Monday, 8th April, 2013
Burton by-election:
make your mind up time
With only days to go until the members of the Burton electorate choose their next voice in County Hall, I take a look at the candidates vying for votes, and their election literature. Any candidate who wishes to publish a further statement or comment is welcome to do so.
Rob Summons – IPPG
Endorsed early on by outgoing councillor, David Wildman, it was always suspected that Rob Summons was the candidate of Pembrokeshire’s ruling party, the Independent Plus Political Group.
This is confirmed in his leaflet, reproduced below, where Summons confesses that he will join the IPPG if elected. It’s an interesting tactic, to reveal such an intention pre-election, and a risky one. It was, more than likely, a decision taken due to unwanted circumstances, rather than good intentions. With last year’s Partygate revelations still under investigation by the PSOW, I think I can take some of the credit for this sudden bout of electoral honesty! In doing so, Summons becomes the first known candidate in Pembrokeshire electoral history to be publicly endorsed and acknowledged as an IPG party candidate.
Robin Wilson – Conservative
This is one of many different leaflets that the Conservative candidate Robin Wilson has been delivering within the ward, though this is the only version I have. My sources tell me that Robin Wilson has been spotted canvassing with the support of recently-elected Police and Crime Commissioner, Christopher Salmon, along with local Tory AM and MP, Paul Davies and Stephen Crabb, who both stand beside him on his leaflet photograph. Notice the title of this publication ‘intouch.’ This is the brand under which Conservative party councillors publish any literature. Those readers with a good memory will realise that ‘In Touch’ is also the same title David Wildman published his ward magazine under – which he continued long after he ditched the Tories for the IPG.
Jon Harvey – Independent, pledged to remain unaffiliated
With a pledge to remain unaffiliated if elected – that is, not to join the IPG or other political groups, Jon Harvey is the only independent running in the race.
Uncovering the dealings and mis-handling of county governance seems to be a top priority for Mr. Harvey. Indeed, within this leaflet, he even endorses jacobwilliams.com and OldGrumpy.co.uk (in that order.) I’m not sure that associating himself with that other website will do his cause any good, but you never know!
Robin Howells – Labour
No leaflet for this candidate, unfortunately. I’m led to believe that no literature of any kind is being published or distributed by the Labour party.
Apparently door-knocking and telephone-calling is their electoral ploy. I’m not convinced that this will get any more votes than those of the party-loyalists, of which I don’t think there are many in Burton and Rosemarket. I must admit, I have a wager on this candidate gaining fewer votes than his Tory challenger. I shan’t name the taker of the bet, but he’ll probably have red knuckles from door-knocking by Thursday night.
Purely in alphabetical order Jacob! It’s good to see what my fellow candidates are saying. Certainly the feedback I have received from speaking to a number of residents is that there is serious concern about the failings of the current administration as well as a number of local concerns.
I have found everyone I have spoken to most welcoming and it will be interesting to see what the turnout is, given the importance of this election.
Clearly your Labour contacts in Burton and Rosemarket are not as good as your Tory and ‘indie’ contacts as I have received 2 separate leaflets from Labour within the last few days. In the interests of political balance you should perhaps get hold of one. Incidentally, whilst I do not expect the Labour man to win, I also expect him to do better than you do!
Hi Jon – alphabetical? Don’t disappoint me! I assumed you placed the websites in order of excellence!
Concerned – I think you’re just revealing that you’re a Labour voter! My information came from very good sources – a person both you and I know personally, so the party must’ve had a change of heart, and my best guess, knowing now that you have received literature, following on from what I was told, is that it is only residents who have previously pledged support for Labour who will be targeted, rather than all residences.
If anybody has a full explanation for this change of heart then I’ll publish it, and if a leaflet comes my way I’ll upload it. Any candidate who wishes to add a statement can certainly do that too.
Jacob, I couldn’t possibly comment for fear of upsetting OG!
I haven’t seen a Labour leaflet either but I am aware that Robin has been “door knocking”.
Any truth in the rumour that the Independent Political Group are so keen to hold on to their narrow majority on PCC that they felt the need to bus in supporters for their candidate in Burton?
Two minibuses of dedicated canvassers, no less!
Jacob, I have been told by a number of residents in the ward that Cllr Peter Morgan, the current Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been seen canvassing with the IPPG candidate.
I thought the Chairman is supposed to be neutral and unbiased in the council. How does he deal at the council meetings with councillors not of his political group if he is blatantly canvassing for his political group’s anointed one?
As you are a councillor Jacob can you find out if this is fair and unbiased and allowable behaviour for a Chairman?
I too have heard these rumours about IPPG members being bussed in to Burton. Makes it rather hard to believe their claims not to be a political party.
For further evidence of the political nature of the beast, see the “Partygate” files on this website.
If I find out more during the day, I will update Pembrokeshire’s premier political website this evening.
An ultra- reliable mole from within the Burton – Houghton – Rosemarket triangle also informs me that the Chairman of council, Peter Morgan, has been seen out and about canvassing on behalf of Rob Summons.
Still, you can hardly expect members of an “independent political group” to understand that an “impartial” chairman shouldn’t be involved in this sort of partisan activity.
Ha ha I’m outed! With all their big hitters knocking on doors it looks to me as if the IPG is rattled and as I said, the election may be closer than initially thought.
I know the identities of ALL of my website’s correspondents, you hear me?! Even Certifiable Wally!
ESPECIALLY Certifiable Wally, for your own safety! God help us all if he ever manages to escape…
Watch it Barney. I know where you live.
‘Given the importance of this election’, what exactly is that then Mr Harvey?
Wally, I’m surprised you have to ask.
The result will determine if the IPG retains an absolute majority of the council’s sixty seats.
Do the repercussions of that need to be explained to you also?
I can’t wait to see how the Cllr Bloggers try to claim the bragging rights if the IPPG lose power. It’ll be like milk time in the playground with them both fighting over who has instigated political ‘change’ in Pembs.
Hopefully, in the event that the IPPG are overthrown, one of them will be called to high office so we can then judge them as they seek to judge others. Sorry Barney, I haven’t had my medication today.
Not too familiar with local politics but members of this group (the IPPG) canvassing for their nominated person demonstrates that they are a political party. With the recent bad publicity at County Hall, when will we see heads start to roll?
As an observer from afar, I am pleased that the electorate for once know what each individual will do if successful when the votes have been counted. At last the voters are able to make an informed decision, and if Mr Summons is elected there will be no surprises afterward. For once true democracy will take place.
I’m fully aware of what this means Jacob, in terms of the ‘majority’ within the tinpot which is County Hall. I would be fascinated though in your critique of the repercussions of the IPPG no longer having an outright position.
My question to Mr Harvey was rather sarcastic I suppose. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if your and the other guy’s (rather longer!) campaign bears fruit. What if it doesn’t? Have you a fall back (excuse) position for what could be construed as a political failure?
What could be construed as a political failure?
I’m really surprised you have to ask that Jacob.
Repercussions please.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/42/part/I/crossheading/political-balance-on-committees-etc
Wally, my apologies for not responding yesterday to your question. Unable to hire a minibus or two I was purely reliant on my own legs to continue canvassing in the ward until late.
I appreciate the sarcasm in your question and believe that Jacob has answered it in his usual erudite manner. It remains to be seen how the electorate will vote and what the potential repercussions will be but if the IPPG fail there could be some interesting times ahead.
Very helpful Jacob. (Not).
Thanks Mr Harvey. Very best of luck today. It remains to be seen what the repercussions may be as you say, I just felt that Jacob had an insight given his earlier certainty that he could explain them to me before the election took place. Very adept I’m sure.
It seems that the main focus is on the IPPG and its denial of being a political party, how about the issues that are important to Burton ward residents, speeding in Rosemarket for instance. Good luck to all candidates, I hope the turnout is high.
Picking up on a few of the points in the large number of comments:
Independence of the council chairman – this is a rumour that I have now heard from a few sources, that the IPPG council chairman, Cllr. Peter Morgan has been out walking about the Burton ward canvassing with Rob Summons. It just goes one step further in demonstrating that the IPPG either have no understanding of the principle of impartiality, or just don’t care. It’s evident within the council chamber, and now, on the election trail too.
As for the comments that the IPG/IPPG will suffer a terminal demise if they lose this by-election, I don’t necessarily agree with this at all. The result of the election, taken alone, certainly would amount to a catastrophe, but that’s not the whole of it. You can guarantee that anything and everything will be considered in order to bump the numbers up to that magic 31 figure.
You can’t second guess the acts of a desperate man wanting to hold onto power! Who can forget what happened following the 2012 elections with Simon Hancock? And how so many of the new intake of ‘independent’ councillors were slowly but surely bought into the IPPG?
Council leader Jamie Adams has one of the top rewards at his disposal – David Wildman’s cabinet seat. If the IPPG loses this election, all eyes will turn to that cabinet seat. My prediction is that it will either be offered to a non-IPG member to get them to cross the floor, or an existing IPG SRA holder will be elevated to the cabinet and the lesser SRA they leave behind will be offered to the floor-crosser. Ironically, I suppose it depends on how tough a negotiator this hypothetical floor-crosser might be!
My top tip, however, is that we could see Labour Cllr. Sue Perkins joining the IPG in order to retain her cabinet post.
Thank you Jacob. Much more useful summary of what might be the repercussions in the event of the ruling group losing control.
The idea that Sue Perkins would join the IPPG is a bit too fanciful even for Pembrokeshire. Not even an IPP2G! Simon Hancock’s position is much more of a problem to us Labour members.
There must be a deep seated reason why the Labour Party has not acted to expel him for a clear breach of party rules. Dirty linen comes to mind.
I’ve always had a cynical view of local politics. However, reading local website comments on the warfare that has broken out over tomorrow’s Burton/Rosemarket election has only increased my despair that we will never receive honest, unbiased representation.
Wally, many thanks for you kind words…not long now!
IPPG landslide victory! Post-election analysis should make interesting reading…
You couldn’t make it up! Not only an IPPG landslide and political failure for the “Axis of Truth” Jacob and the chap from Milford, but political failure two for the Labour candidate coming second and political failure three for after all the ‘Partygate’ and other ‘When is an Independent not one’ “scoops”, the True Independent brought up the rear! Unlucky Mr Harvey.
Damn, I misread the result in my mirth! Labour third by 4 votes 🙁
I’m not so sure it was a “landslide victory” but I congratulate Rob Summons. We had many a chat over the last couple of weeks and as the “local boy” I am sure that he will look after the residents of the Ward in a very caring manner.
Fun and games at the count last night. I particularly enjoyed the comment from the Returning Officer when I queried what appeared to be a spoilt ballot paper that “if you don’t like it take me to court”. The arrogance as he shook his head at my question is rather unbecoming of a public servant.
The IPPG mob were clearly relieved and when their leader was asked by one of my friends if they were a “political group” he again denied that they were.
As for myself, well I came bottom of the pile by a large margin but would like to thank those 46 people who voted for the boy from the “other side of the water”.
My commiserations to the two Robins who fought a very fair and professional campaign.
Keep up the good work Jacob and thanks for your coverage of the election.
Jamie Adams may have denied being a political group to you, Jon, but he can’t gainsay the law which insists the group title is Independent Plus Political Group.
Without being a political group he can’t claim his leader’s allowance. Also, I note that on the WT website he calls the winner “our candidate”!
Best wishes to Rob Summons on his victory, it was good to see a large turnout. Hot news Bryn Parry-Jones is alive and attended the count. Bad dress sense for a guy that earns more money than the PM.
IPPG members who were at the count, Jamie Adams, Peter Morgan and Mark Edwards, must be relieved they still have their slender majority.
Not forgetting Arwyn Williams and Pearl Llewellyn (who incidentally thought it more important to be over at Burton than at the Pembroke Town Council meeting that finished at 8.45 that evening. I know because I was at that meeting!) I agree with your comment on BPJ’s bad dress sense Welshman, I would also add bad attitude!
I agree Dave, it rolled off his tongue as all well rehearsed lines do.
Hi Jon, I thought everyone knew his attitude. It seems that all the key IPPG members were out supporting Rob Summons. I do not have a problem with this but at least admit you are a political party. At least Rob indicated that he would join the group so I take my hat off to him for being honest. Good luck to him.
I agree with you Welshman, that at least Rob “came clean” from the outset so the electorate knew what they were voting for. As I mentioned earlier today I’m sure he will do a good job and I wish him well. As my girlfriend said last night, the IPPG mob looked like a pseudo Bullingdon Club complete with play fighting! After all it’s not about the money is it?!
My guess is that they didn’t know what they were voting for because unless they’re all regular readers of OG or JW’s blogs then they wouldn’t know the truth about the IPG/IPPG.
PR, spot on comment.