Not weasel words at all John.I'm glad you have reminded me that you were present at the meetings of the Members' Services Panel when this matter was discussed. For a while I thought you had simply been mistaken, but now it is clear to me that you are consciously and quite deliberately trying to mislead users of this forum, a sad departure for a man who has traditionally been held in such high esteem in local political circles.Political Assistants at the London Borough of Hounslow are employed for a specified number of hours, not days. The Labour PA had been employed for 36 hours per week prior to 2006, which remained the case after that party's numbers fell from 36 to 24. You did not speak out in favour of a proportionate reduction.The Conservative PA had been employed for 36 hours per week prior to 2006, which remained the case after that party's numbers increased from 14 to 23. You did not speak out in favour of a proportionate increase.After it had increased its representation on the local authority to six, the Community Group became entitled to a PA and it was decided that he should be allocated 24 hours. This was supported by the Conservative Group, the Liberal Democrat Group and your own then Deputy Leader.This is all a matter of record, and I would be happy for anybody who may doubt this to confirm it with the Head of Democratic Services, the Head of Legal Services or the Chief Executive at the London Borough of Hounslow.John, I have to say your postings have taken on an increasingly desperate and dishonest tone in recent days and I find this regrettable and unworthy of you. The difference in approach between our two interpretations of political independence are becoming increasingly stark, and you may wish to reflect upon the respective progress of both.In the green corner, the Community Group has developed from a tiny group of angrily dispossessed individuals to a large, organic, truly participative community-based orgaanisation, with a four-figure membership and a representation on the local authority which has increased from one, to three, to six members which now holds the balance of power.In the corner of indeterminate colour your own group began with two members, rose to three due to the actions of another party rather than your own, then decreased to one when your two erstwhile colleagues walked out on you to form their own organisation. Several of the people who contested the 2006 local elections on your behalf have now abandoned you for the Community Group. In your defence you could point out that your new, less than honest approach to political debate on this forum has won you the respect and adulation of Dave Hughes and Vanessa Smith.Which says it all really, doesn't it?
Phil Andrews ● 6363d