I'm currently researching the policies of our local candidates so that I can decide how to vote. Clearly I can't vote Libdem as, according to most of the press, Nick Click is a serial killing communist child abuser who wants to make it mandatory for all foreigners to come here and take our jobs and for Brussels to replace Parliament. Brown's Labour is just too depressing, obviously, and Cameron's Tories are a toxic combination of double glazing salesmen and old Etonian twunts.
So it seems I'm left with having to vote for Mr Burgess. However I've just visited his http://www.brianburgess.co.uk/ website and I can see no sign of any policies. In fact, it looks as though Mr Burgess has simply copied the contents of his web page from an online dating site as he lists his interests, family background etc. but doesn't tell us what he'd actually do if we send him to Westminster on our behalf.
I'm sure the question is entirely academic, but does anyone here know what his position is on Europe, Trident, education, taxation, the death penalty and the rest? Based on his website and hair style I would say that he'd quite like to return Britain to the 1960s but there must be more to him than that.
(Just guessing, but I'd say he was against Europe and taxation, for Trident and education and very much in favour of the death penalty but only for West Berks councillors.)
Ah, that's a shame. On the whole I think it would be a good thing to have more independents in parliament, so long as they weren't complete (or even partial) wing nuts and I'm sure that Mr Burgess isn't one of those in spite of what people say! I just thought it was odd for a candidate to have a website but not to use it to provide any clues about what he actually thinks on important national issues. In a hung parliament the views of independents could be crucial.
(Just guessing, but I'd say he was against Europe and taxation, for Trident and education and very much in favour of the death penalty but only for West Berks councillors.)
I imagine that our local libdems are very pleased that BB is standing. My guess is that, like UKIP, he'd appeal to right of centre voters so would be likely to draw support away from Richard Benyon. Although the seat is fairly safe http://www.voterpower.org.uk/newbury a swing towards the libdems and a split on the right might make this election more interesting locally than it might have been.
It's easy to tell someone that they're doing it wrong. When he had his chance at the weekend to say what he'd change in Newbury to make it better if made MP apparently he was tongue tied.
Having said that, it's great for local democracy we have 7 candidates including Brian and another Independent standing in Newbury.
It's easy to tell someone that they're doing it wrong. When he had his chance at the weekend to say what he'd change in Newbury to make it better if made MP apparently he was tongue tied.
Having said that, it's great for local democracy we have 7 candidates including Brian and another Independent standing in Newbury.
The way you describe it , it doesn't sound much different to the main parties. The rubbish posted through my door by these parties simply tells me how bad the other parties are.
He didn't at the weekend, had his chance and fluffed it as far as I heard when asked what he'd change as MP. Most including me probably would have done the same, but then we're not standing for Parliament.
I'm sure if he had been given a minute or so to compose himself he would have been fine, but he was asked first without a moment to contemplate. I suspect also that he was concious of not coming across as being that bad tempered person from the NRA. Only Rendel come up with anything that resembled a good point, all the other's opinions were rather vacuous. I'm not a Lib Dem supporter BTW.
It's easy to tell someone that they're doing it wrong. When he had his chance at the weekend to say what he'd change in Newbury to make it better if made MP apparently he was tongue tied.
Having said that, it's great for local democracy we have 7 candidates including Brian and another Independent standing in Newbury.
The way you describe it , it doesn't sound much different to the main parties. The rubbish posted through my door by these parties simply tells me how bad the other parties are.
No he wasn't. he's presumably got better things to do!
When put on the spot, Brian Burgess simply said that he didn't have an immediate example, but would do what was ever in the best interests of the area. He wasn't tongue tied, that is untrue.
What was also very apparent, was the mean average age of the people in the audience. I suspect if you were in your 30s, you'd be the amongst the youngest there. Contrast the relative tranquilly of the hustings, with the sound of dance music and carousing emanating from some of Newbury's more 'bohemian' establishments! I think it is clear what is more important to the youth of today.
From what I hear Brian was given no time to gather his thoughts as he was the first candidate to be presented with this surprise question - not that he shouldn't have an answer ready.
My response, though I am not standing, would be that I would apply whatever pressure I could on WBC to live up to their promise in the Vision 2025 to ensure that "New development will be expected to respect and complement the historic environment of the Town Centre in terms of scale, style, form and materials."
To date they have done no more than lip service to this promise - their planners have allowed buildings like the cinema and parkway that are totally at odds with it.
One significant issue is the lack of a Conservation Area Appraisal for the town centre conservation area. WBC are obliged to provide this important planning document, which should describe the historic environment and define what is acceptable development and what is not. Without it their planners can pretty much make their own minds up on a case by case basis - and do.
Hear, hear, and I would expect that is what he might have said. WBC are behaving like commercial vandals. Had Brian Burgess said something along these lines, he might of just about got a standing ovation.
From what I hear Brian was given no time to gather his thoughts as he was the first candidate to be presented with this surprise question - not that he shouldn't have an answer ready.
You don't get time to gather your thoughts like you do in the nice cosy environment of a forum if your constituent asks you a question and wants an answer now.
He seems to be for "local issues" so when elected I'm hoping he's going to support putting on NewburyFest, the first large music festival in Newbury as there seems to be a lot of appetite for this happening. Let's hope he's not just here to represent a small minority of business owners in the town. One might as well vote for another party of the Right if he is.
I wonder how the other Independent did. He seems to be a well intentioned joker as I've heard him procrastinating in the pub before. Same as Brian, fair play to him for standing for Parliament though.
He seems to be for "local issues" so when elected I'm hoping he's going to support putting on NewburyFest, the first large music festival in Newbury as there seems to be a lot of appetite for this happening.
If people wish this sort of thing from their MPs, then they should darn well take more interest in things like the hustings. I saw no one there that looked anything like a teenager or early 20s. In any case, the chances of Brian Burgess being in a position to support NewburyOffYourFaceFest is really unlikely.
If people wish this sort of thing from their MPs, then they should darn well take more interest in things like the hustings. I saw no one there that looked anything like a teenager or early 20s. In any case, the chances of Brian Burgess being in a position to support NewburyOffYourFaceFest is really unlikely.
People should go to see the politicians, not politicians should go to see the people? Interesting, I'll make a note of that one.
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In any case, the chances of Brian Burgess being in a position to support NewburyOffYourFaceFast is really unlikely.
I'd be more interested in his voting at the Commons & where his support will lie there.
Good question. I'd ask, in the event of a Hung Parliament would you side with Labour or the Conservatives?
No he wasn't. he's presumably got better things to do!
When put on the spot, Brian Burgess simply said that he didn't have an immediate example, but would do what was ever in the best interests of the area. He wasn't tongue tied, that is untrue.
But that is subjective. He, for instance, may think ploughing up Victoria park and building high rise flats is good for Newbury. He may think putting a decent transport system in place is good. But until he tells us his policies we dont know.
But that is subjective. He, for instance, may think ploughing up Victoria park and building high rise flats is good for Newbury. He may think putting a decent transport system in place is good. But until he tells us his policies we dont know.
Yes it is subjective, but had he been asked last, I suspect he would have been better prepared. He comes across as conservatively natured, he was mild mannered and generally spoke in modest terms on his outlook in life.
People should go to see the politicians, not politicians should go to see the people? Interesting, I'll make a note of that one.
Yes I think they should, but that ISN'T what I said. What I saw was total disinterest in politics from the younger members of the constituency. They were more interested in getting mashed in town, or anything else, than seeing what their future MP had to say. The next thing you hear is, 'there's nothing to do in Newbury', well frankly, do they deserve anything else?
You don't get time to gather your thoughts like you do in the nice cosy environment of a forum if your constituent asks you a question and wants an answer now.
As a constituent I would far rather be represented by someone who takes the time to gather their thoughts and comes up with a pertinent response than a party hack who simply spurts out the ingrained party line on something vaguely connected with the question.
Yes I think they should, but that ISN'T what I said. What I saw was total disinterest in politics from the younger members of the constituency. They were more interested in getting mashed in town, or anything else, than seeing what their future MP had to say. The next thing you hear is, 'there's nothing to do in Newbury', well frankly, do they deserve anything else?
Why not go to the pubs where the people are, to discuss the issues with the electorate? The other Independent David Yates does.
As a constituent I would far rather be represented by someone who takes the time to gather their thoughts and comes up with a pertinent response than a party hack who simply spurts out the ingrained party line on something vaguely connected with the question.
That's not really how it works in the House of Commons. I'd want someone quick witted enough to get their point across when needed.
Why not go to the pubs where the people are, to discuss the issues with the electorate? The other Independent does.
I presume you mean David Yates? As you have already pointed out, this bloke, I believe, is fairly regular to these places all ready. I don't believe he has purposely gone canvassing there.
That's not really how it works in the House of Commons. I'd want someone quick witted enough to get their point across when needed.
All you need in the house of commons, unless you are a Minister, is to have integrity to vote accordingly. Being quick witted is sometimes helpful, but not necessary in the HoC.
If the Whip was banned in the HoC, perhaps we might move a little closer to a 'fairer' democracy?
To my mind, if an independent is elected (especially in a hung parliament), he/she is free of party politics and can influence things without the restrictions placed by the party he she represents. The problem with party politics is that no matter how genuine the MP is inevitably he/she will be forced to vote in a particular way.
I'm pleased that we have independents who are willing to try and do something rather than talk about it.
I presume you mean David Yates? As you have already pointed out, this bloke, I believe, is fairly regular to these places all ready. I don't believe he has purposely gone canvassing there.
Yes, it doesn't matter if he's a regular to these places all ready, he's talking to the voters where they are not making the voters come to him.
In addition David Rendell has knocked on my door for a chat.
Surely you must think going to the voters rather than the voters going to the politicians is a good thing?
Surely you must think going to the voters rather than the voters going to the politicians is a good thing?
Given that there are 70,000 or so voters I don't think any candidate will see them all - so making themselves available in a public setting, where voters can compare and contrast them with their opponents must be a good thing.
They should have a lot more hustings like these - all over the constituency.
Of course most people will vote for the party they like most - based on what they see on TV or the national press - someone knocking on their door is unlikely to change their minds.
Yes, it doesn't matter if he's a regular to these places all ready, he's talking to the voters where they are not making the voters come to him.
He is talking to a portion of the electorate, although I'm not sure a boozer is the best place for a rational discussion about politics, especially in some of the noisier pubs at weekends. Like I said, allegedly David Yates likes a pint in the town, so to suggest he has purposely put himself about to promote his party, is a little far fetched in my view.
Surely you must think going to the voters rather than the voters going to the politicians is a good thing?
It is good on a number of accounts, but there will be people that actually don't like it as well. In any case, this isn't the point I was making. It was the very disappointing lack of a apparent interest from the younger voters to go and see all the candidates in one room for a couple of hours. The candidates didn't chose to do this to avoid door canvassing, it was an event organised that they were invited to.
I presume you mean David Yates? As you have already pointed out, this bloke, I believe, is fairly regular to these places all ready. I don't believe he has purposely gone canvassing there.
Can not believe BB wants to keep the troops in Afganistan..surely it's a case of damage limitation now. In other words let's bring em home... while we can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can not believe BB wants to keep the troops in Afganistan..surely it's a case of damage limitation now. In other words let's bring em home... while we can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It does not necessarily mean that I approve of the war in Afghanistan.
There's 650 MPs. You need to be quick witted to get your views across in a debate.
Debating is a minor part of an MPs time. The values I look for are deeper than being "quick witted". As far as I am concerned an MP should be able to represent his constituents needs and use persuasion and networking skills to influence a variety of people in order to get his views accepted and implemented.
Debating is a minor part of an MPs time. The values I look for are deeper than being "quick witted". As far as I am concerned an MP should be able to represent his constituents needs and use persuasion and networking skills to influence a variety of people in order to get his views accepted and implemented.
You'd be better off voting for one of the three main parties if that's the case as they're far more likely to have influence over others who make the decisions in the House of Commons.
Personally I like my MP to be on the ball and quick witted. You of course are perfectly entitled to your view that this is not an asset that the person who represents us at the national level of Government needs. I'd disagree.
Well, I'm still mystified as to why Brian hasn't provided any clues on his website or flyers regarding what he believes or why (other than the fact he is a "local" and would "represent the interests of the people of Newbury and West Berkshire both locally and nationally") anyone should vote for him. What does he think those interests are, for example?
I know it's all academic. But given that Brian isn't going to be elected surely the only point in standing is to raise the profile of issues which are relevant to Newbury and to express an opinion on them. The vast majority of voters out there won't have heard of Brian and will have no idea whether they should put a cross against his name a week today.
Anyway, it will be interesting to see what kind of job Richard Benyon makes of being a junior minister (given that a Conservative overall majority and government is now pretty much inevitable) and whether his new responsibilities enable him to represent us "locally and nationally".
Well, I'm still mystified as to why Brian hasn't provided any clues on his website or flyers regarding what he believes or why (other than the fact he is a "local" and would "represent the interests of the people of Newbury and West Berkshire both locally and nationally") anyone should vote for him. What does he think those interests are, for example?
I know it's all academic. But given that Brian isn't going to be elected surely the only point in standing is to raise the profile of issues which are relevant to Newbury and to express an opinion on them. The vast majority of voters out there won't have heard of Brian and will have no idea whether they should put a cross against his name a week today.
I don't think he has any. An off the cuff remark on the radio resulted in him having to stand for MP or lose face.
When pressed on the one thing that he is supposed to be an expert about, changing Newbury for the better apparently he stuttered and stammered.
Fair play to him for standing for MP, more people should, however it's all a becoming slightly embarrassing for him as he's not finding life on the other side, as a politician as rosy as he might have thought it would be.
Fair play to him for standing for MP, more people should, however it's all a becoming slightly embarrassing for him as he's not finding life on the other side, as a politician as rosy as he might have thought it would be.
Brian Burgess MP would be useful in providing a check against the wreckage caused by WBC, regardless of what happens in Parliament. I suspect that's why Phil User 23 is trying to stir.
Public spending needs cutting by 25% to pay for this mess....which won't be helped by having an MP whinging about local cuts imposed by his own party in Westminster. In a likely hung parliament, Brian's vote could be worth a lot to Newbury.
I am pleased to see noobree's faith in representative democracy has been rekindled. In a previous guise on here, he kept telling us at the last election that the system was broke and it wasn't worth voting. Unfortunately, there's a great many of these shillyshallyers in Newbury, and Brian needs their support to win.
Fair play to him for standing for MP, more people should, however it's all a becoming slightly embarrassing for him as he's not finding life on the other side, as a politician as rosy as he might have thought it would be.
Anyone care to hazard a guess as to what's going on here?
From the most recently Tory leaflet.. "Richard worked patiently and effectively with the Conservative Council to deliver a new cinema. His support provided the developer and operator with the necessary confidence to invest at a difficult time"
From the NWN 2005, letter written by one Richard Benyon..
"The cinema project is a massive misuse of public money"
That was in a previous parliamentary sitting so that doesn't count. Bandwaggon springs to mind. If it goes nails up then of course that quote can be resurrected.
Benyon leaflets are rather more positive than Rendel's mean-spirited propaganda is. The Lib Dems are behind internet smears on the other independent canddidate in this campaign. Makes me want to go out in a Burgess wig tomorrow and point angrily at the Market Street Kremlin.
Anyone care to hazard a guess as to what's going on here?
From the most recently Tory leaflet.. "Richard worked patiently and effectively with the Conservative Council to deliver a new cinema. His support provided the developer and operator with the necessary confidence to invest at a difficult time"
From the NWN 2005, letter written by one Richard Benyon..
"The cinema project is a massive misuse of public money"
Can they be related?
Threep.
There in a nutshell is the problem with them. In oppostion the tories were against the Visionisation of Newbury, yet in power it's as if they were the architects.
There in a nutshell is the problem with them. In oppostion the tories were against the Visionisation of Newbury, yet in power it's as if they were the architects.
Its the same at the national level: the opposition are full of fury, then they become the government and it's business as usual.
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