This week I came across an old Turkish proverb. It describes the national and local situation so well. “When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn’t become a king. The palace becomes a circus.” It’s difficult to avoid the conclusion that today’s political culture is not one of integrity and honesty to get the […]

Uttlesford District Council faces job cuts and service decline because the Residents for oUrselves (R4oU) [aka R4U] political administration has now put UDC in debt to the tune of  £275,000,000 to prop up their wasteful spending plans. That’s forty-five times the Council’s basic tax income; a massive mortgage on the shoulders of local residents and […]

Integrity. Here is an online definition: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Such as “a gentleman of complete integrity”. Synonyms: honesty · uprightness · probity · rectitude · honour · Yesterday we saw the Prime Minster of the United Kingdom make an apology. Today it is reported that a few hours later Mr Boris Johnson was telling Conservative colleagues that he was really […]

The following words are in italics because they are not my words. They are frightening analysis of a man who should never have found his way to his present job.   Boris Johnson should look Richard Ratcliffe in the eye. If he did, he would catch a reflection of himself that might prove painful but […]

The Bishop’s Stortford Independent yesterday published a new, on-line story about a longstanding investigation by Essex Police into possible criminality within Uttlesford District Council. The report can be read here. The public at least now knows that the Essex Police are referring that case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for discussions. This is what […]

My last post addressed the present parliamentary debacle over Standards in Public Life. Below are extracts from two emails addressed to Kemi Badenoch MP. Email 1, 03/11/21 – Dear Mrs Badenoch I have been an elected local politician continuously for over 35 years. I am a member of Uttlesford District Council’s Standards Committee and have […]

This week in government has been bad. Why? Because one of the foundations of national and local government has been abused. Standards in Public Life are meant to be an ethical foundation that supports and guides how all politicians – whether local or national – conduct themselves on behalf of the people who elect them. […]

Word has just come through that the planning appeal for homes west of Pennington Lane, Stansted has been DISMISSED. Well done to all who protested against the outrageous proposal to breach Stansted Mountfitchet’s western boundary and to invade the Stort Valley. Read the Inspector’s report here. I want to express my sincere thanks to Gail […]

A planning appeal began today about Bloor Homes’ proposal to build 168 homes west of Pennington Lane, Stansted and just north of the Bentfield Green conservation area. I spoke in opposition to the appeal and said the following in asking the Planning Inspector to dismiss the appeal. Worryingly, the QC representing Bloor Homes cross-examined me […]