My future political direction

NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS UNDERWAY I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT TO THE CONSIDERABLE TRAFFIC STILL COMING TO THIS POST THAT IT WAS A PRE-ELECTION APRIL FOOL! Of course, you had spotted that, hadn't you???

 Although I have serious issues with Bill Wiggin MP and the NHCA hierarchy, I have always believed that real change can only be effected from inside, and have consistently spoken up for decent Conservatives.

This week I have held hard, confidential talks with June French, who is stepping down at these elections.
June has for some time quietly supported me inside the Conservative party and is known to keep her distance from Mr Wiggin and his supporters. I have therefore agreed to succeed her as Conservative candidate for Leominster North.

My nomination does not come into effect until tomorrow (Friday) morning, as I have to resubmit my papers, but it will be in place by noon.

I do not feel I am letting anyone down by defecting from the "Can We Have Our Money Back?" party as I was the only member.
This election is a chance to re-invigorate Herefordshire Conservatism and I hope to be a part of that challenge!

The voters will, of course, decide.

My Council election website: http://www.yourconvenience.org.uk/

Photography - a wonderful hobby!

And well worth being funded out of the public purse.

I thought I was hardened to the extravagance of Bill Wiggin's expenses claims but have a look at this insanity:
http://www.yourconvenience.co.uk/Photography.htm 

My Council election website: http://www.yourconvenience.org.uk/

Paintshop driving me potty

Finally got my first poster knocked up - this politics lark can drive you round the bend. No wonder they form "parties" to get other people to do the difficult stuff for them. Going into the Electoral Office tomorrow with my nomination papers; still haven't decided what to put in the six-word description box.


Currnet contenders are Whistleblowers Alliance; Can We Have Our Money Back?; Council Taxpayers Against Waste And Expenses; will have a think about it...

New expenses complaint

to the Chief Internal Auditor of Herefordshire Council:
(If you don't like pdf files, here is the Word doc version)

And of course, Cllr Blackshaw may well have presented receipts for over £5,000 in that period, in which case my complaint will be fully answered

"Dear Mr Ford,

I hope this finds you well.

Please see the attached document, detailing my very serious concerns about the expenses system at Herefordshire Council.
Please let me know if you would also wish this to be sent by post.

this is not a confidential complaint and, although no-one else has seen it yet, I may make it available in the public interest.

Yours faithfully
Jim Miller"

Confirmation from the Electoral Commission that they are doing everything by the book.

Bloody hell, that was quick!

The admission that the council have been lying about expenses was sent to me by "Democracy Officer" Sian Clark yesterday, March 17th.

This morning I emailed her thanking her, and asking for the name of the person who wrote & published the lying doc. on Cllrs expenses.

Here is the reply

Out of Office AutoReply: FOI 0001966 - Councillor Expenses‏ 

To Jim Miller

From:	Clark, Sian (sianclark@herefordshire.gov.uk)
Sent:	18 March 2011 10:52:45
To:	Jim Miller (leominsterindependent@live.co.uk)

I have now left Herefordshire Council.  My e.mails will be accessed and forwarded to relevant colleagues for a short while.

Should you need to speak to a colleague, please contact 01432 260635 in the first instance.

Council lying about its expenses

Straightforward admission by Herefordshire Council that it baldly lies about how Cllrs expenses are dealt with:
http://www.yourconvenience.co.uk/SianClark.pdf
"It is understood that you have also highlighted an anomaly in the notes which accompany the annual public notice." 

It's more than an anomaly.
This document published on the Council's own website states clearly that no money will be paid without the production of receipts.

Very reassuring to concerned council tax payers, eh?

Only it's a complete and utter lie.

So long as they don't go above a limit of £250 a month for travel (ring any Bill Wiggin shaped bells?) our trustworthy Councillors can claim, and be paid, what they like.

Since some of them have claimed many thousands for "travel & subsistence", I think we'll be asking to see some receipts next week...

Oh, and I've made an official request for the name of the Council officer responsible for writing and publishing this document, the sole purpose of which was to pull the wool over electors' eyes.