howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#2
ah now.. that is a very interesting one Howard. Was having a similar discussion on this very topic only a few days ago. My feeling is that it was David Hannent who held it all together as a "non" political party. The former Deputy Mayor, Mr Hannent, said he would quit DTC in time and he did ..he then joined the Conservatives and is now a Councillor at District level. He is also President of the Rotary Club in Deal as i understand it, so his base of operation seems to have slipped away from Dover. He was a longtime forumite member here too but as his interest in Dover seems to have drained away he doesnt post much now if at all.
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
#3
Will this have any real bearing on the way Dover is run?
Audere est facere.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
i doubt it, still the same number of independent councillors, should they want to get together and hold a meeting they can still do so.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#5
okay lets go for it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
You will recall mr hannant when part of the group always shouting about local politicians should be non political a view i partly hold.
but as soon as mr hannant saw a green light to sell his soul he did so, no in a big media way, but a cloak and dagger way in the hope no one noticed.
but of course they would/did.
when it suited mr hannant they were non political, but dont forget they were registered as a political party, so the rubbish about not being associated with party politics doesn't hold water.
and of course it was always clear mr hannant was speaking as an alliance member but realy a closet tory, which in the end he had no choice but to disclose.
will the disbanding of the alliance make any difference?, no not realy
2 of the 4 seats they hold were uncontested therefore they are very very weak at this point, and have lost support, and so as its leader says its probably the right time to pack up.
of course you are alays faced with this dilema, having been voting in as an alliance PARTY candidate they no longer are, but are loosly termed as independents.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#6
It was always about balancing what the independent councillors saw as an excessive influence over town politics by Labour and trying to form an effective opposition to that. Why they formalised it as a political party beats me as I think that move was counter-productive.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
#7
The move to a 'Political Party' name was a formality to allow the use of a name, and logo, that would avoid confusion with the number of "Independent" Labour and others putting themselves up for election. It was always part of the constitution that there would be no party whips or party line voting, we would, of course, discuss matters and if we did all vote the same way it would be because we were in agreement on that issue. Rest assured that those of us elected under the Dover Alliance banner will continue to work for what we hope are the best interests of the town with any and all councillors. Our view is now, as it has always been, is that parties do not matter and once elected we all become members of the far more important body, the Town Council.
On a personal note I must say that I had nothing to do with the letter, and find it almost embarrassing.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#8
Funny this I was told over a week ago by Mike Webb they had disbanded,I saw Alan Shirley yesterday morning and told him I disagreed with what he said in the paper.The Alliance had changed things with Labour Support? With 12 Labour Cllrs 4 Alliance and 2 Tory the chances of an Alliance changing anyones mind is remote,but saying that we do work closely together and I am sure even Chris would agree that things are working out well and things get done,even with the Indies and Tories support.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
#9
I would agree more John if the wording were, "..........especially with the Independents and Tories support."
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
