31 January (Part 1) - It’s not quite what it seems. When Philip Read’s behind a scheme, what is?
I am in the strange position
of not supporting any of the ideas spoken of by Ed Miliband and totally against his
position on the electoral problems brought about by Scottish devolution but at
the same time thinking that the Conservative General Election candidate for
Erith & Thamesmead would be totally mad to campaign for a ‘referendum’
in Bexley calling for English votes for English Laws.
Why are Bexley councillors tramping the streets of Northumberland Heath
handing out a ‘referendum’ leaflet when there are so many other things local councillors should be attending to?
English Votes for English Laws being more likely under a Conservative government
may be a valid point but a ‘referendum’ in Bexley won’t influence anything. In Bexley not even Bexley
council takes any notice of what local people say, certainly not central government.
One can forgive
a millionaire barrister from Sevenoaks
not knowing the difference between Bexleyheath and Thamesmead and not being
able to spell Lesnes, but a ‘referendum’ would be a whole new level of silliness.
Spotting the forgoing on Twitter this morning my first thought was how much
would a local referendum cost a near bankrupt council. I emailed a lady who might know.
Teresa Pearce MP replied, “the cost of a local referendum is estimated by HOC
library as between £85k and £300k”.
Would Erith & Thamesmead‘s would-be MP be happy to put around ¼% on the council tax on an ill thought
out scheme? Probably not, for £300k she could have Belvedere’s Splash Park renewed. That might
just get her elected.
However the whole thing is an underhand scam. Anna Firth is not calling for a
referendum as her headline claims. Read the small print and she is trying to
poll residents on a question that most people would probably answer ‘yes’
to. It’s just a cunning way to get your email address and phone number.
With the Mr. Nasty, Philip Read behind her, scams are to be expected, but if
you sign up for the Erith & Thamesmead faux ‘referendum’, then please be aware of
what it is all about. Breaching your privacy.