Welcome to my blog. I am a former local journalist who now works in PR and a Conservative and community activist in Woking and Horsell. This blog will keep updated on local issues as well as my interests and quirky news stories.
Up until three months ago, there was no regularly updated blog putting forward the Conservative view in Woking and the Lib Dems quite wisely ran amok, posting stories about Conservative councillors and taking political credit wherever possible.
In the last couple of months, they’ve not had it all there own way, as I’ve been checking their blogs and blogging on them myself where necessary – apparently some Lib Dems are not keen on the line I’ve been taking. It’s fair enough; no-one enjoys being criticised and I’ve been criticised myself in some comments (but then the LDs would know that, as I suspect one of two or three of them to be the author/s).
I only ever respond to LD posts and never initiate anything but it is important that cross-party co-operation be maintained where it can to work for the best interests of Woking. I don’t want to be unhelpful so in future I will only blog on individual LDs when they themselves have blogged about individual Conservatives or executive decisions.
I think this demonstrates very clearly that the Lib Dems love to dish out the mischievous, the exaggerated and stir endlessly (I quote from the LD campaign handbook) but they aren’t so keen to be on the receiving end. If they blog the scurrilous and ridiculous, they should understand that this blog will be right up in their faces to rebut and say whatever needs to be said.
That’s a part of the political system.
As Lib Dem bloggers, we accept political criticism as par for the course in politics. It is fair game to “dish it out” to quote your words. I never take it personally. That is why I have not responded to this blog earlier. However, John Kingsbury left me with no choice but to use his own arguments concerning me, against him and his party.
What I do take personally is an attack by your Council Leader, John Kingsbury’s, on my character to stifle political debate when he e-mailed my group leader stating that I was breaching the code of conduct for merely stating my opinion of the facts as I saw them at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday night. His behaviour was bullying and undemocratic. Up to now, he has not come up with any evidence as to where I was supposedly breaching the code. I was pretty even-handed as far as I was concerned.
We are Liberal Democrats. Therefore I do not share the Conservative worldview that sees day centres as merely “discretionary services”. Politics is about divergent political views. I think you understand that but I don’t think your Council Leader does.
Furthermore, it crosses the line when Conservatives like yourself undermine your own arguments by becoming personal. For example, referring to Cllr Olly Wells as Chairman Wells. It basically insinuates that he is a communist and is defamatory as there is no basis in fact. In such cases, it shows that you are bereft of ideas to argue coherently by becoming personal in this way – something Cllr Melanie Whitehand accuses us of.
On another matter completely, at least you and I share one passion – our support for Spurs football. And the rules of football applies to politics – play the ball, not the man. I look forward to further healthier debate.
Denzil, thanks for your comment and for commenting in an open and transparent manner. Olly Wells blogged on Melanie several times and got the same back – however, you’ll note from the above that I will discontinue that vein, provided that is observed on both sides.
I don’t accept what you say about John but you wouldn’t expect me to.
I too hope we can have a constructive debate and I look forward to it.