Comments on: Clancy launches ‘Labour red meat’ campaign to oust Bore

By: Gerry

Gerry — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:25:33 +0000

I have not read anywhere that Councillor Clancy has attacked labour policy or any labour councillor.

His challenge is no doubt based on his belief that he can deliver on a greater amount of labour vision, policy and implementation.

The nature of politicians is that they often want to get to the position that enables them to achieve the most.

Alderman T. Stewart was replaced by Sir Albert, when he had his chance.

Politics, so I am informed is about power.

By: Susan Silverman

Susan Silverman — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:42:35 +0000

Maybe the way forward is that the Minimum Wage needs to become a Decent Wage at the same rate as the Living Wage (great it is a Bennite approach). That way low paid employees won’t have to claim Benefits which are clearly having to subsidise employer failings in giving people an adequate salary.
Will this Government provide dignity to the working class by changing the Minimum Wage or will it continue to invest in profits of businesses?
Would you, Peter, work for the current Minimum Wage rate?

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:11:30 +0000

Not really a cheek more long standing consistency. as my (former) Councillor Peter did more to protect the Martineau Centre from redevelopment than anyone else. As numerous stories highlight.

http://www.spaghettigazetti.com/2011/08/martineau-centre-decision-delayed.html

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/plans-to-build-on-quinton-playing-fields-181809

By: Peter Smallbone

Peter Smallbone — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:55:57 +0000

@Susan The so-called ‘Living Wage’ policy is about taxpayer-funded pay hikes to (mainly unionised) workers, presumably in the hope that this will push up wages in the wider employment base. This is a Bennite approach that will serve only to increase division between workers and push up Council Tax. It would be far better to try to keep Council Tax as low as possible – that way, everyone benefits, in particular the lowest paid workers.

@Gerry As always, you make some well reasoned points.

@Arthur When I was on the Council, I was the *only* Councillor to object formally to the declaration that the Martineau Centre was surplus to requirements – the decision that started the ball rolling on its proposed redevelopment. Not even Labour’s Quinton Councillor objected. The process was started by the previous administration but is being carried on eagerly by the current one.

@Fred Just because some (not all) bankers haven’t been that good at running banks, it doesn’t follow that a local authority would be any better. BCC has enough to do without starting a foray into high finance. I’ve already provided my reservations on the school meals thing. If you want to trace the financial scandal back to anyone, I’d suggest Gordon Brown (who set up the totally ineffectual FSA) and Bill Clinton (who repealed the Glass-Steagall Act). As for a plan, the plan is to reduce the deficit by reigning in the totally unsustainable level of public spending we’ve seen since 2003. As for building council housing, the previous administration has a much better record on that that any administration for years.

By: Susan Silverman

Susan Silverman — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:07:31 +0000

The fact that the Living Wage is paid in Birmingham is testimony to the Labour Policy values that are being delivered; the credit for this is down to the current Leadership.

By: Gerry

Gerry — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:19:11 +0000

I am of the opinion that Councillor Clancey, though a very capable person, with all the intellectual abilities and political experience he has could very effectively run the city council, he will not get the support of his fellow Labour councillors to a requisite number to take the leadership.

THE IMPORTANT THING THAT HIS CANDIDATURE HIGHLIGHTS, IS THE NEED TO MAKE LABOUR, LABOUR AGAIN ON THIS COUNCIL.

The ordinary Labour member and voter may not recognise that the present leadership is following Labour policy.

Was the introduction of the mini poll tax, by Labour’s leadership, meaning that those on Jobseeker’s Allowance now have to pay council tax contributions, A LABOUR POLICY OBJECTIVE.

In the coming years a challenge to the leadership will become more credible and if I were a betting man I would say that Cllr. Ian Ward will be a determinant of who will be the future leader.

By: Arthur Eastwood

Arthur Eastwood — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:03:08 +0000

You certainly have a cheek, Mr Smallbone! It was your Tory chums in cahoots with the Liberals who earmarked the Martineau for closure after shifting council workers into a hugely expensive new building in the city centre. Flog that building off, I say, and bring council workers back to Martineau! Given Cllr Clancy’s ideas on asset sales, I bet you that’s exactly what he’d propose. And like Mr Andrews asked, what exactly is your plan, Mr Small bone?

By: mikbarton

mikbarton — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:08:13 +0000

. @ChamberlainFile: Clancy launches ‘red meat’ challenge to Bore http://t.co/GEgWnfRy7E < not sure ‘red meat’ most trustworthy campaign tack

By: Fred Andrews

Fred Andrews — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:42:02 +0000

Interestingly, Mr Smallbone seems to have missed the financial crisis and credit crunch. Were you in the bath at the time Peter? Most banks aren’t actually very good at running banks themselves and WE have had to bail them out to the tune of £1.4tn (that’s Trillion if you can’t count that high). The DNA of that financial meltdown goes right back to Thatcher’s Big Bang and deregulation. The lesson is clear: we need a variety of different lenders in the market: big PLCs (we have them now, subsidised by us), mutuals, and the state, all competing and with different risk profiles to lending so as to give the financial system greater resilience AND get funding to small firms. I think it’s a great idea to set up a Municipal Bank seeing how utterly useless funding for lending and all the other bag-of-a-fag-packet financial wheezes Osborne has dreamt up of in increasing desperation. NONE of them have boosted lending to SMEs… Funding for Lending in particular is simply about boosting mortgage lending. Another house price boom here we come, without any social housing actually being built… which is why Cllr Clancy’s house building idea is also so good.
As for free school meals, are you saying you don’t back this Mr Smallbone? Do you?
Social investment bonds? Bring em on!
What’s your big plan Mr Smallbone? Have you got one? Your government clearly doesn’t, so if you have any at all do send them on a postcard to your mates Dave and George – they’d welcome your ideas I’m sure.

By: Catharine

Catharine — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:23:30 +0000

Peter has raised some very interesting questions and if Cllr Clancy had any sincerity to his proposals he would have the courage to answer the questions.
He’d fall at the first hurdle though … He has not the backbone to build Council Housing on Martineau Site!