Conservative MEP for the East Midlands, Roger Helmer, who was due to step down and be replaced by Rupert Matthews in December, may not be stepping down after all, reports the Chronicle & Echo. The problem is that the Conservative Party HQ are a bit twitchy about Matthews’, “unconventional interests”. Mr Matthews is an expert in the paranormal and also attracted controversy when he published a pamphlet on ‘Political Correctness’ which featured gollywogs on the cover. Mr Helmer fully backs Mr Matthews and will not step down until such time as there is more certainty regarding Mr Matthews position as his successor. A spokesman for the Conservative Party’s central office said: “We have to make a series of checks when there is a vacancy, if the next person on the list meets the criteria then they will be appointed.” One would have thought that a ‘series of checks’ would have been made before he was selected as one of the Conservatives five candidates on the EU list. One would have thought that someone who believes in little green men and other unexplained anomalies would be perfectly suited to deal with the fairy tales that emanate from Brussels and Strasbourg…or is be being black-balled for the golly’s?
Cut in Councillor Numbers Confirmed
The number of County Councillors (end therefore electoral divisions, or wards) in Northamptonshire will be reduced from 73 to 57 following an announcement by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE). What happens next is for the council to gerrymander decide the new boundaries for the 57 electoral divisions, and put it out to consultation. Council Leader, Conservative Jim ‘Hacker’ Harker said: “While the review hasn’t been instigated for cost-savings purposes, it nevertheless provides a potential saving of up to £350k over the next four years, subject to an allowances review, an important consideration in these financially-challenging times.” Translated from council gobbledegook into English, that means there will be no savings once the Councillors allowances have increased to take into account the increase in their division size. The idea is that each county councillor represents approximately the same number of people, as far as possible, and “the interests and identities of communities across the county”. Make sure you have your say, the commission is now asking local people for their input into the review of the electoral arrangements for Northamptonshire County Council. More details are available from the LGBCE website.
It’s a pity our ruling elite haven’t considered the “interests and identities” of the native British peoples at some point over the last 50-60 years. We could have been spared the joys of multi-cultural enrichment and the threat to our children of becomining a minority in their own homeland.
Well put Richard. Many of my comments are too anti-pc for print on this subject. I am pleased that Northantspatriot filters out some of my more robust utterings and mutterings to keep me in line.
Stephen, I’m glad you understand. Walls have ears and you never know whose eyes are watching. Whilst I am not in favour of censorship in general, I do not want you, nor I, to fall foul of the law.