Two-faced on Tory Toll

So 'Never is a long time'? Tory campaign incompetence or deliberate u-turn?

Despite the waffle from the Cameron Conservatives in the press last week over the Tunnel Toll it seems that they will say anything to residents before an election to secure a vote, which now undertaking a u-turn on the Tunnel Toll.

In what is a clear breach of the '100% Guarantee' to the voters of River Ward it can be revealed that Medway Conservatives have been two-faced on the Tory toll. Telling one audience there will never be a toll before the local election whilst now suggesting that never is a long time and that it could happen.

It is not clear whether the senior Tory leadership were even aware of what their candidates were promising in what is an abject failure of campaign management.

Councillor Jarrett stated to the Medway Messenger last week that:

"I can't say if we ever would, but I can say we have never looked at it so far. They might huff and puff and say I'm lying but that is the case"

Councillor Jarrett was responding to the charge led by this blogger in the Council Chamber that the Tories lied to the voters of River Ward, when Councillor Jarrett revealed that "never is a long time"

The stupidity of the Conservatives to use that particular phrase when less than four months previously they promised in the ironically titled 'No tolls, not now, not ever under a Conservative Administration' on the River Ward Labour Watch Blog that

'There are no plans, there have never been any plans and there never will be a toll on Medway tunnel under any future Conservative administration.'

Not only is this a direct contradiction to the assertions of Councillor Jarrett but it is so explicit it makes a mockery, out of all the promises put before residents in Rochester.

Residents across Medway are beginning to see through the expensive leaflets and Cashcroft funded veneer. They can see the sheer and utter incompetence after project after programme are mismanaged and botched.

The promise for no tolls in the future was also made explicit in the '100% Guarantee' to River Ward voters in their election leaflet distributed in February 2011.

Meanwhile our local MP Mark Reckless has distanced himself from the campaign over the Tunnel after it has become clear that the government has no intention of taking ownership.

In a blog piece from 11 November 2010 he invited the Transport Minister Norman Baker to visit the Tunnel and even had the ordacity to state that

'he was very pleased how the coalition government and, in conjunction with what other Councillors are doing locally to convince Ministers to visit the site.'

As is yet the Department for Transport has rebuffed our Medway MPs on the Tunnel. Ineffective on transport as standard so we get the silent treatment.

Distancing, but why?

Cllrs' Mark Reckless and Rehman Chisthi of course supported the purchase of the tunnel in the first place as Councillors so they are worried that any potential toll will damage. Believe me,

Any toll will be a Reckless one.

River Ward launches new blog

Due to popular demand, well a few requests, John Jones and Adetomi Yemi have launched the new River Ward blog.

Neither John nor Adetomi, and they will forgive me for saying it, are massively technical so it is more a run down of local campaign activity and a forum to post and / or perhaps ask a query of your Councillor and candidate.

Over the course of time the blog will be developed but it is good to see that River ward has not been taken for granted. Plenty of positive news and campaign activity has taken place.

Take a read at the http://www.riverwardlabour.blogspot.com

The People win in River

The result of yesterday’s by-election in River Ward was as follows:

Anthony Cook – UK Independence Party – 42 votes
Garry Harrison – Liberal Democrat – 92 votes
John Jones – Labour – 695 votes
Steven Keevil – The Green Party – 36 votes
Andrew Mackness – Conservative 631 votes
Ron Sands – English Democrats – 31 votes

Turnout was 25.7%. Swing Conservative to Labour 4.9%.

On winning Cllr John Jones

"I am grateful to residents giving me their support after this amicable election. I have heard the real challenges that residents across the ward face, some of their frustrations about current council processes and some of their aspirations for the future.

I will do everything I can as their community champion to fight hard to ensure improvements are made and potential problems are challenged at all levels."

Cllr Vince Maple, Labour Election Agent said

"This victory sends several messages across Medway - firstly people have fear of what devastating impacts the Conservative and Liberal Democrat government will have.

People also are pleased with the selection of new Labour Leader Ed Miliband who visited River Ward and finally River residents also made it clear they want a reliable community champion fighing their corner, I know John will take on this role with his trademark energy, thought and passion."

Cllr Jones Jones spoke to Musings from Medway after winning saying

"I will work for all those who voted for me and those that did not and attempt to build bridges and work for the community in which I live.

This is a fantastic result for the hard pressed middle class family who felt today that the Conservatives have let them down, and targeted them with regressive taxes, increase in train fares and cuts to police and schools.

I can now stand up and fight for services and not support a government which is destroying the fabric of society here in Medway and undermining investment in Universities, schools, hospitals and the Police.'

This blogger believes the result is a referendum on the current government. It shows the result of the Comprehensive Spending Review in a key Kent marginal seat.

This is also of course a slap in the face to the River Ward Conservatives and the agent who comes out of this process weakened immeasurably.

We look forward to next May where the people will once again make a judgement on this useless Conservative administration

Police in the frame...

Questions are being raised by residents this weekend after senior police officers were pictured with the Conservative by-election candidate Andrew Mackness, and whether this is appropriate so close to a tight fought by-election.

As postal votes land on doorsteps, Mark Reckless MP for Rochester & Strood has been spotted on the doorstep in a last minute attempt to garner support for this crucial test of local opinion on his job as a Member of Parliament. A loss of support in this key marginal seat would be a blow given the level of support secured in May. Mark is also a serving member of the Home Affairs Select Committee which is chaired by Keith Vaz.

Whilst all parties agree that working with the Police is extremely important in a ward with major problems with anti-social behaviour and prostitution, all parties are advised not to picture public servents in any manner which could conflict with there impartiality to the public.

Kent Police have also made clear that they remain politically impartial. However the picture of the police on the front of the leaflet, whether with permission from the individual officers or not (and that will be checked), could be considered to be endorsing of a particular candidate over other individuals standing for election. It will be interesting to know whether the Police invited, or were invited by the Conservatives, and whether they were aware that Andrew was a candidate in a forthcoming byelection in a marginal ward, where Kent Police had been accused of 'bullying' former Cllr Craggs.

In one sense, residents will welcome the fact that the leaflet is more positive then the last scathing publication. It is with tongue-in-cheek irony that the Tories have entitled it 'Positive campaigning in River Ward.' Even by their own levels of distortion, they can not believe that the Conservative campaign has been anything up to now, wholly negative.

Juxtapose the press coverage of the River Ward Conservatives with that of John Jones, the Labour candidate. John has presented a professional and courteous campaign highlighting the problems in the ward and working with people. He will continue that theme when he meets people on St Mary's Island this week.

As postal votes land on the doorsteps of River voters this leaflet is clearly designed to give comfort that there is no war between the Police and the Conservatives. That is a wise political strategy and should they win a necessary one, but the leaflet does, like those previous, play to the notion that the Conservatives are flying very close to the wire.

It also does not silence the opinion that in seeking to win in River, the Tories have played a campaign that has been ill-conceived from the first leaflet. Targeting the police throughout and now bear-hugging them only serves to remind the public of why this whole sorry saga begun.

To picture public servants with candidates during an election period is poor practice. Questions should be asked.

Unethical, Inappropriate and Irresponsible

The River Ward Conservative Campaign stands in tatters this weekend after the overt and highly partisan attacks by Cllr Craig MacKinlay were shockingly labelled 'unethical, inappropriate and irresponsible' by police.

This blog highlighted last week the disgraceful leaflet being delivered by the blue-rinse brigade across the ward and made efforts to communicate the position to the local media. Indeed, not commented last week was the fact that this blogger personally saw Conservative Council candidates for next years 2011 elections hand-delivering the smear leaflet to residents, in what is a reflection on the calibre of local government candidates to stand on their own two feet.

An issue which also brings into clear focus how the right wing in Medway stoop to ever lower levels to shamelessly win.

The leaflet came to a head at this weeks meeting of the Kent Police Authority where career officer and public servant Ian Learmonth refused to shake the hand of former UKIP defector Cllr MacKinlay, Councillor for River Ward and Agent. It then became clear as to why; Kent Police were in the process of reporting him to the Standards Board for conduct unbecoming.

Rochester & Strood MP Mark Reckless, apparently stony-faced at the Kent Police Authority meeting was at pains to support his erst-while colleague.

Kent Police have lambasted former Medway Conservative leadership hopeful of 'disreputable falsehoods' in suggesting it used bullying tactics to persuade Conservative candidate David Craggs to resign just 13 days into the job.

The Tory leaflet, sanctioned by Medway Conservatives, accused long-serving Ian Learmonth of ignoring police rules.

A police spokesman replied that the leaflet was disgraceful and beneath contempt and "to selectively quote from one source and ignore other published policy and regulations, as the leaflet does, is unprofessional and unethical. At no point did the force bully out Mr Craggs"

The leaflet made no mention to the inevitable by-election and did not mention the candidate Alan MacKness, who has remained silent throughout. His silence is noted by voters across the ward.

This blog has also became aware that former Tory Councillor Nick Brice, who was caught kerb-crawling in the New Road area of River Ward in November 2009, had and will continue to campaign for the election of a Conservative in the River Ward seat. This despite the fact that the River Ward Councillor position was to challenge kerb-crawling head-on, it appears that Nick Brice can wear a blue rosette and campaign for a Conservative victory. This blog considers this poor taste and deeply ironic igiven that the behaviour of kerb-crawling blights parts of the ward.

The Police have also made starkly clear that at no point had anyone from the RSCCA made any attempt to contact the Police and at no point had David Craggs made any attempt to clarify the position prior to his election. That point is absolutely crucial as it blows away the core argument of the Conservatives that the Police changed their position at the last moment.

The Police have now accuse Cllr MacKinlay of:

'Unethical, inappropriate and irresponsible' behaviour which has 'bought his office and authority as Councillor and public servent into disrepute'

Medway Conservatives are now utterly rudderless this weekend. It has now become clear that the agent should stand down as agent to stop the damage impacting the election result in a key marginal seat.

It also raises very real management question about any potential Council leader who could seek to politicise issues. A few Council Officers will be privately harbouring fears for next year should the Conservatives win an outright majority.

It can also be revealed that the by-election has gone up in cost to £11,500 but the attempts for all parties to seek assurances that the Rochester & Strood Conservative Association should pay the fee have fallen on deaf ears.

The Rochester & Strood Association was placed into 'special measures' a few years ago after membership lists were lost. It has suffered the indignity of countless Councillors being brought into disrepute over the last four years and recently we had our newly elected 'legless' Conservative MP in the press making a joke of himself at the Commons Bar. Former Councillor John Ward resigned the party after this blog suspected he was told to keep silent on local selections.

It truly is a time for a clear-out of this incompetent, inept, venile, foul and back-stabbing bunch of fools. River Ward voters will soon make their choice and next year you can make yours.

What is going on?

Front page article calling for Cllr Brice to resign... yet he still sits on the Council!

The issue of errant Councillor Dennis McFarlane has been resurrected for one last outing on the widely read and award winning blog from Alan Watkins.

Dennis McFarlane was correctly dismissed as a Councillor and removed from the Labour Group as soon as the issue of benefit fraud became apparent. As this blog stated last week, no one political group has a monopoly on honesty and Mr McFarlane was convicted and found guilty.

According to Alan Watkins, what he did was 'dishonest, lacked integrity, brought the Council into disrepute and failed to uphold the principles of public life'

He was rightly shamed for his actions.

It is then with a slight sense of bewilderment that whilst the issue of Mr McFarlene has been correctly raised and dealt with by the Standard's Committee, we are not seeing the such swift response to other Councillors who have also led themselves into 'disrepute and failed to uphold the principles of public life.'

Noticeably the numerous numbers of Councillors who happen to be members of the ruling Conservative group.

Former (said very very loosely) Conservative Councillor Nick Brice, who continues to wear a blue rosette, has still not been called to book for what on the face-of-it is a shut book case. Cllr Brice was caught kerb-crawling by Kent Police in River Ward in November 2009. He admitted to the offence and was given a conditional caution.

To the general public at the time this was a simple case of resign as you can read from the press cutting.

There are also incidentally further cases pending of staff bullying, problems with leading cabinet members disclosures and accusations of skullduggery over the recent primary school re-organisations. Each of these involves Conservative Councillors.

So why is it taking the Council so long to actually deal with the Cllr Brice issue?

The mere fact that it is Tories that seem to be getting of the hook is seemingly becoming visible to all. We need to see Cllr Brice held accountable.

In issues such as public accountability, no individual from any party can be above the rule book. It is simply not in the public interest for Cllr Brice, who has sullied the reputation of the Council and himself to be allowed to sit in a position where he is making decisions on vulnerable adults and children.

The Conservative Party locally have closed ranks behind all those who still stand to be called to the Standards Committee. Cllr Brice, the most public, meanwhile still continues to sport his rosette and still votes with the Tory whip (though not as a formal member).

This blog, the local media and the public have all been calling him to honourably resign. Unsurprisingly, he has not taken the advice.

Incidentally, the issue of kerb-crawling is very much a concern in parts of River Ward.

Perhaps the new River candidate [Mr Alan MacKness] can give his opinion to the press on the delay for action which impacts his potential residents, and what punishments should be meted out to kerb-crawlers in his ward?

It seems like they are getting away with it from this bloggers angle.

Cllr Brice thought at the time that he was 'down but not out'

It looks like he might be right

Tories Personal Attack on Police

Click for full image

Residents in River Ward have this weekend received a shocking leaflet from Medway Conservatives launching into a personal tirade against Kent Police chief and public servent Ian Learmonth.

Ian has been a police officer since 1976 and has served in Essex, Strathcylde and Norfolk Constabularies. He has served the community for close to three decades upholding the law and working for residents.

This strange leaflet, posted through doors this weekend by the blue-rinse, directly attacks Kent Police Chief Constable Ian Learmonth and follows the resignation of David Craggs less than two weeks after being elected in the recent by-election in River Ward.

The personal attack, featuring the photo of Ian Learmonth with his policing award, comes days after the announcement that up to 1,500 jobs could be lost in Kent Police which would undoubtedly have a direct impact on crime rates, victim support and combating anti-social behaviour that blights parts of the ward.

The leaflet targeted Ian Learmouth directly and did not once mention the newly selected Conservative candidate for the ward by-election. It linked to a dated Police Manual written over five years ago, without any mention of the fact that the Kent Police website makes very clear that 'the list is not exhaustive. For more information contact the Special Constabulary recruitment department'.

Medway Conservatives and the the presumed River Ward candidate Alan MacKness support cuts to magistrate services, the politicisation of the Kent Police Authority and the front line cuts to bobbies on the beat across Rochester & Chatham.

Medway Labour Leader, Cllr Paul Godwin said

“As a member of the Kent Police Authority I have witnessed the holding of Kent Police to account in a robust manner by a mixture of local Councillors from the three main parties and independently appointed members. This has been done in a non partisan way to ensure that there is no party political interference in policing. However the recent antics of the local Tories following the debacle of their candidate resigning his Council seat in River ward two weeks after the election has sunk to new depths.”

Cllr Godwin continues;

“Why did they not clarify the position properly before the election rather than wasting local Council taxpayers some £10,000. Whatever the legal rights or wrongs of a special constable being an elected as a Councillor on behalf of a political party there is also a moral issue. The political impartiality of the police is critical to the health and well being of our democracy and any attempt to undermine it sends all of us on a very slippery slope.

Last year a Tory Councillor was cautioned by the police for kerb crawling in Chatham. Can you imagine if one of the officers involved in catching the individual concerned was another Tory Councillor and the potential conflict of interest that would arise.”

Cllr Vince Maple, Labour Election Agent for River Ward added;

”What the local Tories should be concentrating on is the impact of the 20% cuts to the policing budget over the next few years which will substantially reduce police numbers; rather than trying to blame someone else for their own incompetence.”

It is time the Tories stopped attacking the Police in River Ward and started to work with local bobbies to tackle the anti-social behaviour which is blighting parts of Rochester and Chatham.

Labour activists have been canvassing across the ward and the overwhelming message from voters is that the Tories should repay the money and that we now need someone who is going to work with the police and council to improve River ward.

The leaflet also patronises voters by suggesting that Labour will call the by-election. Residents will be aware that any resident can request a by-election independently and that it is likely that some will do so. That glaring fib raises the very serious question about other untruths within the statement.

Medway Tories have not apologised for their failure to vet the eligibility of the previous candidate and does not give any indication as to when they will pay the £10,000 cost of the by-election.

Tories pay £10,000 for by-election?

YourMedway Headline 01/09/2010

The strange and unexpected resignation of David Craggs is front page of YourMedway after a week of accusations and counter-accusations from Conservatives, the Police and the opposition. Everyone is now asking the question, when will the Tories pay the £10,000?

The Kent Police press statement indicating that they had always a clear and unequivocal position that Special Constables could not serve as Councillors is the clincher. The Police are politically impartial and according to the Kent Constabulary they see politics and policing as separate.

For better or worse that was the position in advance of the by-election and is the same position now that David Craggs has resigned. A clear position which meant that David Craggs was ineligible to do both.

The Conservative Party would not have selected David Craggs had they known of his eligibility so for them to claim a moralistic position is simply hubris. The Medway Conservative Group had no position prior to this byelection on pushing for Special Constables to be Councillors. This argument, post-event, is simply trying to cover for a massive blunder in administration.

The pious statements by River Ward Conservatives last week where they claimed that Tories were 'totally vindicated' shows a serious lack of ability to read a situation correctly. A simple apology would have sufficed and could have closed the issue; instead the RSSCA clearly want a war with the Police and in full public. Rumours of legal action continue, though this blog would be very very surprised if this again were not just hubris.

The key to a potential split within the Tory ranks on this issue was ironically from the press statement last week. The press statement came not from the Medway Conservative Group rather the River Ward Conservatives. One group is simply acting on its own.

This blog however would like to make clear that it disagrees with Kent Police on why politicians can not be Councillors. Indeed, it is likely that the NPIA (National Policing Improvement Agency) will be clarifying a position shortly.

There is likely to be a by-election and for these reasons it is appropriate that democracy be allowed to take it course

- David Craggs is not on the ballot paper. He is rumoured to have had enough of local politics and though this blog does not know for sure, it would position that the Conservatives will be presently looking for a suitable candidate to fill his boots, so to speak. A new candidate needs to have a mandate from the people they seek to represent. People should vote for the new candidate and this process should not solely be a rubber stamping exercise from the Rochester & Strood Conservative selection panel. That would be inappropriate given the below point.

- Secondly, the poor judgement of the RSSCA over this issue will be absolutely on the ballot paper as opposed to the August election. Make no mistake, the Tories did not vet the candidate and his eligibility suitably. The cost of the £10,000 by-election falls solely on their shoulders. People deserve to vote again on the judgement of the Conservatives in light of farcical resignation.

To just simply anoint a Conservative simply whitewashes the reasons why we needed to have an election in the second place. It is an insult to the electorate to ignore the fault and posture.

The first election was entirely justifiable. Bill Esterson was elected as a Member of Parliament for a Merseyside seat and could not undertake his work in the House and on the Council at the same time. The second point incidently which falls on Councillors' Reckless and Chisthi. Both could, and indeed it is likely, be absent from important local votes.

For those reasons we deserve to have a democratic election. The cost of which directly billed to the Rochester & Strood Conservative Association for they have wasted the time and money of activists, the public, the Council and all the support staff including ironically, the Police.

It was their mistake which led us to a repeat of this by-election. It was their mistake to attack the Police rather then simply apologise. It was their mistake to pick a candidate without checking his eligibility.

A litany of mistakes which make the next result very much more in the balance.

Tory war with Kent Police

The local press have lambasted the Rochester & Strood Conservative Association and rubbished the campaign to re-elect a Conservative in the ward.

Local Tories are now falling over themselves to attack our bobbies on the beat after the Police rejected claims from previous Medway Conservative leadership-challenger Cllr Craig MacKinlay, that Councillor David Craggs was forced to resign, after serving less then two weeks on Medway Council.

According to the Alan Watkins Gun Wharf Briefing the story is thus

"[Cllr Craggs] quit after being told by his bosses at Kent Police that he could not be a Councillor and a Special Constable at the same time. That advice has been disputed by Conservatives, who claim Mr Craggs was bullied into resigning."

Very odd therefore that David Craggs gave up his Council job only to remain in an organisation which had 'bullied' him out.

Something does not add up.

It is now clear that the Association did not undertake appropriate levels of scrutiny on eligibility on candidate selection. A simple shut book case which serves to highlight why Medway Tories shambolic management proves why, if they can not manage themselves, why they should be kicked out of power.

The police have responded to the hyper partisan press release from River Ward Tories and have denied acting inappropriately. They have insisted that they told Mr Craggs that:

"When the force became aware of his candidature we agreed with Mr Craggs that he would cease operational duty with Kent Police and he has not resumed operational duty with the force since his election.

This was to allow him to make a personal decision as to which role he continued with.

It is entirely untrue that Kent Police has tried to interfere in the democratic process. We are trying to prevent any perception that policing could be politicised."

The Tories should accept some responsbility for this situation and immediately pay the £10,000 election bill for the by-election?

The Conservative Party has been undermining the Police since taking office in May. From cutting police numbers, to the overt politicisation through unwanted directly elected commisioners to cuts in Magistrate services and an active policy to encourage short-sentences for career criminals.

Labour candidate John Jones writing to local residents this weeekend emphasised his anti-crime credentials. As a member of the local PACT Committee he will work with the police and community to reduce crime and not politicise operational independence of the Police.

In the letter to residents he stated that:

"Let's be clear of the reason, whatever it turns out to be in detail, is because the Tories have made a mess of their arrangements which will now cost the taxpayer many thousands of pounds. I respect former Cllr Craggs for wanting to continue his long service as a special constable but think the Conservative Association should have got the issue of eligibility sorted out beforehand

Much more importantly the problems that we all face and thing things you have asked your councillor to get on with, remain the same. I know because I have been able to speak to so many of you about your concerns."

It is time we worked with the Police to reduce crime and not politicise and undermine their operational independence.

Quote of the Day

Cllr MacKinlay told YourMedway that

“We are entirely vindicated on all counts – it is Kent Police who are spectacularly wrong. As regards costs of another election, let us not forget it was Labour who forced this election by the resignation of Bill Esterson and they who petitioned for it, local Conservatives did not cause the election.”

It seems for Tories - Je ne regrette rien...

River Ward Statement

The news that Cllr David Craggs resigned suddenly due to a conflict of interest with his role as a Special Constable has landed on very hot ground indeed, but it now appears that the resignation was unneccessary.

The press statement today by River Ward Conservatives has however clarified the resignation, and indeed is quick to point the blame onto the Kent Police.

As below:

"Before the election they had confirmed that there were no rules to preclude a volunteer special constable from being a local councillor, indeed there are two Conservative MPs and one Labour MP who serve as special constables, whilst being at the heart of the law making process at Westminster. Philip Hollobone, Conservative MP for Kettering is also a SITTING COUNCILLOR on Kettering Borough Council. Magistrates are similarly allowed to become local councillors and vice versa, there are no restrictions.

Such was the intense pressure put on David that he felt he had to resign from the post of a paid councillor in order to carry on as an unpaid and volunteer police officer, a position he has held for 17 years. That letter of resignation was delivered to the Acting Chief Executive of Medway Council yesterday at 11.00am. Acting upon the resignation letter, an appropriate ‘Notice of vacancy’ in River Ward was issued by Medway Council, in accordance with electoral law. Within hours, and subsequent to legal advice already obtained by Rochester and Strood Conservative Association, the Kent Police Authority confirmed that there is no restriction in a special constable being a councillor.

Kent Police were incorrect, and arguably unlawful. They had even threatened disciplinary action against David Craggs. Because the statutory ‘Notice of vacancy’ has now been issued, acting upon David Craggs resignation letter, the electoral cycle is started and cannot be retracted, despite the resignation now clearly being unnecessary, based on wrong advice and arguably extracted under duress."

Labour has led the charge today calling for the local Conservative Association to repay the cost of the byelection in full in light of the waste of time and money on another byelection.

Despite the pressure on the candidate, the people of River deserve better then this.

The time lime of events now goes as thus. It seems to be that RSSCA had advice prior to the election from one source that it was OK for David Craggs to be a Councillor, but then received contradictory information post-election from Kent Police HR / Personnel on the specific force eligibility, stating it was not because of established policy. The Councillor then resigned his position, before the advice was received from the Kent Police Authority that it was not illegal for Cllr Craggs to be Councillor but presumably individual forces have the right to follow individual procedure.

Confused? You betcha...

After reading, re-reading and then reading the press statement thrice time; finally it made sense. Or has it!? No, it seems the Medway Conservatives have omitted a great chunk of time, noticeably the period between David Craggs being selected and then being elected.

Now it does get serious folks because despite the verbage there do remain some major questions here that still need to be answered.

The Conservative statement made clear that the candidate had received confirmation of eligibility prior to the election which then changed. Who confirmed his original eligibility; the Kent Police, Kent Police Authority or another third-party?

What was the legal advice received by RSSCA prior to the KPA advice. If that advice was that it was legal, was that communicated to Cllr Craggs prior to his resignation?

If the advice was to suggest it was legal, why did the Councillor not decide to appeal internally, rather then resign his Council position? Was this avenue explored?

Why has it taken so long (13 days it would appear) to get confirmation from the Kent Police Authority and when was this advice sought by Medway Council / RSSCA? Post or pre-election?

Did the RSSCA or any of its officers make any direct approach, not via the candidate, to Kent Police post-selection but pre-election on eligibility?

Individual Forces are entitled to different positions on eligibility and whilst the rights and wrongs of this can be explored, they are simply not relevent to the key point which was David Craggs was ineligible to be both a Councillor and a Special Constable prior to his election. The candidate should have known his eligibility before he stood and was absolutely sure of this position. Obviously, if he was given poor advice then we should all know the source.

I agree though with the statement that it is a regressive policy being enforced by Kent Police and think it should be repealed.

The candidate and RSSCA should have made absolutely clear with all parties prior to the election that his standing was allowed. This ambiguity should not have happened 13 days aftet the election.

Blame of course can be spread. But in the end, the fact is we have a byelection and it is a Tory that has had to stand down because facts were not confirmed in advance in the appropriate manner. Understood people took assurances at face-value as anyone would. But the fact remains that in politics, if you make mistakes like this, you have to suffer the consequences.

This is a total mess.

NB

If the above is accurate however Kent Police now stand to be slammed.

This is a totally unacceptable way to act with an individual who has given years of service. It is absolutely discusting behaviour of the highest order and heads should roll immediately for this outrage. The Police stand not only to have embarrassed and harmed a serving officer but also to have caused massive local instability and harm to residents, who once again have to go through an election process.

The Police need to respond immediately.

River Voters snubbed by Total Tory shambles.

The news that Cllr David Craggs, recently elected Councillor for River Ward, has suddenly resigned has sent shockwaves through local politics with campaigners across the political spectrum aghast at how the Conservatives could have mismanaged so spectacularly.

The prospect of another by-election looms over the horizon again within the next 34 days. A prospect which will anger local residents and indeed stretch the nerves of Tory voters across the ward.

The Medway Tory shambles will also send shockwaves across the region because of the overt manner in which the campaign was fought on ConservativeHome. The victory by David Craggs was tweeted by dozens of dribbling Tory supporters desperate to parade the trophy of a seat, once Labour, that had moved to the Conservatives on what was a widely predicted result given by pundits with the national state of play.

Fawning Tory twitterers who now stand silent.

Musings from Medway made particular note to inform Tim Montgomerie and the ConHome team of the resignation as soon as it was announced. The ConHome team made a specific and 'unusual' request to the Tory grassroots across the region to campaign for a Tory win in River ward and it posted several articles including the result. Unlike the resignation of Cllr Bill Esterson, ConHome has made the decision not to inform its readership of the resignation of Cllr Craggs.

Cllr David Craggs is a decent man and as this blog has stated previously, would have made a strong Councillor. However, personal ties aside, the fact River voters are to have another by-election after such a short period of time makes a mockery of the Council. Voters deserve transparency to ensure they understand the reasons for this resignation. A bland statement of contrition is not good enough for the electorate, for campaigners across all parties, Council tax-payers and Council staff who sat at polling stations and at the count.

Surely and obviously, stronger attempts should have been made to clarify the position before he was nominated. Blaming the police or others weeks after he was nominated indicates that not enough ground work, or pressure was placed on a resolution to this key question during the election.

The Council have seemingly become involved which raises questions about why the ruling group have had to use public resource on a party political issue. Candidate selection and eligibility is a party matter for pre-election screening not post-election wrangling.

The simple fact is that each force operates different eligibility criteria and these would have been very clear on standing.

This blogger can not see how there can be complications unless perhaps Cllr Craggs stood knowing that Kent Police had a policy of ineligibility, and was wrangling to change it after his election using the fact that the national police position is more ambiguous.

Blame can be apportioned to both sides in theory, but if the eligibility was clear prior to David Craggs nomination meeting then the blame lies with Medway Conservatives for not refusing his candidacy.

This by-election is an expense on the Council tax payer to the tune of £5-10,000 which could otherwise be spent on local services; caring for the elderly, cleaning parks and filling potholes. That is a public outrage.

Because of the cost and inconvenience with the electorate the Tories need to answer immediately the following questions and in public

1) Was any attempt made by Medway Conservatives/ RSCCA/David Craggs to clarify in advance of selection with Kent Police Personnel department on whether Cllr Craggs was eligible. If so, what was the response? If they were not consulted, why not?

2) Was a question asked of the candidate at the selection meeting and candidate hustings on eligibility to be a police officer and Councillor? If so, what was the response. If not, why was this question not considered necessary of the candidate?

3) If the candidate was considered ineligible was the candidate asked to step down prior to the election?

4) When were the Council informed of the problem on eligibility and how much has the Council spent on legal fee's, from tax payers money, to consult and engage the police on this issue? As a candidate will have to sign a nomination form on candidate application, did the candidate fully understand the position and did the nominators of the candidate have awareness of any conflict of interest?

5) Are the Tories reflecting on this bungled process to ensure such a thing never happens again? What internal processes are being introduced?

Medway Tory Councillors are a running joke across the area. From the Councillor calling for single-mums to be sterilised, to the Councillor caught kerb-crawling, to the Councillor making Irish racist slurs, to three Councillors parking in disabled parking bays to the Councillor who stated that dead bodies should be raided for precious metals. A long line of Conservatives Councillors who have Medway over the last four years.

The Tory hypocrisy over the selection of the Labour candidate for Luton & Wayfield who polled well given the Tory national poll lead, serves to highlight why this blogger feels Tories may do well to keep their own house in order before moralising on the opposition.

No one party has a monopoly on talent, but the Tories locally have had so many incidences of gross incompetence that the question now remains, how long left?

This reflects very badly on Medway Conservatives and serves to highlight for all voters why this incompetent, inept and bungling bunch of pygmies should be removed from office and soon.

Update - 27/08/2010.

ConservativeHome have now very generously updated the readership on the position. Noted that it took less then 6 hours for the result to be published and 46 hours for the resignation but good on them. Sometimes fair is fair.

River Ward Result

The votes cast were as follows, in order of position:

CRAGGS David George (Conservative) – 617 votes (44·6%, +5·6%)

JONES John Alun Charles (Labour) – 544 votes (39·4%, -0·7%)

HARRISON Garry (Liberal Democrat) – 104 votes (7·5%, -0·6%)

KEEVIL Steven Richard (Green Party) – 45 votes (3·3%, +3·3%)

RAVENSCROFT Brian Christian (BNP) – 39 votes (2·8%, +2·8%)

SANDS Ron (English Democrats) – 33 votes (2·4%, +2·4%)

Turnout was 25·3% (1,386 ballot papers, including postal votes, out of a ward electorate of 5,484). Just four ballot papers were disallowed (blank, spoiled or unclear where the cross had been placed).

The result did not come as a shock despite the commentary from outside observers. Box counts from the General Election night revealed a significant Tory majority in the ward which had been cultivated by a sitting Tory Councillor. It was noted that UKIP once again did not field a candidate in Rochester & Strood. An unholy alliance or mere coincidence?

This result was always going to be an odds-on punters bet on the Conservatives. This blog said as much yesterday whilst reserving judgement.

Obviously a disappointing result for Labour locally but will this now be the high water-mark for the Medway Conservatives?

Around the country Labour has been getting great results in council by-elections. The results in votes cast in all the council by-elections in July and in the first weeks of August show us neck and neck with the Tories on 34%. The Lib Dems were on 24%.

It is important to remember, and some leadership candidates seem clearly not to think, that winning in Kent is absolutely crucial if you are to win back Parliament. Voters in Medway are the middle-ground aspirational's who left the party in droves under Gordon Brown, and they must be courted aggressively over time to win back.

The vote yesterday was close and with other marginal wards at a knife edge across the town, a tipping point could see the Labour Group double in size on very small swings indeed.

It must be noted though, that the catch-up with the Tories is remarkable in view of the fact that only 14 weeks ago in the General Election Labour were only 8% behind the Tories. This shows that the party is determined to fight back. This blog strongly believes that support for the Government will ebb away even further as people see the risks that the Government is taking with the economy, when they feel the impact of the unfair VAT increase and the public service cuts.

There is encouraging news of more new members continuing to join the Labour Party. Across the country, the Party has gained 27,894 new members since May 6th. A third of these new members are people who have formerly supported the Lib Dems. Half are Labour voters who now believe that they must join the Labour Party to fight the Government and 10% have joined to take part in our leadership election.