Roy West took his first small steps back into the local political arena last night by attending the Dukinfield District Assembly. He has of course been prevented from attending on certain occasions in the past, but having served his time now starts all over again with a clean slate. Something certain members of the local political establishment won't be glad to hear.
Resplendent in a smart blue jumper with a large Union Jack pattern, Mr West and the rest of the (slightly higher than average) public turnout listened as various representatives of the local authorities and agencies made their short presentations. As is usual when Councillor Wilde is in the chair, proceedings were brisk.
Inspector Callahan (a man Mr west has met on several previous occasions in a more 'personal' capacity) gave a crime brief, that appeared to show overall offences were roughly the same as last year's July - September figures. The exceptions being notable increases in Assault/Harassment and 'Other' Burglary, the latter supposedly down to better summer weather this year.
There was then a discussion about last week's Police operation at Woolley's Funeral home on Cheetham Hill Rd (something that gained significant regional press coverage), with Inspector Callahan and several councillors reassuring those present that the incident related to investigations into possible fraud. Also that there was no concern about the presence of human ashes on the premises, and that this matter had been resolved satisfactorily.
A gentleman in the audience then asked about an ongoing, long term parking/obstruction issue outside Broadbent Fold School that the authorities have failed to resolve. An apparent matter of particular frustration to Councillor Taylor.
The only other incident of note was Councillor Reynolds's response to a mildly frustrated elderly gentlemen's complaint about traffic issues on Gorse hall Rd, when she mystifyingly accused him of being too aggressive in his manner. Fortunately Councillor Sweeton stepped in and smoothly and professionally dealt with the matter, glossing over his colleague's bizarre assertion.
In conclusion a fairly typical, modern 'establishment' public meeting with all the safe, 'mentionable' and 'inside the box' issues touched upon and any 'elephant in the room' subjects totally ignored.
Fortunately however there are still certain individuals like Mr West who buck the growing trend for sweeping the 'wrong' subjects under the carpet. Let's hope this colourful and unquestionably committed gentleman continues his gradual re-emergence onto the local political scene, now he is a free man again.
29 comments:
A lot of local Labour councillors are hyper sensitive to any criticism. When you've got a stitched up borough with an apathetic and/or low intelligence electorate plus a useless Tory party, ANY real opposition and threat to your well paid, cushy number must be irritating and unsettling.
They tend to bristle when confronted with justified criticism, or threat (major or minor) to the comfortable status quo they've enjoyed so long.
People should go along to these events, if they went the other day it would be easy to understand what poeople say about the Labour Mafai.
Sorry Labour Mafia.
Cllr David Sweeton showed how it should be done.
Calm and responsive on the night he took charge of a pathetic outburst from that Cllr over nothing.
The guy was not in the least intimidating they just don't want any complaints or opposition.
Everyone's got to be sheep in Tameside, not say anything that upsets their Mafia set up.
But fair play for some common sense from Cllr Sweeton on the night.
PMT
So, everyone's got to be sheep in Tameside, not say anything that upsets their Mafia set up.
Oh, dear, I must be in trouble then!
West no doubt has many faults.
Not giving a toss about the future of your country or being a self-seeking traitor (like a vast proportion of our local and national elected representatives) are not amongst them.
BARGAIN ALERT: 28 day Tram ticket from Ashton to Piccadilly - only £73. A real bargain as you get to use the full 5 miles of track EACH WAY.
Or you could get a System One bus ticket that you can use on any of the 1600 plus buses in Greater Manchester for the appalling rip off price of £59.40.
Still the exorbitant tram fares will keep the number of plebs on board down won't it.
The tram may be a little more expensive but the traveling experience is vastly superior than going by bus. It is not always the case the cheapest option is the best.
Who was that new charter guy at the da?
New charter housing were at the Dukinfield DA, Their spokesman stated that they were working closely with the police, sharing intelligence and information.
The public does not support tougher restrictions on foreign nationals coming to Britain
Curmudgeon your articles are very good, just give it time will are already upsetting them.
Many of us a very pleased you are writing these anti=mafia articles on your blog.
KEEP THEM COMING!
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@10/10/2013 09:55 Only Jesus is perfect, and, he his the beacon for hope, courage, determination, and strength in heart.
You believe that in the dark days ahead.
@ Frexniet or Dom perignon, 'A LITTLE more expensive', you're having a laugh. It's supposed to be part of 'a transport system for everyone the future' or similar bollocks, not chauffeur driven luxury prices.
The cranks infest the transport authorities in Britian as they do education, health and much of the rest of the state sector, hence lunacy like the tram and the infantile and pointless obsession with (EU driven) 'Green' lunacy.
To be fair Duki's mostly an OK area, at the moment. Parts of Hyde and Ashton will be 'unliveable' in for some, if the current 'changes' continue at their current or accelerated rate.
The tram is not lunacy, it is the future, the problem is you just have not realised it yet.
The tram is the past ? full stop ? why do you think we tuck them away 40 years ago
The money blown on this antiquated, inflexible, expensive, obstructive, low capacity pile of (s)crap would have been better being burned. At least someone would have got some heat out of it.
Choo Choooo, you forget that you can also stop of in Droylsden. We have plenty of pound shops, shuttered storefronts and even a pawn shop. The great thing about the tram is that we had virtually none of those until they started construction on the timeline, in fact we had crowds of people getting in the way and buying things from small local shops. Dreadful it was.
@Choo choo
If you travel in peak morning traffic that is a reasonable price. I paid £27.60 a week to use a train (to manchester) and tram on a system one ticket tp get as far as old trafford. The journey would of been a nightmare any other way.
Buses are the worst form of transport. I'd rather use a tram that stops within 20mins walk and pay more for it. I also note that someone told me today that the weel;y bus ticket has been reduced. I wonder why?.. Traveling on buses sucks big time.
I agree (and it is a different person not a poster agreeing with his own comments).
Buses are fine for some people who don't mind cramped seating and a slow rate of travel but as far as I am concerned I would take the train or tram every single time when given the choice of bus or tram.
I was same poster just felt a need to add more if that needs to be clarified. I wasn't trying to hide it)
Back in Beeching's day, they ran the railways down so they could build more roads. It looks like things have come full circle, and they are running the roads down so they can build a railway line. We know who profited last time, I wonder who will be megabucks in by building HS2?
The fact that the tram suits a few people who can afford it does not alter the fact it's an inflexible, expensive, obstructive, low capacity system. As for buses damaging roads, I think you'll find hundreds of thousands of cars in Greater Manchester and vast numbers of lorries and vans had massively more to do with it. If all the money wasted on the tram had been spent on maintaining the roads maybe there wouldn't be potholes everywhere, but hey that would have benefitted the vast majority of the moving public not just the 2% who use the tram wouldn't it. The only reason trams make better headway when they're in the roadway is because all the road layout and traffic lights are rigged to suit the tiny number of tram users to the detriment, delay and obstruction of everyone else.
To put it quite simply when comparing trams to buses it is quality over quantity and that's why the tram wins every time.
Low quantity it is, that can only exist at all because the car and bus take the vast majority of the moving public.
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