Trial by Jeory

Posted in Uncategorized | 54 Comments

54 Responses

1. on April 30, 2013 at 11:10 pm Tim

   Bravo Ted, I like your style and hang on in there.

   Typical MO of certain types; bluff and bluster, continue to accuse and get more and more aggressive, in the hope that the innocent party will back down. We’ve seen it many, many times in Tower Hamlets politics, and it’s always a great shame to watch. However you clearly (and correctly) are not going to back down – bravo!

   Criminals so often hate to be given their true title. Ohid fails to realise that he is not only a criminal, he’s also a fool who doesn’t know when to stop.

   Tim.

   
   
2. on April 30, 2013 at 11:21 pm Grave Maurice

   Bravo Ted, I too like your style, please hang on in there. Your blog, apart from the Telegraph from time to time, is the only thing holding the wretched organisation that is LBTH to account. Like Shelina Akhtar; who went to the (metaphorical) gallows protesting her innocence despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary; Ohid is merely another example of greedy people using their elected position to milk civic funds. Except Shelina was better educated and had a certain ability to charm people. Ted, I know from time to time you and I have not seen eye to eye, but let me say this: your work on this blog (and elsewhere) is a true civic service for which you deserve great credit and thanks.

   Ohid: hurry up and resign
   Lutfur: start buying books to read

   
   
3. on April 30, 2013 at 11:37 pm Grave Maurice

   Oh, and one more thing. In case you don’t get it Ohid – and I am worried you don’t – the reason WHY people who live in LBTH (like me) are angry with you is not because we are “vindictive” it is because THIS IS OUR MONEY YOU ARE SPENDING!!! Do you understand??? There is a contract between us, as council tax payers, and the borough: we agree to pay the council to provide us with services. We did not agree to pay money so that you can blow it away on a never ending jolly for you and your chums.

   Pay us back. Then resign.

   
   
4. on April 30, 2013 at 11:40 pm Dan McCurry

   I think they are a bit rattled. Cab fares are likely to play a role in the Labour campaign.

   
   
   • on May 1, 2013 at 12:02 am trialbyjeory

     I think Labour would be fools not to.

     
     
5. on April 30, 2013 at 11:42 pm Chris

   Keep going, Ted! You know you’re in the right.

   
   
6. on May 1, 2013 at 1:08 am Curious Cat

   Dear Mr Ohid Ahmed

   I would like to respond to your pre-litigation letter address to Ted, the owner of the forum. I don’t read Ted’s newspaper and have never met him or spoken to him. I therefore consider myself to be neutral in this matter.

   I remember seeing a taxi claim from you for £140.89 for a single trip from council HQ to a Trade Union centre.

   Its a staggering amount, almost 3 times the weekly Job Seekers payment to the unemployed.

   It is reasonable, natural and proportionate for members of the public generally, and residents of your local authority, LBTH, particularly, to be surprised at the huge amount spent on a round trip taxi journey in London. Not even High Court judges do that, so why did you ?

   I have not seen any apology from you for submitting such a gigantic taxi bill; neither have I seen any satisfactory explanation. I therefore invite you to tell the readership of this forum why it was so utterly essential for you to run-up, at the public’s expense, such a high taxi bill.

   Being deputy mayor requires a person of ability, would you not agree ?

   A down-and-out person or someone of low intellect or incompetent would be unsuitable to do your demanding and important job as deputy mayor, would you agree ?

   Do you agree with me you were chosen by the mayor, not because of your background, religion or friendship but because you have all the necessary skills to undertake your important, responsible and demanding job as deputy mayor for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets ?

   Being a mature and sensible person, and aware of the social and economic deprivation in the borough, and knowing that your period in office would be 4 years, and also knowing you might have to pop around the place attending meetings at different locations – and being aware of the often horrendous traffic jams which slow the passage of motor vehicles – a person of your undoubted intellect may have considered getting a bicycle or even a nice 50 cc motor scooter (I can recommend suitable brands) for your travels.

   When Ted mentioned ‘stolen’ he did not mean it in the sense you had dashed into a shop, put your grubby hands in the till, seized the cash and belted-off down the road, but in a more literary or metaphorical (Isabella will explain what it means) sense.

   Ted probably meant ‘stolen’ in the sense of permanently depriving the borough of the money. Its obvious to all, the money will not be returned to the council, so its gone for ever. Money which could be used for more important and essential services has gone on paying your taxi fares.

   Ted is a literate man. He has a nice and appealing style of writing, no doubt developed over many years. I’m sure Ted knows many old dears and old boys struggling to pay their bills to whom a donation of £140 would bring an immediate and warm smile to their depressed faces.

   I would like to ask you why you didn’t go by bike, bus, motor scooter or moped. Please tell me. Was the taxi driver a friend of yours ? Can you explain to those who know inner London well, the route your very expensive taxi took and say whether the £140 bill included any taxi waiting time ?

   We have already established you are a very important person, a true VIP, because you are the deputy mayor of Tower Hamlets. If you previously agreed with me only a person having your talents can do the demanding job of deputy mayor at Tower Hamlets, then I assume you are an intelligent person with a well developed awareness of the borough and its many problems.

   The public have to trust you with their council, their council tax money and government funds given to the borough to help provide services to local residents. It is a large burden of responsibility ensuring none of the public’s money is wasted, misused or even stolen.

   May I ask you to publish on this forum a comprehensive list (please do not fret; Isabella will explain) of your duties as deputy mayor ? I am sure many readers of this forum will welcome your enlightening clarification; on their behalf I thank you in advance.

   You obviously care about the whole community, not just those with a Bangladeshi connection. That is a commendable attitude. You must be very proud of your community responsibilities and engagement.

   Please may I ask why you wrote “The taxis that I used were in accordance with these rules” but did not quote those rules thus denying the public, who subsidise your expensive taxi journeys, an opportunity to understand how those rules justify your council-funded taxi journeys ?

   May I ask how you derived an allegation of ‘criminal intent’ from a legitimate and normal expression of public concern by a resident whom, with the other residents of LBTH, is paying your expensive but yet unexplained taxi bills ?

   Isabella claims no professional competence in criminal law, which is (as she knows) distinct from public law. Will you kindly ask Isabella why she wrote “It would also suggest that the Local Authority has been complicit in criminal activity.” and put her explanation on this forum for everyone to read and understand ?

   Lastly, dear Mr Deputy executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, why did you never think about the duty you owe to local residents, especially in these days of financial hardship, to go and sit on a bus next to normal people at a low costs instead of using public funded taxis for your personal pleasure, pride and comfort ?

   Thank you very much.

   Yours sincerely,

   Curious Cat.

   
   
7. on May 1, 2013 at 7:52 am John Gray

   Full support Ted. This is just plain silly and Ohid should know better. I was at the Rev Jessie Jackson 70th birthday bash that night. While it was in my view an important function that a London Deputy Mayor should attend – there is no justification for a £140 taxi bill. The Council has clearly been ripped off, probably by cock up rather than design.

   Ohid is forgetting what is rule number one when you find yourself in a hole – Stop digging!

   
   
   • on May 1, 2013 at 8:04 am trialbyjeory

     Thanks John. Wise words that Ohid should heed. If I were him, I’d be contemplating a full apology and admit a mistake.

     People like humility in a politician.

     
     
   • on May 1, 2013 at 8:28 am trialbyjeory

     I think it’s worth copying here a comment just made by Labour’s Cllr Judith Gardiner on my post about John Biggs’s £5 taxi claim.

     Just for the record in this whole term I don’t think I’ve claimed for any expenses from LBTH.The majority of my travel is funded via my travel card which I pay for anyway and on the odd occasion when I’ve needed a taxi because I’m running late I’ve assumed that is meant to be covered by my Councillor’s Allowance and not made a further claim. I did make a couple of travel claims from the ODA when I was on their Development Committee in relation to meetings when I had to travel back from outside London but those would have been more than cancelled out by the fact that I didn’t get round to claiming for every meeting I attended.

     
     
8. on May 1, 2013 at 8:41 am IslandDweller

   There’s a quite delicious irony about a taxi bill of over £50 to get to Pudding Mill Lane DLR station. Yes, a station, with trains every few minutes….. The fare using an Oyster card would be all of £1.60.
   Keep up the good work in exposing this scandal.

   
   
   • on May 1, 2013 at 8:50 am trialbyjeory

     Spot on. I missed that one. It’s a story in its own right.

     
     
9. on May 1, 2013 at 11:59 am You couldn't make it up!

   Could I suggest that those contesting the next mayoral election consider the following as a potential future policy for reimbursements of all travel expenses for the Mayor and all Councillors.
   _________________________________

   The Council should adopt the following policy with respect to reimbursement of travel expenses incurred on OFFICIAL BUSINESS ONLY:

   1) ALL JOURNEYS ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT in line with the Council’s existing policy on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions within the borough and London generally.

   2) All elected Councillors who regularly attend (ie 85% or more) all Council and/or Committee meetings and surgeries to be supplied with an Annual Oyster Card for journeys on public transport within the borough. This alleviates the need for the processing of any expense claims and enables the Councillors to enjoy the same public transport as their constituents and reduces carbon emissions within the borough

   3) Only those Councillors who have OFFICIAL duties which take them out of the Borough to other parts of London to have:
   * Zone 1 added to their Oyster Card where journeys are frequent
   * have Zone 1 expense reimbursed for infrequent journeys

   4) Reimbursement of expenses for Councillors who fail to attend at least 85% constituency surgeries and/or Council/Committee meetings to be assumed to be part of their Councillors’ allowance and no additional payments made

   5) No taxi expenses to be reimbursed – unless a venue is inaccessible by public transport (e.g. outside the Greater London boundary). This is a matter of value for money and an issue of effective time management. (Training in time management to be offered for those for whom this is a problem)

   6) No car allowances to be paid or car hire expenses to be paid irrespective of status. The Council does not approve parking permits for new housing units in the borough and does not approve the unecssary use of cars where acceptable public transport alternatives exist.

   
   
   • on May 1, 2013 at 1:22 pm Tim

     Sounds eminently sensible to me. Which means that it will never be adopted by Tower Hamlets!

     Ted, the more I think about this the more I think that Ohid is paying you a large compliment. He clearly reads this blog, and takes it seriously enough to get vexatious about it. I hope that he has the balls (and stupidity) to follow this all the way through and to lose the case in a very expensive way. That would give you a very good story indeed! Gilligan seems to be sued many times a year, and his various wins have made excellent stories.

     As I said before, bravo, and hang on in there. And please do keep us updated on what Ohid does next.

     Tim.

     
     
10. on May 1, 2013 at 12:09 pm Nigel

    OK I am not defending these expenses on taxis BUT how come a blog post last year about 1.6 million spent on a failed regeneration of Roman Road doesn’t get followed up with the same gusto as a mere 1.4K on taxis? Sorry, but if a Labour councillor chaired committee can throw a million at external consultants and the net result is not visible, then it does seem heavy handed to start laying into Ohid for taxis that come nowhere close to 1.6 million. Some even-handed investigative journalism wouldn’t go amiss here – otherwise it does look vindictive. While voters and council tax payers I speak to are upset about the taxigate saga, they are actually more concerned about where millions are being spent by councillors, rather than this focus on minicabs

    see https://trialbyjeory.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/lutfur-makes-move-for-bow-and-launches-probe-into-failed-1-6m-regeneration-scheme/

    
    
    • on May 1, 2013 at 12:28 pm trialbyjeory

      Oh Nigel, come off it.

      Firstly, as you point out, I have written about the failed regeneration of the Roman (and am part of a group that is trying to rectify that).

      But more importantly, don’t underestimate how people make the connection between such profligacy and the general attitude to public finances. Remember the MPs’ expenses scandal? The money spent on duck houses and the like wasn’t huge compared to the national debt, but voters quite rightly concluded that arrogant disregard for taxpayers’ money was perhaps why the national debt became so large.

      Other people’s money. Oh, that’s all right then. If Ohid doesn’t want people criticising him, then he shouldn’t put himself in that situation. As they say, if you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime (whoops, I’ve said it again!).

      Did he think the black cabs (not minicabs by the way) were free?

      In some ways, I feel a bit sorry for him. He’s looked at his boss Mayor Lutfur taking cabs and chauffeured Mercs and thought he’s entitled to those perks as well. The delinquent councillors need a bit of leadership.

      
      
11. on May 1, 2013 at 12:52 pm Nigel

    No I won’t come off it Ted lol. I feel I have every right to raise the comparison as both issues involve public funds. The 1.6 million on the Roman has been spent. That cannot be rectified no matter who sits on the group – just like the taxis. The shop fronts allegedly refitted are a sorry disgrace. The vast sums spent on external consultants has been money literally flushed down the drain. While the chattering classes may be loving this taxigate issue, Bow residents are more shocked because they know had 1.6 million be spent appropriately we would have a market to rival the best of Europe.

    
    
    • on May 1, 2013 at 1:03 pm trialbyjeory

      They are a disgrace, I agree and worthy of another post, which I will do. The Mary Portas Channel 4 show featuring the Roman airs on May 7, so maybe that’s the time to do it. I’ve asked for details on the £1.6m spending and the council has yet to supply them.

      I understand the bulk of it went not on consultants but repaving the market part of the road with those cobblestones that are now falling apart.

      
      
      • on May 2, 2013 at 10:46 pm The Bikophile

        …and they replaced three perfectly good rectangular bike stands with round ones which are fiddly to use. What a waste! Should have spent the money fixing the potholes on Roman Road.

        And this is the third feasibility study done for the disused toilets. £45k plus spent so far. Not sure what the love affair is with this ugly old building….I guess I’m too working class for that.

        http://www.barkerlangham.co.uk/2012/03/museum-gardens/

        
        
12. on May 1, 2013 at 1:47 pm eastendersscriptwriterscouldn'tmakeitup

    Ohid – poor diddums!

    East London Advertiser – for god’s sake get a sub-editor. A couple of glaring spelling mistakes in their article. Jessie Jackson? A taxi metre? (they’ve obviously never been in a black cab)

    
    
13. on May 1, 2013 at 9:29 pm Grave Maurice

    I have found your new masthead

    

    
    
    • on May 1, 2013 at 10:47 pm trialbyjeory

      Like it

      
      
14. on May 2, 2013 at 12:43 pm rayrising

    trialbyjeory said: “..It’s the kind of intimidation tactic that Trotskyites used to indulge in. Now, I wonder who in the Mayor’s circle is from that background ..” – What is this right-wing arrow aimed at? Is this not corruption now linked to a false political tag and another agenda? Labour councillors in Tower Hamlets have never been Trotskyists – regardless of what Jeory, or they themselves, may seek to portray as such. More’s the pity they’ve never been more than self-seeking ‘false socialists’ in my 66 years within the borough. Independent (sic) right-wing bloggers should stick to anti-corruption and its pertinent stink rather than seek to lead people by the nose to areas he wishes to wrongly label.

    
    
    • on May 2, 2013 at 2:00 pm trialbyjeory

      I think you misread the direction of the arrow. And my political allegiances.
      Or were you talking in relative terms?

      
      
      • on May 2, 2013 at 2:52 pm rayrising

        Be specific when speaking of previous intimidation – where, by whom, toward who or what? Vague replies hidden with ‘relative’ cover do not pass for truth regardless of pseudo-liberal denial.

        
        
15. on May 3, 2013 at 1:13 am Eastyouthvoice

    @ Deputy Mayor,

    I don’t know if this is the right approach to waste time on legal issues. I know you stand a very good chance of winning, what he did to you in past was unacceptable and damaging to your professional career. He backed off knowing he was wrong I think he should do same here again. I am sure he will realise that you are only claiming very little salary comparing to other deputy mayors (executive mayor’s model) in neighbouring Borough’s. I thank Ted for putting your letter on his blog and this is very clear of the fact that you go to hundreds of event using your own cars, tube and buses but never claimed expenses. To me this blog is a forum to portray negative image of both you and the mayor. As young person living in this Borough we are witnessed and very proud of what you guys are doing, your recent initiative safety road show is very praiseworthy. If he was authentic blogger he would be speaking about the former Government minister who was accused of misusing taxpayers’ money – allegedly spending thousands on invitations to Saturday coffee mornings. Did he say anything? He would be speaking about P&C MP or Mayor of Newham accent, he wouldn’t so you know why is behind you guys. Please don’t divert your attention, this is what he wants. You know only few people read or write on his blog in various nick names. You ignored him in past and I ask you do same.

    Ted, can you do me a favour, please publish the expense claims and taxi claims of all past leaders, deputy leaders cabinet members and civic mayors/speakers. If you do that I can tell myself that you are a genuinely working towards establishing accountability of elected councillors and Mayor.

    
    
    • on May 3, 2013 at 9:44 am trialbyjeory

      Thank you for this. Like I am, you’re v free to submit your own FoI requests. Do so, then send me the results and I’ll publish.

      What is an authentic blogger? Are you?

      Suggest you do a bit more research. The allowances paid to councillors (both basic plus SRAs) are specifically designed to cover travel costs in the borough for council work.

      So you’re applauding Ohid for merely complying with rules when he deigns to take the tube or bus or use his own petrol.

      Congratulations therefore for providing us all with the contrast and backdrop for these taxi fares.

      So tell us, as an authentic Voice for The Young, do you think Ohid, who has an MBA, was right to take these cabs on the rates?

      Do you think he should apologise, just as his colleague Oli Rahman did?

      And tell me this: do you think Ohid, when he arrives at these community events by cab, would dare openly ask those there for the odd £50 to pay the driver?

      You see, this goes to character. And his reaction – this silly legal threat – underlines that.

      
      
    • on May 3, 2013 at 2:18 pm Curious Cat

      Eastyouthvoice seems to have forgotten one IMPORTANT point.

      Mr deputy mayor is doing the job because he wants to. No one is forcing him to be the deputy mayor.

      No one is forcing him to take £140 taxi journeys and no one is preventing him sitting on a bus or using the tube or cycling or using a moped.

      Mr deputy mayor is allegedly serving the public – the public that do not have the money to waste on £140 per journey taxi fares in London.

      I am absolutely sure there are people who live in the borough who would gladly do the job of deputy mayor at a smaller salary and not spend £140 on a single taxi journey. I am equally confident some of the suitable replacements would do a better job than the incumbent.

      Sorry East-Youth-Voice (where are the other Youth Voices supporting you?) I think you have failed to consider the full implications of this continuing scandal. Therefore your protest is misguided.

      Kick-out all Public Parasites because they are serving themselves and not serving the public. Ripping-off the public has never been genuine public service even though some in LBTH mistakenly think it is.

      
      
16. on May 3, 2013 at 9:32 am John Wright

    “Eastyouthvoice” The national press published FOI (freedom of information) results showing massive fraud of OUR money by MP’s. Ted has published the same for LBTH councillors, should he not have done it?. Should he not have shown us that our councillors, whether doing good work or not, need to understand they cannot waste OUR money, Would you prefer that these outrageous taxi claims remain hidden?
    I am 71, I have to go to and from the Royal London Hospital twice a week. I am on a State Pension so cannot afford taxis. I go, in great pain on the bus, so do I not deserve a taxi? As far as I know the councillors mentioned are fit and well so there is absolutely no excuse.
    If Ted did’nt obtain and publish FOI results, who would?
    I don’t see why Ted should get the claims you request as ,like all of us you have the same rights to get them under the FOI act.
    Kepp up the good work Ted!

    
    
17. on May 3, 2013 at 10:24 am eastendeepthroat

    Unless the photo at the top of this page has been photoshopped then the white guy behind Lutfur Rahman is Martin Smith alleged [edited for legal reasons, background here] and enforcer for the SWP, he was the thug who was used to expel and intimidate SWP members who wouldn’t toe the party line and actually wanted to have their opinions heard.

    It would be interesting to know where and when the photo was taken and why Smith, one of this coutry’s leading Trotskyists, was doing in Rahman’s entourage. As regards there never having been Trots as Labour Councillors several come to mind. In the eighties Cllrs Paddy Little and Phil Maxwell were both members of Miltant and Sue Carlyle was in what is now Workers Liberty.

    I seem to remember the name Ray Rising as being a leading member of one of the alphabet soup of Trotskyist groups around at that time making the Labour Party unelectable until Kinnock purged the lot of them and a good thing too. Threats of and actual physical violence have been the stock in trade the extreme left as long as it has existed in whatever guise and tradition. Comments Mr Rising?

    
    
    • on May 3, 2013 at 11:34 am rayrising

      Interestingly, the anonymous ‘eastendeepthroat’, appears to recognize a certain Martin Smith (?) from a partial head-shot – does he know this as fact, was he and the Mr Smith, there at the time? By the way I don’t know Mr Smith and have never met or associated with him. As I said earlier, there are many that might falsely deem themselves Trotskyists and the Socialist Workers Party, are to me, one of ‘..deepthroat’s’ wrongly labelled groups. The shady commentator seems to know me from the 1970-80,s – can he tell the readers when I had threatened or carried out ACTUAL physical violence – he cannot. I do remember his favoured Lord Kinnock supporting physical violence against the striking mine-workers in 1984-85 with Mrs Thatcher and the British States’ approval – perhaps this characteristic of the Labour Party leadership had something more to do with being parliamentary unelectable than small left groups who criticize from the left, but who hold very little physical power in themselves. I haven’t been in any sizable group since the mid-1980’s but I’m still a socialist. There, you now know more about me than the secret blogger above – time to come OUT methinks.

      
      
      • on May 3, 2013 at 7:49 pm Grave Maurice

        “The British State”… as you call it… you make it sound like a foreign country

        
        
      • on May 3, 2013 at 9:17 pm rayrising

        The British State, insofar as it is a capitalist state, IS, in its economic, political and social power definitely ‘foreign’ to workers interests, and that’s precisely why I try to write as a scientific socialist. It is not foreign, as in ‘abroad’ of course. Generations of workers have created real value, when there is work of course (dependent on profitability for, primarily, the capitalist class) through the workers labour power, which is partially expropriated by private property and with that, the state machine seeks to maintain class division through capital (congealed expropriated labour) – and officialdom with media compliance upholds this alienation – ultimately with ideology aligned with ruthless, raw power of coercion as last resort.

        
        
      • on May 3, 2013 at 8:37 pm Curious Cat

        Grave Maurice wrote

        > “The British State”… as you call it… you make it sound like a foreign country

        But it is Grave Maurice. The British State is a foreign country to those who allegiance is elsewhere, probably thousands of miles from Britain.

        
        
      • on May 3, 2013 at 9:42 pm Grave Maurice

        The British State is a “capitalist” state therefore, one would deduce, socialists are working to destroy it? I’ve heard all that communist guff before, when I was about 18 and I believed it for a while, but when I grew up I realised things were far more complex, but I’m glad to have the socialist agenda confirmed because I had come to doubt it could really be true, having struggled to find any “true” socialists alive to confirm it. What a specimen. Glad to meet you Ray!

        So what pray would true socialists want to replace the British State with? Would they do this democratically….oh yes….that’s impossible because at least 85% of the population would never allow it to happen because they like choice and freedom of thought too much. So what then? Revolution? Shooting counter-revolutionaries in dark cellars?

        I’m all ears.

        
        
      • on May 4, 2013 at 2:13 pm rayrising

        I am for no state at all, eventually – but as the transition to that ‘end’ requires power to be popularly wielded, and progressively for civil society at that, there needs to be a workers’ state (dictatorship of proletariat) encompassing the interests of ‘your 85%’ no less. Freedom of choice and thought is dependent firstly upon having food in families stomachs and roofs over their heads to be able to think at all – socialists are not the ‘ground’ of revolution, that’s the result of capitalism’s inability to now function progressively and it is now increasingly shown to have become historically outmoded for the majority of human civil society. – http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/staterev/ch01.htm#s1

        
        
      • on May 4, 2013 at 3:08 pm Curious Cat

        Ray Rising

        > I am for no state at all, eventually

        Totally impractical. If you knew what a State, anywhere in the world, does you would realise that is a nonsense.

        > – but as the transition to that ‘end’ requires power to be popularly wielded, and progressively for civil society at that, there needs to be a workers’ state (dictatorship of proletariat) encompassing the interests of ‘your 85%’ no less. Freedom of choice and thought is dependent firstly upon having food in families stomachs and roofs over their heads to be able to think at all – socialists are not the ‘ground’ of revolution, that’s the result of capitalism’s inability to now function progressively and it is now increasingly shown to have become historically outmoded for the majority of human civil society. – http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/staterev/ch01.htm#s1

        Young man, you need to read:-

        1. Animal Farm by George Orwell (actually Eric Arthur Blair)
        2. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
        3. 1984 by George Orwell (1984 has arrived although not fully implemented)

        http://www.george-orwell.org/Animal_Farm/index.html
        http://huxley.net/bnw/index.html
        http://www.george-orwell.org/1984/index.html

        because the world is NOT, and has never been, a perfect place. Pragmatism, kindness and decency are more important than (failed) political ideology.

        CC.

        
        
      • on May 4, 2013 at 5:24 pm Grave Maurice

        The problem with Marxists is that they are obsessed with the process and have no idea about the end result. When they don’t get there way they resort to force, claiming they act in the name of “the people” even when it is quite clear the people do not support them. In such circumstances they make out the people would be behind them were it not for them being blinded by the ISA used against them by the capitalist state. Communists/Socialists such as Ray and the alleged rapist Martin Smith have no idea what they want when the capitalist state is overthrown, were that to ever happen. They lie when they say the socialists who had led the revolution would give up power and the state would wither away because we all know they are OBSESSED with power and keeping it. In the USSR and elsewhere socialists once empowered have massive increased state control over people and rather than eradicate poverty have eradicated liberty. I think most people would rather be poor than in chains even if the jailer is adamant it is for your own good. What seems to be happening in England is that the so-called “true socialists” have given up on the indigenous peoples’ support and instead have sought to import voters who are more compliant. They hope to harness the power of Islam to take control but they are fools. A Muslim cannot be a “true socialist” if true socialism means the abolition of “patriarchy” and that opiate of the people: religion. So what are the “true socialists” up to? They are kidding themselves, they despise their own country so much that they would rather burn it down if it gave them a chance to one day rule the ashes. Thank fully, “true socialism” is about as unpopular as its ever been. Labour stands for nothing and the various communist groups are better at fighting each other (and raping each other) than anything else… As for liberty… the fact a quarter of voters backed UKIP in the teeth of the whole establishment ordering them not to is cause for celebration. The sun is shining and the Spice Girls’ musical has folded… all in all a good weekend.

        
        
    • on May 3, 2013 at 11:37 am trialbyjeory

      The photo was taken at the anti-EDL rally in Tower Hamlets.

      
      
18. on May 4, 2013 at 1:45 am eastyouthvoice

    Many of us from all section of the community got together for social event this evening but as usual talked about politics, media including your blog. I don’t think many young people are aware of your blog, some of them are aware but not interested because they think you are subjective rather than objective, you have certain right wing Tory and Labour in Tower Hamlets. Let me give you an example why I and some of my friend got fed up, I was asked to observe a full council meeting in town hall by a friend who was very much involved in Labour, what we witnessed on that night changed our views, both Labour and Tory leader was constantly voting together against mayors and deputy mayors proposals. We both couldn’t find out why Labour leader was opposing labour policies? This was very petty and childish and couldn’t relate myself with this Tower Hamlets blue partnership. You are not different Ted. We are sick and tired as few of you constantly working against the wishes of local people and their mandate. Paradoxically, the best way to get involves more the Mayor and his team took

    
    
    • on May 4, 2013 at 10:08 am Grave Maurice

      “Many of us from all section of the community”… really? Wasn’t it just a load British Bangladeshi Lutfur Rahman supporters plus half a dozen pinko traitors formerly associated with the SWP? What was the name of this “social event” which was so representative? Who organised it?

      
      
19. on May 4, 2013 at 10:16 am eastyouthvoice

    Sorry I was half asleep when posted last night. My last Paragraph should read as follows;

    Paradoxically, the best way to get young people involves and engage in your social media would be to avoid being one sided, people than won’t be calling you vindictive. As I said before that you should avoid talking about people accent, this is not right. I don’t understand anything when Robin Wales speaks but he wants to be Mayor of London. The reason I am saying this because I live in East of the Borough and people particularly white people like him very much because he communicate with them well, he is always available for them with his professional approach. He handled both Tory and Labour leaders well in full council, chairs safety board well. He also goes to resident’s safety question time and face public. I met him first when he was cabinet member of Education and Youth Services under Michael Keith and I can tell you he was excellent for the residents of this Borough since. We never hard this rubbish before rather Labour wanted to take him to Parliament. Jim Ftizpatrick, Oona king and Michael Keith supported him. Anyway I suggest you stop talking about people personal life because this has a knock on effect on people profession and career. Be objective and you will find us young people in your side reading and following of your blog. And a small advise to the mayor and deputy mayor please don’t divert your attention.

    
    
20. on May 4, 2013 at 11:55 am John Wright

    Dear Eastyouthvoice, You are correct that the council behave in a stupid and childish manner (ever watched Prime Ministers Question time)?
    Ted is in fact working FOR the local people as he informs us of the faults of ALL councillors. Please remember that if he publishes anything that is not true he is liable to prosecution. Many countries in our world are being destroyed by political corruption and lack of free speech because the population are too frightened to “whistle-blow”. Teds job is not to show the positive side of the council but to keep us informed of their failings. Long may he do so!

    
    
21. on May 4, 2013 at 12:59 pm eastenddeepthroat

    Eastendyouthvoice.

    It’s obvious that the only white people that you have come across are the far left which would make sense seeing that Martin Smith is or was very close to the Mayor. The far left view is that Rahman is a traditional Labour leader fighting opposition to the cuts and represents the real Labour tradition.

    The reality is that most white voters in the borough hate him and are completely turned off by the sectarian and very largely entirely Bangladeshi politics of Tower Hamlets. They by and large don’t vote although there enough of them to turf out Rahman, the IFE and the merry band of crooks who funded his election campaign.

    Ray Rising.

    You really should read what is written not what you want to believe. I have never accused you of threatening violence against anyone or carry out violence. Martin Smith and others in the leadership of the SWP have used violence against people and Smith has a conviction for assaulting the police. The followers of the former lunatic Gerry Healy of the now defunct Workers Revolutionary Party went so far as to kidnap people in their organisation who they suspected of disloyalty.

    As for the kind of socialism you seem to be espousing it has been soundly rejected by the peoples of the world who have a had a chance to experience it. The only way you will get your state is through the gulag and the bullet in the back of the head, Darkness at Noon.

    After almost a century of communism which has failed I would have thought that people like you would have decided the whole thing was a waste of time and peoples lives but it seems not. It dosen’t matter because you and your ilk are failures and are consigned to the dustbin of history or Comment is Free in the Guardian which is the only mainstream outlet for the kind of drivel you espouse.

    I personally wouldn’t have selected John Biggs as candidate but now that he is let’s all get behind him, get rid of Rahman and start building a real functioning multi racial society in Tower Hamlets.

    
    
    • on May 4, 2013 at 2:27 pm Curious Cat

      Bravo East End Deep Throat,

      Very well expressed.

      Presumably you are aware of the significance of your chosen alias (used in meetings in car parks in Washington, DC, USA); when can we expect the revelations ?

      You should be the candidate.

      CC.

      
      
22. on May 4, 2013 at 5:50 pm You couldn't make it up!

    Re. Martin Smith – I was under the impression he was the Ex Chief Executive of LB Tower Hamlets (now Chief Executive of Ealing see http://directory.londoncouncils.gov.uk/directory/ealing/officers/)

    Martin Smith was the very first of Cllr Rahman’s very expensive offences against the Council Tax Payer of Tower Hamlets.

    A man who was so very obviously competent for the job of Chief Executive that another borough snapped him up within weeks of being paid off by LBTH!

    The only officers that any Mayor should ever try and get rid of are those who fall foul of a charge of gross incompetence……… and then of course there is no liability for a payoff.

    I wonder if there’s a way of getting politicians to pay back to a borough the money that has been wasted paying off people they don’t like e.g. because they wouldn’t act outside the law

    
    
    • on May 4, 2013 at 7:09 pm Curious Cat

      Regrettably ‘surcharging’ was abolished some years. Councillors can no longer be held accountable for misspending public money.

      It seems when the money belongs to someone else (the public) the sky is the limit for frivolous local government spending.

      CC.

      
      
    • on May 5, 2013 at 11:24 am Grave Maurice

      Mystery! Is the man between Ohid’s head and arm (pulling the strings) this Martin Smith:

      a) Martin Smith, former CEO of LBTH
      

      or this Martin Smith:

      b) Martin Smith, former General Secretary of the SWP and National Officer of the UAF
      

      You decide!

      
      
23. on May 5, 2013 at 10:19 am John Moss

    Question.

    Who owns the taxi company or companies which seem to be making a lot of money out of this? Also, have any of the owners made donations to any councillors’ election campaigns?

    
    
    • on May 5, 2013 at 12:34 pm Curious Cat

      Who is going to find-out ?

      Ted will you ring the LBTH press office or will someone do the FOI.?

      What- Do-They-Know states on its web site

      https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/select_authority?query=tower+hamlets&bodies=1&commit=Search

      “Tower Hamlets is having trouble responding to some Freedom of Information requests. On occasion they have been sending responses to the wrong email addresses when a number of requests have been made by people with the same name. Their information governance manager Tim Rodgers has been in touch with WhatDoTheyKnow to explain, saying: “Our request handling software records individual entities and, therefore, a single email address.

      “WhatDoTheyKnow has been assured the council is endeavouring to send responses to the right places. If mistakes do occur please let the council know and also contact the WhatDoTheyKnow team so we can move mis-addressed responses to the correct correspondence thread.”

      “592 requests made.
      Added on 3 March 2008.”

      CC

      
      
    • on May 5, 2013 at 1:04 pm oldford1

      Some tax-evading tory crook, most likely

      
      
    • on May 5, 2013 at 1:31 pm Curious Cat

      oldford1

      Its very unwise to speculate. Wait for more details to emerge.

      CC.

      
      
24. on May 5, 2013 at 11:26 am Grave Maurice

    I think it clearly is the dodgy Martin Smith of SWP/UAF notoriety

    

    
    
25. on May 7, 2013 at 6:01 pm Council uses “health and safety” to block details of councillors’ cab journeys | Trial by Jeory

    […] being embarrassed by our ruling councillors’ use of taxis, the council is now using the Freedom of Information Act to prevent further full […]

    
    

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