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snowy
Frequent Contributor
161 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 22:33:28
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The use of the word 'nonsense' was referring to the whole state of affairs surrounding the hospital business. We have the spectacle of our so called elected representatives, elected to defend our interests, scoring political points of no relevance to us whatsoever. We are caught in a situation of their creation and instead of going into battle, meekly put up their hands in abject, gutless surrender. What a sad indictment, that what others fought for they see only as an opportunity to miss the bleeding obvious point, the elephant in the room, ... We are losing our hospital and gaining a glorified spelk clinic and the politicians still don't get the picture.
The people don't have a voice, if out view coincides with theirs, all well and good, the pretence of democracy in action. if it doesn't, they treat us like dim idiots and do just what they want. They don't take their orders from us, so who do they take them from ....? I'd love to know.
As for Snowy ...? Wilson ...? nah ...Tin Tin actually. |
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Christine Blakey
Frequent Contributor
1206 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 22:45:33
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Highlighted the hospital rally in the neighbourhood forum. You will not be surprised to hear that they did not reply with any feedback.
I believe it was disappointing to see such a focus on the most expensive and impossible option when it is well known that local people would prefer to support the current hospital. It is even more worrying that the council supported it. Although the mayor was not there, he was in the Mail stating the case to get behind this rally. Shameful lack of democracy indeed!
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SRMoore
Occasional Contributor
63 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 23:31:06
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Thanks for clarifying that Snowy, it seems we are both definitely singing from the same hymn sheet.
I intend on asking the Mayor if he is now admitting he is part of the Labour camp since he told the Mail that he fully supported the rally in Victory Square last Saturday.
There is no Plan B |
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snowy
Frequent Contributor
161 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 23:48:37
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I'm just appalled that the only people shouting about the cancellation are a knot of sundry politiians and their limited band of camp followers ... the majority of the elctorate are clear what they want back, their hospital, yet this group reside on some celestial plane above public debate. All plitics are based on the indifference of the majority, it was once said, ... in this case, the indiffernce of the politcians to the wishes of the majority appear to have triumphed.
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Christine Blakey
Frequent Contributor
1206 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 00:37:26
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There is also the Wednesday column last week where he stated that there is nothing wrong with labour using the Wynyard Hospital 'go ahead' for PR purposes. I find this disgraceful and irresponsible.
I fully support your questions to the mayor as the Mail specifically shows his support with the rally. I still find it hard to believe how blatantly political the speeches were! Totally inappropriate when we are now set to lose the current hospital also. I know that most Hartlepudlians were nowhere near to hear them but that is not the point!
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SRMoore
Occasional Contributor
63 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 00:44:30
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I can promise you that there are other people shouting about the Wynyard cancellation, only we are shouting with JOY!
I attended the 'prospective Labour Leaders vote for me as your new leader/we need Wynyard because we didn't have a plan B' rally last Saturday with a 9 foot by 4 foot banner stating "The elected men opposite gave our hospital services away and are still fighting to close our hospital today". Other members from the Save Our Hospital Campaign were also there.
An online petition has been set up for calling for the restoration of services to our hospital. Hard copies are now ready to be placed in local post offices, newsagents and other businesses that would like to help.
Letters to both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health have been sent urging them to intervene on this matter and implement Prof Darzi's recommendations (as per the petition).
Various people have spoken to the Hartlepool Mail and urged them to give the majority voice more coverage and to assist in our campaign as they did back in 2003/2004 however this doesn't seem to be happening.
The whole situation is unbelievably frustrating as no matter how hard our hospital campaigners and the residents of Hartlepool shout, we are ignored and downplayed. Paul Watson, a mail columist made my blood boil on Tuesday when he suggested that it doesn't matter if we get treatment in North Tees or Wynyard as long as we are still getting treatment!
The worst part, which goes to show that either the people down there are completely out of touch or they are just churning out Labour spin, was when he said "My personal view aside, it is fantastic to see ALMOST EVERYONE pulling together to get the new Wynyard hospital built, although there will be those who will fight to keep Hartlepool's hospital open and fair play to them. But in the main, and judging by local reaction to the news that funding had been scrapped for Wynyard, it appears that everyone wants it to happen".
I'm not going to say any more regarding Pauls column as I am now likely to say something I will later regret after reading his filth once again!
There is no Plan B |
Edited by - SRMoore on 01 Jul 2010 00:47:39 |
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johnny mac
Administrator
774 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 01:02:15
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I think the answer to all of this is simple - a new rally full of ordinary Hartlepudlians held in the same place on the same weekday allowing straight forward numbers to be compared. Sometime toward the end of July, say Saturday 24th July, which leaves three weeks to give it good publicity - posters in shop windows etc.
The politicians aren't speaking for us anymore, so maybe it's time we spoke for ourselves.
(mmm .... hell of a slogan, that  )
(having said that, I'll be in Beirut so that makes me look a bit stupid  ) |
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Christine Blakey
Frequent Contributor
1206 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 01:03:54
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You will be there in spirit Johnny!
I am up for helping to organise and attend such a vital event? |
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SRMoore
Occasional Contributor
63 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 01:09:13
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The real Beirut or Seaton Lane? :o)
I will speak to a few people in the morning and see if we can get something organised. Sounds like a good plan to me, maybe we can even rope a few skateboarders in to make up the numbers haha
There is no Plan B |
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johnny mac
Administrator
774 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 01:15:21
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| The real one and trust me it's a beautiful place. |
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snowy
Frequent Contributor
161 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 07:30:57
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| in reference to the Mail's stance, maybe that's why I for one now buy it very infrequently, when once it was a must. A good local paper is now little more than vehicle for playing up the banal and totally lost it's edge as a campaigning local paper ...it isn't part of the town anymore in my eyes as it appears totally out of touch and more interested in promoting local talent contests ...I'll have to start looking in the Deaths column for the announcement of it's own demise, at the present rate of descent into terminal irrelevance the prognosis suggests I won't need a long bedside vigil. |
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Mea Culpa
Occasional Contributor
42 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 09:07:34
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An alternative view rally, in the same area as the muppets of last week sounds great.
However, what's the bets HBC and/or the Police object and refuse the event?
Plenty of reasons could be put forward;
public liability insurance required;
full risk assessment to be carried out;
'crowd control' barriers reqd.;
requirement to pay for security/police officers to ensure public order is maintained;
requirement to 'hire' the Cenotaph area;
Requirement to pay HBC staff to litterpick the area, post event, etc. etc. etc.
The 'men in suits' won't allow it to happen, without first at least trying to obfuscate the issue. Sadly.
Democracy? Dead and buried in Hartlepool by labour and their bedpartners, unison. |
Edited by - Mea Culpa on 01 Jul 2010 09:09:28 |
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Christine Blakey
Frequent Contributor
1206 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 09:50:52
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There would be no need for the licence etc if the event was held in a room somewhere.
I am sure we could arrange a leaflet drop?
I would also suggest doing what I am doing, go through the procedures and gather evidence on the way for any obstructions or breaches of guidance, equality and democracy.
By simply giving up at the first hurdle, we are actually playing into the hands of those who try to use this town for their own selfish gain. |
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steveL
Frequent Contributor
565 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 10:07:03
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I hear what you are saying MC but be glad that you live in the UK. Here the Police are obliged to accomodate peaceful protest. A march requires that the Police be informed at least 6 days in advance but a rally has no such requirement. Having said that, personally I would consider it only reasonable to let them know as far in advance as possible.
The Local Authority is under similar obligations to accomodate peaceful protest.
The main problems are getting enough advanced publicity to ensure its success and organising a P.A. system so any speaker to be heard.
Can you imagine what a story it would make if the local council tried to prevent such a rally particularly as Labour have just held one of their own?
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Yourrightsandresponsibilities/DG_176761 |
Edited by - steveL on 01 Jul 2010 10:14:19 |
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SRMoore
Occasional Contributor
63 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 10:18:21
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Mea, I have been involved in the organisation a number of public protests and there are a number of things the police or council could do to stop a static protest but it would be a big PR disaster if they did.
Public Liability insurance and risk assessments are not needed.
Barriers are not required also, stewards can be used instead. (Though the council provided the Labour rally with barriers, I wonder if the favour would be extended?)
No need to pay for the police to attend, in fact you are not required by law to inform the police in advance, though it would be stupid not to as they would only turn up angry on the day and try to have us dispersed.
A very good website to read.
http://www.yourrights.org.uk/yourrights/the-right-of-peaceful-protest/organising-a-protest/index.html
(Steve types faster than me obviously haha)
There is no Plan B |
Edited by - SRMoore on 01 Jul 2010 10:19:41 |
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Wynyard/Hartlepool Hospital Issue
