Labour faces ‘dissent’ after shock resignation of councillor (From York Press)
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Labour faces ‘dissent’ after shock resignation of Coun Lynn Jeffries
9:41am Saturday 25th August 2012 in News
By Mark Stead, Political Reporter
SOURCES within York’s ruling Labour party say there is dissent in its ranks following the shock resignation of one of its councillors.
The Press understands some members of the group fear at least one more councillor may be considering their position as the fall-out continues from the decision by equality campaigner Lynn Jeffries to quit the party this week.
Coun Jeffries, who represents Westfield on City of York Council , said cuts to social care for 184 vulnerable people were “the final straw”.
The Liberal Democrat group say the door was open for Coun Jeffries, who intends to continue as a councillor, to talk to them about joining. She said she had become disillusioned with Labour over a string of issues, including the proposed sale of the Union Terrace car park, the removal of litter bins in York and the closure of Beckfield Lane recycling centre.
Labour sources have now told The Press:
• The party’s response to Coun Jeffries’ resignation is to “try to pretend it never happened”, which is seen as “strange”.
• The group “doesn’t talk enough” and there is little group-wide debate on important matters. One source said: “If we get half-an-hour for the whole group to discuss a major issue, we’re lucky”.
• Concerns raised to the group’s leadership have “fallen on deaf ears” and there is no “strategy for involvement” or “proper dialogue”.
• Some members have become “too interested in jockeying for position” since Labour took council control.
However, Ken King , Labour councillor for Clifton , said: “When you have a large group, as we have, there can be discontent and differences of opinion, but people must realise that you have to abide by the majority, otherwise it leads to chaos.”
A Labour spokesman said: “The group does not make comment on speculation and anonymous remarks.”
Lib Dem leader Carol Runciman said her group would “obviously be interested” if Coun Jeffries wanted to speak to them, but added: “She has made a major decision and it’s important to remember that any approach must come from her, not us.”
Meanwhile, Coun Sonja Crisp , cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, has apologised for a twitter comment she posted following Coun Jeffries’ resignation, in which she said: “Rotten apple out the way and move on”.
She said yesterday: “This particular tweet was posted soon after I learned of the resignation of a colleague, which was obviously disappointing, particularly because I had counted Lynn as a friend as well as a colleague.
“Emotions were running high and I expressed a view in the heat of the moment which, with hindsight, I should have kept private. I apologise if the tweet caused any offence.”
Council leader James Alexander said: “It is now in the best interests of both Coun Jeffries and the Labour Party for each of us to move on, and I have written to Lynn wishing her the very best for the future.”
Comments(68)
Torycouncil2015
says...
9:50am Sat 25 Aug 12
The performance of Calamity James in particular is spectacular. To take the opportunity he was handed in May 2011 with everything in his favour and completely destroy it within only 15 months is quite amazing.
On the positive side his career is now well and truly over on the negative side we're stuck with him.
As for Red Sonja sooner she's gone the better. Incompetent and an unpleasant bully by the sounds of it
York1900
says...
10:05am Sat 25 Aug 12
yorkiemum
says...
10:08am Sat 25 Aug 12
capt spaulding
says...
10:16am Sat 25 Aug 12
To twitter such remarks for all to read shows not just a lack of judgement but outlines the full extent of the nastiness in our elected council.
Madame , Sir you are a disgrace do the decent thing and resign.
Torycouncil2015
says...
10:36am Sat 25 Aug 12
capt spaulding
says...
10:41am Sat 25 Aug 12
Torycouncil2015 wrote:Yes she must be the most popular woman in York.
And whoever it is considering - just go! Look what it's done for Cllr Jeffries
Well done Lynn.
nowthen
says...
10:42am Sat 25 Aug 12
yorkiemum wrote:Even worse to then try and squirm out of it by saying she was referring to "bad vibes " and then expect the electorate to swallow that story demonstrates her sheer arrogance. She must think we all have the intelligence of goldfish.
What a rude woman Cllr Crisp has become, to even say about colleagues being 'bad apples' is bad enough but to then make her opinion public on a social network site is so inappropriate, I think she has to either rein in her 'emotions' or if she is unable to show restraint, remove herself from Twitter!!!
pedalling paul
says...
11:09am Sat 25 Aug 12
The time may be ripe for long serving Labour Councillors to persuade JA to change his way of doing things. Otherwise we may revert to a hung Council at the next election......mind you that may not be a bad thing!
bolero
says...
11:14am Sat 25 Aug 12
Torycouncil2015
says...
11:24am Sat 25 Aug 12
nowthen wrote:Yes it seems she set up a fake twitter account to ask herself to clarify her remarks, then stated it was not about Cllr Jeffries. Now she's in the Press apologising for saying it. So she's a disgrace and dishonest. Will she now apologise for the second tweet which was clearly a lie?
yorkiemum wrote:Even worse to then try and squirm out of it by saying she was referring to "bad vibes " and then expect the electorate to swallow that story demonstrates her sheer arrogance. She must think we all have the intelligence of goldfish.
What a rude woman Cllr Crisp has become, to even say about colleagues being 'bad apples' is bad enough but to then make her opinion public on a social network site is so inappropriate, I think she has to either rein in her 'emotions' or if she is unable to show restraint, remove herself from Twitter!!!
yorkiemum
says...
11:30am Sat 25 Aug 12
Torycouncil2015 wrote:I have just re read her statement in which she said she counted Lynne as a friend which makes her tweet even worse!! Bolero even if it was in the heat of the moment would you really put your thoughts on twitter? No excuse if she were in my school she would be red carded for being rude and for name calling
nowthen wrote:Yes it seems she set up a fake twitter account to ask herself to clarify her remarks, then stated it was not about Cllr Jeffries. Now she's in the Press apologising for saying it. So she's a disgrace and dishonest. Will she now apologise for the second tweet which was clearly a lie?
yorkiemum wrote:Even worse to then try and squirm out of it by saying she was referring to "bad vibes " and then expect the electorate to swallow that story demonstrates her sheer arrogance. She must think we all have the intelligence of goldfish.
What a rude woman Cllr Crisp has become, to even say about colleagues being 'bad apples' is bad enough but to then make her opinion public on a social network site is so inappropriate, I think she has to either rein in her 'emotions' or if she is unable to show restraint, remove herself from Twitter!!!
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
12:31pm Sat 25 Aug 12
" The party’s response to Coun Jeffries’ resignation is to “try to pretend it never happened”, which is seen as “strange”.
It's Labour's default to bad news and mistakes. Honest guv, it weren't us ? !!!! Brush it under the carpet, and no one will notice.
Their arrogance is unbelieveable !
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
12:37pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Meanwhile, Coun Sonja Crisp , cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, has apologised for a twitter comment she posted following Coun Jeffries’ resignation, in which she said: “Rotten apple out the way and move on”.
She said yesterday: “This particular tweet was posted soon after I learned of the resignation of a colleague, which was obviously disappointing, particularly because I had counted Lynn as a friend as well as a colleague.
“Emotions were running high and I expressed a view in the heat of the moment which, with hindsight, I should have kept private. I apologise if the tweet caused any offence.”
Isn't this the problem - they (Labour Group) keep too many things 'private' like all their decisions taken without consultation. The one time a careless councillor lets her true feelings slip, it happens to be one who twitters insults like they have gone out of fashion? !!!
Time for 'Red Sonja' to do the right thing - RESIGN !
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
12:52pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Overproof
says...
1:05pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Torkie
says...
2:29pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Shameful behavior.
Guy Fawkes
says...
2:43pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Those who enter politics, whether local or national, will generally accept the need for external unity.
This is known as the principle of collective responsibility, which ideally should apply all the way down from the General Assembly of the United Nations to CoYC's dog poo management sub-committee. Put simply, if you are an elected or nominated member of a decision-making body, then you are expected to support the decisions it makes. If you can't, you must go, and so this councillor has acted entirely properly in this case.
The quid pro quo is that you are supposed to be allowed an input to that collective body's decision-making process proportional to your constitutionally defined role on it. The problem is that autocratic leaders have a habit of forcing out those they disagree with by denying them that role and then obliging them to resign when they are consequently unable to support decisions made. And there is not always a happy ending for the people who are forced out, as principled resignees from the cabinet, from Michael Heseltine to Estelle Morris, have found out the hard way (their resignations ended their frontline careers).
marvell
says...
2:56pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Cllr Crisp is showing signs of being detached from the real world with some of her tweets. "I'm in the winning team" and "rid of rotten apples" - bonkers !!
Alf Garnett
says...
5:18pm Sat 25 Aug 12
capt spaulding
says...
6:11pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Alf Garnett wrote:Quite so and the people of york elected these paragons of intelectual supremesy to their present positions with the idea that they would do some good for us all. Not to s**t on us from a great height. Which is what they are doing right now............dump away councillors the recconning is not far away.
Just goes to show what nutty ideas tweeting and facebooking are. One wouldn't nail signed copies of one's opinions about other people to the parish notice board, so why do it electronically ? Where does the law of libel, or defamation of character come in I wonder.
ReginaldBiscuit
says...
6:25pm Sat 25 Aug 12
capt spaulding wrote:There's nothing intellectually supreme about the Weeble and Red Sonja. They're just average thinking apes seeking power and recognition.
Alf Garnett wrote:Quite so and the people of york elected these paragons of intelectual supremesy to their present positions with the idea that they would do some good for us all. Not to s**t on us from a great height. Which is what they are doing right now............dump away councillors the recconning is not far away.
Just goes to show what nutty ideas tweeting and facebooking are. One wouldn't nail signed copies of one's opinions about other people to the parish notice board, so why do it electronically ? Where does the law of libel, or defamation of character come in I wonder.
Torycouncil2015
says...
6:26pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Alf Garnett wrote:Councillors must abide by a code of
Just goes to show what nutty ideas tweeting and facebooking are. One wouldn't nail signed copies of one's opinions about other people to the parish notice board, so why do it electronically ? Where does the law of libel, or defamation of character come in I wonder.
Conduct which includes "treating people with respect". If anyone believes Cllr Crisp calling a fellow councillor a rotten apple was not treating a fellow councillor with respect they can report such actions ....,,,,,,.
That of course only covers her treatment of colleagues. I'm sure there's more to come from her bullying of staff.
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
6:56pm Sat 25 Aug 12
marvell wrote:Seen the photo, and they look as much in love with themselves, as they always do.
If Cllr Alexander wanted to get rid of the perception that him and Cllr Crisp are at the heart of decision making and the Labour clique - he's doing nothing to dispel it. His latest tweet shows him and Sonya trying to use the Paralympic flame for shameless publicity. Cllr Crisp is showing signs of being detached from the real world with some of her tweets. "I'm in the winning team" and "rid of rotten apples" - bonkers !!
Red Sonja is a great photo accessory for Coun Alexander - even in high heels she is still smaller than him, and makes him look tall - not a lot of women can do that - which tells us why he doesn't do photo's with 'Long shanks' Laing at his side.
Now awaiting someone to say, Alexander & Simpson-Laing - the Little and Large of York Comedy Politics ! What a laughing stock, eh ?
Priapus
says...
8:17pm Sat 25 Aug 12
pedalling paul
says...
9:14pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Micklegate
says...
9:31pm Sat 25 Aug 12
pedalling paul wrote:Yes and I will give two examples!
Seems to me that some commentators who attack Councillors policies and politics, are accompanying their democratic right to so do, with disgraceful personal attacks.
Councillor Alexander gave a vicious personal attack on Lynn Jeffries in his press comments after her resignation.
Councillor Crisp gave an even more vicious attack when she called Lynn Jeffries a 'rotten apple'
I know you were meaning non-councillors, but the truth is the most personal, offensive attacks have come from Labour councillors!
mel_drew
says...
9:43pm Sat 25 Aug 12
pedalling paul wrote:Perhaps some commentators feel that Ms Crisps' disgraceful personal "rotten apple" attack on a fellow councillor has lowered the bar on what can be regarded as an acceptable level of behaviour.
Seems to me that some commentators who attack Councillors policies and politics, are accompanying their democratic right to so do, with disgraceful personal attacks.
mel_drew
says...
9:44pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Silver
says...
9:58pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Micklegate wrote:Well said Micklegate, we the public have been wholeheartedly in support of Lynn Jeffries and voiced our own opposition to such things on the forums of The Press that she has stood up for. It's stories that these make those of us who pay an interest in politics glad to know that not all politicians are scum.
pedalling paul wrote:Yes and I will give two examples!
Seems to me that some commentators who attack Councillors policies and politics, are accompanying their democratic right to so do, with disgraceful personal attacks.
Councillor Alexander gave a vicious personal attack on Lynn Jeffries in his press comments after her resignation.
Councillor Crisp gave an even more vicious attack when she called Lynn Jeffries a 'rotten apple'
I know you were meaning non-councillors, but the truth is the most personal, offensive attacks have come from Labour councillors!
Keep up the good work Lynn Jeffries!
mary poppins21
says...
10:26pm Sat 25 Aug 12
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:The Old Guard spokesman Ken King what a joke, another of Alexanders Lackies saying what he is told to say in order to keep his special allowance from the Fire Authority. All cllrs that do as they are told get special favours and special roles which give them a bigger income. They are all in it for the money nothing else and that is why both Alexander and Crisp will NOT resign. Maybe the cllrs without any extra allowances should stand up and speak out now.....
The 'old guard' spokesman Ken King, has tried to calm things to protect the party's reputation, which, let's be honest, is now in tatters thanks to Alexander and Crisp. Labour councillors will now have to decide how they can rescue some confidence from York residents, and the obvious choice is to propose a vote of no confidence in their hapless, accident-prown, disaster of a leader. He should reflect on his many mistakes and his 15 months of failure and resign. Coun Crisp should do the same thing. They have both brought their party into disrepute, and their positions are untenable. They must surely GO ? !!!!
Torycouncil2015
says...
11:59pm Sat 25 Aug 12
mary poppins21 wrote:Tricky. I think Calamity James made sure they all got pay packets. Old Anna Semlyn was getting a bit twitchy BOOM chair of Economic Scrutiny £4k pa buys those votes back. Barbara Boyce - BOOM £6k a year chair of something or other buys her making anonymous comments on the Press site (though not that anonymous because she's stupid enough to use her twitter name)
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:The Old Guard spokesman Ken King what a joke, another of Alexanders Lackies saying what he is told to say in order to keep his special allowance from the Fire Authority. All cllrs that do as they are told get special favours and special roles which give them a bigger income. They are all in it for the money nothing else and that is why both Alexander and Crisp will NOT resign. Maybe the cllrs without any extra allowances should stand up and speak out now.....
The 'old guard' spokesman Ken King, has tried to calm things to protect the party's reputation, which, let's be honest, is now in tatters thanks to Alexander and Crisp. Labour councillors will now have to decide how they can rescue some confidence from York residents, and the obvious choice is to propose a vote of no confidence in their hapless, accident-prown, disaster of a leader. He should reflect on his many mistakes and his 15 months of failure and resign. Coun Crisp should do the same thing. They have both brought their party into disrepute, and their positions are untenable. They must surely GO ? !!!!
Caecilius
says...
9:01am Sun 26 Aug 12
Of course, he may have been someone having a laugh by pretending to be Coun Alexander, though that would have fallen a bit flat if the taxi driver had actually known what the councillor looks like. But, even if he had been, it would kind of suggest that the Council leader is seen as a figure of derision. Anyway, the driver believed him, and gave a blistering,one-word evaluation of the bloke he'd been talking to that I can't repeat here.
As for the news that there is "dissent in the ranks", I think that's been fairly common knowledge for a while. I've certainly heard it suggested that at least one Cabinet member recognised a particular Alexander-driven decision as ludicrous.
York1900
says...
11:33am Sun 26 Aug 12
1. Do York A Favor By Having A Vote Of No Confidence In Mr J Alexander
2. Or Quit The Labour Party In York But Do Not Join Any Other Party
Option 2 Would Give You The Power To See Your Ward Get What It Should Get And Not Be Bulldozed By One Or Two Of The Councilors In The Party Just Because They Want To Do It
Remember You Are There To Do The Bidding Of Your Ward And The People Of York Not To Be Zombies Of The Party .
'
Indigi
says...
11:59am Sun 26 Aug 12
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
1:22pm Sun 26 Aug 12
Indigi wrote:'Long shanks' Laing is still singing like a canary on twitter, so she is no doubt calling the shots in the absence of the discredited Chairman Alexander and his two snakes in the grass, 'Red Sonja' Crisp & 'Sid Hissing Vicious' Sidley.
Just not Crisp and Sidley tweets at a stand still since the disagraceful 'bad apple' comments.Also Alexanders other than the Olympic torch pic they musceled in on. I wonder who is pulling alabour group puppet strings now. Maybe Daffyd Williams. Oh no it can't be him he only does councillor work one day a week!
Just like Long shanks favourite team, Liverpool, York Labour Group are now at the bottom of the league. How does it feel, Sonja, to be on the losing team ? The team that lost Ruth Potter, Sandy Fraser, Lynn Jeffries, and it's way ?
capt spaulding
says...
2:21pm Sun 26 Aug 12
Only a matter of time now.
Will they do the decent thing ?
Sadly i dont think they will.
If we could have a local election now it would be a walk over getting rid of this lot.
Lets just hope the electorate have long enough memories if not we will remind them at the time.
York 1900 has it about right independants with York at its heart and not a dictatorship leader calling the shots. We deserve better than this.
Indigi
says...
2:42pm Sun 26 Aug 12
I think she has been been the main problem for Lynn Jeffries. Her attitude and understanding of disabled people is totally Dis-abling. God I hope we can get them all out. Independence has to be the way forward. I hope Lynn speaks out about Lanky Laing We need to know.
capt spaulding
says...
3:43pm Sun 26 Aug 12
Silver
says...
7:14pm Sun 26 Aug 12
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
1:05am Mon 27 Aug 12
Indigi
says...
12:50pm Mon 27 Aug 12
Indigi
says...
12:54pm Mon 27 Aug 12
Micklegate
says...
2:08pm Mon 27 Aug 12
Torycouncil2015 wrote:I think the Semelyn one is more about forward planning. It looks like they are (rightly) moving away from full 20mph in residential areas. 20mph is the only issue Semelyn cares about so she won't be happy......until of course she checks the bank balance and then she is reminded to grin and bare it!
mary poppins21 wrote:Tricky. I think Calamity James made sure they all got pay packets. Old Anna Semlyn was getting a bit twitchy BOOM chair of Economic Scrutiny £4k pa buys those votes back. Barbara Boyce - BOOM £6k a year chair of something or other buys her making anonymous comments on the Press site (though not that anonymous because she's stupid enough to use her twitter name)
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:The Old Guard spokesman Ken King what a joke, another of Alexanders Lackies saying what he is told to say in order to keep his special allowance from the Fire Authority. All cllrs that do as they are told get special favours and special roles which give them a bigger income. They are all in it for the money nothing else and that is why both Alexander and Crisp will NOT resign. Maybe the cllrs without any extra allowances should stand up and speak out now.....
The 'old guard' spokesman Ken King, has tried to calm things to protect the party's reputation, which, let's be honest, is now in tatters thanks to Alexander and Crisp. Labour councillors will now have to decide how they can rescue some confidence from York residents, and the obvious choice is to propose a vote of no confidence in their hapless, accident-prown, disaster of a leader. He should reflect on his many mistakes and his 15 months of failure and resign. Coun Crisp should do the same thing. They have both brought their party into disrepute, and their positions are untenable. They must surely GO ? !!!!
Micklegate
says...
2:09pm Mon 27 Aug 12
Caecilius wrote:I would have no doubt that is true, the guy is nothing but an ego
I was given an account last week of a conversation between James Alexander and a taxi driver outside York station. Now, obviously, I wasn't there and am only reporting what I've been told but, acording to the driver, a man got into his taxi and said "I suppose you're going to have a go at me". Baffled, the driver asked why on earth he would do that. The other man, who had apparently assumed (wrongly) that he would be instantly recognised by everyone in York, then introduced himself as James Alexander and invited the driver to ask him what he was going to do about the traffic issues outside the station. "OK, then," said the driver. "What are you going to do about it?". "Nothing," replied the man claiming to be James Alexander, "because there's no money in the budget."
Of course, he may have been someone having a laugh by pretending to be Coun Alexander, though that would have fallen a bit flat if the taxi driver had actually known what the councillor looks like. But, even if he had been, it would kind of suggest that the Council leader is seen as a figure of derision. Anyway, the driver believed him, and gave a blistering,one-word evaluation of the bloke he'd been talking to that I can't repeat here.
As for the news that there is "dissent in the ranks", I think that's been fairly common knowledge for a while. I've certainly heard it suggested that at least one Cabinet member recognised a particular Alexander-driven decision as ludicrous.
Micklegate
says...
2:11pm Mon 27 Aug 12
Indigi wrote:I am not sure vinegar is as bitter as Crisp!
What about vinigar crisp!
eboracum99
says...
2:40pm Mon 27 Aug 12
mel_drew
says...
4:08pm Mon 27 Aug 12
Theapplesarecoming
says...
1:54pm Tue 28 Aug 12
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
2:17pm Tue 28 Aug 12
Theapplesarecoming wrote:Agreed.
Let's destroy these idiots at the next election , forget the usual parties time for a change and someone reliable
York needs councillors who will make decisions for the benefit of York and it's people, not party politics. The policies and decisions that Alexander and a handful of Labour councillors are making are opposed by the majority, and their arrogance is breathtaking. We must not let this bunch of lying cheats to win again in 2015.
Jezreel
says...
9:19am Wed 29 Aug 12
Its not just some old clapped out UKIP bigot is it? In which case thanks, but no thanks
oi oi savaloy
says...
10:13am Wed 29 Aug 12
you lot do not represent the majority of the york people!
you are a disgrace!!
and york is becoming a disgrace!!
and whilst we are having a rant, how much money (if any) as been donated to dan sidleys charity from council tax funds?
meme
says...
12:51pm Wed 29 Aug 12
They have heavily poiticised views and you will see why democracy and discussion does not exist in our council anymore
York's become a joke and run like a Communist state which some of the above would welcome anyway and is not doing any of us any good at all
Jezreel
says...
1:13pm Wed 29 Aug 12
If you want to beat them, develop an alternative programme and get some candidates to campaign for it. Abandon any hope that Labour will resign because of sniping on the letters page.
You say they won't get into discussions with you, but why should they? Where is your mandate, or do you speak only on behalf of yourself?
Stop griping and lets see some alternative policies.
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
1:49pm Wed 29 Aug 12
Jezreel wrote:Aren't you listening ? Meme has been putting forward suggestions to Alexander and his ragtag band of would be communists for years, but, they ignore him/her. Meme doesn't need a mandate, he is a York resident, and the council work for him - they should listen and make decisions/policies that solve problems, but, instead they do the opposite and cause problems.
Meme ruins the case with overkill. Eg "York is like a communist state". Meme, Labour was democratically elected last May. They got a thumping majority because everyone was so sick of the disasterous Lib-dem administration. So Labour now has 26 seats, more than all the other parties combined. Have some respect for the democratic process. If you want to beat them, develop an alternative programme and get some candidates to campaign for it. Abandon any hope that Labour will resign because of sniping on the letters page. You say they won't get into discussions with you, but why should they? Where is your mandate, or do you speak only on behalf of yourself? Stop griping and lets see some alternative policies.
It's clear, after the wrongs confirmed by Lynn Jeffries, that Alexander's running of the council with a handful of arrogant, bullying Labour loonies, is as undemocratic as a despotic regime. The majority of York people are unhappy with the incumbents, and they will lose the next local election. Alexander looks like an incompetent, reclacitrant, egotistical child, compared with Steve Galloway, and the latter will regain his seat next time around, along with lots of independents taking seats from Labour.
Jezreel
says...
2:38pm Wed 29 Aug 12
You are wrong when you say The majority of York people are unhappy with the incumbents. Wishing doesn't make it so. Here is the latest test of York public opinion on 5th May last year
Labour has 26 seats.
Conservatives 10 seats.
Liberal Democrat 8 seats.
The Greens 2 seats.
Independent 1seat.
UKIP nowt
This has altered by one since Lynn's defection.
If you have more accurate figures please produce them
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
4:44pm Wed 29 Aug 12
James Alexander @jmalexander1982
I have just nominated Walmgate's 'Mumbai Lounge' as best newcomer in the national British Curry Awards
This is one of his three tweets today. One was about his photo in the press whilst visiting the hospital last week, which he also posted on twitter, last week. The other is about him once living around the corner from another Curry House 'Bombay Spice' !
If James is kicked out of his council leaders job, he can at least become a curry house critic for the press ? Lol !
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
4:50pm Wed 29 Aug 12
Jezreel wrote:Labour got a total of 55,619 votes in the 2011 Local Elections. The other parties got a combined 93,684 votes. Therefore more people voted against them than for them - the majority of people in York do not support Labour !
Matthew, calm down. Think of your ticker. You are wrong when you say The majority of York people are unhappy with the incumbents. Wishing doesn't make it so. Here is the latest test of York public opinion on 5th May last year Labour has 26 seats. Conservatives 10 seats. Liberal Democrat 8 seats. The Greens 2 seats. Independent 1seat. UKIP nowt This has altered by one since Lynn's defection. If you have more accurate figures please produce them
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
4:55pm Wed 29 Aug 12
The average Labour seat requires 2,139 votes, compared with Conservatives at 3,244 votes, Lib-Dems at 4,884 and Greens 8,991.
Jezreel
says...
4:58pm Wed 29 Aug 12
Labour has got 26 seats in York last year, more than all the other parties together.
You say nobody supports them.
There's a porky being told. Who has got it right, you or the electoral returning officer ?
Buzz Light-year
says...
8:54pm Wed 29 Aug 12
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:LOL! Saw that tweet myself.
Glad to see that James Alexander is getting to grips with York's serious issues........ as can be seen by his latest tweet :- James Alexander @jmalexander1982 I have just nominated Walmgate's 'Mumbai Lounge' as best newcomer in the national British Curry Awards This is one of his three tweets today. One was about his photo in the press whilst visiting the hospital last week, which he also posted on twitter, last week. The other is about him once living around the corner from another Curry House 'Bombay Spice' ! If James is kicked out of his council leaders job, he can at least become a curry house critic for the press ? Lol !
Mumbai Lounge is in Fossgate not Walmgate.
Surely JA isn't so out of touch he doesn't even know our own streets?
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
9:10pm Wed 29 Aug 12
Jezreel wrote:There you go agaiin, twisting things..... I didn't say nobody supports Labour in York. I said, the majority of people don't support them, and I expect that many who voted for them in 2011 would not vote for them now.
Matthew,
Labour has got 26 seats in York last year, more than all the other parties together.
You say nobody supports them.
There's a porky being told. Who has got it right, you or the electoral returning officer ?
Jezreel
says...
11:31pm Wed 29 Aug 12
If you keep saying daft things like the majority don't support Labour when the election results prove the opposite, then nobody will believe you when you get something right.
You are undermining your own credibility, and you can't afford to do that.
mel_drew
says...
10:36am Thu 30 Aug 12
Total votes cast in the 1911 local election - 147303.
Votes cast for Labour - 55619.
Votes cast for others - 91684.
The majority of voters did not vote for Labour.
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
12:15pm Thu 30 Aug 12
BTW, just wanted to correct your small mistake with the date - you meant the '2011' local election (not 1911).
mel_drew
says...
1:05pm Thu 30 Aug 12
Where are the red faced smilies on here?
Hoofarted
says...
10:41am Fri 31 Aug 12
The Labour landslide in York last year, occurred when popularity was still mediocre for the Tory cuts on local Government. Since then, their popularity is on it's ( )( )
Ding Dong!!! Medication time
Jezreel
says...
6:29pm Sun 2 Sep 12
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:Oh dear Matthew and Meldrew, sums are not your strong point.
Thank you mel_drew, for putting Jezreel right.
BTW, just wanted to correct your small mistake with the date - you meant the '2011' local election (not 1911).
The party that attracted the largest vote by miles, was Labour. They attract far more votes than any other party in York. That is why the party distribution is;
Labour has 26 seats.
Conservatives 10 seats.
Liberal Democrat 8 seats.
The Greens 2 seats.
Independent 1seat.
UKIP nowt
Facts can be so inconvenient sometimes
ReginaldBiscuit says...
9:48am Sat 25 Aug 12
Tony Benn is aghast at the principles new tory labour stands for. So am I.