Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
27 January 2009
21:3914047Yes Home Secretary Jackie Smith was at the Ark Church in Tower Hamlets today,and she answered questions from the invited guests.along side all our media friends and of course the 'BOSS' Paul,and I forgot the razor I had bought for him.
Jackie answered questions for an hour before she shot back to the Houses of Parliment for a vote at 10.pm.I was impressed by her but being a Labour Cllr you would expect me to be.But she answered the questions in a relaxed friendly way,but with the authority her position brings.
She even cracked a few jokes but talked to us not as I have seen before from some Politicians down to us.I was lucky enough to ask a question and felt a genuine response.I am sure Paul will add to this.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
28 January 2009
00:1714068john
questions from invited guests??
invitation only, are we to be impressed?
we get them all down here promising roads and hospitals, then they are gone before us plebs even know they have been here.
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
28 January 2009
00:3414069deleted post
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
28 January 2009
08:0514074For publicity I guess Phil - pure and simple. We heard she was coming, but it doesn't mean anything to us.
She does seem like a nice lady John, but as Home Secretary, well out of her depth.
It may have meant more if more of the guests were "the public" rather than just invited Labour supporters - even our "Boss" is a self-confessed Leftie - eh PaulB ?
Roger
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
28 January 2009
08:2314076Ah...this thread has exploded into life without me having written anything as yet on the event or even processed the pictures so it has caught me behind the curve.
Was good to see you last night John as ever. We had good little chat.
This whole event was something of a coup for the local Labour Party and it was, it must be remembered, a Labour Party event. The idea was that the Home Secretary would meet local Labourites for a question and answer session and thats exactly what happened. There was a very good turnout, as you might expect, so the event went off very well indeed. I myself did not go to the question and answer session but was able, along with other local media guys, to have a chat with her beforehand, take some pictures and so on...make a few notes. She was able to spare 20 or so minutes, as you can imagine the schedule of the Home Secretary job is very demanding. Its a tough job and someone has to do it. In this case , in the current scenario, it is Jacqui Smith.
Despite the stress of the job she is a very pleasant lady ..relaxed, good humoured, and took time to answer the questions asked. Took time to pose with Gwyn Prosser, our local MP...and did it all with a pleasant demeanour.
The main thrust of the message that she herself and Gwyn were trying to get across was the concern both have for the planned Conservative CUTS in local spending on policing. Jacqui and Gwyn feel that these cuts would result in 93 fewer police officers in Kent. This all follows an announcement by David Cameron that the Home Office BUdget would be cut by Conservatives by 1%, which is a cut of £160million. Money spent by Labour on reducing crime in Kent.
We have spoken before about the drop in crime figures locally, the Police explained as much at various Neighbourhood Forum meetings, this all happened under the Labour spending plan, the Labour spending power. Cut that spending power and you could be in trouble.
Crime figures overall are down in South Kent by 6.9%. Good for you, good for me.
Ah..Ive shot my own fox now, I meant to write all this or similar and take a bit more time and put it all on the frontpage but its done now anyway. Will add some pictures and a further piece on the frontpage later, and will add a picture here too so come back for that.
I want to say a well done to the Christian Ark Centre too. My first time in that establishment, its very clean attractive effective and warm...and easily reached.
Just come back to add this note: Jacqui Smith will be returning to Dover to have a longer look at the pros and cons of life here. She has promised Gwyn to do this. A date hasnt been arranged as yet but it will be scheduled in. She will then have more of a chance to look at any local immigration problems and concerns.
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
28 January 2009
10:0714084An invite only audience, questions submitted in advance. This was a photo-opportunity with a party political statement thrown in. I will be more impressed with her visiting Dover when she is prepared to answer questions from the people of Dover.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
28 January 2009
10:3314089I note the comments made by Howard, Chris and Phil about this being a staged invitation only event.
I find it very sad that the public interaction with leading political figures has become so limited. No doubt security will be cited as a reason and it is a good one, except of course, we still had both security concerns with the IRA and a much freer public access 30 years ago.
Back in the late 70's someone such as Mrs Smith and her opposite number would visit, speak at a public meeting that anyone could attend and answer questions. No vetting, no invitations, those were the days. I used to love going along to see people like Michael Foot and Tony Benn, asking some awkward questions or just 'falling asleep' right in front of them during their speech, old Ray Norley would snore loudly to really put them off their stride!
Labour methods at our meetings were less subtle and a lot noisier than ours at theirs. Once, at an election meeting, a rent-a-crowd Labour mob were shouting and screaming at the back of Dover Town Hall. The Chairman, Cllr Ruth Purnell, asked the audience to stand and turn around, she pointed at the rent-a-crowd, and told the audience 'that is what we are fighting against' to great applause.
Dealing with hecklers was an art form that is now probably lost in these more sterile political times.
Meeting were often well attended too and not necessarily just for the 'big figures'.
I remember when the last Labour Government scrapped Ark Royal. I was Constituency Young Conservative Chairman and invited Geoffrey Pattie down for a public meeting in Sandwich (Then part of Dover Parliamentary Constituency). We did a press release that he was coming with times and venue and invited the media, we had plenty of the public and overall a well attended and lively meeting. Bear in mind he was only no2 in the Conservative Defence team as well!!
In my latter days, up to three years ago during my Association chairmanship, I did not have the same kind of influence over meeting formats as 30 years previously. These days it is all about getting the maximum value out of a visit and the old public meeting format just does not fit the bill.
Those were the days. Maybe they are coming back though....
Cameron Direct meetings that are being held all over the country are ticket only but anyone can apply and there is no vetting. The one recently in North Kent had Labour and Libdem 'observers' there so I know that for a fact. Perhaps not quite what we had in the 70's but still an improvement over invitation only. Questions are not vetted either, incidentally.
I really would like to see a lot more free interaction at public meetings, from all Parties, apart from anything it is fun and can add some spice to an election.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
28 January 2009
10:4814094barryw,i see dc is going ufo spotting with robbie williams in the next few months.with a bit of luck he might be abducted.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
28 January 2009
12:5214106What a lovely lady Jacqui Smith is, and very approachable and easy to talk to, it was a pleasure to meet with her. As far as the media interviews were concerned there was no vetting of questions whatsoever and certainly no advance submittance of questions. A lady clearly in her depth as Home Secretary.
Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
28 January 2009
13:4414110If Jacqui Smith does return, perhaps somebody could ask her what the official government policy is towards privatisation of the port. The immigration and policing aspects fall within her remit.
We know that Gwyn is adamantly opposed to privatisation. Also that Charlie Elphicke has repeatedly stated that privatisation will not happen on his watch and that he has confirmed on his blog that it is official Conservative Party policy to oppose privatisation.
The question remains as to what the official government policy is. They were responsible for approving the people chosen for the current Dover Harbour Board. Have they appointed them with a view towards privatisation? If not, why is Bob Goldfield outsourcing most of the labour force? Outsourcing made sense for the Western Docks where the cruise ships are only running for part of the year. It is completely irrelevant for the main operation, the Eastern Docks, which runs 24/7 all year round. Why, when you have been blessed with having been handed a loyal and efficient workforce, would you want to pay somebody else to do your job for you?
It is inexplicable except in the context of the prelude to privatisation, which would appear to be the only way now open to fund the contemplated expansion of the port. The plans for Terminal 2 were originally to be funded completely by DHB. The estimated cost then rose sharply and it became necessary to look for external finance. Presumably any hope of this has now dried up with the banking meltdown and the recession.
The case for Terminal 2 was always tenuous at best. Predictions of an ever-increasing volume of continental freight were always open to question and, were it ever to materialise, there are other modes and other routes competing to transport it.
Terminal 2 would therefore appear to be a dead duck unless the port is privatised. This may, or may not, have been the reason that Bob Goldfield was appointed. It would certainly look good on his c.v. were he to accomplish it.
Given that there is no finance available in this country for years to come and that most of the previously privatised organisations are now in foreign hands - seaports, airports, railways, steel, nuclear power, utilities, etc, etc, - a foreign purchaser would seem almost inevitable.
Dubai Port World has to be the obvious prime candidate. The clue is in the name. They acquired P&O in order to obtain the massive list of ports around the world which were their main business. A ferry company operating out of the UK came with the package but was hardly a match for their corporate raison d'etre. That ferry company is still the major operator from the Port of Dover which is the largest ferry port in Europe. Were the port now to be up for grabs, I would think that Dubai would be very interested. They would not even have to change the familiar initials - they could operate it through a body known as DHB - Dubai Harbour Board.
How things have changed when a Labour government is suspected of being in favour of privatising a major national asset and the Conservative opposition is against it!
Sid Pollitt
28 January 2009
14:4914113As someone who wasn't at event I'm interested in Colette's comments as someone who was there and met Jacqui Smith. I've not seen the Home Sec in the flesh myself so found the remarks heplful.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
28 January 2009
18:0514161interesting stuff from ed there.
everything seems to point to the owners of P & O eventually taking over the port.
when they took over P & O the staff that i know there, all took it as read that their company was just the opening gambit.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
28 January 2009
18:2114162i said this some time ago about dubai ports but no one was listning
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
28 January 2009
18:2214163Mr Connell does have some very good points I do not think anyone whats to see the port sold off, nor did we like seeing what happen to the very good workforce they did have I still they have some left and they should be left as they are, and i think we all feel letdown by the D.H.B. but i do not think the to main partys have been open on how they feel and what they will do over the next year or two, and I do not know what we as a town can do to stop a sell off if that is what is planned by the D,H.B. but just keep turning up at the meetings and gave them a hard time and that might slow things up but will it stop it?
Vic MATCHAM
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
29 January 2009
10:2914238Surprized at how these comments have come about?
Roger says we knew she was coming but not interested, silly boy Roger she could actually help your constituents, if it were me even if i disagreed with her, like chris i would be saying, hey Home secretary why not invite more people outside the party.
That said many parties do the same and the tories are no different.
And barryw
The days of the town hall public meetings, I recall some of them, not sure what they did for politics in general, but i suppose they did at least engage.
We are in a position today that people switched off politics for a number of reasons, politicians need to re engage something many are not good at.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
29 January 2009
15:3214258The event was as Paul said organised by the Dover Labour party,and because it was the Home Secretary invites were strict and security was tight.The questions were not set in advance and were varied and and hard hitting considering.I asked a question on anti social behaviour orders and dispersal orders as we have a problem in Tower Hamlets.She gave me the answer and advice and even suggested something she had done in Redditch that she had tried.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Sid Pollitt
29 January 2009
19:4314271I see in this week's Mercury that Daniel Hannan MEP was in Sandwich and met the Tories candidate for South Thanet. I didnt see it advertised as an open meeting anywhere so I'm assuming that it was an invite only affair, pot, kettle and black? There doesnt seem to be scrutiny by the press like the Home Secretary just a photo opportunity. Mind you, what would the MEP have to say, I dont like Europe or something similar no doubt, and I dont take any of the cash?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
29 January 2009
20:2814278did anyone notice that the prince of wales visited the ghurka regiment in folkestone?
it was announced in the media the day before, i would have thought that he would have been more of a target than the home secretary.
the right hon tony blair when prime minister turned up for the funeral of a local murdered policeman, where i used to live.
there then followed a memorial service every year, which he always turned up for, mingling with the mourners.
never announced, but everyone knew locally that he would be there.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
29 January 2009
20:4914284yes howard i did notice,bet there was more security behind the seanes than you can shake a stick at.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
29 January 2009
21:5014287brian
the point i was making that he turned up and people had a chance to see him.
i feel sure that the home secretary always has a vast entourage of minders to watch for things.
it would have been nice if she had popped into town and assured the daily visitors to the riverside centre that she
was personally locking up people who mugged or tricked the elderly.
our phil is employed by her and was not visited, he would have shared his prawn sandwiches with her.
