Oh bruvver!When shop steward Fred Kite found himself in a fix, he turned to the rule book.
Sound familiar?
In his war on the Tories, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Boston Paul Kenny used the rule book to oust Conservative County Councillor Andrea Jenkyns.
We're not entirely sure what sort of game he's playing where county and borough councillor Raymond Singleton-McGuire is concerned, but there is no doubt about his antics with regard to the blog written by borough councillor Myles Larrington.
Commissar Kenny has made it the subject of a complaint to the Borough Council's Standards Committee.
Yesterday, when we first made reference to this, we supplied a link to Councillor Larrington's statement regarding the referral, which has led him to withdraw all previous entries.
When we looked later, we found that even that reference has now been removed, and now only contains its original welcome message, part of which reads: "I am trying this blog out in order to better communicate directly to local people. Members of the public will be able to keep informed about what is happening on Boston Borough Council. I also believe the public have a right to know where I stand on local issues, so I will be detailing some of my opinions on these. My aim is to keep this blog updated on a regular basis. Hopefully you will see that I am hardworking, straight talking and able to make a real difference."
How sad that this laudable exercise in communication has been the subject of such pettiness and spite.
We took a look at the code of conduct which binds members of Boston Borough Council to see what grounds Mr Kenny might have for complaint.
Without sight of the blog now that it has been withdrawn, it's difficult to remember everything that was written.
But there are really just three sections of the rules that could apply.
Section 3 (1) says "You must treat others with respect." As far as we can recall Councillor Larrington was critical - but not disrespectful - of Mr Kenny.
How sad that this laudable exercise in communication has been the subject of such pettiness and spite.
We took a look at the code of conduct which binds members of Boston Borough Council to see what grounds Mr Kenny might have for complaint.
Without sight of the blog now that it has been withdrawn, it's difficult to remember everything that was written.
But there are really just three sections of the rules that could apply.
Section 3 (1) says "You must treat others with respect." As far as we can recall Councillor Larrington was critical - but not disrespectful - of Mr Kenny.
Section 3 (2) (b) "You must not bully any person." Councillor Larrington at 22 years-old and with just two-and-a-half months in office, would surely not disagree that he is a beginner. The idea that he could "bully" a seasoned politician like Paul Kenny beggars belief.
It is a joke - but we're not laughing.
If Mr Kenny seriously feels bullied then it's time for him to get out of politics until he grows up.Section 5 of the code of conduct says "You must not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing your office or authority into disrepute." In fact quite the reverse is the case. Councillor Larrington was defending a colleague forced out of office by a "politician" crowing about a breach of the rules.
It is a joke - but we're not laughing.
If Mr Kenny seriously feels bullied then it's time for him to get out of politics until he grows up.Section 5 of the code of conduct says "You must not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing your office or authority into disrepute." In fact quite the reverse is the case. Councillor Larrington was defending a colleague forced out of office by a "politician" crowing about a breach of the rules.
Now, Councillor Larrington faces a jury of his peers to consider the Kenny complaint.
As we said yesterday, despite wearing his Labour Party hat when he attacked Andrea Jenkyns and Councillors Singleton-McGuire and Larrington, he is now sheltering behind a procedure designed for members of the public to complain.
The Local Assessment Panel can only deal with complaints about the behaviour of a member, and cannot deal with complaints about things not covered by the Members’ Code of Conduct.
Blogs are such new development in local government, that we hope this fact alone will be enough to disqualify Mr Kenny's complaint.
Failing that, we don't think that he should have his cake and eat it.
If he attacks as a politician, then he cannot suddenly renounce that status and become a wounded member of the public just because it might help him to achieve his shabby objectives.
Mr Kenny's actions have so far led to the resignation of one councillor, and silenced another's right to free speech. His third target has been a politician for longer who is so far weathering the storm.
The Bypass Independents must be spinning with laughter in their collective grave - Paul Kenny is playing into their hands and all they have to do is sit and watch.
The most elegant solution would be if Commissar Kenny were to recant his boorish Old Labour flat cap politics, act his age and withdraw his complaint against Councillor Larrington.
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
As we said yesterday, despite wearing his Labour Party hat when he attacked Andrea Jenkyns and Councillors Singleton-McGuire and Larrington, he is now sheltering behind a procedure designed for members of the public to complain.
The Local Assessment Panel can only deal with complaints about the behaviour of a member, and cannot deal with complaints about things not covered by the Members’ Code of Conduct.
Blogs are such new development in local government, that we hope this fact alone will be enough to disqualify Mr Kenny's complaint.
Failing that, we don't think that he should have his cake and eat it.
If he attacks as a politician, then he cannot suddenly renounce that status and become a wounded member of the public just because it might help him to achieve his shabby objectives.
Mr Kenny's actions have so far led to the resignation of one councillor, and silenced another's right to free speech. His third target has been a politician for longer who is so far weathering the storm.
The Bypass Independents must be spinning with laughter in their collective grave - Paul Kenny is playing into their hands and all they have to do is sit and watch.
The most elegant solution would be if Commissar Kenny were to recant his boorish Old Labour flat cap politics, act his age and withdraw his complaint against Councillor Larrington.
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
No comments:
Post a Comment