A Bit Of A Deadleg? by Les May

EARLIER today in a telephone conversation with a friend he commented that he thought his local MP was ‘a bit of a deadleg’. Now I’ve not had any dealings with this gentleman, who is the MP for Heywood and Middleton, so I cannot comment on the veracity of this statement. But it did take me back a few years to when our old friend Simon Danczuk, or as he is now more commonly called ‘the disgraced Simon Danczuk’, was MP for the neighbouring constituency of Rochdale.

MPs (and Councillors) hold their position thanks to the trust of the public so if you want to shift them because you don’t think they are up to the job or not being honest with the people who voted for them, it’s the public you have to find a way of telling.

After Danczuk published his book about Cyril Smith in 2014 the Letters page of the Rochdale Observer was for the next 18 months or so filled with correspondence challenging Danczuk account, asking that he produce some evidence for his attempts to link Smith with the unsavoury goings on at Knowl View school and pointing out that a story in the book involving the Northamptonshire Police was completely untrue.

If my friend wants to use the local media to publish his disquiet about his MP Chris Clarkson, he won’t be so lucky. The reader’s letters page of the Rochdale Observer has shrunk almost to the point of invisibility. In 2015 it occupied a full page and there was enough room for the editor to allow a three quarter page letter from Andrew Wastling, who now sends material to Northern Voices because he cannot get it published elsewhere.

Those of us who contribute to NV don’t fool ourselves into thinking that it is read by as many people as read the Rochdale Observer so it is no substitute for an inquisitive and questioning local paper with a boisterous letters page.

NV’s readership is more likely to be drawn from the subset of potential Observer readers who would identify themselves as to the left of the political spectrum, but who refuse to be be swayed by the present vogue for identity politics and the drift towards ‘cancel culture’, so in no sense does it compete with other local news outlets. Seeing it as a competitor was the mistake Rochdale Online made when it wanted to use material from Northern Voices without attribution to its author.

Local News Partnerships, which include both the Rochdale Observer and Rochdale Online, are a well intentioned attempt to support local news outlets and maintain their viability at a time when they have come under pressure from the availability of news on the World Wide Web 24/7. But the unintended consequences have been that the sense of place and local identity which local newspapers provided has vanished because essentially the same story can appear in a regional and local paper, and a diversity of voices has been replaced by what is essentially a single uninquisitive ‘foghorn’.

This lack of scrutiny has emboldened some of our local politicians to start down the track of believing that they no longer accountable for their actions. Rochdale already has one local councillor who first solicited a postal vote then voted twice in the 2018 local election, seemingly without suffering any consequences. In recent weeks we have seen that one councillor did not seem to think he had to even accept e-mails sent to his Rochdale MBC account. We have also seen that at least one councillor think it unacceptable that he should be questioned about why a council official who is supposedly doing a full time job with Rochdale MBC is being allowed to ‘moonlight’ in another well remunerated role.

In about eleven weeks time people in Rochdale are going to be asked to choose who they want to represent them on the Council. If all we are treated to are press releases from councillors because they are ‘good copy’ how can we do this in any meaningful way? It is time to shine some light on the murky political world of Rochdale.

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Resolutionary Socialism Changes Nothing

by Les May

IN 1988, I was still teaching in a Rochdale school.  One day during the autumn term all the staff were summoned to a meeting after school finished.  We were surprised to see the Diana Cavanagh, the then Director of Education, standing at the front waiting to talk to us.

She had come to tell us that a small group of parents had moved to call for a ballot of parents which would decide whether the school should ‘Opt Out’ of Local Education Authority (LEA) control and instead be controlled directly by central government.

Though people’s motivations differed, there was little enthusiasm for such a move.  Some were against it just because it was a Tory policy, some felt it flew in the face of local democracy and local accountability, some were concerned that it was the thin end of the wedge which would lead to a worsening of our pay and conditions of employment, and some simply did not trust the headteacher.

After everyone had had their say a resolution was put to the meeting condemning the proposal. It passed without obvious dissent.  At this point it looked as if that was all that would happen.  Then someone stood up to object to leaving it at that.  I am sufficiently immodest to say it was me. What I went on to say was that simply passing a ‘resolution’ was a complete waste of time. If we wanted to defeat this move we had to contact all the parents of the children at the school, visit them and explain what ‘Opting Out’ meant and why we opposed it.  Without any debate it was agreed that an ad hoc committee should form to organise the mechanics of contacting parents and because we would need money to pay for letters to parents a collection was quickly organised. I assumed we would see everyone give a £1 or so.  When the ‘hat was passed round’ at least one £10 note went into it from one of the Maths teachers.

Letters went to newspapers to publicise our activities.  Lists of names and addresses were sorted into routes which a two person team could follow. Night after night in the first couple of months of 1989 we tramped the streets visiting parents, listening to parents and soliciting their vote in the forthcoming ballot against ‘Opting Out’.

It was all worth it, because the parents voting against the proposal.

In 1995 there was a proposal to use the Gort Sand pit and Wilderness Quarry sites for a Greater Manchester Council landfill site.  A group of people, each for a different reason, objected, came together and fought this. It took work to make it happen, but we were so persistent that eventually a full public inquiry was held in Rochdale Town Hall. In the end the Inspector did not agree with us and the site was used for landfill.  Was it worth it?  Yes it was!

Some people think that ‘activism’ is passing a resolution, writing a wish list, denouncing someone as a ‘racist’ or a ‘fascist’ or … just fill in your own preferred epithet here, or producing a Twitter storm.  Every week some petition or other falls into my e-mail inbox. It’s there briefly before going into the trash. Signing a petition may make some people feel pleased with themselves, but if you want to change things you have to do the work, even if sometimes you lose.  Before the last election the lady I tramped the streets with in the winter of 1989 was on my doorstep canvassing for the Labour party.  She’s still doing the work! 

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Is Labour losing its traditional voters?

by Brian Bamford

A POST ELECTION REPORT   from  Steve Gillan (POA), the TUC-JCC General   Secretary, POA, claimed 'Brexit was a key issue' and Labour lost 37% of leave voters who voted Labour in 2017, and 21% of remain voters who voted Labour in 2017.

A recent comment in Heywood and Middleton from a Labour canvasser, campaigning on the doorstep, told me people were closing their front doors when they realised it was Labour on the knocker.  

It was said that this dislike seemed to be down to two things: an intense dislike of Jeremy Corbyn and Labour's stance on Brexit.

Heywood, near Rochdale, has long been a solid Labour constituency but at the General Election in December the local Labour candidate was defeated by the Conservative.  

Steve Gillan in his report also claimed 'we should be building on, increasing and challenging the growth of the far right, anti-semitism and Islamophobia.'

 Yet,  as the Secretary of Tameside TUC, I wrote twice to Jeremy Corbyn asking him where he stood as regards the case of the persecuted Pakistani Catholic Asia Bibi, who had been sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan.  She had drank water from a cup used by Muslim fruit pickers to quench her thirst and had spent eight years on death row.  The family sought asylum for Asia in the UK but nobody from Theresa May's government was prepared to meet her husband and daughter when they came to London.  May refused asylum to the family because she said it could lead to racial unrest in the UK and put the lives of British diplomats at risk in Pakistan. 

Meanwhile, Corbyn never gave us a reply and I'm not aware of him speaking publicly about her case. We concluded that he was frightened of alienating the Muslim Labour vote.  I asked a Labour Party friend to speak to Angela Rayner about Asia Bibi. Rayner told him that Labour was supportive but the problem was the family hadn't applied for asylum in the UK, which was untrue.  Corbyn, did however, speak out publicly in support of the Isis bride, Shamima Begum, demanding that her British citizenship be restored. Asia Bibi and her family were eventually given asylum in Canada where she campaigns on behalf of other persecuted Christian's in Pakistan.

The Heywood and Middleton constituency in Lancashire has a strong Roman Catholic presence, having received immigrants following the Irish potato famine in the 19th Century.   Among today's fashionable addicts they they are now yesterday's people and the recent failure of Rochdale's Labour councillors to condemn an axe attack on four tree surgeons working in the Newbold area of Rochdale in October 2017 by an Asian gang shouting 'white bastards' at them, seems to be a symptom of post-modernity.  This might sound like blatant 'Orientalism', but the thing is Irish Catholics are no longer the flavour of the month in politics, and the local Labour Party is more inclined to wag-its-tail and fly the flag of Kashmir or Pakistan outside Rochdale Town Hall these days. This may go some way to explaining why Heywood and Middleton, which is one of the two Rochdale constituencies, now has a conservative MP.  Labour is so frightened of offending the Asian clans that it appears to be losing the white working class.

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Tories take Monkey Town in the North!

 This is the story of a small, south-east Lancashire town called Heywood.   A place that is also rather affectionately (or disparagingly) known as 'Monkey Town’.

Old Heywood postcard.

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LAST NIGHT the Tory Party beat the Labour Party's incumbent, Liz McInnes, for the Heywood & Middleton constituency in Greater Manchester  to become the constituency’s first ever Tory MP, on a disastrous night for Labour nationally. 

The Tory victor, Mr Clarkson, agreed that national issues like Brexit likely contributed to his victory.

He said:  'It was a combination of factors. No result is about just one thing,

'Brexit was  an issue on the doorstep, but also people didn’t like Jeremy Corbyn - they didn’t want him to be Prime Minister - and that put a lot of people off voting Labour. A lot of people stayed at home.'

The former MP Liz McInnes, who had been MP for the constituency since 2014, remained at the count until the very end, putting on a brave face following the results, which saw the Conservatives receive 20,453 votes.  Ms McInnes came second with 19,790 votes.

The seat has, up until now, always been held by Labour.

This year, 47,641 ballots were issued, and 153 votes were rejected.  The new MP, Mr Clarkson was elected with a majority vote of just 663 votes, in one of the lowest turnouts in recent years.

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Letter to the Ed. from a Rochdale resident

 Editor:  This morning NV received the e-mail below

from a local lady.  Because the correspondent is clearly 

afraid, we have decided to withhold her name.

Good morning Brian,

Thank you for sending this [the post: 'When is a Hate Crime not a Hate Crime?'], I've read the article and the Blogspot and I'm still shocked that this hasn't been reported as a hate crime, because it most certainly is!

https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2019/october/Four-men-have-been-jailed-for-their-part-in-a-brutal-gang-attack-which-left-a-man-with-life-changing-injuries-after-being-hit-with-an-axe-in-Rochdale/

As the article states, if it had been reversed then it most surely would have been. I'm so fed up with everyone being scared of saying the wrong thing! Why is it in the interests of the community to lessen the impact of the story when it's Asian against white, but fully reported as a hate crime if it's the other way around? 

The problem is, we're not told 'everything' we're protected from knowing the truth about our areas/places we live in, because of fears there will be repercussions, but there has to be fairness in what's reported. 

When the grooming gangs were sentenced, all those years ago, I saw a group of men and women with placards gathered around the takeaway shop in Heywood. They weren't causing disruption, but the placards said things like "rapists get out" and "not in our town". There was a high police presence and as soon as new people arrived they were dispersed/sent home quickly. All of which I saw as I completed the short drive through the town centre. The thing is, I wasn't aware of why they were there, I looked for a news story but there wasn't one. Of course, the story did eventually break nationwide but it was a good while after.

Maybe 'they' think we couldn't handle knowing the truth? maybe it would start unrest? but this has to stop!  The speed at which the first man gathered up so many people to help him is scary.  The fact that they have weapons to hand, they can just 'grab and go', is incredibly frightening and as I said to you last night, would now make me think twice about helping someone I thought might be in need 

Bit by bit these sorts of incidents are breaking down the local and general community spirit and at a base level the normal feelings of empathy you have for a fellow human being.

Anyway, enjoy your Sunday.

Thanks,

Name redacted 

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Rochdale Labour Aim at Restoring Trust

 Leak of Motion for clean break with past politics

LAST Wednesday, the West Heywood and East Middleton wards agreed to move the motion below which raises concerns about the proposed reinstatement of a former Rochdale Labour leader, Richard Farnell, who many in the local Labour Party and among the public beyond who generally feel he was discredited by the finding that he lied under oath at the  Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).  

The tenure of the motion suggests that the people moving it feel that not only has Richard Farnell become totally toxic by his insistance that he was unaware of what was going on at Knowl View residential school, but that the culture created by Farnell's successor, Alan Brett, is now stifling any remaining remnant of decency in the body politic in Rochdale. 

The Heywood and Middleton Constituency Labour Party below urge a change of leadership to create a 'break with that (spirit of) Richard Farnell and Allen Brett, in order that trust and confidence in the local party can be restored'.

Wed 03/07/2019 21:59

 The Motion states:

'In light of recent press reports relating to Richard Farnell and Allen Brett, Heywood and Middleton CLP/ branch note that: Richard Farnell was suspended from the Labour Party when the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) reported its finding that he had lied to the Inquiry under oath; his replacement as Leader of Rochdale Council, Allen Brett (himself found to have brought the authority into disrepute) is reported to have said that he will be pressing for Richard Farnell’s suspension to be immediately lifted; the Executive of Rochdale CLP have apparently written to Labour North West Region in respect of the suspension, with their meeting minutes referring to selection meetings in September and the unfairness of Richard Farnell being “in limbo”. Heywood and Middleton CLP/ branch are of the view that: regardless of the outcome of Richard Farnell’s suspension, his behaviour at the IICSA and IICSA’s finding that he lied under oath, reflect very badly on the Labour Party in Rochdale; perceptions of Allen Brett’s behaviour compound this, along with his call for Richard Farnell’s immediate reinstatement; there is a risk as borne out by responses on social media, and in spite of the good work of many councillors and party members, that the Labour Party in Rochdale Borough loses trust and credibility in the eyes of the electorate. And so, (Heywood and Middleton CLP/ branch) call on Rochdale Council Labour Group to bring about a change of Rochdale Council leadership in a way that represents a clean break with that of Richard Farnell and Allen Brett, in order that trust and confidence in the local party can be restored.'

 Passed at West Heywood and East Middleton so far. On the agenda at Castleton branch next week.

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Lies, Damn Lies and Labour Councillors

by Les May

AT first sight it might seem that the most important political development in Rochdale in recent days is the decision of two well known Labour figures to join the Brexit party.  But any crowing from Labour’s opponents may be short lived.  If it’s members get their way it’s raison d’être will vanish on the first of November.  Only if they fail will it have any further reason to exist.   Either way it looks like a move into a political cul de sac.

Of more long term significance is the decision of Councillor Jacqui Beswick to resign the Labour whip and sit as an Independent.

She is reported to have taken the decision due to the way the party had handled false allegations against her. She has said ‘I believed that after the local elections my complaint would be dealt with, sadly that wasn't the case and I have been told recently that it could be quite some time before that happens’.

There is rather more background to this story than is apparent from this statement.

About six months ago I attended a meeting of people with a background in the Labour movement,  Labour activists and supporters, and some with a Trades Union background.   Most lived in the Heywood and Middleton constituency.  Also present at the meeting was John Blundell who represents a ward in the Rochdale constituency.   From the start it was clear that there was some antagonism towards him and his presence was not welcomed by a majority of the people at the meeting.

A number of people at the meeting were aware that another Labour councillor had made serious allegations against Councillor Beswick and wanted to discuss the matter further. The unwelcome Councillor Blundell managed to block any discussion by suggesting that repeating the allegations might be construed as defamatory and that the allegations were ‘under investigation’.

There were a lot of people at the meeting who will remember what Councillor Blundell said and a recording of exactly what he said may exist. I don’t think anyone present will believe a word he says in the future and it may be that some will conclude that he was lying.

The treatment of Councillor Beswick by the Labour leadership of Rochdale council looks very much like what is known in trades union terms as ‘Constructive Dismissal’.  A Labour councillor has a right to expect that when allegations are made against them they will be investigated by the party within a reasonable time frame. The failure to do this is analogous to a ‘repudiatory breach’ in employment terms.

There exists a significant lack of trust in the Labour leadership in Rochdale amongst many people who are otherwise solidly behind the Labour party. Labour politics in Rochdale has been described to me on a number of occasions as ‘a cess pit’. The treatment of Jacqui Beswick will do nothing to sweeten the smell from it.

More details can be found at;

http://northernvoicesmag.blogspot.com/2019/05/labour-party-strange-allegations.html

http://northernvoicesmag.blogspot.com/2018/06/brave-new-world-hatching-eggs.html

Tommy Robinson in Heywood, Lancashire

TOMMY Robinson is campaigning in Heywood today.  Various political and regious bodies are putting on a peaceful counter demonstration.  It is not peace group led, nor Labour, just people who are very concerned by what they regard as his racist views, etc - people who say they 'don't want the shame of seeing him represent the north west in the European Parliament'.

Tommy Robinson, who has campaigned for Brexit, is an adviser to UKIP, but is standing as an independent candidate in the North West in the Euro elections.

His local critics are meeting at Heywood Civic Centre at 1pm.  A journalist from the Guardian is expected to be present for the event.

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A statement signed by Heywood and Middleton MP Liz McInnes, eight priests and vicars and seven councillors says: "We want to express our deep concern about the visit to Heywood of Tommy Robinson. 
"As civic and faith leaders in Heywood, we believe that racism, intolerance and hatred are no way to build a civilised and peaceful society. Such views have no place in our political conversations."
 They reminded us that:
 "In the middle of the nineteenth century the Irish, escaping from famine, settled here to work in the mills; in the 1960s Heywood was enriched by the many Mancunians who settled on Darnhill."

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Cheerful Cherub by the Sea Side

  Merit Award for Tony Lloyd's Right Hand Man

 WHO PROPOSED LIAM O'ROURKE?

by Brian Bamford

 

 Simon Danczuk with young Councillor Liam O'Rourke

LIAM O'Rourke, who works in the office of Tony Lloyd MP for Rochdale, and is the cheerful cherubic councillor responsible for resources in the Rochdale cabinet, may well have friends in high places, but so far as the Labour Party rank and file is concerned he hasn't covered himself with glory.

At a meeting of Rochdale council on  the 28th, February 2013, the then recently elected Councillor O'Rourke said:  ''The implementation of decisions to make redundancies were helped by our relationship to the trade unions' (see Northern Voices; Thursday, 28 Feb. 2013)

Councillor O'Rourke came back quickly on NV to clarify this with the comment:  'Far from selling their workers a bitter pill, the [h]ard work put in by the council and the unions meant that people left in a manner that was satisfactory for them.'

To which a local resident Tony Jones, from Back of the Moss in a comment on NV responded:  
'Haha - So this is where Councillor O'Rourke is hiding out.  Most people in my ward had thought you had dissapeared.  No sight of you in the Heywood Advertiser, no sight of you in town with the exception of going off to Lourdes.  Would be nice to get a leaflet now and again telling us what we actually voted for your for. You have been a very bitter dissapointment for many I know who voted for you. -' 

Things have not changed for Rochdale or Councillor O'Rourke since then!

Last Sunday, the website Zelo-Street reported: 

'...what should have been an enjoyable weekend for the Rochdale area contingent was marred by what happened at the Merit Award Dinner, held on Friday evening at the Blackpool Hilton Hotel with guest speakers Barry Gardiner, Lavery, and Rebecca Long Bailey.  

Someone must have pulled a fast one, because Zelo-Street adds:

'The problem was that one of those awards went to Liam O’Rourke, a Councillor who represents Heywood North.  Why should that be?  Ah well.  My sources tell me “All nominees have to be nominated by their own CLP, and it has to come through their CLP Secretary.  He was never nominated by his CLP, nor or did it come from his Secretary”.'

So who proposed Councillor O'Rourke for the merit award?

No-one will say apparently.

This seems to be the latest piece of shabby politics in Rochdale, because we at Northern Voices have seen papers showing evidence of increasing poor governance involving people in control of the Rochdale Labour Party.

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