Councillor in attack on food bank (From York Press)

beretta wrote:
Firstly, I'm not into politics in any way.
I think it's time the torys removed their heads from up their rear ends and had a good look around them and see how some of the people in this country are having to live.
I class myself as upper working class and I know people at my level who are really finding it hard to make ends meet and these are people who are in work, not your life long benifit claimers.
People are going without so their kids can have food on the table.
I bet Chris Steward didn't worry about the cost of his christmas dinner like alot of people

Chris Steward, a Conservative councillor, said living standards had surged, that there was no need for food banks, that they were an insult to starving people around the world, and that donating to them allowed recipients to spend more money on alcohol and cigarettes.

Sillybillies wrote:

Chris Steward, a Conservative councillor, said living standards had surged, that there was no need for food banks, that they were an insult to starving people around the world, and that donating to them allowed recipients to spend more money on alcohol and cigarettes.

I'm sure he's absolutely right!

dodgydavereturns wrote:
Even peddling Paul hasn't commented!
He is probably scared he would have to cycle around him! Something Sir Bradley May be challenged doing?

It's time this councillor stepped up to the plate!...... oh Hang on !

brahma wrote:

dodgydavereturns wrote:
Even peddling Paul hasn't commented!
He is probably scared he would have to cycle around him! Something Sir Bradley May be challenged doing?

It's time this councillor stepped up to the plate!...... oh Hang on !

He was on here about an hour and three minutes ahead of you if you look.
Just for the record he observed, "I recall a TV programme a few years ago, which compared poverty in Victorian York with todays. Underneath today's tourism veneer, there were some genuine stories of distress. A lot of the commentary was filmed from an open top sightseeing bus. Didn't a well known tour bus guide feature briefly in the programme....?"

Newton1 wrote:
Prompted by this story I took a look at Chris Steward's twitter feed. Its full of other ill-informed right wing rants similar to this one. I think the Tories should make him apologise or kick him out of the Party if he refuses.

that there was no need for food banks, that they were an insult to starving people around the world... ...I think food banks insult the one billion in the world that go to bed hungry every day and ignore the fact a child dies of hunger every three seconds.

the original Homer wrote:
I don't agree with the councillors comments at all, but I do think he has actually helped by commenting. Just look at the number of comments on here, and think how many people (me included) have read the article because it appears as a "most commented". We are all more aware of the issues, indirectly because of the councillor's comments. I too have concerns if it simply means some people can use the food bank as a means of having more money to spend on booze and fags. However, if you try to exclude those you'd exclude all the others who really do go short of food. There must be many who don't have the money for food OR booze OR cigs, and whose first prority would be food. There will also be some of the boozers / smokers whose families will get food they wouldn't have got, even if money is still wasted elsewhere. If the foodbank feeds some undernourished kid, it's needed, even if it has flaws elsewhere.

Toplinkdriver wrote:
This man is out of touch with reality; I suggest that he takes up the opportunity to swap places with one of the families he clearly feels are not in need of help. Not just for a week, let him try it for a month and then see if he still holds the same bigotted views. He is an utter disgrace regardless of which political party is unfortunate enough to have him as a member.

The Great Buda wrote:
I see the Tory Trolls are now trying to defend his comments, no wonder this country is in a mess when such people are part of it.

oi oi savaloy wrote:
I actually agree with this guy! There is no such thing as poverty in the uk! What we do suffer a lot of is child neglect from these so called parents who just have kids to boost their benefit claims! They have kids, take the money and then just spend it on booze,cigs and takeaways (and in some cases drugs) ... Bring in this voucher system now!

Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:
It is the left who are fanning the flames by exaggerating the extent of the problem, to divert attention from the far worse situation of housing need.

Buzz Light-year wrote:

Scarlet Pimpernel wrote: It is the left who are fanning the flames by exaggerating the extent of the problem, to divert attention from the far worse situation of housing need.

That's funny because I've just had a word with ColdAsChristmas who says it's nothing of the sort and in fact it's the "warmers" who are fanning the flames by exaggerating the extent of the problem, to divert attention from the far worse situation of taxes on fresh air or something. This has nowt to do with your agenda.

pedalling paul wrote:
I recall a TV programme a few years ago, which compared poverty in Victorian York with todays. Underneath today's tourism veneer, there were some genuine stories of distress. A lot of the commentary was filmed from an open top sightseeing bus. Didn't a well known tour bus guide feature briefly in the programme....?

Kevin Turvey wrote:
Well to me he has a point!

The number of so called poor people I see drinking and smoking is quite high, are they essentials?
No, all they do is place themselves in a worse position financially and indeed tha taxpayer.

If the safety net gets too big then people rely on it even more rather than resolve their own issues for themselves as adults through their own actions.

I am afraid that the situation is derived from 40 years of socialist policies and the growing nanny in this country so the population in general has been dumbed down so they are reliant on the state, therefore the state/government machine is more required.
It’s a vicious circle!

True anarchist policies would sort this out (not the ones that the statists tell you is anarchy. ie. violence)!
http://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Anarchism

I think James Alexander should resign over this!

corfu1985 wrote:

oi oi savaloy wrote: I actually agree with this guy! There is no such thing as poverty in the uk! What we do suffer a lot of is child neglect from these so called parents who just have kids to boost their benefit claims! They have kids, take the money and then just spend it on booze,cigs and takeaways (and in some cases drugs) ... Bring in this voucher system now!

No poverty in the uk,your having a laugh,try being a pensioner in tory britain today

yorkshirelad wrote:
Breathtaking arrogance. But i think some of these Tories genuinely don't think poverty (and other social problems) don't exist because they don't see it.

Another amazing side to it is how politically insensitive the New Right has become. They brazenly think 'anything goes' at the moment.

The best description I have heard of these new Tory bufoons is 'well mannered thugs'.

Poor old David Cameron and his efforts to detoxify the nasty party!

Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:
What's the betting that 'Sanctity' and 'Gladys Cheesepick' are labour stooges, who have just registered these avatars/accounts today ? Provoked or instructed by their party leaders, no doubt!

Never seen their comments before.

Oncebitten wrote:

yorkshirelad wrote:
Breathtaking arrogance. But i think some of these Tories genuinely don't think poverty (and other social problems) don't exist because they don't see it.

Another amazing side to it is how politically insensitive the New Right has become. They brazenly think 'anything goes' at the moment.

The best description I have heard of these new Tory bufoons is 'well mannered thugs'.

Poor old David Cameron and his efforts to detoxify the nasty party!

I think they are well aware it's happening, but if they admit there is a problem then they have to deal with it, but while in denial ...they can continue to turn the blind eye.

Gladys Cheesepick wrote:

Scarlet Pimpernel wrote: What's the betting that 'Sanctity' and 'Gladys Cheesepick' are labour stooges, who have just registered these avatars/accounts today ? Provoked or instructed by their party leaders, no doubt! Never seen their comments before.

Happy to put money on it Mr Pimpernel.... :)

raysalaugh wrote:
This is clearly a man who does not live in the real world. He has been elected by the people of York to represent there views. The people of York have the chance to get rid of a man who must live in his grand castle and who does not understand what happens to those less fortunate than himself. There is no room for a person like this to be placed in office, representing others. Get rid at the next election or ask him to resign.

asd wrote:
These people who spout off about loonie lefts etc are proberly religeous. I vagily remeber some of these religeous teachings like share and share a like, treat your neighbour as your self, jeez i would hate to be a neighbours with these hate filled comments thats been made. The fact is there is poverty and for anyone to say there is not is blind and pathetic.

Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:

raysalaugh wrote: This is clearly a man who does not live in the real world. He has been elected by the people of York to represent there views. The people of York have the chance to get rid of a man who must live in his grand castle and who does not understand what happens to those less fortunate than himself. There is no room for a person like this to be placed in office, representing others. Get rid at the next election or ask him to resign.

He gave an opinion, not a council policy proposal. This has nothing to do with council business, which he has been elected to represent on. There is more harm being done to York and it's people by the Labour leadership. Their mismanagement of housing policy has caused massive harm to the local economy and added to the housing crisis - a fact that many are oblivious of, and one that the well-informed perpetrators would have York residents ignore. Remove your votes from those whose actions damage York, not those whose opinions you disagree with.

donaldo wrote:
I sincerely hope Steward never finds himself in the position of the people he condemns.

YSTClinguist wrote:

Oncebitten wrote:

yorkshirelad wrote:
Breathtaking arrogance. But i think some of these Tories genuinely don't think poverty (and other social problems) don't exist because they don't see it.

Another amazing side to it is how politically insensitive the New Right has become. They brazenly think 'anything goes' at the moment.

The best description I have heard of these new Tory bufoons is 'well mannered thugs'.

Poor old David Cameron and his efforts to detoxify the nasty party!

I think they are well aware it's happening, but if they admit there is a problem then they have to deal with it, but while in denial ...they can continue to turn the blind eye.

They know it is going on. They are creating it. But like the Nazi's with the 'Jew' platform they ran, they are succeeding to turn society against each other. 60% of those harmed by benefits squeezing recently have jobs. JRF work groups came up with a minimum wage for workers that allowed them to feel part of society, if that demographic is in the food banks then we're stuffed.

The Great Buda wrote:
I see the Tory Trolls are now trying to defend his comments, no wonder this country is in a mess when such people are part of it.

smiler45 wrote:
I wonder how the tory government would survive on the minimum wage maybe that is something they should try and see if they can manage without there big salaries for a year and then see if they think food banks are required or not when they have to struggle like the rest of us they might realise, they keep saying we are all in this together so maybe they should try some of their own medicine for once and put themselves in the same position as those that are struggling to make ends meet.

dasreich1943 wrote:
I'm no Tory, but for goodness' sake, a tin of hot dogs costs about 30 pence! A budget ready meal is less than £1! The point is; no one is going to starve to death in the UK. Just take a look at photographs of skeletal children from other parts of the world, and then complain that we have a serious problem with poverty in the UK. Some perspective is required here!

atorycouncil2014 wrote:

The Great Buda wrote:
I see the Tory Trolls are now trying to defend his comments, no wonder this country is in a mess when such people are part of it.

Hello Calamity. I thought you said your job as Council Leader kept you too busy to work part time yet you have plenty of time to post anonymously on this debate (despite labeling people as cowards for doing it)

You really should drop the troll line though. Being a critic of your party makes you part of the majority not a troll

eeoodares wrote:

smiler45 wrote:
I wonder how the tory government would survive on the minimum wage maybe that is something they should try and see if they can manage without there big salaries for a year and then see if they think food banks are required or not when they have to struggle like the rest of us they might realise, they keep saying we are all in this together so maybe they should try some of their own medicine for once and put themselves in the same position as those that are struggling to make ends meet.

I would like to see how messrs Blair, Brown, Mandy and the rest of them would do on £100,000 per year...me thinks that these socialists would struggle!

Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:

Gladys Cheesepick wrote:

Scarlet Pimpernel wrote: What's the betting that 'Sanctity' and 'Gladys Cheesepick' are labour stooges, who have just registered these avatars/accounts today ? Provoked or instructed by their party leaders, no doubt! Never seen their comments before.

Happy to put money on it Mr Pimpernel.... :)

Who are ya, then ?

eeoodares wrote:

dasreich1943 wrote:
I'm no Tory, but for goodness' sake, a tin of hot dogs costs about 30 pence! A budget ready meal is less than £1! The point is; no one is going to starve to death in the UK. Just take a look at photographs of skeletal children from other parts of the world, and then complain that we have a serious problem with poverty in the UK. Some perspective is required here!

What you have said is the unpalatable truth. You can eat very well for well under a £1. I did it when I was skint and you get used to it, I am not so skint anymore and leftovers made into another meal is still the norm in our house.

If you travel abroad and see what poverty looks like and then compare it to the UK...no comparison!

Hilly rides Horses wrote:
Arguments for being rich or at least slightly better off than the majority:

You have to get to that position in the first place by either inheritance or by sheer hard work/sacrifice/savin

g up (most peoples way).

You have to maintain a well paid job and its demands for years to be in the position you have worked hard for.

The taxman takes lots of money off you at 25 and 40%.

You pay national Insurance on your PAYE contributions at 11% a lot higher to get the same benefit as self-employed paying the minimum.

You have to continue to work hard to maintain your present position with the young and ever present competition attempting to get into your position who will work for less to get a step up.

You have to pay your full amount of council tax.

You are a hate/jealousy figure from the poor and possibly also a target for theft.

Interests rates at an all-time low so savings are worth less year on year.



Arguments for being poor:

Free accommodation (ie. Rent) paid for by welfare benefits.

Council tax severely reduced and indeed some paid for by additional council tax benefits.

Household bills covered by benefits.
Free food from food banks.

Leaving plenty of cash left over for essentials like fags and booze covered out of ‘your or my’ benefits.
If you are a registered alcoholic you get further payments to cover booze.



Conclusion:

Why bother with the effort/risk/further education of trying to be a good worthwhile citizen who tries hard to be independent of the state and responsible for your own actions?


Can the last worthwhile person in the UK can you please turn off the lights as you depart!

eeoodares wrote:

dasreich1943 wrote:
I'm no Tory, but for goodness' sake, a tin of hot dogs costs about 30 pence! A budget ready meal is less than £1! The point is; no one is going to starve to death in the UK. Just take a look at photographs of skeletal children from other parts of the world, and then complain that we have a serious problem with poverty in the UK. Some perspective is required here!

What you have said is the unpalatable truth. You can eat very well for well under a £1. I did it when I was skint and you get used to it, I am not so skint anymore and leftovers made into another meal is still the norm in our house.

If you travel abroad and see what poverty looks like and then compare it to the UK...no comparison!

hifive wrote:

Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:

raysalaugh wrote: This is clearly a man who does not live in the real world. He has been elected by the people of York to represent there views. The people of York have the chance to get rid of a man who must live in his grand castle and who does not understand what happens to those less fortunate than himself. There is no room for a person like this to be placed in office, representing others. Get rid at the next election or ask him to resign.

He gave an opinion, not a council policy proposal. This has nothing to do with council business, which he has been elected to represent on. There is more harm being done to York and it's people by the Labour leadership. Their mismanagement of housing policy has caused massive harm to the local economy and added to the housing crisis - a fact that many are oblivious of, and one that the well-informed perpetrators would have York residents ignore. Remove your votes from those whose actions damage York, not those whose opinions you disagree with.

It's not an opinion though is it? He hasn't said "in my view" or "as far as I'm concerned" , he's made out he's stating facts! He says "there is CERTAINLY no need for food banks". He is denying that there is a very real problem and sticking your fingers in your ears and la-la-la-ing your way through a role which demands that you work for the general public - the very public he's condemning - is sackable. Oh...in my opinion of course!

hifive wrote:
It's not an opinion though is it?

dasreich1943 wrote:
Rich Picking, I don't drink coffee but I certainly can smell it! How, with all the apparantly very generous benefit payments, even to those in work, do people suddenly become unable to feed their children and danger of succumbing to starvation? I'm sorry but you sound like you are talking about a developing country, not the UK. As I said before, no one will die from hunger in this country, but yes, the least well off in society do need to be looked out for in more long term ways than some free charity food now and then...

sounds weird but wrote:

lezyork1966 wrote:
I think your all missing the big picture here, this is nothing to do with his comment I cant be bothered to address that issue.. The real issue is the governments hate mongering towards the unemployed, you have long term unemployed who are just not employable even though they have skills and can get off their arses, but employess wont gamble on them and give them a jopb when there is better looking candidates, so eventually you now have a two tier 'workforce', and one tier, becomes the longterm unemployed for reasons that are out of their control. It is this group that is a permanent stone around the governments neck, and you paypacket, what they dont tell you is how much it hits your pay packet, its a few pennys, really is. to the government its a big figure to use on the news. once they make foodbanks look acceptable to the voters, they will pull benefits to save money for a new golf course. these long terms will then have no income, and will then really hit you in the pocket as they have no option but to beg or steal, so if you back the government in this, then you can look forward to car radio thefts, petrol thefts, more garden shed thefts... if you want to see where your money really is wasted, get on youtube and research a little.

lezyork1966 wrote:
"... you have long term unemployed who are just not employable even though they have skills and can get off their arses, but employess wont gamble on them and give them a jopb when there is better looking candidates.."

so if they have the skills and will get off arses then why wont employers 'gamble' on them? Being better looking is not a feasible excuse..Chris Steward is certainly not better looking fat or thin!

wheelyjane wrote:
Councillor Steward you should be ashamed. May I suggest you visit Carecent, talk to Besom or indeed go visit and talk with those running and accessing the food bank - then come back and tell us it is not necessary. Oh and dasreich1943 do you want to live on a tin of hotdogs and white sliced bread for a week let alone a month?

wheelyjane wrote:
Councillor Steward you should be ashamed. May I suggest you visit Carecent, talk to Besom or indeed go visit and talk with those running and accessing the food bank - then come back and tell us it is not necessary.

Oh and dasreich1943 do you want to live on a tin of hotdogs and white sliced bread for a week let alone a month?

The Great Buda wrote:

Hilly rides Horses wrote:
Arguments for being rich or at least slightly better off than the majority:

You have to get to that position in the first place by either inheritance or by sheer hard work/sacrifice/savin


g up (most peoples way).

You have to maintain a well paid job and its demands for years to be in the position you have worked hard for.

The taxman takes lots of money off you at 25 and 40%.

You pay national Insurance on your PAYE contributions at 11% a lot higher to get the same benefit as self-employed paying the minimum.

You have to continue to work hard to maintain your present position with the young and ever present competition attempting to get into your position who will work for less to get a step up.

You have to pay your full amount of council tax.

You are a hate/jealousy figure from the poor and possibly also a target for theft.

Interests rates at an all-time low so savings are worth less year on year.



Arguments for being poor:

Free accommodation (ie. Rent) paid for by welfare benefits.

Council tax severely reduced and indeed some paid for by additional council tax benefits.

Household bills covered by benefits.
Free food from food banks.

Leaving plenty of cash left over for essentials like fags and booze covered out of ‘your or my’ benefits.
If you are a registered alcoholic you get further payments to cover booze.



Conclusion:

Why bother with the effort/risk/further education of trying to be a good worthwhile citizen who tries hard to be independent of the state and responsible for your own actions?


Can the last worthwhile person in the UK can you please turn off the lights as you depart!

10/10.

Sillybillies wrote:

Chris Steward, a Conservative councillor, said living standards had surged, that there was no need for food banks, that they were an insult to starving people around the world, and that donating to them allowed recipients to spend more money on alcohol and cigarettes.

I'm sure he's absolutely right!

bob the builder wrote:

Sillybillies wrote:

Chris Steward, a Conservative councillor, said living standards had surged, that there was no need for food banks, that they were an insult to starving people around the world, and that donating to them allowed recipients to spend more money on alcohol and cigarettes.

I'm sure he's absolutely right!

... spending money on tattoos, smartphones, fake tan, Sky TV, and counterfeit ugg boots, handbags etc. There are genuinely poor people but they are too proud to seek assistance and try to muddle on. This has been the case since the 1980s, we are handing out money to people who cannot manage it. Perhaps if we gave ration books instead of cash there would be an incentive to improve.