I'm in disagreement with one of my Conservative colleagues in Montgomeryshire. At first, I was uncertain of my ground. But after speaking with several councillors today, my confidence is returning. The subject of disagreement is my approach to a promotional newspaper being distributed by by my Liberal Democrat opponents. It suggests that they were influential in delivering a lower Council Tax increase. It also implies that Lembit Opik MP and Mick Bates AM are working with the Council and have played a significant part in switching street lights back on. Many people I've spoken with today share my view that these assertions are very deliberately misleading.
Now to the disagreement. My inclination is to trust Montgomeryshire people to see through this sort of stuff. No need for me to wade in - except on my blog where I do occasionally give vent to private thoughts. But one of my colleagues is more punchy - and its a lady as well. She wanted us to distribute leaflets telling people what we reckon is the truth - which is that the Liberal Democrats Councillors were in such disarray over Council Tax that they finished up arguing with each other, reducing the entire Council Chamber into convulsions of disbelieving laughter. They had no idea what they were doing, and withdrew any proposal that they might have made because their figures didn't add up. The position with street lights in even more outrageous. The above MP and AM did meet with Council officials, but taking with them a single supplier of LED lighting. Bearing in mind the requirement for a tendering process, I guess this must have been a bit embarrassing for Council officers. And LED lighting was nothing new to Council officers anyway. I'm told that they have been considering it for a while - and there was already one LED array up and shining in Builth Wells. Disagree with the Council's policy of switching off the lights in the first place is fair enough. But it was entirely the work of listening local councillors and Council officers that led to many of them being switched back on. Trying to usurp other people's efforts only works in the short term. Eventually, the truth will out.
Anyway, several people have been expressing to me their outrage at the behaviour of the Lib Dems today. I reckon that making all these unjustified claims are backfiring on them.
11 comments:
YES, distribute the leaflets! You really have to draw their lies to the attention of the electorate. How else will people know that they are being misled??
If you are to win this seat, Glyn, and God only knows we need a decent person to represent us, then you must start putting up a fight. People are not psychic. Alert them to what's going on
Who is this mysterious Conservative lady colleague who was supposedly in the Council Chamber to report on the alleged disarray? There are no lady Conservative councillors from Montgomeryshire on Powys County Council. Are you outing a Condependent Glyn?
Printing a leaflet was necessary because a press release with similar bogus claims was ignored by all sensible media who knew they were trying to take undeserved credit. Interesting to note the so-called Montgomeryshire rag was printed in Devon. Removing a town's name from an address but leaving a post code won't cover many carbon footprints. So much for supporting local businesses.
Anon 1 - I understand why you say that - but its so much better if its being said by people not associated with the Conservative Party - because people think we have an axe to grind. I would have done a leaflet if I hadn't become aware of the resentment felt by so many others.
Anon 2 - The lady had approached me a few days before. It was yesterday that I realised the degree of resentment amongst so many others. Anyway a lady's secrets are safe with me.
Anon - I fully accept what you say. But I did decide on an approach when I started, and I want to stick to it, unless I become persuaded that its wrong. I have not reached that position yet, but I did write this post.
But there IS an axe to grind! And sometimes they need grinding.
Lembit Opik and Mick Bates are clearly being duplicitous. At best they're grossly misleading people, at worst, lying. YOU are the Tory candidate and if you can't use this to your advantage, what on earth are you going to use?
You refuse to speak up agains LO's obvious lifestyle problems or comdemn him for receiving big money for his two part Kiss and Tell in the Mail, you refuse to criticise his blatant absence from the constituency ( you try getting an appointment with him ) and now back off on this important matter. When will you realise that this is a political fight and that you are letting the people of Montgomeryshire down if you don't engage in that fight? For goodness sake, they don't even print their material locally. More or less sums them up - misleading and mendacious in every conceivable way
Anon - I arrived home tonight at 5.30, and for the last hour I've been receiving calls (and responding to messages) from People incensed by what they decribe as duplicity on the part of the Liberal Democrats. I understand why peopel want me to go on the attack more, but I genuinely believe its more effective if others do it. Most people in Montgomeryshire have become aware of those things you have mentioned. And please don't think I'm not up to launchig an attack if I thought it was the correct strategy. Just ask those who have worked with me over a long period!
See Vaughan Roderick's BBC blog if you want proof as to why you should be attacking and not backing away. Totally agree with the Anon comments thus far. You need to shut this stuff from the rooftops!
Anon - The backlash is growing. I'll post on this again tonight. Its not something I've seen before in Montgomeryshire.
What are the odds on you to win the seat Glyn? Must be worth a flutter
I met Lembit for the first time this evening when I attended a public meeting which he'd arranged, to find out the views of locals on Wind Farms, I was impressed.
Unlike Mick Bates,who I feel has tunnel vision on these matters I think Lembit has a much more sensible and fairer view, and is eager to represent the whole of his constituency, and not just the farming community.I used to think you had a good chance of winning Glyn, but having seen how people reacted to Lembit this evening I'm not so sure.
Anons - I have never said more than I think I'm in with a chance. It depends on so many factors outside of my control.
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