tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post263373869099669247..comments2023-10-16T15:59:02.445+01:00Comments on NEIL HARDING: Greens Hold Regency In Landslide: Full Results Here.Neil Hardinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-34971744916253120562007-12-24T13:59:00.000+00:002007-12-24T13:59:00.000+00:00Neil of course the reason why some vote Labour onl...Neil of course the reason why some vote Labour only to keep the Tories out is, that Labour went back on its 1997 promise to enable us to have a new electoral system. Unfortunately we are still stuck with first past the post - how ironic is that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-60022337982547778112007-12-20T16:54:00.000+00:002007-12-20T16:54:00.000+00:00MiketheBiker - "The Tories might get back in if we...MiketheBiker - "The Tories might get back in if we don't vote Labour ? Please!...I vote for positive reasons, not negative ones".<BR/><BR/>But it still doesn't stop it being true. If you are happy to have a Tory government then don't vote Labour, but if you don't support the Tories, then not only vote Labour but join Labour...and make it better.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-24436980692419151962007-12-20T10:56:00.000+00:002007-12-20T10:56:00.000+00:00Neil,it is all about the Labour Party.I think prog...Neil,it is all about the Labour Party.<BR/><BR/>I think progressive voters have to make a choice as to whether or not NLabour is the best home for their vote. I used to think it was. Now I know it isn't. It's as simple as that. Yes, I never want to feel the way I felt living under the Thatcher regime ever again and NLabour have some creditable achievements to be proud of but there is too much that disgusts me. Mr Blair gave me that Thatcher feeling again and then I knew I was voting for the wrong Party. I'm grateful to Tony for one thing, he made me realise that I didn't have to vote Labour if I really didn't want to. That was a very liberating moment as up until then I'd always felt 'Labour right or wrong, there is no alternative'<BR/>The opportunities that were opened up for a working class boy like me pre Thatcher are no longer there. NLabour has done nothing to change that. I'm of the same generation as much of the current Labour leadership and having benefited from the social change their old Labour predecessors introduced they pulled up the ladder behind them and denied it to others. Just as Thatcher did. Then Tony decided to invade Iraq.......<BR/>The Real Agent's comment is hilarious. I've lived under a few Labour governments but nothing as little England/Daily Mail/Murdoch friendly as this one.Another reason for progressive voters not to vote for NLabour. The Tories might get back in if we don't vote Labour ? Please, that argument is so tired and so anti democratic. <BR/>I vote for positive reasons, not negative ones.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-14042448466748825952007-12-19T17:01:00.000+00:002007-12-19T17:01:00.000+00:00MikeTheBiker - "'New New' Labour have morphed into...MikeTheBiker - "'New New' Labour have morphed into a political machine I really no longer understand"<BR/><BR/>I can sympathise with large parts of this comment, but still realise that this is not about the Labour Party per se, it is about how we make progress and what is the best vehicle to achieve that progress. For all its disappointments (and there are many), the Labour party still offers opportunity for real progress (if enough of us can rise above our alienation, disgust even). Otherwise we might as well just give up and join the Tory (dating agency) Party.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-42316982876621500032007-12-19T16:27:00.000+00:002007-12-19T16:27:00.000+00:00Jason, The 'Labour came second' argument is arguab...Jason, The 'Labour came second' argument is arguable either way, and surely only a minor quibble anyway. Caroline Lucas's salary is not directly relevant to her ability to do the MP job, but was raised in the context of her lack of commitment to Brighton Pavilion (no intention of living here and saying she will prefer not to be a candidate here if the Euro elections are on the same day). Her salary in two years time is relevant because that is when the election is likely to be. At that time MEP salaries will be significantly higher than MPs salaries and MEPs have always had far more generous expenses (for instances being able to claim airline topfare figures while paying a budget price - on their frequent commutes around Europe this significantly boosts an MEP salary past £100k. I only mentioned salary because I said it was perfectly understandable for someone to prefer a £100k salary and a life in Brussels especially when her children were already settled in schools over there).<BR/><BR/>As for Hermione, lets just say we prefer to disagree.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, all the best and I hope no hard feelings. I honestly am not trying to twist what you say. Hope you and Sven can do well in Regency as councillors and congratulations again on winning. I'm sorry Delia didn't shake your hand, I agree that is not in the spirit of things.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-49012055857023171092007-12-19T15:36:00.000+00:002007-12-19T15:36:00.000+00:00Hi NeilYour leaflets didn't say "a Labour candidat...Hi Neil<BR/><BR/>Your leaflets didn't say "a Labour candidate came second after the Greens" it just plain and simple said "Labour came second here" which is factually incorrect. If you had wanted to be accurate you could have been, somebody not familiar with the May result would have taken your leaflets to mean the Labour party as a whole placed second... which you didn't.<BR/><BR/>There are many types of illness Neil, not all of them plain to the eye. I find it disturbing that you can so easily concoct a Green conspiracy in your mind.<BR/><BR/>You are free to think whatever you will on Caroline. But I've never heard of producing a salary figure including all expenses and a planned raise 2 years from now. The current MEP salary is £60k and expenses include the costs of hiring staff, offices etc. Either way, what difference this makes to Caroline being the best candidate I don't see!<BR/><BR/>If you're determined to twist everything we say then there seems little point in continuing our debates.Jason Kitcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10740959787903915857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-15355308394801331132007-12-19T13:30:00.000+00:002007-12-19T13:30:00.000+00:00Wow, lots of comments while I have been away. Sven...Wow, lots of comments while I have been away. Sven, Jason, I think we have to remember that when it comes to policies - the Greens and Labour are still the closest. I think sometimes, the nastiest feuds are between parties with the least to distinguish them on policy. <BR/><BR/>There are claims and counter claims here, I think you are right on some and being a bit disingenuous on others. For instance, it is splitting hairs to say Labour were not second here in May. Labour's Roy Pennington was, after the two Green candidates, the highest placed candidate, so therefore you could say Labour came second here. You can also add all the candidates votes together and show the Tories in second place (slightly). It depends how you want to spin it. The Greens obviously wanted to spin it one way and Labour the other. It is arguable who is right on this and definitely ridiculous to call it a 'bald faced lie'.<BR/><BR/>There are some things on both the Labour and Green leaflets that I hopefully would have steered clear of if I had been a canidate, but in the heat of battle...<BR/><BR/>As for Hermione, Jason and Sven's claims just don't make any sense. Surely if someone was ill enough to resign and you were working closely with them, you would have known more than 24 hours before? Couple this with, what I and many others knew on day one of her being elected, that she was not expecting to win and didn't think she could cope with being a councillor and also that some of her colleagues recently expressed disappointment in her. Her resignation then makes much more sense in that context. Of course It was politically expedient fpor the Greens to wait five months and announce 'ill health' rather than tell the truth (and from a party political point of view I understand that). It then however seems a bit rich to accuse Labour of lying or being nasty.<BR/><BR/>On Caroline Lucas, she has only recently registered at Sue Paskins home. It seems pretty clear that she has no intention of having a proper home here, even if she won, she and her family would remain in Brussels. She is not willing to risk her job as an MEP, which shows no commitment at all to Brighton. As for MEPs salary, their basic salaries will be £80k from 2009 (which will be higher than MPs salaries) and add in the very generous expenses and it is easily a £100k+ a year job.<BR/><BR/>As for mobile phone masts, precaution yes, idiocy no. If you want to campaign to get rid of masts, then first campaign to get rid of mobile phones and see how much support is out there. Should we indulge (and crucially reinforce) our constituents fears even if they are ludicrous? Shouldn't we try to educate? Maybe Lepper and others are ambivalent but Lucas really seems to make a big issue out of it.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-21984430115949545832007-12-18T16:00:00.000+00:002007-12-18T16:00:00.000+00:00i cant cope with us being in powerOr perhaps it is...<I>i cant cope with us being in power</I><BR/><BR/>Or perhaps it is that people can't cope with what you have done with the power. As an ex-Labour voter, I have had my share of Labour party activists abusing me for no longer supporting the party. They appear to think that I owe the party some 'loyalty' and should continue to vote for it even though I opposed the Iraq war and its authoritarian law and order stance. Wrong way around. I supported Labour <I>becaue</I> it appeared to support my civil libertarian principles. Now that it no longer does so, why should it expect to continue to receive my vote and subscriptions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-62379170046324430882007-12-18T11:16:00.000+00:002007-12-18T11:16:00.000+00:00Oh what a lovelt thread this has become; people co...Oh what a lovelt thread this has become; people constantly citing why they left the Labour Party (for which read 'i cant cope with us being in power'), back and forward sniping about content of leaflets (ignore it all equally) and total factual inaccuracy from the newest Green Councillor...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-73848012787448196812007-12-17T18:41:00.000+00:002007-12-17T18:41:00.000+00:00Dear Anonymous. Well yes indeed,your last comment ...Dear Anonymous. Well yes indeed,your last comment is a shining example of how not to win friends and influence people. Perfect.Are you Alistair Campbell by any chance ?<BR/><BR/>Sorry Neil, your website is fantastic and you seem like a thoroughly decent bloke but I'd be a bit worried about anonymous if he or she is a mate of yours.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-86996080333750861392007-12-17T15:01:00.000+00:002007-12-17T15:01:00.000+00:00The butter wouldn't melt in the mouth attempt by t...The butter wouldn't melt in the mouth attempt by the Greens just won't wash.<BR/><BR/>The Greens lie constantly, and enjoy nothing more than claiming all the credit in the world when they've no power at all. The Greens love to pretend to be different, but they are just the same, infact worse as they play this innocent trick.<BR/><BR/>They are pretty unpleasant campaigners too, who target individuals who won't toe their line. Just ask Jean Spray, Simon Burgess or Ken Bodfish. They are dishonest beyond the other parties. Examples? How they always claim to be the only party fighting something, how they lie to get themselves out of a hole (eg. actually the Greens didn't consult on the bins in Regency whatever Sven says here) and have you actually met Keith Taylor? Nasty thug.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-55440831914039597792007-12-17T13:10:00.000+00:002007-12-17T13:10:00.000+00:00Dear Anonymous (such a lovely name) You really don...Dear Anonymous (such a lovely name) You really don't get it, do you. I supported the Labour Party for most of my adult (and teenage)years. Unfortunately I realised pre Iraq that 'New' Labour and now 'New New' Labour have morphed into a political machine I really no longer understand in terms of who the Party represents (other than self serving cliques)or what it stands for. There are behaviours and attitudes (politically and financially)now accepted as normal in the Labour Party that the Tories would blush to admit to.<BR/><BR/>All of the other parties in Regency apart from Labour. campaigned decently, Only Labour lied, twisted and spun consistently and this is completely in character with the national Labour Party. That is why people like me have left Labour for good.That is why what happened in Regency is important.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-36870145333471505392007-12-17T12:33:00.000+00:002007-12-17T12:33:00.000+00:00This is the problem with the Greens. They can't j...This is the problem with the Greens. They can't just win something but they have to push and push on petty issues which frankly shouldn't worry a victor. The Greens were not the victims of a dirty campaign here as they claim, and we all know only too well that they give as good as they get, if not more. Green Party lies are famous throughout the city. They love to claim a councillor doesn't work hard, or care about the environment or want to destroy the city's housing. But they can't take being challenged themselves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-88078062270048677912007-12-16T21:50:00.000+00:002007-12-16T21:50:00.000+00:00It's telling that of all the candidates, only Deli...It's telling that of all the candidates, only Delia Forester didn't shake my hand. As far as I could see Delia and her agent, Greg Hadfield, had departed the scene already. Every other candidates had the manners and honour to shake my hand and congratulate - as I would have done if I had lost.<BR/><BR/>As Sven points out, we had at most 24 hours additional notice over other parties of Hermione's resignation. Not exactly a giant lead.<BR/><BR/>One of our leaflets had 'This leaflet was not funded by dodgy donations from millionaires!' - which was pointed at both Tories and Labour. The entire Green by-election campaign was funded by small donations from members, not millionaires evading tax or electoral law and none from my 'banking family and friends' (er... other than my now retired father, none in banking that I'm aware of!)<BR/><BR/>I think our line rings more true (and funny) than Labour's polling day leaflet 'this election is a two- horse race -- and it's neck and neck'. Or another falsely implying I wanted a waste transit site in Regency, or that I wanted the new secondary school I've called for to be on the site of a primary school - I want research into potential sites. Another leaflet claimed Greens had failed to consult Regency residents on communal bins - patently absurd. I was the only candidate that bothered to go to the Environment committee to find out directly what was happening.<BR/><BR/>An earlier Labour leaflet claimed 'Voting Green will help the Tories keep control.' How exactly? Only a Tory win would have done so - and as the incumbent party we were best placed to maintain the balance - as we have now done. Labour tried misinformation then by outrageously putting out leaflets stating that 'Labour came second here last May' WRONG! Roy Pennington (the Labour incumbent until May) came 3rd. Labour's overall vote share in May (and again now) put you 3rd. No maths can have you coming second in May when you didn't. It was a bald-faced lie to the electorate.<BR/><BR/>Your leaflets also claimed we opposed the redevelopment of the Brighton Centre, wrong again we opposed the building of a casino to fund the centre. We did refuse to back Labour's plan to stop street-drinking because the proposed zone was too small and would have just displaced problem drinking - but that kind of nuance wouldn't have suited your output.<BR/><BR/>There's nothing in our publications that I'm not completely happy with. We called Labour liars, inconsistent and dishonest - Sorry Neil, but all true.Jason Kitcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10740959787903915857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-39452811808519532292007-12-16T20:54:00.000+00:002007-12-16T20:54:00.000+00:00Peter, I don't consider myself a particularly sens...Peter, I don't consider myself a particularly sensitive soul, but I don't like liars. And when an 'error' in a statement that has been pointed out is then repeated, it becomes - in my view - a lie. Delia/Greg therefore lied about the Green stance on Vernon Gardens. It was not a misunderstanding Neil, the minutes are clear, we voted against the recommendation that dealt with closure as the only viable option, and to pretend otherwise continues to propagate the lie. You can label me Green by any definition of the word that you choose to, and I am happier to be associated with that than with the taint of Imperial Purple of Machiavelli's Princes that your mob have claimed for their own. <BR/><BR/>I will get back to you with more details about the litany of complaints I have regarding the publications from the campaign, but in the interests of accuracy I want to have the file with all the leaflets in front of me, and I’m not sure where it is at the moment – the holder of that may have just gone on holiday. I am not going to duck the issue as it is clear cut in my opinion that a deeply cynical display of electioneering was witnessed from the Regency Labour team. If I’m sensitive about anything it is that the level of debate was debased so far and so unnecessarily. <BR/><BR/>Coming back to Hermione – briefly. I first heard about her resignation on 22/10/07 at 15.11 in an email that began “By now you have probably heard of my resignation.” On the 23/10/07 at 15.18 Alan McCarthy (CE BHCC) wrote to all councillors telling them the news. Yes I was the first to know, but we had no more than 24 hours notice over the other parties. I guarantee that it was as much a shock to me and my Green colleagues as to anyone else – if not more so as we had no inkling of the problems for someone we worked closely with. I am not expecting you to believe me, as you seem to surround yourself with the disingenuous in your party, and so maybe don’t expect any better from anyone else, but it is a fact, we did not know before, and we haven’t heard any reason for the resignation other than ill health. It happens, get over it. <BR/><BR/>Finally, we come to phone masts, which seems to be a recurrent issue for you. Are you aware that Celia Barlow has been campaigning against phone masts for health reasons? As has David Lepper. As I’m sure have many other Labour MP’s in support of their constituents concerns. I am not sure of the voting record of Greens on this issue, or of Labour, in our council, and I speak only for myself when I say that I too am unconvinced by the idea that there are health consequences of phone masts – but nonetheless, there is a great deal of public anxiety about this topic, and as an elected representative for the people of Regency, when constituents come to me with their concerns, I will represent those concerns. To do anything else is to abdicate my duties as a councillor. Why target the GP for their ‘ludicrous views’ on phone masts? What is our policy? More research needed, and respect the rights of local people to decide for themselves is the latest I can find. (Worth noting that relating to 3G masts a Dutch government study found that 3G mast output was affecting the ‘sensitive’ and non-sensitive alike.) Research is the basis for a sound scientific decision that you cry out for, so why argue with that? The precautionary principle until certainty exists would stand us in good stead in so many areas, as we advocate here. Meanwhile, what is Labour’s policy on phone masts? Umm…, good question. If you can find one, do let me know. They seem strangely silent on it. <BR/><BR/>To be honest Neil, I’m beginning to wonder if it is worth going for this drink and a chat as you seem to have a spectacularly closed mind to any views other than ‘Labour = Good”. Where’s the discourse, where’s the objective critique gone? If you just want to back them, then fine, but don’t give as your reasons assumptions about others that appear to be as correct, if not more so, about Labour as about those you criticise. <BR/><BR/>“There are none so blind as those who will not see” Open your eyes. <BR/><BR/>All the best<BR/>SvenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-34169720083162690972007-12-16T18:12:00.000+00:002007-12-16T18:12:00.000+00:00I hope Sue Paskings will be paying income tax on t...I hope Sue Paskings will be paying income tax on the rent from Caroline Lucas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-3019181984750258572007-12-16T15:41:00.000+00:002007-12-16T15:41:00.000+00:00Who would have thought that our green (in every se...Who would have thought that our green (in every sense) councillors have such thin skins? Particularly after their professional camopaign that pulled no punches.<BR/><BR/>Which one of them wrote the Green Party flyer saying "This party is not funded by millionaires" (presumably only after making sure that Jason's banking family and friends had stayed away)? Is that a better joke than Labour's quips about Greens and a Kitcat being an unbalanced diet?<BR/><BR/>The Green candidate started with the advantage of knowing beforehand that Hermione was going to resign. Against a difficult, to put it mildly, national background the Labour candidate did well to hold their May 2007 share of the vote. The Tory did very poorly in not increasing his share. And, as Neil said in his first post, the anti-establishment vote shifted from Lib Dem to Green.<BR/><BR/>Let's hope, for Regency and Brighton's sake, that the Green councillors can now develop their expertise at electioneering into taking on the Tories. All the seats they have won so far have come from Labour or Lib Dems, thus splitting the anti-Tory majority in the city.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-57020703157002014272007-12-16T09:23:00.000+00:002007-12-16T09:23:00.000+00:00NeilIf you can't see what in Labour's huge number ...Neil<BR/><BR/>If you can't see what in Labour's huge number of leaflets was questionable or false then that is very troubling.<BR/><BR/>As for Caroline... Firstly, British MEPs are on the same package as MPs, their current salary is £60k not £100k as you might think. Secondly, nearly every single MEP has two home-bases, one in Brussels and one in their constituency. Caroline's UK base is a rented room in Brighton - an arrangement she made well before any of us knew about the Regency by-election. Using such a non-story to attack the Green Party instead of challenging us on policy is symptomatic of Labour's loss of integrity.<BR/><BR/>Regarding the hustings - we had no idea how many residents would attend, but we circulated the details of the hustings to our contacts. That a number of Green councillors came out to support me is a sign of the humanity and care of Green politicians.<BR/><BR/>Swipe-cards on bins was a suggestion tabled by officers I believe, and let's keep mobile phone masts for another day.<BR/><BR/>You're kidding yourself if you think Labour are going to introduce electoral reform. Back in 1997 when Labour were riding high, with much higher membership numbers than today, the fudge on your manifesto pledge was begun. The Jenkins Review offered a poor compromise which Blair just stuck on a shelf. Once Labour are in opposition again though PR will begin to look attractive once more.<BR/><BR/>All the best,<BR/>JasonJason Kitcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10740959787903915857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-91285170198726524782007-12-16T00:16:00.000+00:002007-12-16T00:16:00.000+00:00BTW - to do something you never do, and answer the...BTW - to do something you never do, and answer the question you asked me - Labour aren't as bad as the last lot of Tories we had in most areas, although they have been worse in a few. As to whether they are worse than the current crop - that is manifestly unknowable and sadly the only way to find out is to try them, since they're about as likely to honour manifesto pledges as any other party.<BR/><BR/>We need electoral reform - one thing you and I agree on - although I don't go along with State Funding of parties beyond the very generous sums they already get.John Eckersleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874387296463362537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-16829769724957454592007-12-16T00:10:00.000+00:002007-12-16T00:10:00.000+00:00My point is that it is a piss poor argument simply...My point is that it is a piss poor argument simply to say you're not as bad as the other lot. That (to use one of your favourite current terms) is pathetic in my opinion. Let's hear about policies and the real issues, not just that one party's slightly less shite than the other. Actually it's one of the things that most disappointed me about Blair - he promised not to get into that pathetic yah boo politics and then wound up doing exactly that.John Eckersleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874387296463362537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-74768765089528783722007-12-15T20:21:00.000+00:002007-12-15T20:21:00.000+00:00Urko, I have visions of sounding like some Brummie...Urko, I have visions of sounding like some Brummie Dick Emery..<BR/><BR/>Labour are NOT awful, disappointing yes, but generally things have got better. Anyway, whatever way you want to put it, Labour ARE better than the Tories, do you deny this? When we only have a choice between these two parties, that is a very relevant point - why ignore it?Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-59261115022719877432007-12-15T20:00:00.000+00:002007-12-15T20:00:00.000+00:00Jason, I thought the nastiest part of the campaign...<I>Jason, I thought the nastiest part of the campaign was when the Tories had a go at you for courting the Polish vote - a clear attempt by them to tap anti-immigrant feeling. Nothing we said was anywhere near as nasty as that.</I><BR/><BR/>Typical Neil and one reason I left the Labour Party - it can be summarised as "yes we are awful, but the Tories are worse".John Eckersleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874387296463362537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-58916433187968974222007-12-15T18:47:00.000+00:002007-12-15T18:47:00.000+00:00Jason, I thought the nastiest part of the campaign...Jason, I thought the nastiest part of the campaign was when the Tories had a go at you for courting the Polish vote - a clear attempt by them to tap anti-immigrant feeling. Nothing we said was anywhere near as nasty as that.<BR/><BR/>There was mud-slinging on all sides (Green leaflets claimed a Labour councillor said we couldn't win here, without a name, this is just printing hearsay) but as for claims our leaflets were full of personal abuse, I see no evidence of that, examples please? The only point you can make is about Vernon Gardens - where you did vote against the closure (with Labour). The confusion was that you did abstain on another part of the proposals.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, this is all water under the bridge, well done, you have extended your majority here and Labour clearly have a lot of work to do here over the next few years, which we intend to start right away. We have identified some solid support here that we intend to recruit into our membership.<BR/><BR/>This argument (of Svens) that the Greens are ever going to be relevant here (let alone nationally when you only have 6,000 members) and you have no support in the Tory suburbs, support you would need to win. <BR/><BR/>In Hove and Kemptown, Green voters will make the difference between having a Labour MP (which I am sure most Green voters would prefer) or a reactionary Tory MP. In Pavilion, hopefully the Tories cannot sneak through on a 4 way split (especially now the Lib Dems have collapsed) but we have to be careful. <BR/><BR/>Caroline Lucas may have some of her furniture in one of Sue Paskins' rooms - so she can register here for a postal vote from Brussels and try to give an impression she has any sort of connection to Brighton, but her heart clearly lies in Brussels (her family are settled there) and Caroline has no intention of giving up her MEP seat unless she has already won here. From a personal point of view I can understand her. Who would want to give up a £100k job, but for the voters of Brighton Pavilion it shows a terrible contempt.<BR/><BR/>Green ideology was summed up for me at one of the recent hustings, where I think there were more Green councillors than actual Regency residents. I think it was Amy Kennedy who talked seriously of having swipe cards on bins. Does she have any idea how much this would cost? And this level of surveillance from the party that opposes ID cards and CCTV. Preposterous, and then there are your ludicrous views on mobile phone masts - showing complete ignorance of the science. This is just a few reasons why I could never join the Greens. Labour will always be the largest left of centre party and if all you lot joined Labour we could get proportional representation.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-33366716221128365412007-12-15T14:19:00.000+00:002007-12-15T14:19:00.000+00:00NeilI'm saddened that you appear to have been suck...Neil<BR/><BR/>I'm saddened that you appear to have been sucked into the Hadfield/Forester world-view. Hermione explained in her letters to the Green Party, B&H City Council and The Argus that she was standing down due to ill health and that indeed was the case.<BR/><BR/>Hermione expressing surprise at being elected in no way indicates anything unusual. I was shocked to be elected the other night. After the Tories flooded the ward with activists on election day I had convinced myself they would squeeze through.<BR/><BR/>Moving forward please let's debate policy - park & ride, home zones, planning, communal bins, and so on - not sling allegations.<BR/><BR/>Labour's conduct in this by-election was appalling. I held Labour in much higher regard until this campaign. But the personal attacks, outright lies and misrepresentations put out in your leaflets, letters and hustings appearances showed Labour's desperation to win at all costs.<BR/><BR/>Well there was a cost and it was turnout... <BR/><BR/>I look forward to serving you and all Regency residents.<BR/><BR/>All the best,<BR/>JasonJason Kitcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10740959787903915857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-78828973801427689392007-12-14T20:03:00.000+00:002007-12-14T20:03:00.000+00:00Sven, Don't mean to be rude, but can we cut to the...Sven, Don't mean to be rude, but can we cut to the chase here. I have been told that a source in the Greens (naming no names) was very disappointed in Hermione. What that suggests to me is that her 'illness' is just a convenient excuse. I know (shock, horror aren't I 'orrible) and I have no evidence to back this up, but I simply don't believe it is illness that has caused her to resign. If I hadn't heard a rumour on day one that she didn't want to be a councillor, I wouldn't repeat these things here. I understand being a councillor is a hard job and I don't blame Hermione for resigning for that reason. Equally I understand how embarrassing it must have been for the Greens, who could hardly say anything other than 'illness' was ther reason.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.com