Richard Ashton (pictured left), who works for the Conservative Group on Tameside Council, says Political Advisors do have a worthwhile role in winning the battle of ideas As the Chairman of the Conservative Political Assistants' Network (CPON), which represents the 70-or-so Conservative Political Assistants in local government, I read Cllr Harry Phibbs' recent piece on political advisors with interest – as well as the ensuing comments - and was concerned at the apparent ignorance that still prevails amongst Conservative ranks about the work of Political Assistants. Cllr. Phibbs has therefore, very generously, given me space to provide a bit more background, and to put the case for Political Assistants. In the first instance, Cllr. Phibbs' description of "courtiers and cronies" bore no resemblance to Political Assistants. I would not like to surmise why Hammersmith & Fulham had originally employed so many advisors - nor am I suggesting Cllr. Phibb's criticism of the advisors extended to Political Assistants - but these 'advisors' were certainly not Political Assistants. We are a different breed entirely and should not be tarred with the same brush. The role of local government political assistants was formalised under Margaret Thatcher's premiership in 1989. Concerns about "jobs for the boys" led to government legislation being introduced to combat these worries. As a result, the role of the Political Assistant was politically restricted and their pay capped by statue. If a council wanted to appoint political researchers, they could not just do it to benefit the ruling group – there had to be one for each of the three largest parties, providing that they had at least 10% of the council's membership. To read the rest of this thought provoking argument click here.
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Richard Ashton - The case for Political Assistants
Richard Ashton (pictured left), who works for the Conservative Group on Tameside Council, says Political Advisors do have a worthwhile role in winning the battle of ideas As the Chairman of the Conservative Political Assistants' Network (CPON), which represents the 70-or-so Conservative Political Assistants in local government, I read Cllr Harry Phibbs' recent piece on political advisors with interest – as well as the ensuing comments - and was concerned at the apparent ignorance that still prevails amongst Conservative ranks about the work of Political Assistants. Cllr. Phibbs has therefore, very generously, given me space to provide a bit more background, and to put the case for Political Assistants. In the first instance, Cllr. Phibbs' description of "courtiers and cronies" bore no resemblance to Political Assistants. I would not like to surmise why Hammersmith & Fulham had originally employed so many advisors - nor am I suggesting Cllr. Phibb's criticism of the advisors extended to Political Assistants - but these 'advisors' were certainly not Political Assistants. We are a different breed entirely and should not be tarred with the same brush. The role of local government political assistants was formalised under Margaret Thatcher's premiership in 1989. Concerns about "jobs for the boys" led to government legislation being introduced to combat these worries. As a result, the role of the Political Assistant was politically restricted and their pay capped by statue. If a council wanted to appoint political researchers, they could not just do it to benefit the ruling group – there had to be one for each of the three largest parties, providing that they had at least 10% of the council's membership. To read the rest of this thought provoking argument click here.
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9 comments:
"The man who pays the piper calls the tune".
Who does a council paid Political Assistant work for? The Political Group or the council?
Do the opposition party have a say in chosing their PA?
"Who does a council paid Political Assistant work for?"
Tameside Council.
"Do the opposition party have a say in chosing their PA?"
Yes. Just like Roy Oldham chose his.
Unlike Roy Oldhams PA the Tories PA doesn't submit dodgy foi requests to the council "Mr Worth"
Well done to our Leader John Bell.
John Bell is an uneducated dip shit.
What did Richard Ashton do before becomming a researcher? Someone told me he was a PCSO and a bus driver. How does he have the experience of research. Going from a bus driver to political assistant! Makes Sean Parker-Perry look whiter than white doesn't it?
Er, perhaps from a degree? Research skills can be gained through all sorts of ventures you dipshit.
Richard Ashton doesn't have a degree at all.
Wasn't he a dustbin man?
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