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National News Sir Keir Starmer
- Thread starter Essexyellows
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Well-known member
Too right, but we've got rid of most of the Tory grifters now haven't we?
chuckbert
Well-known member
Isn’t that when they are supposed to be doing work in their constituencies?
Essexyellows
Well-known member
Yes.
Our former constituency MP had a 20 week waiting time for "constituency work" such as meeting constituents to discuss local matters.
It took the constituency office an average of 2 months to reply to an email to even get on the list, if it was deemed important enough.
As she is now in the Cabinet it`ll probably get longer.
Sheik djibouti
Well-known member
As opposed to doing the square root of f**k all while getting tanked up on mates Carribbean/Aegean/Mediterranean Island.
Very glad we've now got a government who are serious about service while in government, rather than self service
Essexyellows
Well-known member
As opposed to doing the square root of f**k all while getting tanked up on mates Carribbean/Aegean/Mediterranean Island.
Very glad we've now got a government who are serious about service while in government, rather than self service
She did the square root of nothing for her constituents before she got the cabinet job.
A prime example of many, she wouldn't even attend a community meeting about saving kids adventure playgrounds across the City as "it led to a conflict of political interest with the City Mayor". I have the lengthy email sent from her constituency office but that is the nub of it.
Those playgrounds are located in disadvantaged areas, where we used to live was a "deprived postcode", they provide breakfast & lunch clubs in school holidays, food top up services (not "official" foodbanks, a bit more informal - no referrals) and somewhere for young kids to go that is safe, secure and "off the streets" where they can play, socialise and develop.
All the locals wanted was the council to grant 5 year leases to the sites so they could apply for additional funding.
Having the local MP on board would add to the leverage but would make the City Mayor uncomfortable so she bottled it.
It now stands that they will likely close by September 2024 due to inaction by the City Council.
I might be a Conservative, however I`m more than willing to work with anyone to get a decent result and it royally p*sses me off when they put local political relationships ahead of local people.
Is that Labour delivering for those most in need.
Sheik djibouti
Well-known member
I absolutely agree with you that it is wrong that this is even an issue and it is dreadful that such a "no-win" situation has developed in this way for what everyone would agree is a really positive (vital even) provision for children, especially in deprived areas.She did the square root of nothing for her constituents before she got the cabinet job.
A prime example of many, she wouldn't even attend a community meeting about saving kids adventure playgrounds across the City as "it led to a conflict of political interest with the City Mayor". I have the lengthy email sent from her constituency office but that is the nub of it.
Those playgrounds are located in disadvantaged areas, where we used to live was a "deprived postcode", they provide breakfast & lunch clubs in school holidays, food top up services (not "official" foodbanks, a bit more informal - no referrals) and somewhere for young kids to go that is safe, secure and "off the streets" where they can play, socialise and develop.
All the locals wanted was the council to grant 5 year leases to the sites so they could apply for additional funding.
Having the local MP on board would add to the leverage but would make the City Mayor uncomfortable so she bottled it.
It now stands that they will likely close by September 2024 due to inaction by the City Council.
I might be a Conservative, however I`m more than willing to work with anyone to get a decent result and it royally p*sses me off when they put local political relationships ahead of local people.
Is that Labour delivering for those most in need.
Why would the City not renew the leases - is it dues to not being able to afford ongoing maintenance of the facilities?
Without knowing why the City council is unwilling to do this it is a bit hard to understand the thinking here.
If it is funding, maybe we need to wind back a bit and have a think about WHY Local Authorities are having to make such choices in the first place. Maybe if central government hadn't drastically slashed funding to local authorities there wouldn't be such a struggle to provide basic facilities in the first place
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/local-government-funding-england
Really easy to blame local authorities when we all know they are all really struggling with decreased CG funding (40% down between 2009/10 and 2019/20 a trend only reversed due to extra Covid grants in 20/21 and 21/22). As a result some serious and difficult decisions on core services and what to fund have to be made. However, as a result of last Thursday, I would expect to see a shift in attitude towards early years provision and things like breakfast, lunch and tea and holiday clubs. The core issue of course is WHY people need this more than ever in the first place.
Essexyellows
Well-known member
I absolutely agree with you that it is wrong that this is even an issue and it is dreadful that such a "no-win" situation has developed in this way for what everyone would agree is a really positive (vital even) provision for children, especially in deprived areas.
Why would the City not renew the leases - is it dues to not being able to afford ongoing maintenance of the facilities?
Without knowing why the City council is unwilling to do this it is a bit hard to understand the thinking here.
If it is funding, maybe we need to wind back a bit and have a think about WHY Local Authorities are having to make such choices in the first place. Maybe if central government hadn't drastically slashed funding to local authorities there wouldn't be such a struggle to provide basic facilities in the first place
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/local-government-funding-england
Really easy to blame local authorities when we all know they are all really struggling with decreased CG funding (40% down between 2009/10 and 2019/20 a trend only reversed due to extra Covid grants in 20/21 and 21/22). As a result some serious and difficult decisions on core services and what to fund have to be made. However, as a result of last Thursday, I would expect to see a shift in attitude towards early years provision and things like breakfast, lunch and tea and holiday clubs. The core issue of course is WHY people need this more than ever in the first place.
The issue is the short term view the Council have taken, they have provided a level of funding for 2024/2025 but expect the playgrounds to be self sufficient by 2025/26 without giving them the length of lease required.
All a bit circular really - a short lease will not enable access to other grants and they won`t offer a longer one and want them off the books as "non-statutory provision" as they slide towards a Section 114.
We all know its about funding and what is statutory vs what is not but they find the money for 7 Deputy/Assistant Mayors.
Oddly enough 1 being the Mayors daughter and the others being local councillors that toe the line and don`t rock the boat. Nepotism isn`t just a Tory trait..........
Sheik djibouti
Well-known member
Nepotism is very much a local council trait I'm afraid. Always has been and in many cases is regardless of colour. It's another symptom of the march to the bottom in politics which was very much accelerated by the example set from the top over the last 14 years.
If those in Westminster can get away with behaving so badly. . . why not everyone else.
There's an awful lot to be said about setting the right example from the top of Government, expecting greater transparency and making people more accountable for their actions. That said, we should also be careful not to tar public sector workers with the same brush, although (again), the government of the last 14 years were more than happy to castigate public sector workers when it suited them and acted as cover for their own failings. The problems have often started when politicians start to get involved.
Standards in public life HAVE to improve, and quickly!
Short termism in Local Authorities (as in central government) has become endemic - a particular problem when you have no clue what your funding settlement will be from one year to the next and where CG are going to either foist extra duties on you without the funding to match, or where they are going to cut funding for services already at breaking point.
It's a ridiculous way to run things and we can only hope things will improve with a government more intent on serving the communities who did (and didn't) elect them.
YellowsForLife
Active member
Look I cant say I really like either, however, I know UKIP would not be able to manage that, now Farage has gone the parties in shambles
The mighty Aldo
Well-known member
Indeed the world would be a better place but this country would be dog s**t
UKIP are yesterdays news
Monster Raving Loony Party however said we should stop buying diced cheese……… we should make Britain grate again
Mojofilter
Well-known member
please not another absurd parody on here
YellowsForLife
Active member
As someone not very UKIP focussed who is Gary Johnson and why would anyone parody him?
gone please admin, the level of discourse is already too low in the main.
The mighty Aldo
Well-known member
What are you doing on here, we had two new members on here last week from Reform who were quickly removed.
Can’t see that you are commenting on the serious views of the new stadium and where we play from 2026
What are your views on these issues?
YellowsForLife
Active member
Well said to be fair
The mighty Aldo
Well-known member
Fair enough, I look forward to your comments on other threads
