After the nasty attacks on Christopher Hawtree, I am considering closing down this blog

I have seriously considered closing down this blog over the last few days.  I have several reasons for this but uppermost in my mind is the tone of the debate over libraries and, in particular, the nasty personal attacks on councillor Christopher Hawtree. The library issue, as with everything to do with the budget of [...]

It is time to stop, once and for all, the nonsense of local council’s ‘Standards Committees’

I have written before about the Standards system in local government, how undemocratic it is that a panel made up of opposition councillors and non-elected individuals can sit in judgement on elected councillors, even depriving the electorate of one of their representatives. This is not a party political issue, and I have rallied to the [...]

Focusing on the issues is so much better than personality politics …. sometimes

I agree with Craig (a variation of the theme ‘I agree with Nick’). Craig Turton, from time to time, criticises this blog for not dealing with the ‘isshoos’, as he says Tony Benn says it. When, the other day, I posted on the protest camp in the Old Steine, I anticipated comment from the usual [...]

Condemning the Greens for their bar chart but recognising the Greens are on the up

Imagine the scene – Warren Morgan reviewing this blog while having a sneaky second bowl of Sugar Puffs. Seeing the condemnation by Dr Faust of my failure to criticise the bar chart used in the latest Green leaflet, he is compelled to write: “Dr Faust – yes, still no defence of the Green ‘last citywide [...]

Not everything is fair in love and war, or in politics

In the last few days I have had to ‘unapprove’ some unpleasant comments on this blog, and I have not approved others. In all about 10 comments do not appear as they are abusive, slanderous and downright unpleasant. It is one thing having a light-hearted pop at each other (toothbrush, Sugar Puffs, Estate Agents, and [...]

Constructive criticism of Labour or uncritical support for the Greens?

Dr Faust says that my “uncritical approach to the Green Party, and willingness to accept any observation (often from Green Party candidates) about the shortcomings of Labour is quite tiresome”. I thought I would confuse the Good Doctor by sharing a little insight into my sad little world. First, in the ward where I live, [...]

Is the Brighton Politics Blogger too irreverent? Mr Pickwick thinks so

Brighton’s Mr Pickwick, Christopher Hawtree, has taken me and the tone of this blog to task.  Following a genial evening in the pub with Dan Wilson, he commented: “We agreed that the Election, so far, does not have a great deal of fun about it. Perhaps this is the nature of the times; perhaps it [...]

Ben Duncan – the “Standards Committee” madness continues

Just when it appeared that sanity had returned to the democratic process with the clearing of Jason Kitcat following the party-political inspired vendetta against him, news comes of a fresh attack on another Green councillor. Queens Park councillor Ben Duncan has been told that a formal standards committee will examine a blog he wrote about [...]

A round-up of political blogs in Brighton and Hove (Part 3)

Apologies for the delay in posting part 3 of my occasional round-up of Brighton (and Hove) political blogs. Jason Kitcat writes one of the more interesting local blogs, as expected from one of the more interesting councillors.  There has been some focus, understandable, on the case brought against him by vindictive and narrow-minded Tory, Ted [...]

A round-up of political blogs in Brighton and Hove (Part 2)

This is the second installment of my occasional round-up of Brighton (and Hove) political blogs. Luke Walter: Luke’s Blog ‘The Plural Progressive’ is a pale reflection on his prolific presence on Twitter. The last time Luke posted something on his blog was 18th May which is a great shame since his posts were well worth [...]