Primett's Perspective

A very salient read and hat tip to Jon Primett from the blog Primett's Perspective on his experience of the Overview & Scrutiny Process on Thursday night.

To remind readers; Labour called in the privatisation of the three care homes Platters Farm, Nelson Court and Robert Bean Lodge because we had secured committment from workers on a proposal for a Workers Co-Operative or Social Partnership model of management.

I addressed the committee as a substitute speaker with my consistent position that instead of rushing to privatise our final few care homes that the Council pause to consider alternate models of management.

We know the Tories have done that very same thing with the Balfour Centre so surely not beyond the wit of man for them to consider a Co-Operative style of management. Many Tories even endorse Co-Operatives...

Not only did most the Conservative Committee members not quite get it, intellectually, or conceptually, but they casually sneered at any proposal which would seek to retain Council homes in any form of limited partnership model. They even brazenly attacked Conservative Controlled Essex Council for doing the very same.

That was not the worst of it; the manner in which they acted, in full public view, was appalling. It sends a very poor message of casual disregard and distain for the public that characterises the Tory benches at the top; which is why they need a culture shift.

We were asking the Council to postpone the decision so that this model of management could be fully explored. It was rejected out of hand.

The post below shows how the Medway Conservative Party treated this proposal; again reminding me of why these events are not filmed:

I have just returned to the comfort of my computer chair from an Overview & Scrutiny meeting at The St Georges Centre; regarding Medway Labour's calling-in of the cabinet decision to privatise 3 care-homes in Medway.

I am a firm believer in democracy and am a champion of peoples right to free-speech, so I was genuinely appalled by the Conservative decision to universally vote against the allowance of such a basic democratic process at this meeting, where not only were members of the public denied the right to speak, but indeed elected councillors were also silenced, something which was met with discontent from all but Tory quarters.

To me this has a deeper resonance regarding the current administration as people often say that they simply do not listen, ignore what is said, and go-ahead with whatever plans they hatch in their own bloody-minded way regardless of public concern and opinion.Ignoring peoples opinion is one thing, but for me, when you actually remove the opportunity for people to express that opinion in the first place, you are spitting in the face of democracy and edging towards a totalitarian approach to politics.Now for professional standards.............

I found it rude, insulting, and downright unprofessional that Conservative councillors sat passing notes like school-children, and scoffing a box of chocolates during such an important meeting.To me this devalues the process.

It is basically showing those who oppose their proposals that they are going through the motions, and see the process as a pantomine that does not require them to act in a professional and business-like manner.

This is an issue which people are losing sleep over, families are petrified for the welfare of their relatives, whilst the Tories on the committee sit there giving such a casual and unprofessional impression. This comes across as incredibly arrogant, and to me, shows an absolute disregard for the people affected by the proposals.

The 1st prize for rudeness and unprofessional behaviour though must go to the Conservative councillor who was called-upon to speak, but was enjoying his toffee so much his poorly-delivered drivel was being drowned-out by chewing and slurping, so much so that the public gallery united in disapproval and the chair of the meeting had to gently encourage his party colleague to stop speaking, and finish his sweet before resuming.

At a time when the Conservative administration is attracting incoming fire from many positions, actions such as this only serve to undermine their position and indeed any flames of discontent within Conservative ranks will only grow as their members and back-benchers slowly lose confidence in their senior colleagues.

Personally, I think it is a disgrace that members of the ruling administration can behave in this way - the people of Medway deserve much more than this.