Yet Another Error?

'The Talented Mr. Rana'

by Les May

The only comment we have heard from Allen Brett about Faisal Rana making sure he registered and voted in two different wards, Norden, and Spotland and Failinge is:
'It is vital that councillors do all that they can to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.  As soon as he became aware of this, Councillor Rana stepped away from his cabinet responsibilities.  Naturally, I am disappointed in Councillor Rana's error because he is a very talented and hard working individual who shares our collective passion to improve our borough.'

When Allen Brett uttered these words they may have been momentarily true.  If they were then Rana was quickly welcomed back into the fold.   Take a look at http://democracy.rochdale.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=116 and you will see that the talented Mr Rana is listed as Assistant Portfolio Holder for Finance. 

So much for upholding the integrity of the democratic process.

I’m surprised that a man with the long political experience of Allen Brett cannot see that his continued support of Faisal Rana, when the man has so obviously done wrong by voting twice, will tarnish his own reputation still further.   Given that he has himself been criticised in a draft investigation report for ‘bringing the council into disrepute’, I would have thought he really does not need any further bad publicity.   

There was no ‘error’.  Registering for two votes was a carefully thought through act, deliberately executed. 
 
Both Brett and Rana have recently figured in the ‘Rotten Boroughs’ section of Private Eye.   This is not a story which is going to end happily for either of them.

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