Comments for Richard Taylor

Jane Doe on Secret Meeting on Wednesday to Discuss Cycling And Parking on Church Street Chesterton

Jane Doe — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:21:24 +0000

I agree with the two comments above. I like the level of detail in Richard’s posts giving a detailed account of various events I don’t have time to attend, without this blog I’d have less of an idea of what goes on.

I respect the lack of censorship in the comments meaning both negative and positive comments are able to be read - sometimes the comments are more interesting than the post itself!

Unbiased but Idle on Councillors Approve Police Seizure of Cars Which Avoid Speed Humps

Unbiased but Idle — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:46:57 +0000

First, I’m not a local. I was just browsing the web for “speed cushion” stories because we’ve had the problems associated with full-width humps and I’m trying to get policy changed.

Then Google search engine picked up your first paragraph (and I got diverted for an hour or so). I couldn’t believe what you were asserting, especially of Lib Dems (I’m one), so I checked the agenda at http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/councillors/agenda/2010/03%20March/0304arean/08.pdf (page 17).

Having the Councillors discuss and note the Crime and Disorder Partnership’s recommendation for “Continuation of enforcement in response to speeding vehicles and the
anti-social use of vehicles in Kings Hedges and Northfield Avenue” is hardly a bunch of Lib Dem Councillors threatening to crush your car is it? You’re trying to score a cheap point.

In fact last time I checked it was your Chief Constable who decided how the law would be applied and who ‘badges’ PCSOs. All of your beefs seem to be with the Law and the Police. Talk to your MP.

I also note that “I drive a car which doesn’t deal with speed bumps very well” … and wondered exactly how low slung a production car has to be to have problems with standard road features. A pot-hole can damage the car but not a speed-hump for goodness-sake!

Your hostile, politically-motivated and “always angry with everyone else” stance is probably why only one of the three Ward councillors turns up.

Regrettably, your behaviour fits a stereotype so are you actually a Party member campaigning without declaring (or accounting election expenses)?

These Councillors are your community’s representatives but I have (over many more years than you) noticed that women don’t like bullies. A swift check of the election results shows that the electors decided they wanted these people, not you. You’re stopping the electorate getting what it asked for.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll defend anyone who’s been chosen by the people as their spokesperson - I’m a Democrat. I’ll also defend your right to an opinion - I’m a Liberal - But please don’t assert your rights over the rest of the citizens THAT’S BULLYING!

If you want to prove you’re right, stand at the next election. I’d give you 5 (IT literate) votes with your attitude!

Eric

Dan Ratcliffe on Secret Meeting on Wednesday to Discuss Cycling And Parking on Church Street Chesterton

Dan Ratcliffe — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:30:22 +0000

I’ll just ditto that last comment. Though at times it’s a little unnerving how much time and effort seems to go into the blog, it’s very interesting and (despite my own bias) often is a relatively fair assessment of the political shenanigans in Cambridge.

John Ionides on Secret Meeting on Wednesday to Discuss Cycling And Parking on Church Street Chesterton

John Ionides — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:57:39 +0000

For what it is worth I find the detail in Richard’s reports extremely helpful and think that Wordsmith is being a bit of a grouch.

David Vincent on Cambridge And Higher Education Cuts

David Vincent — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:30:49 +0000

It is good to know that the Conservatives and Lib Dems apparently have no intention to cut higher education funding. However, since they appear to be committed to even greater cuts in public spending than the present government, it would be interesting to know what they do intend to cut instead.

David Vincent on Castle County Councillor Belinda Brooks-Gordon Standing For Parliament in Haverhill

David Vincent — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:16:04 +0000

It is inevitable - and traditional - that many of the most ambitious (and often most capable) prospective MPs will have to trot around the country in search of a constituency. And that many of them will fail a few times. Cambridge has only recently shown any partiality for local candidates. A degree from the (older) university has normally been thought enough. When the Conservatives held their short-listing I believe only one of the candidates had a local address. I assume Nick Hillman now has a six-month shorthold tenancy in Beche Road (although I doubt he will have been there quite six months by the time of the election). If he is not elected, it will be interesting to see if he maintains his residence here (and I assume that may largely depend on whether he thinks it will be worth fighting Cambridge again, or whether he will be off looking for somewhere “safer”).

As Richard says, it is the apparent concealment that can raise some doubts. On the other hand, most candidates stand with little real expectation of winning, even if they are not purely “paper” candidates, so one wonders how much they let it interfere with their work at home. And perhaps the experience they gain is in itself of some worth to their existing constituents.

Richard Taylor on Secret Meeting on Wednesday to Discuss Cycling And Parking on Church Street Chesterton

Richard Taylor — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:18 +0000

While the Liberal Democrats running Cambridge City council are reluctant to embrace openness and transparency I have made some progress.

As an example questions and answers are now minuted at full council meetings; this is a direct result of my lobbying and embarrassing them by publishing what was being said was said on my website though they didn’t minute them themselves.

The city council also now publish their members’ interests online; again as a fairly direct result of my campaigning.

I do pursue things until they get fixed; I am persistent and consistent, this website demonstrates that. My post may well be longer than the minutes, we won’t know for many weeks, as my posts are certainly much more timely than the official minutes. The official minutes very rarely contain details of key exchanges, they don’t even routinely carry details of who voted which way; even on major votes.

The Wordsmith on Secret Meeting on Wednesday to Discuss Cycling And Parking on Church Street Chesterton

The Wordsmith — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:42:31 +0000

I read this because I’d had complaints about blog quality. I can’t believe how many words and how much time you use to say so little. Perhaps if you were angry about one thing, until you’d got it fixed, instead of ranting about everything in the world, especially everything at North meetings. Your post is longer than the minutes!!

The Wordsmith

Doreen Plumb on Castle County Councillor Belinda Brooks-Gordon Standing For Parliament in Haverhill

Doreen Plumb — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:43:02 +0000

I do hope Belinda B-G moves to Haverhill! Picking up the comment about living in a constituency for at least six months prior to the election…

You may recall the by-election one very cold December 2004? which saw David White elected as a County Councillor for Castle at great cost to the local taxpayer. This was neatly executed to facilitate Sal Brinton’s move to Watford to fight the seat. Something about Castle County Councillors having their sights on the village of Westminster? And they continue to draw substantial allowances supposedly to serve local residents.

Richard Taylor on Castle County Councillor Belinda Brooks-Gordon Standing For Parliament in Haverhill

Richard Taylor — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:43:38 +0000

She’s used to commuting.

As part the “I’ve had it tough” tone of her campaign, which is apparently seeking a sympathy vote despite describing a relatively charmed life, Brooks-Gordon has said :

for three years I worked in Leicester doing research on criminal justice and public safety while living in Cambridge (a 150 mile round-trip).”

So much for the Lib Dem vision of Cambridge her Lib Dem colleagues such as Sian Reid have - where everyone walks and cycles to work.