One of my Langworthy neighbours had the misfortune to receive a Labour local election leaflet this week.
I must admit to being apalled by their brazen attempt to take credit for other people’s work, such as their ‘top story’ about improvements to the M602 roundabout, printed right underneath the headline ‘Labour working for Langworthy & Ordsall.’ This work was planned and is being funded by the North West Regional Development Agency, not Labour, not even Salford Council.
Further, the audacity to claim credit for The Bridgewater Residents Association’s and, in particular, Paul Brodie’s efforts in gaining £100K investment from the Safer Home Funds for security hardening in Irwell Riverside was particularly galling.
I know Paul quite well and campaigned alongside him and other residents as we tried to overturn Labour’s decision to re-locate a Young Offenders centre to a residential street – totally against the wishes of residents who already lived in one of the worst areas in Salford for crime.
I’m sure he will be as disgusted as I am that Langworthy & Ordsall Labour councillors are claiming credit for his hard work and efforts in their election leaflet.
Perhaps the most annoying point of all about Labour’s leaflet is that they seem to think Langworthy and Ordsall are the same! Nothing could be further from the truth!
I believe that while we should (and do) work together with our neighbours in Ordsall, decisions about Langworthy should be made in Langworthy – that’s why I would split the Ordsall & Langworthy Community Committee and have one for Ordsall and a completely seperate one for our area.
Lets stop decisions for Langworthy being made in Orsdall and Broughton. Both Langworthy’s Labour ward councillors live in Broughton – it’s my belief that a Langworthy councillor should live in Langworthy.
Langworthy Liberal Democrat Councillor Lynn Drake lives in Middlebourne Street and I live on Seedley Park Road, both in the heart of our area.
On May 6th you have two votes, one for the general and one for the local election.
For the local election, I’m appealing to you to VOTE LOCAL.
Vote Liberal Democrat.
Vote Steve Middleton.
Let’s return local politics to local people.
I always look closer to home, after all “Local is Best”
Way to twist my words! Well done! Erm, no. Look above – what did I write? You asked “Is this starting to get under your skin?” and I answered “No, IF IT HAD…… I’d have deleted it.” But it did not. Therefore your comment still stands. Actually, I think it’s extremely generous of me to allow my political opponents to comment on my blog articles. In the interests of free speech, I will continue to allow it (subject to a few rules which I think are fair).
Just take a look at the comments on this thread alone, Cllr John Merry has criticised me. Did I delete his comments? No, I allow them to stand – they were on-topic. I may not agree with yours or his politics, but I think it right that you guys have the right to comment and question me. Please don’t abuse that.
You may not like it Mark, but YES, I *can* be critical of you. This is my website, and subject to staying within the law, I can say whatever I like here. The option has always been open to you to start your own blog and return the favour (but of course I would ask the same right to comment on your blog). Unfortunately, your Independent colleague Joe O’Neill has banned me from posting comments on his site. So, before you start accusing me of being undemocratic – try looking a little closer to “home”.
So what you are saying is that you can be critical about me “Local choice in Irlam – It sucks” yet when a little criticism comes your way you threaten to delete it. Thats very democratic of you isn’t it!
Not all all! In fact, if it had – you wouldn’t be reading this, as I’d have simply deleted your comment/question. However, may I ask that if you wish to come and comment on my blog posts (and you’re quite welcome to do so), you keep it “on-topic”. Thanks!
Is this starting to get under your skin??
I already answered this question 5 comments above. Too slow again Mark, Labour & council leader Cllr John Merry beat you to it!
Wow Steve!! If local is best why is Kat standing in Irlam?? Not exactly local is it!!
Kindest Regards
Mark
I believe a certain Walkden councillor owns the trademark for “they aint local” blogs!
Village Street misses you John, you can’t miss it though, mostly boarded up houses and probably more potholes than Langworthy (but it’s an exception!). Pendlebury calls..
David you should have had newsletters on a regular basis and if you let me know where you live I will find out why. Dont worry you will get the election address Steve as I understand it you are now saying that your views on supporting local candidates only applies to langworthy which is as David says rubbish. This has become a gaffe of almost the same proportions as the infamous snowplough posting.
The choices in Broughton could be a little more diverse.. there could have been other some candidates, but they decided not to stand as they will be moving in to another ward soon and have other commitments.
At least John is certainly local, although can we finally agree to drop this “are you local rubbish” as it’s becoming a bore and everyone of any affiliation is somehow implicated by association of crossing invisible lines.
I’m still awaiting the local fliers in Broughton to see what a re-elected Labour councillor would offer. Kersal have had John’s but the mailshot to his own ward seems to have gone missing…) until then I shall keep an open mind as I glare at my yellow polling card.
John, your comment has nothing really to do with Langworthy and as I can’t vote in Irlam anyway, I don’t think my opinion counts……
But since you asked…….the only local candidates in Irlam are an independent who doesn’t seem to know much about local council (going off his Salford Online comments where he didn’t realise council meetings were open to the public) and Roger “MR CONGESTION CHARGE” Jones.
So, as far as the local choice in Irlam goes – it sucks.
Electors in Irlam voted Roger “MR CONGESTION CHARGE” OUT, why would they want him back? He likes to pretend the congestion charge referendum never happened!!!!!
Can you tell me if you are aupporting a local candidate in Irlam?
Lynn is no doubt an excellent councillor – I’ll take your word for it Steve since you know her well, but the fact another candidate lives about 2.8 miles away doesn’t automatically mean they are going to be less in touch with the area.
There are some striking similarities between the different wards – especially the deprived areas such as Broughton, and Langworthy as well as Weaste, Ordsall, Irwell Riverside to name but a few.
We’re yet to get a single party political leaflet from anyone here in Sunny Broughton. Cllr Merry’s ‘joint’ mega-flyer with Cllr Humphreys was spotted up in Kersal a few weeks ago… the solitary but lovely Respect Party candidate Alice was kind enough to save me one.
I feel as if this side of the Irwell has been declared the forgotten land.
There is very little electioneering or canvassing ever when we have local elections here. We’ve never had a Lib Dem or Tory flier. I vaguely remember something from Cllr King a couple of years ago, but I threw it out thinking it was another Pizza Menu. – Sorry Jim!
I’ll shortly be moving to Pendlebury (not through choice, I’m going to miss Broughton). But to be honest there’s little left here. 40% of the population have been “socially cleansed”, ahemm I mean “relocated” in the past few years. I won’t miss the boarded up houses sat empty for 20 years, lack of shops and amenities or the offensive, unaffordable luxury “Countryside Properties” schemes springing up all around my pot-hole, rat-infested street.
I’ve been trying to find out if Hazel will grace her loyal constituents of 13 years with her presence one last time before Monday when Parliament and the existing boundaries are abolished.
She told us she was returning to the Grass-routes, to be with her constituents. She hasn’t been spotted in Broughton or Kersal for years by anyone I know. I wonder why? She’s got 48 hours left to say goodbye!
Former Manchester City Council leader (enemy of Salford people for many years) has been making up for her absence. Recently spotted asking for directions on his way to Mocha Parade for a spot of cute baby and old granny kissing so I’m told by a local lollypop lady.
I wonder how Cllr Merry feels about the possibility of Mr Stringer finally having the ability to meddle in Salford’s affairs on his own doorstep?
If anyone fancies moving to a part of the city exempt from the imminent threat of Babs, Blears or Stringer I suggest people invest in a house-boat and moor it up on the river under Cromwell Bridge!
Richard, did you even read what I wrote in my comment above? Where did I compare Langworthy to a third world country? You’re just putting words in my mouth, I presume to try and score some political point or other – since as agent for Norman Owen, you see me as an adversery you’d like to discredit.
Let me see if I get this right, you’re against Hazel Blears but you’re a Labour supporter in the local elections (in so far as you would rather have John Warmisham back in office than me, since I am likely the only real challenger to John W in Langworthy). I’m glad you’ve finally shown your true colours, now that the Conservatives have thrown you out for your homophobic beliefs (ironic really, considering Chris Graylings recent comments about B&B owners) – you’re now a Labour supporter.
I do have perspective and if you read my blog and my leaflets you’ll see that I have campaigned locally on a wide range of issues, including potholes, but also the disaster that is schools policy across Langworthy (and Salford as a whole), the terrible housing shortage across Salford and local environmental issues, where even you will admit, we talked and agreed somewhat about the ridiculous plans to build an industrial estate on green belt land. I have a picture of that, if you haven’t already seen it.
I care about Langworthy, I should, I live here. Unlike Labour’s candidate, who just seems to think it’s a safe option for 4 more years of screwing up schools and children’s services as a whole. Salford and Langworthy are better off withour Labour’s candidate who lives in Broughton
Steady on Steve – you make Langworthy ward sound like a third world country… there are significant issues but it’s not as bad as Haiti (or even anything to compare to the Salford slums of the 60s). You seem to have an obsession with pot holes virtually to the exclusion of anything else (unless, perhaps, praising Norman Owen). I know how it is in Langworthy; I know about the potholes, I know about the fly-tipping (and I’ve personally cleared up fly-tip spots in Langworthy on occasion). These things are important but I think you need to get a sense of perspective; for example, Langworthy is a hotspot for teenage pregnancy. Sorting out a pothole is important, but I’m much more concerned about the big issues. I really dislike the way you are carrying on at the moment – it is well over the top for a council ward contest (you are not running for President). There is much that I disagree with John Warmisham about – much – but if I was a Langworthy voter, after seeing the way you are conducting yourself, I have to say I’d rather have JW back for another term if the choice was between you or him.
You’re right John, I forgot, Gina lives in Irwell Riverside. That’s much closer to Langworthy isn’t it?
I noticed neither you nor John Warmisham has disagreed with me – so what do you think is best for Langworthy? Do you think someone who lives in Broughton or Irwell Riverside knows and understands the problems in Langworthy? I maintain, that for LANGWORTHY, a local councillor is the best option. Lynn Drake is a brilliant Langworthy councillor, she is on the phone daily sorting out problems she sees in the ward, as am I. We do this, because we see them in our area – because we are always here.
No matter how often John and Gina visit Langworthy, they are not here all the time to experience the anti-social behaviour, the crime, the crumbling farm tracks you Labour lot call “roads with surface defects”.
Your outsiders have tried and failed in Langworthy. It’s time for local people to take charge of local matters.
I live in Langworthy. My neighbours tell me what they want from a Lib Dem councillor – and that is someone who understands how great Langworthy is and how much better it could be.
For a start Gina Loveday does not live in Broughton and if you are that unaware of ward boundaries it is difficult to take the rest of your comments seriously. You have campaigned in the past for Lib Dem candidates not living in the ward. I think we are entitled to know which of your colleagues you would urge the people of Salford not to vote for on the grounds they do not live in the ward
I don’t see why I should have to justify anything I write on my website to anyone other than myself. For the record, your homophobic comments about David Henry and Mathew Sephton are reprehensible and calling Hazel Blears and Norman Owen “evil” for their views on the right to choose over abortion are just plain stupid.
On Saturday you wrote “To vote for evil people who actively support unborn baby murder is unthinkable!!!” on your website. I rest my case.
This is the end of this comment thread Richard, if you want to write more crap about me, you have plenty of space on your own website.
If you are going to make a statement like that you really ought to attempt to justify it. To refer to a prospective parliamentary candidate as a “nutter” just because you disagree with some of his views does not reflect well upon you. I would not refer to you with such a term simply on account of disagreeing with you over an issue.
Richard, what has this comment to do with the article or following replies above?
I did not, and have never called Christians nutters.
You, however, are a nutter.
I do allow you to comment on my blog, but please keep it on topic – otherwise in future I will just delete your comments.
Will any apology to Christians in Langworthy ward be forthcoming over your “nutter” remark on Twitter Steve? When I’m out in Langworthy between now and May 6th I can pass on your view that ‘Christians are nutters’ – unless you wish to demonstrate a change of heart.
If you really believed I had told “lies on twitter” I doubt you would have waited nearly a month after the council meeting to accuse me of it! The fact of the matter is, the Mayor informed the chamber that you “had to leave at 12″ and as the clock approached, then passed 12 o’clock and your Labour colleagues were still talking, it did not look like you were going to answer any questions. In the end, you stayed on, well beyond 12 and answered the questions.
With regard to your leaked content, the accusation was levelled at you by the Salford Star here: http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=346
I just repeated what they had already written about you.
With regards to local candidates, I cannot speculate on what is good for other areas, but I was speaking from the heart that I think what is good for Langworthy is someone who lives in the area and has done for some time. Your Labour candidate lives in Broughton, as does his fellow Labour ward councillor. They cannot appreciate the problems we have in Langworthy on a day-to-day basis as they are simply not here to experience them first hand like I am (and like Lib Dem councillor Lynn Drake is, as she lives locally in Langworthy as well).
Leaving aside your lies on your twitter feed such as your accusation that I was going to leave Council early so as not to answer questions or that I had leaked confident
ial documents I would stand by every statemnt in that leaflet. You on the other hand will not I take it be supporting any Lib Dem candidate that does not live in the area he is trying to represent. I almost feel sorry for Steve Cooke how is he going cope without your support?