And so the situation takes a different direction....
Quite a bit has happened since I last posted a journal on this site, so please bear with me while I bring you up to date on the events of the past year.
After Hilary passed away, looking back at those dark days I must have been in a state of delayed shock; however by early last year I was able to begin thinking about a return to the political arena, not through any particular wish to get actively involved again, but to re-establish links and activity with those friends and colleagues who had supported me so ably after the tragic events of 2008.
In the meantime however, my 65th birthday had been and gone leaving me 'officially' retired; having previously resigned all my voluntary positions - Coppice chair of Governors, Hatchford Brook youth Centre, Land Rover Forum, etc., I suddenly found myself isolated from everything that had meant something to me in years gone by.
I therefore rejoined the Solihull Conservative Association during the autumn of 2013, (thanks to the generosity of Cllr Peter Doyle who kindly paid my yearly subscription fee), and put my name forward to be appended to the candidates' list for 2014; after a rather peremptory interview with the Chairman and other top table officers I was selected to stand for election in Olton ward, and promptly set about revisiting old acquaintances and generally putting myself about.
Three days before the cutoff point for nominations, I received a phone call from the Chairman, asking if I'd be prepared to step aside in Olton in favour of a "more suitable candidate" in the form of Rob Grinsell, husband of Shirley Councillor Karen Grinsell, who apparently didn't "suffer from the difficulties that I was experiencing".
Precisely what was meant by that phrase is still unclear to me, even now; however having some experience in what goes on behind the scenes at CHQ, I came to the inescapable conclusion that this was a 'done deal' between senior members of the Association, and therefore it would be pointless for me to dig my heels in - I agreed to stand down, and promptly wrote an e-mail of resignation, effective instanter.
Of course I had my own theory as to why I was dumped, and after discussing the matter with several people it seems that I was a victim of my own honesty and forthright manner; my (by now) famous opposition to HS2 and continued open dislike of our EU membership certainly didn't sit well with factions of the top table, and they would rather not have someone like me back on the Council who wasn't prepared to sit back and toe the party line - I tell it the way I see it, please or offend, and always have.
Now for those of you who know me, you'll also know that I've always been a Conservative (with a small 'c') and to me, being conservative means just that - find a fair, workable solution to a problem, put it all in place and then leave it alone; any minor changes can be made as and when necessary - i.e. if it isn't broken, don't try to fix it.
Part and parcel of Conservatism to me is openness and honesty - even if it hurts to be that way at times - so to see the way in which the Cameron government has consistently failed to maintain MY ethical standards over the past few years really was the last straw for me; our "cast-iron guarantee" of a referendum on European membership, like many other promises made at the 2010 election, hasn't materialised and is never likely to materialise - because as I said way back in 2009, the EU constitution would be changed to stop any member state taking such a step without full EU council approval.
What happened in 2012? - precisely that change I predicted, which Mr Cameron also knew about when he made his "cast-iron promise" during the 2010 election.
He knew full well that the EU was moving in that direction well beforehand; therefore to me, the man's a liar and a snide - he's trying to use the EU's own legislation to prevent the UK from holding a referendum, the results of which would have told him - and everyone else - that UK citizens want OUT of Europe, full-stop. Why else would he have promised the national vote, but ONLY in 2017, AFTER the EU legislation comes into force?
Why also did he insert the caveat "subject to a successful renegotioation of our terms of EU membership" when he already knew that any such negotioations would be vetoed by other member states?
So, quoting Robin Cook, it was "with a heavy heart" that I resigned from the Conservatives and began looking around at other, smaller organisations that would be a "better fit" for me personally; as a regular YouTube user I frequently came across references to Nigel Farrage's speeches in the EU council chamber, so just on the offchance of some entertainment, I had a look at a few of them.
I have to admit that I was impressed; okay, his manner might seem to be oafish to some people, but nobody could ever misunderstand what he says and why he's saying it - his delivery is superb.
Finding out what else UKIP had besides being anti-EU proved a bit more problematical; it seems that as a young and growing party, some aspects of policy still have to be resolved and hopefully, those resolutions will be forthcoming at the Party Conference at Doncaster next month.
For the time being however, on the two major National issues that concern me personally UKIP and I are both on the same wavelength; that said, from various conversations and emails I've been party to just recently, UKIP policy is, and always will be based on common sense, practicality, plain speaking and complete honesty - and that suits me just fine!
Lastly, all Elmdonians should be advised that as of August, I have been selected by UKIP to stand for election to SMBC as Elmdon Ward Councillor (again!) next May.
After a layoff of six years I'm back with the same drive and fire I became noted for from 99 to 08, just a little older, and a lot wiser!
Should anyone have any questions or comments, my telephone number is on site and my email address is now jaybee48@gmail.com.
Pax vobiscum populi!
JB.
After Hilary passed away, looking back at those dark days I must have been in a state of delayed shock; however by early last year I was able to begin thinking about a return to the political arena, not through any particular wish to get actively involved again, but to re-establish links and activity with those friends and colleagues who had supported me so ably after the tragic events of 2008.
In the meantime however, my 65th birthday had been and gone leaving me 'officially' retired; having previously resigned all my voluntary positions - Coppice chair of Governors, Hatchford Brook youth Centre, Land Rover Forum, etc., I suddenly found myself isolated from everything that had meant something to me in years gone by.
I therefore rejoined the Solihull Conservative Association during the autumn of 2013, (thanks to the generosity of Cllr Peter Doyle who kindly paid my yearly subscription fee), and put my name forward to be appended to the candidates' list for 2014; after a rather peremptory interview with the Chairman and other top table officers I was selected to stand for election in Olton ward, and promptly set about revisiting old acquaintances and generally putting myself about.
Three days before the cutoff point for nominations, I received a phone call from the Chairman, asking if I'd be prepared to step aside in Olton in favour of a "more suitable candidate" in the form of Rob Grinsell, husband of Shirley Councillor Karen Grinsell, who apparently didn't "suffer from the difficulties that I was experiencing".
Precisely what was meant by that phrase is still unclear to me, even now; however having some experience in what goes on behind the scenes at CHQ, I came to the inescapable conclusion that this was a 'done deal' between senior members of the Association, and therefore it would be pointless for me to dig my heels in - I agreed to stand down, and promptly wrote an e-mail of resignation, effective instanter.
Of course I had my own theory as to why I was dumped, and after discussing the matter with several people it seems that I was a victim of my own honesty and forthright manner; my (by now) famous opposition to HS2 and continued open dislike of our EU membership certainly didn't sit well with factions of the top table, and they would rather not have someone like me back on the Council who wasn't prepared to sit back and toe the party line - I tell it the way I see it, please or offend, and always have.
Now for those of you who know me, you'll also know that I've always been a Conservative (with a small 'c') and to me, being conservative means just that - find a fair, workable solution to a problem, put it all in place and then leave it alone; any minor changes can be made as and when necessary - i.e. if it isn't broken, don't try to fix it.
Part and parcel of Conservatism to me is openness and honesty - even if it hurts to be that way at times - so to see the way in which the Cameron government has consistently failed to maintain MY ethical standards over the past few years really was the last straw for me; our "cast-iron guarantee" of a referendum on European membership, like many other promises made at the 2010 election, hasn't materialised and is never likely to materialise - because as I said way back in 2009, the EU constitution would be changed to stop any member state taking such a step without full EU council approval.
What happened in 2012? - precisely that change I predicted, which Mr Cameron also knew about when he made his "cast-iron promise" during the 2010 election.
He knew full well that the EU was moving in that direction well beforehand; therefore to me, the man's a liar and a snide - he's trying to use the EU's own legislation to prevent the UK from holding a referendum, the results of which would have told him - and everyone else - that UK citizens want OUT of Europe, full-stop. Why else would he have promised the national vote, but ONLY in 2017, AFTER the EU legislation comes into force?
Why also did he insert the caveat "subject to a successful renegotioation of our terms of EU membership" when he already knew that any such negotioations would be vetoed by other member states?
So, quoting Robin Cook, it was "with a heavy heart" that I resigned from the Conservatives and began looking around at other, smaller organisations that would be a "better fit" for me personally; as a regular YouTube user I frequently came across references to Nigel Farrage's speeches in the EU council chamber, so just on the offchance of some entertainment, I had a look at a few of them.
I have to admit that I was impressed; okay, his manner might seem to be oafish to some people, but nobody could ever misunderstand what he says and why he's saying it - his delivery is superb.
Finding out what else UKIP had besides being anti-EU proved a bit more problematical; it seems that as a young and growing party, some aspects of policy still have to be resolved and hopefully, those resolutions will be forthcoming at the Party Conference at Doncaster next month.
For the time being however, on the two major National issues that concern me personally UKIP and I are both on the same wavelength; that said, from various conversations and emails I've been party to just recently, UKIP policy is, and always will be based on common sense, practicality, plain speaking and complete honesty - and that suits me just fine!
Lastly, all Elmdonians should be advised that as of August, I have been selected by UKIP to stand for election to SMBC as Elmdon Ward Councillor (again!) next May.
After a layoff of six years I'm back with the same drive and fire I became noted for from 99 to 08, just a little older, and a lot wiser!
Should anyone have any questions or comments, my telephone number is on site and my email address is now jaybee48@gmail.com.
Pax vobiscum populi!
JB.
posted by John Bramham. @ 10:37 pm
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