As an FDP member of over a year, I have read with great interest the generally inaccurate ranting and raving in this post. Blair, Stalin, Goebbels, Krushchev and the CIA would be proud of the way in which so much spin, disinformation and general rubbish has been foisted on readers as truth.
I am specially impressed with the adult manner in which personal comments are made - how brave and adult.

So I thought I'd have my own little rant etc:

When will you moaners and finger pointers get it into your skulls that the FDP is NOT run as a political party. We are run from Darwen by Darreners for Darreners we are NOT run by Westminster as their political lackeys (can we all say that?).
ALL Darreners regardless of politics are welcome in the FDP. We only have ONE requirement - that you support Darwen moving forward as a town in the way Darreners wish, and are prepared to work to that end - this sometimes means picking up the shovel, not just pontificating about digging.Why haven't you joined the FDP if you feel so strongly?
Is this really so hard to understand. I, at least, am happy that Darreners do (as the May election will show, I trust).

I have never understood the glee with which local politicians and armchair critics point their fingers at problems in what I can only call

the gesture of failure

, when they think they perceive a failure. Which of you never made a mistake -assuming you ever made anything? Why not help to make Darwen a better place. Get off your backsides if you give tuppence about our town and join us and help give a once rich and proud town some measure of autonomy and pride back.

As for the ranting about 3000 names - so what, the referendum, as I understand it will be able to be voted on by everyone of voting age living in Darwen. In case anyone don't understand this, it's called Democracy,so the wishes of the majority who choose to vote will be applied (see Democracy above) As this is simply about residents wish to separate as much as possible from Blackburn, what's so difficult to understand about that, so let's vote(unless there's a problem with the Mayoral chain; I suppose we could rent it to Blackburn?).

Weasely words about letting people be informed of all options won't hide the fact that generally the persons making this sort of comment regard the electorate as easily fooled while they try and spin a different scheme - ho hum.(witness the new road and health centre gridlock in Darwen causing for instance, trade to disappear from Duckworth Street - incidentally Council please note - people don't go to Blackburn instead, they go to Bolton and/or Preston!).

By the way, when are you nom-de-plumers' going to be brave enuff to admit your real names (assuming you live in Darwen?).

Roll on MAY!
I await with bated breath the reasoned, calm, and measured comments which I'm sure will be engendered.

DAVE KERSHAW

STILL NO RESPONSE FFROM CLLR JOHNSON, SEEMS HE ONLY COMMENTS IF HE CAN POINT AND WAVE FINGERS AT LABOUR, A POOR COUNCILLOR FROM A POOR PARTY!

Well that says it all.poor cow.

I think you'll find that Jacquie is Cllr Johnsons wife/partner!

Jacquie I think YOU may be in need of anger management class.Is it because your fellow member has lost his house and his pub?

Jacquie wrote:
Jacquie,member of the For Darwen Party. All i see is lot\'s of labour councillors using this site to moan and slate for darwen. The reality is the for darwen party ran you ragged last time and will do the same this time. The people of Darwen kicked you out of Darwen because you dictated to them and did not listen to anything they said. It would take more than a year to put right the things you have messed up in our town. Have you seen the new doss house? wrong location and what the hell has that colour to do with blending in with the area. The For Darwen Party stoped your lot before you could do any more damage and tell us any more lies. A666 Town Centre Queen Street Redearth Leisure Centre Academy Market Rents This is just a few of your greatest hits in Darwen. This is a simple case of a Blackburn controlled Labour council dictating what happens in Darwen because the Darwen labour councillors are told what to do at all times. This is why Darwen people booted you out because they are sick of the lies and orders you gave out. Darwen people voting for Darwen people representing their own town. I see Kate Hollern lives in Darwen yet stands in Bank Top.

Jacquie, have you any intentions of standing as a councillor and if so which ward?, I would gladly vote for you.

To Jack, sorry I don't know the name of the pub, I just hear Coalition Councillors laughing at him. Though I do know for a fact that 70% of Councillors gave a vote of no confidence in him because of his stupid comments in the Sun Newspaper. He claimed he could not work because of immigrants, when in fact he was working. I believe there is a vote of no confidence coming from the Fror Darwen Party against Councillor Johnston, at least they have seen sense

My wife is a dareener ( spelling only a Colonial ) lol

Darwen first, no more hijacking events from Blackburn, as to the party politics, they have never really served Darwen's interests first.

A personal view folks

In the know & Fact. All i see here is a couple of low life Labour councillors making comments without facts.
If thet is the case why has he never been questioned about his actions or why has he never been cautioned or punished.
The problem you have is he will tell you the truth.
I drink in the George and the only councillors who go there are Dave Smith and Dave Hollins from Labour.
So which one are you in the know?

Either way it matters not as you have zero support in that or any pub in the areas you are suppose to represent.

Why dont you question him in the George and see who gets the support.

Look at the results of the elections last year in Earcroft and Sunnyhurst, it shows that Labour got hammered by For Darwen.
You should stop smear tactics and start asking why the people on the street voted against you in such large numbers.

If all you can do is attack councillors why dont you give up as your party ideas are not working.

Ex Labour Voter.Earcroft

The problem with Councillor Johnson and Officers is that when there is something explained to him, he accepts what is being said and claims he understands. But when he is in the pub he forgets all that and starts spouting rubbish that just cannot be done, rather than being professional and explaining to people he appears to need to be popular and agrees with everyone he meets.


He must be a huge embarrassment to Tony Melia, David Foster and Colin Rigby. It certainly makes life difficult for them

Whats most disturbing is the mention of council officers ignoring the requests of a councillor.

This shows that the council officers are still set in the ways of the former labour administration and carrying on regardless of the coalition.

A motion was put forward asking for a vote of no confidence in Councillor Johnson. I was at the Council meeting and indeed there was 70% support for the vote of no confidence in Councillor Johnson. The vote was supported by all Liberal Councillors with an absention from Julie Slater. The Conservatives and the For Darwen Party opposed the motion. As far as accessing e-mails I have no knowledge, though I do know there has been concers regarding Councillor Johnson's behaviour from staff.

Anyone care to comment on this twaddle?




To raise the profile of the 'For Darwen' cause.



To fight for the right of an independent Town Council.



To raise a petition supporting a formal move to break away from Blackburn. We need a minimum of 10% of signatures (approximately 4,000) of members of the electoral register to succeed in this quest.



To have a greater input on the financial spending in the town.



To be involved in all decision making on planning matters that affect Darwen.



To have a fully manned police station not a part time one.



To protect our trading centres such as Darwen Market and Bridge Street.



To support our local sports such as Darwen Football Club, Darwen Cricket Club and other small town clubs.



To give our young people a sense of identity and pride by including and involving them in the decision making regarding the provision of facilities.



To protect the Heritage of Darwen.

To support our parks and open spaces and not have to rely on volunteers to do it for us.



To consult fully with the people of the town on all issues that affect them by having regular meetings with them to discuss problems that are of concern.



To protect the rights of our elderly community by not constantly increasing the prices they pay for transport and meals at the centres they use.



To work closely with all town and community groups.



To fight for and protect the rights of any Darwen resident from any ward in the town.

Still awaiting comment from Cllr Johnson and Jacqui regarding my last post...............

Rita, if the above is true which it is not, i have a question.
How would you know what is going on with PRIVATE COUNCIL EMAILS?
If this is the case then you must be a councillor or an officer.
If this is the case then it must be investigated because you are breaking the Law and beraching what would be confidential information never mind data protection.

I think councillor Johnson should report this and find out who is breaking all the rules.
If you are a labour councillor the it is not supprising you sink to these levels.

I will not reply to your posts as your actions are lower than low and show you will do anything to try to save your seats.

I would like to see what other Labour Councillors have to say about some one accessing private council emails or is this yet another low life slander campaigne.

Johnson

You might think you can keep ahead of the game by trotting out repeatedly your self- delusionary propaganda but you aren't convincing anyone anymore - if in fact you ever really did.

FACT The Council with Lib-Dem support moved and agreed a vote of no confidence in you because of your behaviour.

FACT Council Officers refuse to attend meetings with you anymore and ignore your letters and e-mails

FACT Your own For Darwen colleagues are hugely embarrassed of you and a little bird tells me they are posed to distant themselves from you before the local elections by removing the whip and withdrawing your party membership.

We'll see then whether you are as vocal in speaking up for the failed policies and record of this coalition that is really an anti- Darwen dictatorship run by the Fat Controller of Edgeworth aided and abetted by Tony Melia who is desperate for status, recognition and influence

So, let me get this right, are FDP supporting the election of a Conservative candidate in the Rossendale and Darwen constituency in any future national election? I would appreciate an answer from Jacqui AND Cllr Johnson please, as he now seems to be willing to talk here.

The only open route is to blame and tonguelash the Labour party for past mistakes, seemingly ignoring their own. This is merely playground tactics.

I can't wait until election time, from what I can see the only damage For Darwen will do is to the Lib-Dems, so where will this put their glorious revolution?

Lee i think your answers are above.
Your attitude is self evident that you are a blind Labour voter.
What you seem to have missed is the fact that not one Labour councillor held their seats last year.
The explination is simple, The Darwen Labour voters turned on their own party because they were sick of how they were being treated.
If Labour are not worried then explain why they are spending so much money in pre election campagining. The amount involved is in the thousands. I have the leaflets.
Face facts, they thought they could do what they wanted because they had been in power for 24 years.
That is why they lost and any Labour supporter will tell you the same.
Janet Anderson is flaping like a headless chicken because the polls seem to show Jake Berry is the rising star!

Cllr Michael Johnson
FAILED to prevent the academy.
Forced on the community by Labour while in power. Called in by the opposition then out voted by Labour while in power

FAILED to help the residents of the Redearth area.
Appeared at the public enquiry in support of the Redearth Residents and gave evidence against the council.

FAILED to keep local government integrity by condemning a corrupt councilor
Guilty till innocent? Council rules and standards state that he is still allowed to be a councilor. It is not for me to condemn or support any one who breaks the rules it is for the council to do that. Supporting Labour members who are vote rigging and pushing accusations under the carpet spring to mind.

FAILED in it's responsibilities to the council workforce regarding job evaluation (they could have sided with labour to stop this, they did't)
The job evaluation was brought in by Labour, The model for JE was chosen by John Milburn Labour exec and they have been working on it for over 4 years. Last year they held back as it was before the elections. As this is all a Labour policy and they got it wrong who do you think should carry the blame?


FAILED to give the much promised referendum on a Darwen town council.
For Darwen Party started the demand for a Darwen Town Council last year and all Labour members slated it. We have not stopped but Janet Anderson changed her tune when she knew we had the number of signatures needed to make it happen. We never applied for a referendum as we did not need to it would have happened when the government allowed us to apply for a town council.
What a joke calling for a vote in council for a Darwen Town Council when every councilor supported the vote. It is the Labour councilors who do not want it yet the Labour Government do want it. Dictating to the government now or not listening again.

FAILED to maintain its much vaunted website, councilor online surgeries and online forum, as promised.
Not really we could not afford it. We do not get National Party Support to run our party.



FAILED to throw out Michael Johnson when he expressed deeply offensive views about immigrants in the Sun newspaper and was censured in a vote by the full Council.
Utter rubbish, they could not kick me out and I was never censured it would be wise if you had the ability to understand what you are stating as you seem unable to grasp basic facts. The Racial equality board stated not one comment was offensive or was any comment of an offensive nature attributed to me.

FAILED to keep Darwen Town Hall open
It’s not closed there are areas that are part time but that is an executive decision not a councilors.

FAILED to stop the Tory Council Leader bring in disc parking in Darwen Town Centre
It has not been brought in yet because we did stop it happening due to us not supporting it in the form mentioned. Have you bought a disc yet?

FAILED to get the work on the new Darwen Leisure Centre started as planned by the previous administration
Correct because THE PEOPLE OF DARWEN DID NOT WANT WHAT LABOUR TRIED TO FORCE ON THEM.

FAILED to curtail Simon Hughill's mad tendencies to force the Council and its taxpayers spend thousands of pounds in legal fees defending cases he subsequently lost
Simon Hugghill was not a councilor when the case started and he was involved in the legal process. There is nothing we or any councilor could do.
Listening to your twaddle is the reason why I do not post often. You have no information, you rant on without looking at the facts, and now it seems that you would remove the Legal rights of the people of this country giving them to right to challenge a council who was found guilty of altering documents.
I bet you would ban people from demonstrating, or stop the workers from crown paints fighting for their jobs.
If this is the standard of comments you want to use I would love to meet you both face to face and show you the information you obviously haven’t bothered to get your self.
NONE SO BLIND AS THOES WHO REFUSE TO SEE.
STALIN DEMANDED BLIND LOYALTY.

Lee, Rita

These so called failures you have just mentioned would be a mere drop in the ocean (if they were correct) in comparison to the damage that the labour party have done to Darwen.

Lee wrote:
Jacqui, I doubt that the term \'doss house\' is a term which your councillors would readily use, but thankyou for some insight into the mentallity of For Darwen members. As for your other points, may I add that For Darwen, in coaltion with the Lib-Dems and Tories, had the opportunity to veto decisions madde regarding the academy and Redearth area. They also CAUSED the slowing down of the Leisure centre redevelopment, and caused £millions more unnecessary expenditure on the project. It is also possible that the coalition could reduce market rents, but they don\'t! In fact, the coalition has/had the opportunity to change all of the above but has failed to do soafter making promises that in office they have failed to keep. The only open route is to blame and tonguelash the Labour party for past mistakes, seemingly ignoring their own. This is merely playground tactics. I can\'t wait until election time, from what I can see the only damage For Darwen will do is to the Lib-Dems, so where will this put their glorious revolution? Let\'s just take a look at the failings of the coaltion if I may: FAILED to prevent the academy FAILED to help the residents of the Redearth area FAILED to keep local government integrity by condemning a corrupt councillor FAILED in it\'s responsibilities to the council workforce regarding job evaluation (they could have sided with labour to stop this, they didn\'t) FAILED to give the much promised referendum on a Darwen town council. FAILED to maintain its much vaunted website, councillor online surgeries and online forum, as promised. Lots more failures too, I can see that Cllr Johnson does reply (when he sees fit) on LT online, but where is Cllr Melia? haven\'t heard from him since the last election, strange eh?

Hey Lee you forgot other failings such as

FAILED to throw out Michael Johnson when he expressed deeply offensive views about immigrants in the Sun newspaper and was censured in a vote by the full Council

FAILED to keep Darwen Town Hall open

FAILED to stop the Tory Council Leader bring in disc parking in Darwen Town Centre

FAILED to get the work on the new Darwen Leisure Centre started as planned by the previous administration

FAILED to cutail Simon Hughill's mad tendencies to force the Council and its taxpayers spend thousands of pounds in legal fees defending cases he subsequently lost

There are probably more failures so feel free to add to the post

Jacqui, I doubt that the term 'doss house' is a term which your councillors would readily use, but thankyou for some insight into the mentallity of For Darwen members.

As for your other points, may I add that For Darwen, in coaltion with the Lib-Dems and Tories, had the opportunity to veto decisions madde regarding the academy and Redearth area. They also CAUSED the slowing down of the Leisure centre redevelopment, and caused £millions more unnecessary expenditure on the project.

It is also possible that the coalition could reduce market rents, but they don't!

In fact, the coalition has/had the opportunity to change all of the above but has failed to do soafter making promises that in office they have failed to keep.

The only open route is to blame and tonguelash the Labour party for past mistakes, seemingly ignoring their own. This is merely playground tactics.

I can't wait until election time, from what I can see the only damage For Darwen will do is to the Lib-Dems, so where will this put their glorious revolution?

Let's just take a look at the failings of the coaltion if I may:

FAILED to prevent the academy
FAILED to help the residents of the Redearth area
FAILED to keep local government integrity by condemning a corrupt councillor
FAILED in it's responsibilities to the council workforce regarding job evaluation (they could have sided with labour to stop this, they didn't)
FAILED to give the much promised referendum on a Darwen town council.
FAILED to maintain its much vaunted website, councillor online surgeries and online forum, as promised.

Lots more failures too, I can see that Cllr Johnson does reply (when he sees fit) on LT online, but where is Cllr Melia? haven't heard from him since the last election, strange eh?

in the know wrote:

Glad you have decided that it would be headed by Tony Melia. The For Darwen Party Members are not told how to vote nor will we have a party whip. You are right in one thought, the FDP might be the largest party on the Town. Do you think for one second that the Labour councillors from Darwen will vote against the wishes of Blackburns Labour Group? No chance, will never happen as was proved with DLC. The Darwen people wanted a single site centre and Labour did not Listen.

Jack/Michael, Now you have identified yourself as a For Darwen Councillor, perhaps you can tell us all why you were whipped into line voting to support a benefit cheat, a 10% increase for Chief Officers, a cut in manual workers pay, privitisation of old peoples homes, not allowing the public to attend the health board meetings, the list goes on. You are not only whipped by your own party but also the Liberals and the Tories. Thats also why you voted to support the academy in Darwen and the continuation of the demolition of Redearth.These are things you campaigend against, but Colin says jump and you lot said how high Grow up and be honest at least with your self.

Cllr M.Johnson. For Darwen Party.
I would like to point out that the above post is aimed at my self by either Dave or Dave and it seems to be closely followed by K.H. When I deem it necessary to post on the let site I will post using my own name. I understand the rhetoric that seems to be going on in this thread and to be quite honest I will not attempt to vindicate my self on what is almost without doubt nothing more than a propaganda exercise by members of the Labour Group to try and discredit the For Darwen Councillors.
Last year we had the self same thing happen during the election by Dave Smith and Nigel Nuttall who were caught posting defamatory and as it happened quite illegal leaflets in the early hours of the morning. This being the case I willl not lower my self to join in this out of council debate being held by under cover councillors. They can email me direct they have my address.
The reason i can quite openly use the above names re the leaflets is because i can prove it and can also porve that is was reported to the cheif executive but not actioned by The For Darwen Party.

Jacquie,member of the For Darwen Party.

All i see is lot's of labour councillors using this site to moan and slate for darwen. The reality is the for darwen party ran you ragged last time and will do the same this time.

The people of Darwen kicked you out of Darwen because you dictated to them and did not listen to anything they said.

It would take more than a year to put right the things you have messed up in our town.

Have you seen the new doss house?
wrong location and what the hell has that colour to do with blending in with the area.

The For Darwen Party stoped your lot before you could do any more damage and tell us any more lies.

A666
Town Centre
Queen Street
Redearth
Leisure Centre
Academy
Market Rents

This is just a few of your greatest hits in Darwen.
This is a simple case of a Blackburn controlled Labour council dictating what happens in Darwen because the Darwen labour councillors are told what to do at all times.
This is why Darwen people booted you out because they are sick of the lies and orders you gave out.

Darwen people voting for Darwen people representing their own town.

I see Kate Hollern lives in Darwen yet stands in Bank Top.

Jack says Glad you have decided that it would be headed by Tony Melia.
The For Darwen Party Members are not told how to vote nor will we have a party whip.

You are right in one thought, the FDP might be the largest party on the Town.

Do you think for one second that the Labour councillors from Darwen will vote against the wishes of Blackburns Labour Group?

No chance, will never happen as was proved with DLC. The Darwen people wanted a single site centre and Labour did not Listen.

So why have you lot done nothing for us. All you have done is alienate True Darreners, You still do not listen but keep spouting the information Town Hall gives you. Roll on truly independant people, who have a set of principles and stick to them.

Labour have said that they now support a referendum on the issue of a Town Council in Darwen. I thought that this is what For Darwen said it wanted at the last election.

As I understand it, together Labour and For Darwen would have a majority on the Council. Why don't For Darwen just join with Labour to force this through. Or are For Darwen now under the thumb of the Blackburn dominated Liberals and Tories?

Glad you have decided that it would be headed by Tony Melia.
The For Darwen Party Members are not told how to vote nor will we have a party whip.

You are right in one thought, the FDP might be the largest party on the Town.

Do you think for one second that the Labour councillors from Darwen will vote against the wishes of Blackburns Labour Group?

No chance, will never happen as was proved with DLC. The Darwen people wanted a single site centre and Labour did not Listen.

Jack/Michael, Now you have identified yourself as a For Darwen Councillor, perhaps you can tell us all why you were whipped into line voting to support a benefit cheat, a 10% increase for Chief Officers, a cut in manual workers pay, privitisation of old peoples homes, not allowing the public to attend the health board meetings, the list goes on. You are not only whipped by your own party but also the Liberals and the Tories. Thats also why you voted to support the academy in Darwen and the continuation of the demolition of Redearth.These are things you campaigend against, but Colin says jump and you lot said how high Grow up and be honest at least with your self.

Realist wrote:
Your quite right Jack but considering the mood at present in the town there will be less seats held by labour in Darwen after May. If we all use are votes wisely we can be rid of Labour councillors in Darwen by May 2010. This would leave Darwen unhindered by Labour once this matter goes to the vote and we get our town council back.

Be rid of all Darwen Labour councillors by 2010, I would have thought that this years election would be the death knell for Labour in Darwen.
Ian the Beancounter why dont you start a new thread on the forum page.

Your quite right Jack but considering the mood at present in the town there will be less seats held by labour in Darwen after May.

If we all use are votes wisely we can be rid of Labour councillors in Darwen by May 2010.

This would leave Darwen unhindered by Labour once this matter goes to the vote and we get our town council back.

Ian the Beancounter wrote:
I am a proud Darrener and would love to see Darwen maintain some level of independence from Blackburn with Darwen (as an afterthought) Borough Council. But the fact remains that putting in another level of bureaucracy would just cost us a lot more in Council Tax, would probably result in no real improvements and would only be of benefit to the additional level of bureaucrats which would be headed by the \"For Melia\" party. Also, as has been pointed out by others, a petition with 3,000 signatures is NOT an endorsement when the other 30,000 or so in Darwen have not supported it. It\'s time to kill the idea and stop wasting a lot of hot air over it.

Glad you have decided that it would be headed by Tony Melia.
The For Darwen Party Members are not told how to vote nor will we have a party whip.

You are right in one thought, the FDP might be the largest party on the Town.

Do you think for one second that the Labour councillors from Darwen will vote against the wishes of Blackburns Labour Group?

No chance, will never happen as was proved with DLC. The Darwen people wanted a single site centre and Labour did not Listen.

Why don't we settle this this in a truly democratic fashion, as swiftly as is possible, and to the satisfaction of all political parties. Set the date as Feb. 30.

Clearly there will be an adminstrative charge but is it fair that all of the council tax payers contribute. If the Darwen people want this, they should pay for it by way of an additional precept.

Perhaps it is time for a referendum, but can we be assured that the full facts and figures will be accurately presented (particularly with regard to the inevitable increase in Council Tax), and can we be assured that the cost of administering this referendum itself will not cost the Council Tax payers anything extra??

I agree with Phil For Darwen. Let's have a referendum now. As Ian the beancounter says 3000 signatures on a petition does not necessarily reflect the views of all Darreners.

Labour got a motion passed at Council last September committing the Council to holding a referendum on a Town Council for Darwen. Since then the Coalition has kicked the idea into the long grass. Why?

Sorry, I forgot to answer your point on democracy. I don't regard 10% in favour as being a winning margin - unless we're now being governed by George "W" Bush.

Phil, it's not a rant, and it's not contradictory. I really would like to see Darwen maintaining some independence, and I think we can do this through the existing system as long as our Councillors will stand up and be counted. As for whether we can have our own administration again, I seriously doubt that we can afford it. This is not contradictory, it's pragmatism.

Ian, you start your rant with- "I am a proud Darrener and would love to see Darwen maintain some level of independance from Blackburn". Then end with- "its time to kill the idea". A little contradictory I think. You also seem to forget that this is a democracy. Unlike Gordon Brown we believe that referendums are fair.

I am a proud Darrener and would love to see Darwen maintain some level of independence from Blackburn with Darwen (as an afterthought) Borough Council. But the fact remains that putting in another level of bureaucracy would just cost us a lot more in Council Tax, would probably result in no real improvements and would only be of benefit to the additional level of bureaucrats which would be headed by the "For Melia" party. Also, as has been pointed out by others, a petition with 3,000 signatures is NOT an endorsement when the other 30,000 or so in Darwen have not supported it. It's time to kill the idea and stop wasting a lot of hot air over it.