tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.comments2023-04-06T17:12:42.978+01:00A Just Future: Fair for AllJon Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comBlogger319125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-74172431782942267822016-09-02T16:16:14.946+01:002016-09-02T16:16:14.946+01:00Dear Anon - PCC elections happened in ~all~ parts ...Dear Anon - PCC elections happened in ~all~ parts of England & Wales except Greater Manchester. There was a higher turnout than 2012 PCC elections in pretty well all places - and (true) even higher when there was a local council election as well. The turnout was higher in Bedfordshire was it not? So I am not sure what conclusion you are seeking to draw...Jon Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-82458399900067980982016-05-10T13:26:33.899+01:002016-05-10T13:26:33.899+01:00The 2016 elections were held in conjunction with l...The 2016 elections were held in conjunction with local council elections in metropolitan boroughs (ie Merseyside, Tyne & Wear, West & South Yorkshire and West Midlands) and many urban unitary authorities, but not in most rural districts. I don't have a spreadsheet but a brief review of the results shows higher turnout where the PCC election was combined with local council elections, and lower turnout where not. This compares with 2012 when of course the PCC poll stood alone.<br /><br />This differential turnout most probably accounts for the Conservatives losing Humberside (Hull and Grimsby with local elections, the rural part without) and Cheshire (Warrington and Halton with, the rural part without) - while at the same time gaining Bedfordshire where there were no local elections at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-26013788589981930752016-04-23T20:53:21.447+01:002016-04-23T20:53:21.447+01:00There is not nearly enough information out there a...There is not nearly enough information out there about candidates in the election for the commissioner. I wasn't going to bother to vote - I disapprove of the whole business, especially of the involvement of political parties - but now that I have discovered Professor Howson is a candidate I shall be voting after all. He sat for many years as a magistrates in Didcot at a time when I was there every week prosecuting. Sometimes trenchant, always courteous and always able to ferret out humbug! I couldn't care less about his politics. What we need is a good sensible person, so I shall be voting for him. But there is going to be a very low turnout. Very few people even know who the candidates are.Jan Daviesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-47947495942205710222015-09-05T15:08:23.320+01:002015-09-05T15:08:23.320+01:00I've always suspected that blood donated for t...I've always suspected that blood donated for the NHS was finding it's way into private hospitals but could never find any info online.<br /><br />Very happy to finally find this blog then and discover what actually happens to our donated blood, and it stinks to high Heaven.<br /><br />Perhaps there's a fear that if private health organisations started offering to pay money to donors, in would tempt those who currently give blood for free away from the NBS and lead to a shortage.<br />This obviously wouldn't be the case however as if private health organisations didn't have to buy their blood from the NBS, it would leave more for the NHS, and in fact there could even be a surplus as a cash incentive could attract donors who wouldn't otherwise have donated.Chris Redmondnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-28128049313275765172015-03-07T11:13:25.523+00:002015-03-07T11:13:25.523+00:00"Mark Reckless has done a Daniel Carswell... ..."Mark Reckless has done a Daniel Carswell... "<br /><br />Who's Daniel Carswell?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-23133240178487647252015-02-10T12:44:43.326+00:002015-02-10T12:44:43.326+00:00Same anon again.
Ok ANOTHER reason is there has b...Same anon again.<br /><br />Ok ANOTHER reason is there has been realisation that there are virtually no systems that are solely used by the police services. The MoJ & courts, Border force, immigration, MOD, HMRC, other Blue light services etc. etc. all use police IT systems to a greater or lesser degree. <br /><br />ICT looks like its set to stay within the HO in the Home Office Technology (HOT) division.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-57870331444060428252015-01-09T12:52:30.927+00:002015-01-09T12:52:30.927+00:00I am afraid not David - the only links I have are ...I am afraid not David - the only links I have are the ones I have added. Your recollection matches mine - altho it is long time ago!Jon Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-48909627579485386902015-01-09T12:40:59.755+00:002015-01-09T12:40:59.755+00:00Jon,
Do you have a link to the cited NUM historic...Jon,<br /><br />Do you have a link to the cited NUM historical research please?<br /><br />My recollection was that the NUM strike started in some coalfields and NUM regions. It was not a national strike. In the first week Yorkshire NUM pickets poured into Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, where the strike had little support. There was little sign of a police response, as conceded at the time (maybe) by the local chief constables.<br /><br />Following high-level, political intervention the police were mobilised nationally and ACPO set up a national coordination centre for 'mutual aid'. Large numbers of police were then deployed to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. So began a period of confrontation. davidbfponoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-16296637331157847992014-12-02T21:52:45.521+00:002014-12-02T21:52:45.521+00:00Good stuff - how can parliament be convinced?Good stuff - how can parliament be convinced?Andrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-65924216791495657572014-11-17T19:44:11.653+00:002014-11-17T19:44:11.653+00:00Thanks for your insights and information, David. I...Thanks for your insights and information, David. I recall the word 'proles' from my schooldays in Portsmouth. Plebs came later (as it were!)Jon Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-43107571198212702792014-11-17T19:28:59.830+00:002014-11-17T19:28:59.830+00:00Jon,
My comment is about this sentence: 'Poli...Jon,<br /><br />My comment is about this sentence: 'Police Officers are forbidden to belong to a political party'.<br /><br />Certainly for many years this was the common assumption that Police Regulations included this, but now over a decade ago these regulations were changed. They are no easy to find via Google.<br /><br />Two citations, first from the Superintendent's Association, citing the 2003 Regulations: 'A member of a police force shall at all times abstain from any activity which is likely to interfere with the impartial discharge of his duties or which is likely to give rise to the impression amongst members of the public that it may so interfere; and in particular a member of a police force shall not take any active part in politics'.<br /><br />From: http://www.policesupers.com/playing-safe/ and the Regulations themselves: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/527/made<br /><br />Secondly from a local Police Federation website: 'Members must abstain from any activity which is likely to interfere with the impartial discharge of duty or likely to give rise to the impression that the activity may do so. Police officers are also required not to take any active part in politics'.<br /><br />See: http://glospolfed.org.uk/rules-and-regs/restrictions-on-the-private-life-of-a-police-officer/<br /><br />I recall an explantion being circulated at the time that police officers were NOT banned from being members of a political party; note later membership of the BNP was banned. <br /><br />What actually is 'any active part in politics' ? Having a political view is recognised as a right, so 'active part' was interpreted as open activity which could be seen by those one policed, for example delivering election leaflets were your employment was known, but not near home where your employment was not known.<br /><br />Incidentally very few police officers to my knowledge were members of any political party and a good number - maybe even the majority - did not vote in any elections. <br /><br />I would be VERY surprised that any police officer used the word 'pleb' or understood what plebian meant. At one point 'proles' was used long ago and faded away quickly.<br /><br />davidbfponoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-28551241472988517902014-11-14T13:46:52.144+00:002014-11-14T13:46:52.144+00:00Thanks David. So if not a fan club - just a place ...Thanks David. So if not a fan club - just a place for a cosy chat maybe?Jon Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-7691694955376492352014-11-14T13:43:25.148+00:002014-11-14T13:43:25.148+00:00I have attended two of my local PCP. Once was when...I have attended two of my local PCP. Once was when the elected PCC's decision to appoint a deputy was reviewed; there was no effective questioning and the deputy glided onwards to a well paid post. <br /><br />Awhile later I attended a meeting and was bemused that the major agenda item was how the PCC could increase local purchasing - which seemed more like an aspiration. There was no questioning, instead a series of speakers from "interested bodies". In my opinion this was NOT the role of a PCP.<br /><br />Much was made at the time of the PCP's appearance that it included two 'independent' members. One of whom was clearly a political party member. At neither meeting did these "wise men" say anything.<br /><br />It is easy to dismiss this local PCP as having ANY scrutiny role. Due to personality differences between the PCP chair and the PCC it did not appear to be a 'fan club'.davidbfponoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-1985736178574760362014-10-27T09:48:31.405+00:002014-10-27T09:48:31.405+00:00Thanks Anon - also spotted by someone else (maybe ...Thanks Anon - also spotted by someone else (maybe you?) - now changed!! I wonder how many UKIP supporters cared about Pinochet though! Jon Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-36766707958023825652014-10-27T09:44:39.177+00:002014-10-27T09:44:39.177+00:00Slight typo, although I guess UKIP care even less ...Slight typo, although I guess UKIP care even less about Chile sexual exploitation!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-918011369492934372014-10-24T10:05:41.154+01:002014-10-24T10:05:41.154+01:00Fair point Tom. I count an intentionally spoiled b...Fair point Tom. I count an intentionally spoiled ballot paper as a vote.Jon Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-6227252243755085522014-10-24T00:46:00.767+01:002014-10-24T00:46:00.767+01:00I always vote and I believe in democracy, but I wo...I always vote and I believe in democracy, but I won't be voting for these candidates and I object to the role of PCC so I'll spoil my vote like I did last time in the PCC election.Tomhttp://nanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-28434207428614976362014-08-28T11:44:08.228+01:002014-08-28T11:44:08.228+01:00Jon,
Apart from reading the Jay Report on CSE @ R...Jon,<br /><br />Apart from reading the Jay Report on CSE @ Rotherham, it would be worth looking at teh local website that alone IIRC reported what was rotten about Rotherham's politicians: http://rotherhampolitics.wordpress.com/davidbfpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14530167181611729116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-30895902380202782452014-08-28T09:39:40.128+01:002014-08-28T09:39:40.128+01:00Look forward to the next one Jon. As you say, we a...Look forward to the next one Jon. As you say, we all knew this would happen one day and of course the PCC can raise 2 metaphorical fingers to the world. Ridiculous.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09946545540264569473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-69319244038330410092014-08-11T16:26:41.096+01:002014-08-11T16:26:41.096+01:00I note that you have not addressed my point regard...I note that you have not addressed my point regarding traffic impact which, in my opinion, was not properly & contemporaneously assessed by the applicant & a matter which was subsequently more or less overlooked by the planning inspector. <br /><br />I mentioned the Buckingham Neighbourhood Plan to respond to your pejorative heading "classic NIMBY" - the plan has set aside adequate housing availability for the foreseeable future. The Town Council is not resistant to housing - only to housing in the wrong place (although I am not their spokesperson). Jon Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-84392118155493357562014-08-11T13:35:39.615+01:002014-08-11T13:35:39.615+01:00I am familiar with the DRAFT Buckingham Neighbourh...I am familiar with the DRAFT Buckingham Neighbourhood Plan.<br /><br />With the greatest respect however, Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires planning decisions to be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.<br /><br />At the time that the Inspector considered the scheme in November 2012, the development plan comprised the AV Local Plan (2004) and the South East Plan 2009. The Inquiry took place almost 12 months prior to the first pre-submission consultation on the Neighbourhood Plan and was simply not relevant (or existent) at the time.<br /><br />At the time of the consideration of the follow-up application, which brought about the above article, there was still no sign of the draft Neighbourhood Plan. I cannot therefore see how it can be considered in any way relevant in the consideration of the application.A.Plannernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-41707577713791417362014-08-07T22:34:34.484+01:002014-08-07T22:34:34.484+01:00Have you read all the details? This is mainly abou...Have you read all the details? This is mainly about sustainability & impact of extra traffic on local infrastructure. Have you explored the draft Buckingham Neighbourhood Plan? Jon Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-11694473495543759062014-08-07T16:57:16.808+01:002014-08-07T16:57:16.808+01:00Classic NIMBY.
Two qualified planners (one of who...Classic NIMBY.<br /><br />Two qualified planners (one of whom is an Inspector) AND the Secretary of State deemed a "near identical" application to be acceptable, but why let a rational planning consideration knock one off one's soapbox?A.Plannernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-3934349574745177052014-07-28T13:27:54.684+01:002014-07-28T13:27:54.684+01:00Hopefully you are correct Mike - but as you know -...Hopefully you are correct Mike - but as you know - there are still some AVDC councillors who think that once their plan is in place, the town & parish neighbourhood plans will be subordinate to it. We will be both watching this space, I am sure...Jon Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-21007302501098163002014-07-28T11:55:46.374+01:002014-07-28T11:55:46.374+01:00As you know, I had the same fears. Inquiries revea...As you know, I had the same fears. Inquiries revealed, however, that the referendum question is prescribed in secondary legislation, whereas the principle of local development plans is enshrined in primary legislation. Given that primary legislation takes precedence over secondary legislation, it is likely that Winslow's referendum will hold firm - although given AVDC's track record, they may still need to remain highly vigilant.Mike Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256486920881907508noreply@blogger.com