith Iddon ● 7274d

Morning KeithSorry forgot that...but thank u for putting me in the picture.Isn't it funny that u ask a member of the labour party a question but you don't get the answer bit like there local MP.

Simon Anderson ● 7273d