Tuesday 30 December 2008

”We Value Your Feedback...”

...as long as it’s in agreement with us:
When residents were asked to provide feedback on council plans to build traveller camps on their doorstep they dutifully responded.

More than 3,000 homeowners filled in forms outlining their views, many raising concerns over a possible increase in noise, traffic, rubbish and a detrimental effect on property prices.
So, what did the council do?

Ignored the ones they deemed ‘racist’. And then had the nerve to write back to the people who pay for their comfortable jobs and pensions to tell them so:
Weeks after asking for residents' views earlier this year, the council posted an article on its website entitled 'Racist Comments Not Welcome'.

It claimed the council's 'duty of community leadership' meant it had to crack down on the use of racial stereotypes, and revealed that while 400 responses would be considered, 3,100 were in some way racist and would be rejected.

The council even sent letters to objectors telling them their views had been deemed offensive and would not be taken account of.
Could there be a clearer example of just what these people think of the sheep they depend on for their livelihood?
The district council's attitude has been criticised by local campaigners, politicians and civil liberties groups.

Tory communities spokesman Eric Pickles said yesterday: 'I hope that they write a letter of apology to everyone they have accused of being racist. Otherwise, people simply aren't going to feel able to object to these camps without the fear of being branded racist.'
I don’t want them to ‘write back with an apology’. That’ll just cost more money. Instead, Pickles should be calling for the immediate sacking of the person in charge of the exercise. That’ll save money...

As usual, the council refuses to accept it might be in the wrong here:
When contacted by the Daily Mail, a spokesman for Mid-Bedfordshire council admitted that it had been 'somewhat overzealous'.

He said: 'We were worried that many of the letters contained racist slurs and objectionable comments that we felt could not be published under current race relations legislation.

'We had no intention of offending those who took the time to respond to the consultation and certainly were not trying to label residents as racist.’
‘It wasn’t our fault! It was the legislation!’. What a pathetic excuse...

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another example of pretend consultation.
The decision has already been made, it is going to happen, but the consultation exercise will go ahead so that it can be referred to.
My elderly parents received some details last year about new 'traveller camps' being set up near them in Herts. About 5 sites had been earmarked, it was clear which one it was going to be as the other 4 were slap bang in the middle of residential areas so of course there would be howls of protest (citing the perfectly resonable and TRUE 'cons' to such sites) from people ear these sites who would be 'grateful' when the one NOT so near them would be chosen. Cod consultation accompanied by 'softening up' the opposition. For my parents to get access they would need to be sent reams of documents - no, they are in their 80's and don't have web access like so many elderly people. They did attend two public meetings which achieved 'bugger all' according to Mum. I don't understand why travellers are allowed to get away with their illegal developments and associated problems let alone be funded in their endeavours by the tax payer. (Word Veri: canker)

Mark Wadsworth said...

You misssed off the associated thieving and crime in your second para. That would be my biggest worry about these pikeys. Or is it racist to be anti-criminal?

Anonymous said...

"I don't understand why travellers are allowed to get away with their illegal developments.."

Because they have become 'pets' of the diversity industry, as well as a cash-cow for same...?

"Word Veri: canker"

That thing is getting spookily accurate!

"Or is it racist to be anti-criminal?"

I think that's what the council has unwittingly validated with their letters.

Anonymous said...

It's fantastic isn't it:

- Travellers are defined as an ethnic group.
- Therefore anyone objects to the presence of travellers because of negative traits associated with the travelling lifestyle is being racist.
- Racist objections are invalid.
- Therefore there are no objecions.

Anonymous said...

I worry for you, Julia, as you spend day after day doing your Trojan duty on our behalf by ploughing through the myriad idiocies of this 'septic Isle'; so, to cheer you up at the end of a miserable year, I bring this to your attention whilst wishing you a safe and prosperous new year:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1102906/Council-chief-sick-day-sued-754-000-employer.html

Anonymous said...

"The case against Mrs Laird, due to begin on January 26, is the first of its kind to use legislation under the 1999 Local Government Act."

Ha ha ha ha! Oh, I do so love to see people hoist with their own petard...! ;)

tory boys never grow up said...

Perhaps Mark Wadsworth might want to note that "thieving and crime" has been more than associated with the financial community in recent times - before he starts branding all travellers with the same brush. Isn't one of the measures of a civilised society how it treats its minorities - as a professed libertarian perhaps Mr Wadsworth might want to explain how he wishes to presevre the liberties of those "pikeys" who don't break the law?

The ineptness of the Council concerned will actually do no good for the travellers concerned either - as it is has probably done is stirred up the usual bigotry.

Anonymous said...

"Perhaps Mark Wadsworth might want to note that "thieving and crime" has been more than associated with the financial community in recent times - before he starts branding all travellers with the same brush."

Yup, all those financial whizz kids firing shotguins at rivals, fighting hand-to-hand in gangs and 'disappearing' their close relatives.

Who was that comedian who said he didn't worry about looking behind him at the cash point for accountants...?

"...as a professed libertarian perhaps Mr Wadsworth might want to explain how he wishes to presevre the liberties of those "pikeys" who don't break the law?"

Now, there's a real minority....

Anonymous said...

tory boy,You certainly havent grown up near a travellers camp then,Im a country bumkin and can assure you the crime rate soars when they move in.Then there is the filth to clear up after they have moved on again.
As usual its the ordinary people who have to put up with it,whilst you lot sit and spout from safety.I do so hope they site a camp neaxt door to you.

tory boys never grow up said...

DMC

I live less than 2 miles away from a managed site for travellers - and it just isn't an issue locally. Anyone with any knowledge of the problem knows that managed sites are key to addressing the problems. Perhaps if your council provided a managed site, as it is required to do so by law, then the problems you refer to with temporary sites would not occur or would be reduced. I think you will find that the Hitlerian "solution" to travellers was found to be a failure as well - or perhaps you didn't think that it was applied for a long enough period.

As for there be no accountant behind you in the queue for the cashpoint - perhaps JuliaM might wish to provide figures comparing white collar financial fraud and theft by travellers before jumping to judgement as to which is the worse problem.

Anonymous said...

"I live less than 2 miles away from a managed site for travellers..."

Ah, no wonder you're always commenting on Guido's and other sites! Yeah, I'd be too afraid to leave the house for long too....

"JuliaM might wish to provide figures comparing white collar financial fraud and theft by travellers before jumping to judgement as to which is the worse problem."

And TBNGU might like to compare hospital/morgue admissions by the same two demographics....

Anonymous said...

tory boy,my council is labour as is my mp,no doubt your travellers are all happily living on benefits too,and the sites are permanent here tho the travellers aren't.Hence the filth left behind,even when skips provided.
Who mentioned hitler,nobody on here but you even thought of it.Typical fanatical,hysterical tactics that.Typical labour too,attack and denigrate the person when you have a weak argument.
Do please visit our village and stand up and praise the travellers to us face to face.It would be wonderful if our civil liberties were respected too.

tory boys never grow up said...

DMC when you provide an argument to denigrate I'll happily do so. Where have I praised travellers? All I've said is that it is wrong to accuse them all of the same crimes and to criticise those who tag them with insulting labels - and to point out that a similar approach might be employed against the financial community and other groups. I have nothing against the full force of the law being used against those individuals who break the law - but applying labels against an entire group of people because of crimes committed by some individuals is truly the tactic of bigots and bullies throughout the ages.

And of course what solutions do you have for addressing the problem while protecting the rights of those travellers who choose to stay within the law? What do you think would happen if the permitted permanent sites were to be closed?? Have you any inkling as to how insulting all these ridiculous generalisations are to most travellers?? Do you even care?

I think you will find that literature is full of villages where those making the most noise usually have the least to offer - perhaps there is a good reason for this? You must miss the old witch dunkings

Anonymous said...

tory boy,I said it was me you denigrate as a diversionary tactic,the villagers of today are not the uneducated superstitious inhabitants of yesteryear.Most are well educated.You still only mention the rights of your travellers,not the permanent inhabitants,and yet again attack me with your witchs comment.Can you say nothing without resorting to insult.Im now waiting for the racist label to be applied.
As for insulting to travellers,thats a laugh,they couldnt give a monkeys unless theyre playing it for victimhood.
Years ago they worked the farms travelling around for jobs.Their cars and caravans gleamed and they had beautiful ornaments in caravan windows.They were rough and uneducated,but always had rolls of money.You expected a bit of pilfering but it wasnt much,just petty.Now its not.They drive deathtrap cars,no tax,no insurance and these are just teenagers.Lawnmower in garden shed,gone,go see if you can spot it in the car boot sale.Police wont go there,harrasment.
I bet the police wont go to the site near you either for the same reason.They may be uneducated but they know their rights better than i know mine,and how to work the system.

tory boys never grow up said...

DMC read what I said

"I have nothing against the full force of the law being used against those individuals who break the law - but applying labels against an entire group of people because of crimes committed by some individuals is truly the tactic of bigots and bullies throughout the ages."

What is your solution?

And i never said villagers were uneducated superstitious inhabitants - only that those making the most noise were often empty vessels with nothing to offer.

What is your solution?

And no - police should not be allowed to break into people's homes without evidence - at least that is not normal behaviour outside a police state - or would you suspend normal human rights for travellers?

What is your solution?

Of course if you have no solutions to offer - then perhaps you could just carry on whipping up hatred (for that is what you are doing) with your innuendo (if you have any real evidence of what you are saying the correct place to take it is to the Police - and if you don't think that are acting properly on such information then there are complaint procedures - but somehow your type never seem to have the courage of their own convictions).

And if you think being insulted by you and your nasty little type worries me in the slightest think again.

What is your solution?

Anonymous said...

tory boy,yet again you smear and insult,can you not make a comment without a snide remark.Read the post and point out where i have insulted you or is just not agreeing with you an insult?.You do have such a vivid imagination and are very keen to put words into my mouth,perhaps the tory part of your name should be changed to labour,there you are an insult.Satisfied.
So far you have smeared me with hitler who nobody even thought of except you,Witch dunking,laughablely childish and living in a village of narrow minded people.Then your last paragraph in last post,pure delusion,now im nasty,thats great from someone does not even know who I am or what I do.
Yes have been robbed by these people and so have friends and yes we did report it and the local bobby did say we would get nowhere because of people like you screaming human rights.Your sort must stop politisizing the police and let them get on with their job unhindered,hark at you"police breaking into people homes without evidence".What was the reason for making that remark,what justified it,simply more biased hysterics.
There will be no solution until theyre made to obey the law and behave,then we will start to trust them again,not until.
I shall not answer any more of your posts on here because your just incapable of commenting without smears innuendo or insult and each of your posts is getting more hysterical.I may come back to read what you write though,if only so I and friends can have a good laugh.
Happy new year.

Anonymous said...

"i never said villagers were uneducated superstitious inhabitants - only that those making the most noise were often empty vessels with nothing to offer."

I wonder if you see the irony there, given that you devote so much of your time to commenting...?

"or would you suspend normal human rights for travellers? "

Right. Yes, we hear a lot about their 'rights'. We don't hear so much about their responsibilities, though. Wonder why that it?

"Read the post and point out where i have insulted you or is just not agreeing with you an insult?."

Got it in one, there, DMC. The only thing NuLab trolls like TBNGU hate worse than someone who disagrees with them is someone who ignores them entirely.

tory boys never grow up said...

Glad to be labelled a person "screaming human rights". Especially the one that you cannot prosecute people on the basis of innuendo and without evidence. I suspect the local bobby was being nice to you - he knows that you cannot or should not accuse people without evidence. To do so really would be politicising the police.

I'm afraid you offer no constructive solutions whatsoever.

As for responsibilities - I repeat for the 3rd time " I have nothing against the full force of the law being used against those individuals who break the law - but applying labels against an entire group of people because of crimes committed by some individuals is truly the tactic of bigots and bullies throughout the ages." But there lies the dilemma you cannot in a free society make (rather than encourage) people obey the law or enforce responsibilities on to them, as DMC wants (one can only guess as to the means that DMC would like to employ) - all the can do to promote compliance with the law is prosecute individuals when you have evidence of their having committed crimes.

Don't care if you ignore me - but someone has to stand up against the bigots and their chosen target of the week - immigrants last week, travellers this week whatever next!

Anonymous said...

"I suspect the local bobby was being nice to you - he knows that you cannot or should not accuse people without evidence. To do so really would be politicising the police."

Heh! You don't read a lot of police blogs, do you? Or anything else, I suspect....

"..someone has to stand up against the bigots and their chosen target of the week - immigrants last week, travellers this week whatever next!"

You selfless little martyr, you... ;)

As for 'whatever next', for me it'll be the idea that we take in 'asylum seekers' from Guantanamo Bay to help out Obamalamadingdong. Bet even you couldn't justify that, could you...?

tory boys never grow up said...

As for extending your reading - perhaps you should read a little about how Nazism became accepted in Germany - clue, the first thing they needed was a scapegoat....

The reference to Obama really shows your true colours.

tory boys never grow up said...

Of course you have got the history of all this very wrong. Mid Beds is a Tory controlled council - and the consultation exercise and probably the way in which they have botched it up - all arise because that council has been doing evertything it can in order to delay the legal requirement to introduce a certain number of planned sites since 2005. The Council were odered by the Government to comply with the law.

The local MP Nadine Dorries, of course, has encouraged this law breaking by her local council and has frequently demonstrated her own bigotry about travellers on her own blog - apparently she has never trusted "gypsies" since being warned off them by her Irish relatives when a young child (what a sound intellectual basis for our elected rfepresenatives to determine their political viewpoint. I await her Prevention of Bogeymen Private Members Bill with keen anticipation)

Of course now JuliaM and DMC are aware of the facts I'm sure that they can now attack Mid Beds Council and the local MP for breaking the law - particularly since we all have a responsibility to encourage everyone to comply with the law. Or perhaps they just want to chose which laws should be complied with and which shouldn't according to their personal preferences.

In future they may just want to check the facts a little more closely!

Anonymous said...

"..perhaps you should read a little about how Nazism became accepted in Germany.."

Ah, Godwin... :)

Give you credit, it's usually the first thing your sort reach for, not the last...

"The reference to Obama really shows your true colours."

*gasp* I dissed The Messaiah! There really is no hope for me, is there...?

Anonymous said...

"Of course you have got the history of all this very wrong. Mid Beds is a Tory controlled council..."

Yeah. And...?

If you were expecting to see slavish devotion to Call-Me-Dave's mob here, then boy, have you got the wrong blog...!

"...that council has been doing evertything it can in order to delay the legal requirement to introduce a certain number of planned sites since 2005."

'Delay', not 'break'. That's significant. In law.

And I suspect it's more to protect their own positions, rather than any principled desire to see their constituents desires represented over the dead hand of NuLab. But good for them!

tory boys never grow up said...

It is "break" rather than "delay" - the requirement to provide a sufficient number of permanent sites became law in 2005.

tory boys never grow up said...

As for Godwin - I think you should know that I mentioned Hitler a long time ago. Yes travellers were one of his chosen scapegoats - but even if you want to read wider you will find that scapegoating and targetting of minorities is a common technique of nearly all totalitarians - look at what Stalin did to the Chechens and many other minorities if you want further examples.