10 March (Part 1) - How corrupt are they? That is the question
I suppose it is possible that people send messages anonymously in the hope of getting a public reply. Maybe that is cynical, there are a lot of cynics in Bexley, which is probably a good thing. Cynicism is what Bexley Conservatives deserve. How should I answer this email?
Yesterday a young lady canvasser knocked on my door and told me the scandal
about my local Tories. Apparently one has run off to another part of Bexley and
the other one has moved to Kent; Sevenoaks apparently.
It’s a scandal as she should have been kicked off the Tories side but the lady
says she doesn't care and is standing again, pretending to live here. Everyone
knows about it but the Tories are ignoring it. is it true?
The lady said she also manages some flats around
here and tells her tenants to vote for her or else. How corrupt are they! Why
has this not come out yet? It’s not right.
How corrupt are they? Is the easiest question to answer. Very.
Dozens of examples litter this website.
A lot of Bexley Tories have done a runner to other wards, the leader rewards
those who are most loyal by giving them a safe seat. Séan Newman the Labour
councillor calls it the Chicken Run on the grounds they have to run away from
their reputation. That is sometimes true too.
Is what is described above illegal? Probably not. The
councillor is one of the few in London to claim an exemption due to being in fear of her life
under Section 32 of the Localism Act and thereby hides some of her details from
public view - only Bexley councillors abuse Section 32 - she does appear to have
an address, maybe just a postbox, in Crayford.
This probably allows her to legally stand as a councillor next May even if she does live
elsewhere. She may have no interest in Bexley residents but legally
that is of no consequence. All that matters here is total loyalty to Teresa
O’Neill who dictates who stands as a Conservative councillor and who does not.
You only have to read
the Superwoman blog to know that Teresa is no stranger to the abuse of power.
Incidentally, I have been able to confirm everything in the Superwoman story thanks to
readers. The MBE, JP, MP approved and shortlisted, Children’s Commissioner, LGA, school
governor, Safeguarding Children’s Board, NHS Care Trust, Ministry of Justice
connected, Bexley Civic Award winning lady was overlooked in the competition to
be a Bexley councillor in favour of another lady whose only qualification is to be
married to councillor Brian Bishop.
How corrupt are they? Endlessly.