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Category Archives: local politics
How Desegregation worked: Tchula, Mississippi
“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 denial of opportunity, Desegration, despair, racism
1 Comment
Councils
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 Labour force, Negotiation, Public services, Trade Unions, voting
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Goodbye to PETRA
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 Commitment, Havering, Park Hill and Sunrise estate, PETRA, Retirement, TMO
3 Comments
Does David Cameron Understand British Democracy?
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
£50 Adventure: part 2
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
The £50.00 Adventure.
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
Town Hall Mouse
“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 Council Tax, housing, local politics, satire
1 Comment
Committed Comrades
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 1980s, London Bridge Campaign, Miners' strike, NALGO, Thatcher Government, Trade Unions
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Democracy: The London Borough of Havering (2)
(Chris and Del)
Posted in local politics, Politics
Tagged Conservative Party, democracy, Euro election, Havering, Labour Party, local elections 2014, Residents Association, UKIP
7 Comments
Democracy: London Borough of Havering 2014 (1)
(Chris and Del)
Posted in local politics, Politics
Tagged Conservatives, local elections 2014, localism, Residents Association, street politics, UKIP
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