Moment of Madness, Nick?

Yes, it really has to be read to be believed...

Disgraced (ex) Conservative Nick Brice has today come out in the press with a reason for being caught with a prostitute in his vehicle in the Medway red light district, days after the Standard's Board sub-committee decided the matter should be considered at a further hearing.

The politician, who did not have the decency to quit after being charged with kerb-crawling, remains on the Council pay-roll pocketing thousands of pounds of public money.

Cllr Brice was considered a senior Conservative prior to his 'spontaneous action' and had stood in the leadership elections for the Conservative Group. He also had been given responsibility for Council audit. He was not just a backbencher. He had influence.

According to Cllr Brice, now an Independent, he was on business along the New Road after attending a Tory fundraising event where he was socialising, before being caught in a sting operation.

He was caught by Kent Police with a prostitute in his car after driving through the Red light district to collect and return people home. According to his account (read above) after driving past not once, twice but um, four times, Cllr Brice 'spontaneously' stopped to do a u-turn in the road and allowed a prostitute into his vehicle before being caught by the Police. According to Cllr Brice, 'as the car stopped, a girl appeared ... and proceeded to open and the door and sit in the passenger seat'

After months of delays, we now have a full account of his activity which has some similarity with former Labour MP Ron Davies. It has to be read to be believed and then read again. The difference of course Ron Davies, actually, resigned.

This blog is not seeking to moralise the conduct of law-abiding citizens and what they consent or otherwise in their own personal space.

This case however highlights a public servant who broke the law and was charged.

Ordinarily this is a shut book case in other areas. Councillor apologises, stands down, by-election.

However, the response by Cllr Brice and Medway Conservatives has and continues to be totally shocking. He and they simply don't get it.

Instead of standing up at the time and resigning, as was demanded by public, press and opposition, he indicated to the press that he was 'down but not out' before continuing to be paid for his services as a Councillor.

As is usual over a Tory scandal, we have yet had no statement at all from Medway Conservatives. They have had almost 12 months to call for his resignation.

Medway Conservatives need to take responsibility. This man was selected by Rochester & Strood Conservative Association, he campaigned and still campaigns for the Conservatives. He wears blue rosettes to every election and by-election. He is, in every sense, an active Conservative.

This blog has attacked Medway Conservatives for the casual disregard for basic public decency and its failure to call for Cllr Brice's resignation. It believes the attitude of Medway Conservatives is symbolic of decay at Gun Wharf.

Not one Tory Councillor has had the moral courage or human decency (and it is basic manners), including ward colleagues, to apologise and call for a resignation. Not one Parliamentary spokesperson, not one member, no one at all.

Simply trying to hide dirty laundry may be a political strategy but it is a coward's one.

The fact the Rochester & Strood Conservatives were foolish enough to pick not one, but two, Councillors who have brought Rochester South & Horsted ward into disrepute, serves to highlight why this Association needs to be closely watched by CCHQ.

They have simply failed to stand up to expectations, time, time and time again.

Rochester & Strood Conservatives are arguably a total mess politically. We continue to have an ongoing complaint over attacks on the Police from a Councillor, who stood to be leader of the group. The area has suffered international converge and embarrassment after our MP was so drunk he collapsed in the Commons bar on the crucial budget vote. A vote he did not attend, but in hindsight, though not in attendance, can claim Labour were 'irresponsible' with the economy. Just a tad ironic.

When VAT goes up to 20% next year, that excuse wont wash with the public.

We have had open warfare with Councillors backstabbed out of office. We have even seen an Association which has tried to cover up getting its River ward candidate's name wrong. We have incompetence over eligibility and the £11,500 by-election cost still not refunded.

This is but the shortlist of errors in one year. We can go back to sterilisation comments, lost membership lists... its endless.

It is incompetence as standard.

What is more worrying to political insiders is that this is a one year record of the Conservative faction that are actively seeking the leadership of the entire Medway Conservative Group. It is damning, if it was not so scary!!

Alternatively, next year people can vote for a centrist Labour Party, that will stand up for hard working people. A new generation is ready to take lead that, whilst not perfect, has the right values of public decency.

The values of standing up for the poorest and most vulnerable.

It is time to kick this lot out of office once and for all. Their record is on public record.

Read it in the papers, judge it in May