eU wasting our time?

It seems like the rebellious right-wing Medway Tories are still banging on about Europe.

They are restless, largely because Cameron has decided to position the Conservatives as the most pro-federalist party, with wholesale support for bail-outs of Ireland, EU takeover of financial regulation and the creation of an EU standing-army.

In all but name this Conservative government has been a dream come through to pro-Europeans. Cheers guys.

UKIP are edging up in the polls and the local membership is restless about the amount of Conservative spin on Europe. It is clear that the national party and local MPs are not living up to their pledges, or are simply unable to.

All the Medway Parties (Labour included) agreed to cutting the EU budget in full Council. But this blog would contend this issue should not the priority for Councillors at this time.

If you wanted change. Why not raise this issue 3 months ago?

The boat has been missed!

Of course they do have better things to do - Perhaps managing the largest cuts programme in Medway history, a total of £23.5m, which is expected to decimate services. Perhaps also, managing the redundancy programme in Gun Wharf in a fair and transparent manner.

Meanwhile, shall we read what the Tory grass roots thought of the Medway Tory-led scheme

One Conservative stated that:

"have the greatest sympathy with the aim, but the methods attempted here are wrong. Councillors have a job to do in running their respective councils and representing their constituents in that respect. It is not for them to start trespassing on the territory of our MPs and MEPs, any more than it ought to be for MPs to try to run councils from Westminster. By all means, outside their role of councillor, they can campaign on whatever they wish. Going down this route, of councils commenting on things outside their role, leads to them becoming glorified student unions, first European Parliament spending, then fox hunting, next Palestine, rather than doing the job they were elected to do - provide services to the public."

Or perhaps another probably summarises it better:

"Let's see if the Lib-Con Government do that shall we? Oh, there is a pig flying over Westminster!"

Lukewarm

So why?

Despite the statement, there was not total agreement at Council.

Conservative, Cllr Rehman Chisthi MP opposed the motion and voted against his colleagues and supported the EU budget increase. He stood alone in opposing the budget increase, though he cumulatively represents over 80,000 residents across Gillingham & Rainham.

His position on the motion makes his position difficult for re-selection in 2015.

Its the factions again.

Many residents will also feel however that given the times, our Tories should be spending time concentrating on issue they actually have influence over.

Like getting our roads moving, keeping our paths and parks clean, like working a recycling programme which has introduced straw-bags that are considered a running joke. Like sorting out the gritting fiasco and managing regeneration projects.

Medway residents should not be used as pawns in some Medway Tory power-play and given the times of austerity and cuts it is clear the Conservatives are once again concentrating more on faction fighting then on the real issues which impact our residents.