Category Archives: local politics

How Desegregation worked: Tchula, Mississippi

Posted on December 1, 2015 by odeboyz

“We even had… a swimming pool We weren’t allowed to swim in it but it was there… When we had desegregation the whites filled it with cement to stop us using it.” Chris McGreal Tchula ‘We tell our kids, leave … Continue reading →

Posted in History, local politics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Councils

Posted on October 23, 2015 by odeboyz

Just about any Council, be it Local Authority, district, Parish or Metropolitan, usually is only as good as its leadership, strategic planning and the capabilities of its workforce to implement planned decisions. Also pivotal to success, can often be the good … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Economics, local politics, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Goodbye to PETRA

Posted on September 18, 2015 by odeboyz

After seventeen years of developing and nurturing PETRA – our Tenant Management Organisation I set up all those years ago with Jan (my wife) and four others who jumped ship about seven years ago, I feel it is now time … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, housing, local politics, tenants rights | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Does David Cameron Understand British Democracy?

Posted on February 28, 2015 by odeboyz

The British electoral system is an incoherent mess. There are, currently, six distinctive ‘systems’ operational in local and national elections*. Additionally the Scottish Referendum reduced the minimum voting age to 16. British democracy has many quirks, not least of which … Continue reading →

Posted in local politics, Philosophy, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

£50 Adventure: part 2

Posted on December 5, 2014 by odeboyz

The following year, despite receiving £25,171 in grants from the Government as well as £9,698 from the council, our section 16 agent fleeced us of £20,433 in administration fees. Our newly formed committee of 15 residents thought this was daylight robbery. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, housing, local politics, tenants rights | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The £50.00 Adventure.

Posted on November 22, 2014 by odeboyz

Eleven years ago, Jan (my wife) and I, along with two other couples started a TMO (Tenant Management Organisation) we call PETRA (Parkhill Tenants and Resident Association). I wrote to the Council and explained that we intended to form a … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, housing, local politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Town Hall Mouse

Posted on August 19, 2014 by odeboyz

“Well I declare”, said the Mayor with a stare – “There’s a mouse, just a sitting right there on my chair”. The Deputy Mayor looked over and said, “My goodness you’re right and its made it his bed”. The Mace … Continue reading →

Posted in housing, Humour, local politics, Politics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Committed Comrades

Posted on June 14, 2014 by odeboyz

Through the early to mid 1980s Margaret Thatcher waged a vindictive and unrelenting war against the Labour movement in general and specifically the Metropolitan County Councils. Her nemesis was Ken Livingstone the ultimate “left” Leader of the G.L.C. at County Hall … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, local politics, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Democracy: The London Borough of Havering (2)

Posted on June 14, 2014 by odeboyz

(Chris and Del)

Posted in local politics, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Democracy: London Borough of Havering 2014 (1)

Posted on June 6, 2014 by odeboyz

(Chris and Del)

Posted in local politics, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment