Bob Piper has been a Labour Councillor for the Abbey
Ward in Sandwell, West Midlands, for 10 years. He is a lifelong supporter of Aston Villa Football Club and a follower of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The views expressed here are mine in a personal capacity, not those of the Labour Party, Sandwell MBC, Aston Villa or Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Get it! Mine... just mine!
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
Over at The Stirrer there is a lambasting for the unelected quango that is going to take strategic decisions on behalf of the West Midlands Region.
"This is, potentially, a vital organisation representing the strategic interests of an entire region who’ll be bidding on the national stage for regeneration cash, new transport links and so on... What right do Advantage West Midlands have, say, to be represented in this arena rather than – for example – Friends of the Earth? Why the “business community” and not social workers?"
"This set up will do nothing to popularise local government, and will only enhance the impression of important decisions being taken behind closed doors by a self-serving group of people looking after their own interests."
John witherspoon said:
June 9, 2007 2:59 PM | permalink
This is similar to what happened in the North East about three years ago when Prescott asked the electors to vote for a Regional Assembly, having already selected the members!
It would appear he has found more than one way to skin the cat.
Cruddas is right.
Obviously learnt their lesson, John. Now we don't even get the pretence of a vote.
gary elsby stoke said:
June 12, 2007 1:11 PM | permalink
Very interesting and very true.
It will be a quango filled with yes me who are on message and more importantly, on side. Homework should be thorough in this area.
If you have a mayor, a Labour Mayor, he will act outside of Labour Group rules and will be unnacountable to you and them.
If you are forced into accepting the fact that Labour will field a candidate, come what may, then a proviso should be acknowledged by all potential candidates that they will hold themselves up to a referendum on their position at a future date, so the public may have a second thought.
June 9, 2007 2:59 PM | permalink
This is similar to what happened in the North East about three years ago when Prescott asked the electors to vote for a Regional Assembly, having already selected the members!
It would appear he has found more than one way to skin the cat.
Cruddas is right.