Question for Graham Jones
 

With the General Election within 70 days max, can I ask you Graham, if you are successful will you be standing down from both HBC and LCC, and concentrating on Parliamentary duties?

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Question to hard for you Graham

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Would that suggest that none of them would occupy him full time

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Isn't it frustrating?

There are lots of questions I have waiting for the leader of H.B.C., but he hasn't been on for ageeeeeeeeeeeeeees.

Perhaps he's too busy working at Scaitcliffe House/County Hall, and for the people of his ward.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

He's also answered the question in previous thread by Andrew.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Graham has been on line since asked;)

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

As Garinda has "lots of questions to ask" - how can they have been answered before he has asked them?

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

I meant Graham of course.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

I will PM you his contact details if you like so you can ask away :rolleyes::D

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

If the questions are asked in private then the answers will be private. Do the rest of us not count?

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Exactly.

Jasay might have had a speedier answer to his question if he'd sent Graham a private message. Though that mightn't have satisfied Jaysay's demands.

I already know how to, and indeed have contacted Cllr. Britcliffe. Thanks anyway Neil.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Sorry 1st time I've seen the question.*

Yes I will be stepping down from Lancashire County Council.*

There have been 2 public meetings where the public have asked me to stay on for the smaller area of Peel (I live there).

There was approx 30 residents and they all wanted me to stand for MP. I explained If I stayed on I could not do what I have been doing in Peel. 2 or 3 said they would gladly do voluntary work to help me!!!!*

Because I live there they want me to stay on as a strong voice for district matters, Peel Ward.

To have that level of support is embarrassing to be honest.

I checked and there are a lot of examples of MPs being district councillors. I would personally prefer being a councillor as a second job that a six figure salary on some company because I am passionate about Hyndburn.

Clearly if I did I would take no allowances, wouldn't need them. MPs spend 22 weeks in their constituency so can be done.

So for Peel I am still open minded. Bare in mind it has been solid labour for years so there is not a conservative opportunity here. It is a question of whether people are prepared to accept a strong backbench voice?

I do think it makes an MP very accountable to the people of Hyndburn and joins grassroots with Westminster. Having watched The Tower Block of Commons MPs had no clue about real peoples lives, no idea what local Councillors face with little idea how to solve common problems.*

I think if a few served as a district councillor and MP, they would be a better MP.

If I didn't live in Peel then I wouldnt stay on there and if an outstanding candidate who lives there wants it then great.*

In the end its down to what voters want. Hope that helps.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Errr.........just a quick question, then....if the General Election falls on the same date as the council elections, will you be resigning your council positions prior?

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Er no!? Why would I do that? I really enjoy working hard in this area.

No one in Hyndburn has any guarantees of winning.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

So you have no confidence of winning? And yet you are seriously asking the people of Hyndburn for their vote? And even if you do win, you will then be prepared to ask the ratepayer to fork out more money to pay for HBC/County bye-elections.

Come on, Graham, get real.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

you get real T, no-ones that stupid, happens all the time.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

There's 9 weeks to go? Labour has varied between 17 points behind and 2. Around 10-11% national is the cut off where 'statistically' it becomes to close to call. Add 2-3% for the candidate and no it is anything but a forgone conclusion.

You have obviously not had the advantage of reading about this in a previous discussion. To avoid costly by elections the way forward is to have it at the next election which has the advantage of a higher turnout. Bare in mind i will not be taking any allowances saving the ratepayer money.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Graham, Can I ask, are you guaranteeing that you will still live in Peel ward after the election if successful? You seem to be suggesting that you are on here whereas conversations we have had suggested that it could/would be otherwise to me. I think its only fair that you are as open to the members of Peel ward as you claim to be or are you already finding the MP way of 'economy with the truth' a natural position?

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Thinking about I am not really interested in a by election costing money Graham. You know you will be far too busy as a new MP to satisfy your other duties so you should stand down from County/Local as soon as possible. You need to be doing 1 good job, not 3 bad ones.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

As you know temporarily I live opposite you. I have had to remortage Hodder St and we have had to move out due to the scale of renovation required. The house is full of dry rot so work has been delayed with that and the weather. We need an extra bedroom for our new baby daughter. This will be our permanent home.

The other house which my Gran left in her will when she died is debatable. We can't sell it for the price we think it's worth. One option is Clare (sister), Khole (son/builder) and I share it thirds as a refurbished family home because Clare has sold her UK property, she traded it in for a working on a yacht in the Mediterranean and Khole is getting older.

I have been warned there are people who take politics too far but I am prepared to be accessible on Hodder Street.

As you are aware from speaking to my gran she wanted to leave it as a family home and selling it is a bit of a heartbreaker. For a good few years I lived with her and she brought me up.

As you know it has been up for sale for £130k with Duckworths and currently Buy The House for 2 years. All this is public information one way or another and my gran told neighbours her views when she was alive.

2 bad ones put like that, I could not do County Council.

I see this as pros and cons.

Feet on the ground, accountable, keeping the council accountable, experience, information exchange, resident support + experience at the top and with the Council's new regeneration plans for Peel ++, there is also a huge offer of resident help.

Cons eye off the ball, to much on. Neglecting full active role in Council.

Like I have said. I am happy to give up Peel but I am very concerned about Conservative plans for the area as Tories plans such as West Acc are poor, wasteful, costly, upside down. So are the residents and it is Government money so I would want an MP to be involved 'on the ground'.

That goes for the £18million the Government are funding the Council across Hyndburn. Value for money for the tax payer, not 'Tower Block of Commons'.

It has been done before on quite a few occasions. I think the MP at Manchester Withington did 4 years on District recently. Lindsey Hoyle at Chorley did it.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

I am sure it been done before.

What if Labour win at the locals and you win your seat in the Commons?

You would not be able to be Leader of HBC and MP at the same time. You could not give both those jobs enough time

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

i would question that? Delegation aint difficult.:)

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

A constituency MP is a full time job cashy, and why should it be a case of delegation, unless the other Labour councillors are a load of numpties and can't find a leader within their ranks

Many thanks for your answer Graham only a yes or no would have been sufficient:)

Tealeaf, I wouldn't expect Graham to resign anything before the election, that would signal his total arrogance in respect of the Hyndburn Electorate

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Well we all know one party that isn't trusted to find it's own numpty, don't we?
:D

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Well the Tories had the same leader on HBC for 16 years now Less;)

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Who has a track record of losing the "Main Race":D

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

How true, but he hasn't impressed your CCO, or else there wouldn't be all this in fighting now would there?
:)

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

And in turn she ain't impressed one single person here, me thinks that people with experience of their own area and what is needed at election, would count more than prejudice, I've only been involved in elections in this constituency for 47 years probably 15 years longer than she's been on this earth

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

At least you have been cured of that madness :rolleyes::D:D

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

I've been taking the tablets for years;)

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

No!

Agreed. A full time job. Peel Ward is secondary. Two issues. Out of touch MP's in London? Would Peel Ward want a totally backbench Councillor albeit with clout?

I would want to keep my feet totally on the ground, Peel Ward (both Hodder St and Councillor aspect) may be helpful for that.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Mmm, my recollection of the conversation when I asked if you would be living mainly in London or in Accy included you saying that Hodder street was "too accessible for the weirdos and freaks that plague Greg at the moment......"

Now I will say the following to be both honest and balanced. Whilst I do not at this point want a Labour government to be re-elected due to their national policies and the mess that this country is currently in after so long in their care, I do believe that you would be a good MP for Hyndburn. I don't agree with everything you stand for but on the whole you are a decent bloke who I believe will work his heart out for the people here. I would much rather a local bloke who cares passionately than someone looking for a gravy train to ride. I have yet to be in a position to pass judgement on the Conservative candidate but rest assured I will be grilling him/her in due course.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

I tend to disagree Graham, Hyndburn needs a full time MP and Peel Ward a full time councillor, in respect of peel the representative needs to be here 24/7

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Yes Greg's had issues though it's not my place to say. I was warned (by officals) which was our conversation. I do not want to be forced out of Hodder Street and forced to move to somewhere secluded. I have a baby daughter. If we can't sell my grans, if I win, then as I said, we'd consider keeping it between Khole, Clare and me. We've a viewing this Saturday from someone, it's still up for sale.

Two years ago a man was sectioned for hassling Councillors at home continually and sensually. His issue was that a secret underground sect runs everything in Hyndburn and controls everybody and as intelligent Councillors we had to lead the fight to resist. Letters and documentation 'proving this' ran from a dozen pages per month to 100 pages per month.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

I have just moved the Howarth Art Gallery questions into this thread http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...ery-48634.html so we dont get these 2 threads merging together

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

So is Garinda still sectioned?

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Sounds more like the beliefs of one of our lady members ;)

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Only one? I would have said half a dozen, at least.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

It gets more like Misogynists United every day on here.
......we are only different shaped fellas ;)

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Obviously "Mysoginist" is the word of the day!

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Only when Tealeaf posts :D
most of the other 'men' here display human qualities

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Why thank you Margaret, obviously the rumors about you hating men are much exaggerated:D