The other day I read a blog from Mick Grant one of my local Labour Councillors entitled “Day Of Action.” Now I know Mick is never short for words, but on this occasion he ended his blog entry in a way which left more than the one question he had written hanging. So for the point of clarity I have decided clear up a few areas raised by it. His entry read:
“The one thing that did frighten me, no sorry two things, was police and prison officers protesting. I thought these two bodies couldn’t strike, I certainly know the prison officers can’t (If I’m wrong on that I’m sure someone will enlighten me).”
OK, so just for the record and so there is no misunderstanding, neither the Police nor Prison Officers were on strike. In regard to the Police, those concerned had taken holiday days or rest days to do their protest march in London.
In regard to Prison Officers they conducted Protest Branch Meetings at their establishments, during which their establishments were left in what is called ‘Patrol State where there is minimum prisoner movement or activity and safety cover is in place for emergency purposes. The Public were NOT placed at risk, nor was security compromised by what occurred to my knowledge.
Now why did these meetings take place? It is simple:
I rest my case……….
GARY DAY
NIC DAKIN’S PEOPLE’S PANEL – A GREAT IDEA
NIC DAKIN
Labour MP for Scunthorpe
On the 4th of May 2012 I attended my MP Nic Dakin’s People’s Panel, so I thought I would write a few lines about what I discovered. I am not going to go into the topics of discussion that occurred because I know that VisitScunthorpe had a representative there who is going to publish a report on the meeting itself and I look forward to reading it.
Nic Dakin (Labour MP for Scunthorpe Constituency) has always said that because he represents the people of Scunthorpe at Parliament he would always endeavour to be answerable to them in the fullest manner possible (an ethos Scunthorpe Conservative Councillors would do well to learn in my personal opinion).
One way that he has found of doing so is through these face to face public discussion meetings which have an open agenda to enable any constituent the opportunity to question him on any matter of concern or put forward their view directly to him on any local or national issue they have.
This is done after he first reports back to the audience what he has been doing on their behalf since the last people’s panel was convened and he has allowed the audience to question him specifically on the report he has given.
On arrival Nic and his team also meet and greet those attending and half way through the meeting there is a small coffee break and ‘mingling’ and at the end of the meeting Nic and his team make themselves available to speak with those needing a word.
Members of Parliament are often criticised for their lack of interaction with their constituents and not listening to what they have to say, the worries they have, or the message that they the constituent wants them to take to the Government or Parliament. In Nic Dakin’s People’s Panel, I believe Nic has found a great informal way of addressing that criticism and I would recommend all who have an interest in what their MP is trying to do for them to attend.
Nic Dakin’s People’s Panel are usually held on an evening between 7pm and 9pm and are advertised prior to the event taking place.
GARY DAY
Government should stop and rethink their methods.
I am first to say that anyone needing a helping hand when they suffer an illness or disability should get that help, especially when that illness or disability prevents them from earning a living. However I am not supportive of able-bodied people, free of any illness or disability which prevents them from earning a living, sitting at home watching Jeremy “flaming” Kyle while others bust a gut working to support their own families and to pay their taxes to support those in real need.
It is for that reason that I support the Governments overall aim of trying to address the problem of rooting out malingerers who abuse the welfare state system and those identified to get off their butts and except responsibility for themselves with some support if needed.
For too long there has been a continual hard core element over successive years who have considered that a work free life living off the welfare state is their right, when in fact it isn’t. The welfare state system is and only has ever been there as a last resort for people to go to when they have no other option. Some people have forgotten that and others through the way they have been brought up have never been taught that.
However whilst agreeing with the Government’s aim, I am increasingly concerned over the method that they’re using. It appears that they have a default stance that those Incapacity Benefit claimants under review are fit to work unless they win on appeal. This is a ridiculous way of working and far from achieving its aim in a fair and proportionate manner it bullies and distresses people to despair.
I am in agreement with my MP Nic Dakin on this matter, it is a difficult area to address and can understand fully why he has had people calling on him for help. I believe that this Government has charged in like a bull in a china shop over this matter and as a result has left carnage in its wake.
To those who read this and sit there thinking to themselves Gary Day’s at it again, having another go at the Tories; I say to you all, if the Conservative Employment Minister Chris Grayling wants some advice on the matter tell him this:
“Go back to the PM David Cameron and the rest of your mates in your ConDem Cabinet, put the brakes on the way you are assessing these people, re-visit how it can be done, make sure that the starting point for any assessment is that your assessors over-riding aim is firstly to ensure that those in real need get the proper support that they rightly deserve.”
GARY DAY
CUT, CUT, CUT!!
WHO OR WHAT WILL GET THE CHOP THIS TIME?
Today Government departments were told to shave off 5% (approx 16bn of their budgets by George Osborne’s hatchet man Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander. Every public sector worker in the country must be worried sick based on this government’s form to date. The excuse given; to pay for new policies or spending demands if needed.
However, the truth as revealed by the Prime Minister David Cameron is that it was to keep interest rates low and to keep their beloved yet failing economic policy going. His admittance that the public should be braced for more cuts to come re-enforces the reality of the degree in which this Government policies continue to fail to provide any substantive economic growth or wealth for our country.
What will the price really be before this is all over?
More public sector job losses – probably.
More public sector financed projects shut down – probably.
More expectation on an already over-stretched public sector front line – probably.
More private sector workers made redundant due to lack of orders for their companies from public sector organisations due to government saving requirement – probably.
More people having to seek state aid or benefits – probably.
What will this impact on?
Everything probably; Project provision and charitable support, Council services and regional funding. Our forces, our Justice services and security services. Our law courts, family courts, Prisons and Probation services, all will be targeted. Along with every area that the NHS covers from hospital services to dental, including children’s service provision in one way or another, the aged or infirm.
Today every person in this country should be holding their breath in expectation while they wait to see how much more pain they will have to endure and all because the only plan the Government has is to cut,cut,cut!
But don’t worry they have billions to invest in the I.M.F to bail out the like of the euro-zone but nothing to ease the future pain of their own people.
GARY DAY
Watching the London Marathon today reminded me of all the good done by unsung heroes who go that extra mile for others (excuse the pun). I refer of course to the charity fund raisers. I have friends and work colleagues who all do their bit for their causes and it is usually needed because politicians have failed in theirs.
I have one friend call Andy at work he currently is endeavouring to run the Edinburgh Marathon for a national medical charity, I have another called Rick who with a group of people who have just set up a local charity called the VC Trust and a third called Paul who is running a half marathon for a local charity called The Forge. The work of the national medical charity I will leave to others to promote as they don’t need my help. In regard to the two local one’s I would just like to say a few words:
The Victoria Cross Trust
Rick Midgley
Unsung Hero
In 2011, a group of people along with my friend Rick Midgley realised that graves belonging to servicemen awarded the Victoria Cross have been forgotten and neglected. A number are without headstones and are unmarked, many more have fallen into disrepair and have no living family members to maintain and look after them.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission only takes responsibility for the graves of those that were killed in action during world war one and world war two. Many more Victoria Cross recipients were laid to rest without civic recognition and continued maintenance of the grave sites. As a result the VC Trust endeavour to work with families and relatives of those brave men whose graves fall outside the remit of the CWGC and provide the same level of care afforded to those men that fell in battle during the two world wars. The VC Trust also seeks to educate and raise public and political awareness on this subject. Further information and how you can help can be found at this link:
http://www.victoriacrosstrust.org
The Forge Project
Paul Rhoades
Unsung Hero
A friend of mine called Paul Rhoades known to many in the community for his activism on many matters dear to him has decided to run his first ever half marathon on the 6th MAY 2012 for The Forge to help disadvantaged children, families and adults in Scunthorpe.
He chose The Forge because of the poverty and the impact he has witnessed on children, families and adults in the area. The Forge uses money raised locally on local people. The Forge provide a regular Adult Day Centre for homeless and roofless people, a Senior Citizen’s Luncheon club and a Child Contact Centre. All of these services are delivered by just three permanent members of staff supported by a team of volunteers.
Paul believes that they make a real difference to vulnerable children, families and adults in the area by providing help and support to families, assisting adults in finding accommodation and work and by delivering practical support in terms of hot meals and hampers. Further information and how you can help can be found at this link:
http://www.justgiving.com/TheForgeProject
WHERE OUR GOVERNMENT’S FAILED THEIR PEOPLE, HEROES LIKE THESE HAVEN’T.
Please check out the links.
GARY DAY
Free speech and Internet Surveillance
Theresa May, Tory Home Secretary, 2012
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that:
‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and to seek, receive and impart information through any media and regardless of frontiers.’ That belief is re-enforced nearer to home by article 10 of the Human Rights Act which safeguards the right to free expression, which includes the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without State interference. However yet again Government are finding reasons for eroding at the edges the one true freedom that should enjoy.
Some would have us believe that our country has one of the most repressed regimes in the world which is a bold statement to make. However for a long time now our country has lived more and more under a Governmental lead called ‘Political Correctness’ a term used to denote language, ideas, policies, and behaviour seen as seeking to minimise social and institutional offence. Others would have you believe it is nothing more than a generic term used to describe the method by which Government can impart on society its opinion on whether an individual or an organisations view are either acceptable and allowed or unacceptable and not tolerated. Effectively Government under successive political parties have, it could be argued, become our nation’s people’s judge in regard to their views, thoughts, speech and written expression or opinion.
Judge Neil Denison when he retired in 2001 said in reference to Political Correctness reportedly said:
“In some of its more lunatic aspects, political correctness is merely ridiculous. But in the thinking behind it, there is something more sinister which is shown by the fact that already there are certain areas and topics where freedom of speech, in the sense of the right to open and frank discussion, is being gradually but significantly eroded.”
There are many other esteemed views of a similar opinion as well if they are looked for on the Internet.
The Internet, loved by most hated by a few; Why? Because for all the good it does, it also brings inherent dangers both previously proven and potentially perceived by Government. It is because of this reason that the current Government led by the Home Secretary Theresa May is looking to change the law under which all conversations over the internet, including social networking sites and Skype, plus emails will be recorded. These would be for use by the Police and our Security Services who would be able to demand details of who is conversing with whom and what time the conversations took place. However both the Police and Security Services (it is proposed) would need a court order to listen to or read the content.
Those opposing this proposal vehemently say that this standard of surveillance places UK citizens in a position similar to the citizens of countries such as China or Iran. Others in support of the Government’s view in this matter claim it’s a necessary weapon in the fight against terrorists. As a prolific user of the internet for a variety of reasons and as a person who uses emails more and more as opposed to that of the phone, I can understand the Governments reasoning behind their want. However as a law-abiding citizen of this country do I believe the Government is justified in bringing in such an all encompassing law – no.
To potentially hoard information on people who have done no wrong just in case they may do so in the future is immoral and wrong. As per usual nowadays it appears that every time the Government want to extend their Big Brother’ watch over us the reasoning they give is ‘Terrorism.’ This is not justification, it is a scare tactic. There are numerous laws already in place to address the need of those who serve to protect us in their acquiring of information on those suspected of doing wrong without this draconian measure proposed by the Home Secretary Theresa May. All the Police and Security Services have to do is go to Judge and justify their access to an individual’s private information first and quite right to.
No Government or its subsidiaries should ever in my opinion have the authority to force private companies, organisations or service providers to keep private information or correspondence on their customers, clients or employees. Even former Conservative Shadow Home Secretary David Davis, who opposes this proposal has reportedly said: “If they want to see all this information, they should be willing to put their case before a judge or magistrate. This will force them to focus on the real terrorists rather than turning Britain into a nation of suspects.”
As this Government led by the Home Secretary Theresa May continuously looks at carving up our police and security services under the claim that the Government can do so without risk to public safety, it appears we now can see how she aims to support that claim. By using private sector companies to act as surveillance operatives for the Police and Security Services, all free of charge, at the stroke of a pen.
GARY DAY
The Tory ‘Troughfiteers’
COULD GOVERNMENT POLICY BE FOR SALE?
Is there little wonder that as more and more time goes on, those of us who consider ourselves working or middle class increase our distrust of anything that our ruling Conservative Government led by ‘Diner For Dosh’ David Cameron does or say.
New and recent revelations in regard to Tory fund raising practises highlight that though the Tories both nationally and locally claim that they are both leaders and champions in Openness, Honesty and Transparency, when push comes to shove they all appear speak with a forked tongue.
As the Conservative Party and their ‘less then’ Liberal Democratic cohorts continue with their governmental farce that they portray as ‘politics for the people,’ the public are all fully aware that what they are witnessing is nothing more than ‘Tory Troughfiteering’ in all its glory.
For a long time now people have not understood the reasoning for the ‘no plan B’ approach in regard to this Tory led fiscal policy championed by both David Cameron and George Osbourne. However it appears in light of recent events that there could be a better understanding for why they have retained this attitude.
I m not saying there is, nor am I saying there isn’t. What I am saying that there is sufficient cause for concern and evidence to indicate the need for a ‘totally independent’ investigation not connected to the Conservative Party in any way. For this reason I believe that the Prime Minister’s (keep it in the Conservative Party) approach is nothing more than an attempted whitewash and why I support Jack Straw’s letter to the Electoral Commission.
To do otherwise will not meet the demands of the public in wanting to know the truth, to do otherwise does not meet the public expectations of Openness, Honesty and Transparency where political party funding is concerned and to do otherwise does not support Prime Minister David Cameron’s own stated belief that “DEMOCRACY IS GOVERNMENT BY EXPLANATION.” (House of Commons 13th July 2011).
Unless our open, honest and transparent Prime Minister didn’t mean it of course!
GARY DAY
QUESTION AND QUESTION AGAIN UNTIL YOUR HAPPY
It never ceases to amaze me how readily people except what others say as being accurate without first testing the foundation on which they make their claim. Just because an employee’s manager or someone holding a civic or union post says something, it doesn’t mean that their opinion alone is right or what they base it on correct.
Managers or post holders of any kind are after all only human and have flaws just the same as those they purport to lead or represent and their view will always lean subconsciously in favour of the way they would wish their employees or those they represent to go to meet their company’s needs or line with the least level of resistance, thereby carrying favour with the manager’s manager. Likewise in regard to public representation, that is carried out more often or not in line with the wider aims of some form of political group, though in a few very cases where an individual stands on an independent basis. The so-called ‘independent’ usually has their own objectives and therefore biased in favour of their own particular beliefs which created the platform on which they stood and the same could be argued in regard to union representation.
I am not saying that all manager’s, representatives, civic leaders or post holders are out to do nothing but fill their own trough off the back of others who work under them or of those they represent, that would be unjust and would do those who are good managers, representatives or post holders an unwarranted disservice.
What I am saying is that rank or a position of authority in itself does not alone denote that the individual in that position is any better or more intelligent than those under that individual’s leadership, control or behest. It just means that they have chosen a path or a challenge or a betterment method that others may not necessarily have wanted or even considered.
There is an easy way to test this, ask yourself this how many of your managers, representatives or post holders could carry out the job specified tasks of their employees or those they represent to the same standard and complexity. Doing so within the same constraints enforced on them that they themselves enforce on their employees and fulfilled to the same expectation.
Most managers, civic representatives or post holders who manage complex tasks, units or companies wouldn’t know where to start let alone come anywhere near passing this simple test. This is because with each step up the ladder of authority, priorities change and a distance mandatorily begins to open up between those in authority and their employees. This gap never closes but grows ever wider with each step up the managerial ladder or civic office.
Likewise the same argument could be put in favour of the manager or post holder and therefore an impasse has been reached with the scales of balance weighing equally for both employee and manager/post holder in regard to both their strengths and weaknesses. Both ‘specialise’ in their own areas of work whilst one’s opinion is no better than the others.
Therefore before any individual forms a judgement on anything important to them, they should do so only with the aim of forming their own judgement based on all the information available to them and not by following the lead of others just because of a mis-belief that someone in a grade higher, post, or position of authority than them must know better. Any individual doing so does themselves an injustice.
Yes where anything of real importance to an individual or employee are concerned, you can bet there will be a vast amount of paperwork or information in regard to that subject which may also be complex to some. However it is at these times when that same individual or employee needs to put extra effort into understanding what is happening or proposed or into seeking advice or guidance from as independent a source possible to help them to understand.
At the end of the day the choices we all make in our lives are ours and ours alone to make. We try to make them in our best interests, to meet our hopes, needs and aspirations. To those who read this I ask only one thing, whether you are considering your position at work in some way, making a life changing personal choice at home, considering who should represent you in some manner or deciding whether or not to support a particular course of action or need recommended by your union; Only make your final decision when and only when you have acquired sufficient knowledge to give yourself the whole picture to enable you to do so.
One final thought, never be afraid to challenge a manager, representative or someone holding a civic or union post. These people will make decisions or propose actions that will impact on you and you have the right to make sure your interests are considered in full.
Not doing so could result in a catastrophic mistake or choice being made by you that may be un-repairable or irreversible.
GARY DAY
Liberal Democrat Conference shows how ‘Tory right’ the Liberal Democrats leadership really are
ELECTION BOX
It must be soul destroying for the Liberal Democrats at their conference the moment, having a secret Tory sympathisers at the helm of their party. The average Liberal Democrat supporter must be ruing the day that they trusted their so called ‘Liberal Democrat’ leader when he signed them up to a ‘political devils pact’ with the Conservatives after the last General Election.
As time goes on, more and more the public witness how ‘Tory right’ the Liberal Democrats leadership really are, a move some would say ‘pre-empted’ at the North Lincolnshire Council by one of the Conservative councillors currently a NLC Cabinet member who stood at the last General Election for the Liberal Democrats.
Likewise and as evidenced at North Lincolnshire Council, as time goes further on in this so called ‘coalition’ Government’s tenure, these unapologetic ‘right turned’ representatives (the NLC Councillor, now officially a Tory since the last NLC elections) continue to strengthen their resolve in ensuring that the Conservatives get their political wishes carried out.
While we witness true believing Liberal Democrats desperately try to keep their leadership reined in at their spring Conference, like in the case of the disgraceful NHS Bill that has the unwavering support of their leaders though now officially doesn’t have the support of the Liberal Democrat membership.
All these shenanigans make an observer wonder; Who it is exactly that those Liberal Democrats in their Government Cabinet positions really represent? They weren’t put into power by the general public, they weren’t put into power by the Tories, the policies that they are trying to force through don’t have the support of the majority of the general public and their party membership are now telling them to ‘shove’ their Tory friends sanctioned policies where the sun doesn’t shine.
As someone who has openly declared that he supports the Labour Party in its aims and ideals both in local matters and nationally, it matters not ‘a jot’ to me in reality.
Why? Because at the end of the next General Election(whenever that is, though the sooner the better), I will still be represented by a Labour MP and he will be in a better position to represent ALL and not the chosen few as this current Conservative/Liberal Democrat lot do.
Oh! And as a bonus, not too long after, the local Labour Party will have regained control of North Lincolnshire Council and started to work in a truly open and honest manner on their openly declared policies for the betterment of ALL North Lincolnshire residents and not to the detriment of those in real need. That day can’t come to soon.
GARY DAY
PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT SERVICE KEEPING NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE’S ROADS OPEN
A SNOW PLOUGH AT WORK (Picture by Paul Rhoades)
Just lately the people of North Lincolnshire have seen another example of what excellent value for money their public sector council workforce is. These recent days of snow, ice and freezing nights have placed an additional burden on the council’s workforce. This burden being to ensure that our public highways have remained open, allowing us the public to go about our day to day business in a reasonable manner with as little hindrance as possible.
These freezing nights have meant that this workforce have had to continuously leave the comfort of their own homes, staying out over night to ensure vast road areas have been either cleared or grit/salted to ensure that overnight they remained open and for morning they were usable to those with a need.
To date, very few if any businesses have suffered because of the weather affecting our roads through lack of deliveries being made. Haulage companies within the county have been able to meet their customers’ needs and public transport has continued to provide a very necessary service.
To reap praise on the current Council’s leaders in regard to this matter would not be justified as to date unlike during the previous council leadership’s tenure; there has been no extreme weather test to any system the current leadership may have claimed to have put in place.
However to the North Lincolnshire public sector council workforce whose sterling efforts of late, have kept this particular road user on the road and able to continue to earn his living with no hindrance – I sincerely thank you on behalf of all who recognise your efforts and myself.
GARY DAY
