Friday 13 January 2012

More King's Men


Obviously the news has been doing the rounds that Cllr Ian Driver has quit the Labour Group to join the Independents. It’s been clear for some time that he’s not been entirely comfortable in the Labour Group, so while for others this is a huge surprise, for me it wasn’t. A sign of this is the reaction he was getting at Overview over the Budget motion on Tuesday evening, backed by Tory Cllr Jo Gideon but being slammed by former Labour colleagues over Labour’s amendment to the Budget regarding floral grants and events budget. I say well done to him for walking and hope he finds it a bit better for him with the Indies.

This will lead to the inevitable discussion over whether a by-election should result. I’ve always thought there should be but more recently I’ve changed my mind. Unless there’s a really good reason for a by-election, it’s frankly not worth the hassle. The Council doesn’t have the resources anyway, not to mention that if a Cllr changes allegiance, their card will be marked and remembered for the next election.

Originally I was planning not to visit the next topic but it would seem odd not to comment, given the subject has brought so much attention to the blog.

The next big story of the week has been Cllr John Worrow getting picked for the new role of TDC Equality and Diversity Champion, which is quite a mouthful. It would be churlish not to say well done to him for getting the gig, though I would love to know the process behind his appointment. I hope this job will be treated properly, rather than being used as justification to continue his pointless campaign against North Thanet Conservatives over the supposed homophobia within the Party. 

28 comments:

Ren Wood said...

So the debacle with Mark Nottingham's deselection comes back to haunt Thanet Labour.

Whatever may have been the problem with Mark, he would never have crossed the floor. He even had a bit of grey matter, something often lacking on the left.

Whatever next awaits us. Only needs the winter vomitting bug to hit one party harder than the other and anything could happen.

As for the Equality & Diversity Champion, it is a shame he does not show a bit of equality on his own blogsite and accept comments from those critical as well as the couple of fans.

Anonymous said...

I see the new King of Diversity is claiming over on his blog that some 92% of LGBT youngsters are verbally abused. Not sure what kind of school he went to, but seem to recall most at mine got verbally abused at some stage.

That could be for anything from being a fat kid, a swot, hopeless at games, teacher's pet, wearing glasses, failing to hand over pocket money to the school bullies, doing the homework that nobody else did and sundry other misdemeanours.

I am not saying that verbal abuse is right, but it happens and most of us learn to cope with it. My cousin, who was very short, took up boxing lessons and also became a great srum half. The combination of those things saw an end to him being bullied.

Worrow is not going to be much of a Diversity Champion if he only looks for abuse in one direction.

Anonymous said...

Ren Wood, John Worrow won't even answer reasonable and polite questions. Over the past couple of days I've asked him what's happening about the Minnis Bay event and what happened to his newspaper interview simply because I'm interested, but he hasn't published or responded to any of these. If that's the way he treats his supporters then there's really no hope for him.

Tim Clark said...

I'm beginning to take offence at Cllr Worrow's increasingly focussed heterophobic ranting and wonder what can be done about it. His refusal to publish any comments that do not coincide with his very limited definition of diversity indicate precisely the sort of Champion he really is - bigoted and bitter.
He also rants about the opinions of "outside" Conservative associations regarding NTCA. Since I doubt that this is true maybe he would like to name names. If he doesn't then all will see it for what it is - lies.

Tim Clark said...

2050 maybe Andrew couldn't publish the interview because it was libellous.

Peter C said...

My thoughts exactly Tim (to both your posts!). I've spoken to several former supporters of John, & they're sick of his bitter self-righteous rants.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting the differences between Ian Driver's departure and that of John Worrow.

Ian Driver has disagreed with Labour over a budget issue he feels strongly about and has walked. No simpering self pity, no recriminations against his former party, no allegations it is because of his bi-sexuality and a quiet dignity on his own blog.

John Worrow, on the other hand, started to claim he walked over animal exports, then parking and subsequently because of homophobic abuse, seemingly months ago, from one of his colleagues. Since we have had pathetic outpourings on his own and other blogs, but absolutely no attempt to prove or debate issues.

One would seem to be a man of strong beliefs and principles whilst the other is a self righteous wimp. Take your pick.

Peter C said...

Also, Ian has a sense of humour.

Anonymous said...

As someone who knows JW I am aware that he resigned over a number of issues, one only need read his speech about it on his blog or look at the Thanet Times - but why did he chose not to talk about discrimination until now?, maybe because he now has evidence?. I like the term 'heterophobic' but as John is bi its a rather strange term to use against him.
The people on this blog seem to have an unhealthy obsession with JW - he must be doing something right as its bringing out the true views of the ignorant people that belong to a certain organisation .. well done JW

Anonymous said...

Is he bi? I didn't think he'd actually revealed his sexuality.

Tim Clark said...

1522 hiding behind Anonymous, or should I say JW? Twaddle Sir. JW is just a self-absorbed soul - Mark Nottingham's 2009 description of him turned out to be prophetic. Tom, ian does have form for leaving political organisations but at least he is dignified. He is also still very active in his chosen cause - live animal exports - which, if you recollect, was the original pretext for the Great Worrow Resignation. On that subject I don't remember seeing the Great Animal Lover at the meeting at the old Baptist Church in Broadstairs - maybe this was before he cared. Or maybe he's just a phony

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work JW you've really are exposing the haters

Anonymous said...

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly, I'm a shadow to man I used to be,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday, it was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Anonymous said...

I was very open minded about sexulality and had no problem with whatever people chose to be. Always took the view it's their life.

Now this Worrow saga and the bile and hate eminating towards people from the likes of 15:22 and 15:35 is turning me a bit homophobic.

Anonymous said...

That last post should refer to 15:39, not 15:35.

Anonymous said...

Whose the Matt Munro fan? Or should that be Beatles?

Anonymous said...

See Worrow is now heralding the gay Dean who is going to sue the church unless it makes him a Bishop. Perhaps as a heterosexual, I should sue the army because I never made General.

Anonymous said...

Tom = Col Roger

Anonymous said...

Actually, I never made Colonel either so maybe I could sue them for that aswell!

Anonymous said...

Wonder why we anonymous bloggers are so obsessed with who named people might be. See Tom = Col Roger in somebody's book whilst elsewhere we have seen allegations that everyone with a name is one and the same person.

Anonymous said...

Probably because of the childish threats about exposing certain bloggers that come from the Blogmeister of Thanet Life and his cronies from time to time.

Anonymous said...

What can one say about 09:28? Perhaps "They walk among us - the scary part is they vote and reproduce!" Well, some of them do the latter.

Anonymous said...

Tom Clarke, was that in the British Army, or did you serve in the Wehrmacht?

Anonymous said...

10:59 Even if I said Salvation you would not believe me so what is the point. By the way, an awful lot of Germans proudly served their country in the Wehrmacht. They were not all Nazis and some today are serving alongside our troops in Afghanistan.

Hope that makes you feel proud of yourself. Incidentally, what did you ever serve in?

Anonymous said...

The restaurant in British Home Stores.

Anonymous said...

And I hope you are not suggesting that some of those who served in the Wehrmacht (by your implication during WWII) are not serving today in Afghanistan. I am against age discrimination, but that's stretching things a bit too far.

Anonymous said...

The key word was 'today' meaning the current generation. You are not really that bright are you and frequently outsmart yourself in attempting to be witty?

Anonymous said...

I don't pretend or presume to be bright; I leave boastfulness and self-promotion to others. As I leave insulting behaviour to experts in the field like you.

But actually, the wording you used does not convey the meaning you intend. You need to pay more attention to your syntax.