Lewes DC gagging councillors - the truth

[Jim in the West]

Has to be done Jim....this is war after all!

Yep.....I may try the Argus first....

 

[Bwian]

Jim-there are a few options mentioned on here

Plus there's always *cringes as he says this* The Mail....they have that nice young sports reporter who might be interested Plus there's always Mr Alphabet on another paper (Nick S).

The Argus is always good locally but we need to expose DeVagi and her Lib Dumb cronies on a National scale now. Sir Minging Campbell is ignoring us (maybe just me) and what is going on. He should be doing so at his peril.....

 

[Jim in the West]

Jim-there are a few options mentioned on here

Plus there's always *cringes as he says this* The Mail....they have that nice young sports reporter who might be interested Plus there's always Mr Alphabet on another paper (Nick S).

The Argus is always good locally but we need to expose DeVagi and her Lib Dumb cronies on a National scale now. Sir Minging Campbell is ignoring us (maybe just me) and what is going on. He should be doing so at his peril.....

Bwian, I'm still not sure whether the letter I've got really amounts to much in the grand scheme of things - it is after all just one letter from a (tory) councillor. However, I think the whole edpisode of the Judicial Review, and the attempts which LDC is going to to stifle debate, plus their refusal to answer straightforward questions, really is a media-worthy story. I'll put together copies of all the various letters I've got, and send them to Paul Hayward as a starter. I'll also see if I can get the Argus interested in upping the ante.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Good man Jim. I agree - this should be a good story for the Argus - and you would think there could be national interest.

 

[The Large One]

While not disagreeing that the Argus ought to run the story, its impact will be watered down by the fact that they are already perceived to be anti-LDC and anti-NIMBY. Therefore, would people take it seriously?

The national dailies would be brilliant, however.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

National interest, definitely. There's political scandal everywhere at the moment, so it's topical to say the least.

 

[B.W.]

Out of the blue today I received a letter from a Lewes Councillor, in response to my own letter (which I posted on here a month or so back). I won't reveal the author's name, but it is (a) pretty lengthy, and (b) quite emotional.

The letter claims (and I have no reason to disbelieve this - Lord B will have a better idea as to its veracity) that

1. LDC councillors have been forbidden to correspond with constituents (or others) on the Falmer issue;

2. "Every single elected councillor was gagged after the decision "behind closed doors" was made";

3. The decision to seek a JR is nothing more than a show of strength between little Lewes and the "Labour Brighton bully"....it's a class war, and most Lib Dems in LDC feel themselves superior to people who follow a "common" sport like football.

As you can imagine, with quotes like that it's quite a letter!

Get this into the press NOW... please... thank you...

 

[Superseagull]

And with local elections coming up soon they may be on the look out for a good local council story. I'm sure one or two of the nationals may be interested especially as the lib dems always seem to get worked up about local elections.

 

[Superphil]

A copy must go to the press, there are a number of Albion supporters in the press, get a copy off to all of them.

I think the Argus as well, they may be anti LDC on this, but a lot of Lewes residents will read it and be appalled. Also, is there a Lewes paper? Worth a try.

 

[Lady Bracknell]

Absolutely top work, Jim.

 

[the wanderbus]

How about sending it to sky and highlighting the fact that as Reading rise out of this division with a nice shiny stadium we are likely to drop out at the other end without out one?

 

[mona]

Great work, Jim.
This story needs to be broadcast nationally.
I believe that there is a wealthy individual who is backing Lewes DC and their opposition. I can't prove anything but talking to a number of people this seems to be feasible and would explain the recklessness of LDC and the way that Commin has managed to sway a large DC to support the interests of a small and insignificant ward.

 

[Bwian]

Great work, Jim.
This story needs to be broadcast nationally.
I believe that there is a wealthy individual who is backing Lewes DC and their opposition. I can't prove anything but talking to a number of people this seems to be feasible and would explain the recklessness of LDC and the way that Commin has managed to sway a large DC to support the interests of a small and insignificant ward.

Wouldn't be somebody connected with rancid, dodgy pies would it?

 

[Jim in the West]

Great work, Jim.
This story needs to be broadcast nationally.
I believe that there is a wealthy individual who is backing Lewes DC and their opposition. I can't prove anything but talking to a number of people this seems to be feasible and would explain the recklessness of LDC and the way that Commin has managed to sway a large DC to support the interests of a small and insignificant ward.

Is it legal for private individuals to make donations to District Councils? And if it is, can such donations remain confidential? I'd be sceptical about your theory, mona, but if it's true it would be nice to know more

 

[Hadlee]

Out of the blue today I received a letter from a Lewes Councillor, in response to my own letter (which I posted on here a month or so back). I won't reveal the author's name, but it is (a) pretty lengthy, and (b) quite emotional.

The letter claims (and I have no reason to disbelieve this - Lord B will have a better idea as to its veracity) that

1. LDC councillors have been forbidden to correspond with constituents (or others) on the Falmer issue;

2. "Every single elected councillor was gagged after the decision "behind closed doors" was made";

3. The decision to seek a JR is nothing more than a show of strength between little Lewes and the "Labour Brighton bully"....it's a class war, and most Lib Dems in LDC feel themselves superior to people who follow a "common" sport like football.

As you can imagine, with quotes like that it's quite a letter!

I totally agree with point 3, I've said all along LDC see this as a crusade, and the decision to name BHA & BHDC as defendants was deliberate.

Can anyone imagine they would have gone to these lengths if they were building a supermarket at the Falmer site ?

 

[Early Doors]

Wouldn't be somebody connected with rancid, dodgy pies would it?

If it is (not that it will be easy to confirm) we need to up the anti against them BIG TIME.
LONG ques on a busy saturday morning, with customers continually changing their mind on what they want would cause a poroblem wouldn't it

 

[sully]

Jim,

Sorry to be picky with your brilliant letter, but is there something missing from this paragraph? Or am I reading it wrong?

LDC has discouraged discussion of the Judicial Review decision, and effectively gagged it’s councillors. More recently, the leadership has also apparently involved the police in an attempt to stop a member of the public from highlighting

 

[sully]

If it is (not that it will be easy to confirm) we need to up the anti against them BIG TIME.
LONG ques on a busy saturday morning, with customers continually changing their mind on what they want would cause a poroblem wouldn't it

As long as they eventually decided they weren't actually hungry any more

 

[The Large One]

Jim,

Sorry to be picky with your brilliant letter, but is there something missing from this paragraph? Or am I reading it wrong?

Yes, it does seem to stop in the middle of the sentence...

 

[Early Doors]

As long as they eventually decided they weren't actually hungry any more

Or just eventually decide they would rather have a McDonalds