“I’ll never join the dark side”
A strange day in Southwark politics.
Firstly one of our councillors has left the Lib Dems to go independent. Although he says he wants to join the Labour party they clearly have not yet decided whether to take him. No reason of policy has been offerred at all. Indeed he emailed me a few hours ago to say that he will continue to fight for the manifesto on which he was elected! Never mind that he only elected as a Liberal Democrat six months ago…..
Just hours later, the leader of the Labour opposition asked me to help him with a problem in his ward. That wouldn’t normally be strange but we haven’t spoken since I accused him in the election of positioning his party ’somewhere to the right of Norman Tebbit’ - and now it’s all ‘Dear Richard’ and ‘Many thanks, P.’!
And then, I get an email from Nigel Farage, the Leader of UKIP, saying he
“would welcome a conversation with anyone that might consider working with us or joining us. It is time to stand up and be counted.
We give you an absolute assurance that you can contact us on a completely confidential basis.”
Weird. But it has reaffirmed one thing in my mind - that whilst the tribalism of party politics can be damaging it is no where near as damaging as the cynicism that results from politicians thinking that it is acceptable to ‘cross the floor’, ignoring the results of elections.
But I have replied to Nigel Farage suggesting that our wayward councillor might well want to join them. Having already left Labour and now the Liberal Democrats, it may be an attractive option for him!
Oxonian said,
November 30, 2006 @ 7:43 am
Sounds a bit like the infamous Dave Barnes, who was a councillor in Islington until May.
Started out as Labour, then Independent, then Lib Dem, then Independent, then joined a pro-motorist, anti-parking controls group, that folded then into Labour, then he joined the Tories.
Must be top of Nigel Farage’s list, I would think!
Peter John said,
November 30, 2006 @ 3:52 pm
Richard, as you well know I wrote to you on behalf of myself and my ward colleagues, Veronica Ward and Jenny Jones, in your capacity as Executive member for Regeneration for assistance with a problem on the East Dulwich Estate. As you helpfully pointed out, this was a matter to be dealt with by the Housing Executive member.
I’m afraid that I don’t know of any other way to communicate with an Executive Member when I think their political intervention may assist.
We are unlikely ever to see eye to eye on the rights and wrongs of our political campaigns, but it is a bit rich for you to appear to criticise me for raising issues with you which affect my ward and its constituents and where I thought you may be able to assist. Or are residents in opposition-held wards not entitled to assistance from the Executive?
cllrrthomas said,
December 8, 2006 @ 1:39 pm
Peter
I wasn’t suggesting that you shouldn’t e-mail me. Of course you can. l always make a point of responding promptly to any query from an opposition councillor (or indeed one from my own side!)
My comment was intended as lighthearted and having re-read it I think that is pretty clear.
Richard