"Phil, there is nothing libellous in pointing out the fact that in return for your support for the Tories you receive a large allowance as one of the two ICG members of the Executive."John, I have suggested more than once that you would appear to have been drawing closer to your former colleagues in recent weeks and I have invited fellow forum users to watch this space. This is, however, the first time you have so blatantly come to their rescue in this way by offering them a get-out when the allegation being made against me is clearly something far less benign than you suggest. You must realise that I have asked directly on several occasions whether the accusation being made is that I have accepted financial inducements in exchange for my vote. This interpretation has never been denied by any of the spokespeople for the Labour Group who post on here, or by any of the 24 Labour members whom I challenged about it at the last Borough Council meeting.I believe the allegation has been made by Alan Sheerins because he is now living in Ireland and thus considers that he is "out of reach" and can therefore say what he likes without fear of being called to account, and by David Hughes because he is, well, David Hughes.Even your own interpretation of my motives, and those of my colleagues, for entering into coalition with the Conservatives is one that I find deeply offensive. If I was motivated by money I would not be a councillor, executive or otherwise. Unlike your good self I do not live in a state of residential comfort and financial security. I like in a rented, overcrowded flat and work full time as a councillor.The question of allowances was never even mentioned when we negotiated the terms of the coalition with the Conservative Group, just as I assume it wasn't mentioned when you unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate for yourself a seat on the same Executive.Why do you persistently refuse to face up to the fact that the Community Group entered into coalition with the Conservatives solely as a result of the local New Labour Party's attitude towards engaging and empowering our community, an attitude it stubbornly refuses to change even as it stares into the political abyss?"The West Area Conservatives are complaining about being left out of things because they don't accept the 'inexperience' argument used against them. One has commented to me that, while 2 'inexperienced' ICG members are Chair and Vice-Chair of the Brentford and Isleworth Area Committee none of them has been allowed to hold either position down in Feltham despite the Tories being in a majority in the Area Committee"I am neither a member of the Conservative Group nor do I sit on the West Area Committee, so am at a loss to understand why you feel I should be able to explain the rationale behind how the Chair and Vice Chair were selected over there. Why not ask one of those involved? All I do know is that when the Chair and Vice Chair of the WAC were chosen, they were both members of your Group!"Is it coincidence that the Independent Chair and Vice-Chair just happen to vote with the Tories and ICG most of the time bringing the alliance numbers up to 31 out of 60?"30 actually, but I digress. You forget to mention that both councillors were actually members of your own Group, before they felt they could no longer work with you. But as to whether it is a coincidence or not, why not ask them?How did they vote at Borough Council at the budget meeting - for many the most important meeting in the council's calendar (including you, I would guess, considering how much you have had to say on the subject)? Such an important meeting, in fact, that 59 of the borough's 60 councillors made the effort to attend.How did you vote?
Phil Andrews ● 6343d