The Conservatives have been quick off the mark in the East Brighton by-election, having selected Joe Miller as its candidate. Known as @joeymick94 on Twitter, the Tories have gone young, very young, very very young. The 94 in his twitter handle does suggest that he was born in 1994. The Tories appear to have skipped not just one generation, but several generations of potential candidates.
An hour ago he announced on Twitter that he has been selected as the Tory candidate. He even posted this quite bizarre photograph which will no doubt come back to haunt him. It is probably a slightly worse photograph than that used by Caroline Penn when first selected for Labour. In that photograph it looked as though Caroline was posing in a poll dancing club, or what your humble blogger imagines a poll dancing club looks like. She hastily changed that photo but copies were made and if you ask very nicely I might just find an excuse to repost it.
So what chance does the Boy Joe have? About as much chance of him being able to buy a pint without proof of age. Perhaps the false moustache is intended to convey gravitas or perhaps he is simply a huge fan of Phileas Fogg.
Labour have short listed just two candidates, both of whom would make exceptionally good candidates and whoever is selected will be elected. Either Chaun Wilson or Tracey Hill will be an asset for Labour. Labour will announce tomorrow evening which one of these two women will be its candidate.
Filed under: By-election | Tagged: by-election, Caroline Penn, Chaun Wilson, East Brighton, Joe Miller, Phileas Fogg, Tracey Hill |
Brighton Politics Blog 
Should I be flattered or slightly concerned that BPB has been keeping old photos of me I wonder?
A bit of both, I’d say Caroline.
What a dreadful inditement of candidates that they feel the need to hide who they really are.
With candidates of such weak character no wonder they are so easily push around in council and diverted from representing their constituents interests.
Such councillors might as well give their group leader their vote to use in proxy and stay away from meetings. Which is pretty much what several Greens seem to have done recently – much to their shame.
Bappy, I recall a blog post of yours praising the wonderful youth entering politics – I remember because a I believe life experience is important, if not vital, so disageed with you. But maybe I converted you after all? Time to put those pins away yet?
Given that the Greens are doing such a splendid job of running the council no doubt they will romp to an historic victory.
I look forward to hearing Mr Hawtree waxing lyrical about the wonderful reception he receives as he wanders around the area meeting the good folk of East Brighton!
Roddy.
Ps. Interesting to note that the new leaderperson of the Green Party is another white privately educated posh girl. And I thought it was only Tories who were toffs.
Generally speaking, after Mike Weatherley’s hatefest in January, I do not comment here. Too much else to be doing.
Joe appears to be young and ready to serve the people of Whitehawk and EB…one things for sure he is no Dinosaur hanging around doing little waiting for the Cllrs allowance to drop in the bank!!
Ran into a Labour councillor the other day and heard that all candidates for the next Local election (and presumably this and any other by-elections on the horizon) are having to sign a contract that includes such requirements as agreeing to delivery of x number of leaflets…that kind of thing. No conscience clause though, as suggested in an Argus comment by Roy Pennington.
I gather this tightening-up of discipline in the ranks is the work of Warren Morgan. The old hands might have their noses out of joint but formalising expectations is a good idea where new candidates are concerned.
I think ‘Chaun’ might be the choice for E. Brighton. Some had feared that Warren Morgan’s partner would be selected. Curious that none who stood in the last election are in the running. Not a former councillor with experience of the job. Fresh blood.
As for the Tory choice of candidate, it reminds me that the Argus printed a tiny piece telling us Adam Love is to stand in 2015 in Central Ward. They look mere callow youths.
Not correct on the contract Valerie, that is a national requirement of the Labour Party passed at Conference as part of the Refounding Labour package. Not my work…
And at no point did Lis Telcs consider running.
Shudder… such an agreement shows that the labour party think they are doing the candidate some kind of personal favour, so are expecting somethng in return. It further suggests that the Labour party have doubts about the quality, enthusiasm, dedication and commitment of those it selects. What an insult to all good candidates that the labour party may (or may not) have
Can you publish this agreement so voters can see just how reliable you think your candidate is? I realy think they deserve to know – don’t you?
I heard that Labour campaign is in disarray before it has even started with prominent members furious at the selection procedure
Thanks for the clarification, Warren. I understand contracts per se are a new thing that both the Conservative and Labour Parties now ask candidates to sign. Can you elaborate on the nature and content of these contracts? Quite an interesting development that the public might find worth their while understanding.
Entirely wrong Paul. Candidate contracts are intended to improve the service and value voters get from their elected representatives. I should have thought that in a week when your own esteemed leader’s abysmal attendance and voting records at the body which pays him a six figure sum of taxpayers’ money you’d see the value in that.
A poll dancing pic of Caroline Penn, BPB? I’d like to see it. Some months ago a brown envelope appeared on my doorstep with topless pics of Mrs. Leader of the City Council from her ‘modelling’ days. Wanna do swapsies? Meet me on the railway tracks near Brighton Station tonight. Bring ciggies and alcohol. Joe Miller can come too, if his parents haven’t grounded him again.
An open letter to Simon Kirby MP
Dear Simon,
I have learned that you have selected an 18 year old candidate to contest the forthcoming by election in my ward of East Brighton.
It is an immensely good thing that young people take an interest in politics, and feel able to get involved and stand for election; it’s something I actively encourage. Labour has a number of councillors who are in their late teens or early twenties, often in university towns where they have studied.
However you have chosen an 18 year old who left sixth form only this summer to contest an election to represent one of the most deprived and difficult wards in the South East. As you will know from your casework, although crime has reduced and the vast majority of the eleven thousand East Brighton residents lead stable lives with steady jobs, there are unfortunately some people in East Brighton who are dealing with the consequences of domestic violence, alcohol or drug abuse, and homelessness. They often lead what are termed “chaotic lives” and have complex needs.
Despite working for the police for four years prior to becoming a councillor, I have encountered many disturbing cases in my decade as a local representative. I’ve met a young girl whose mother was brutally murdered by her father. I’ve been to John Street police station in the middle of the night to address the potential community consequences of a fatal car accident in the ward. I’ve been briefed this week about a violent and unstable resident who has been threatening to his neighbours, council staff and police.
Next May the changes to welfare support initiated by your government will have a severe financial impact on many vulnerable people in my ward; both of our casework loads are likely to rise as a result. Some people will face desperate financial hardship. Their cases can be distressing. They need to have councillors whose judgement and support they can rely upon and trust.
I am sure the candidate you have chosen has many positive qualities, though his decision to use a photo of himself in fancy dress to launch his campaign does not bode well. However I would question your judgement in allowing someone so young and with such little life experience to run and potentially deal with the workload East Brighton councillors face. Of course we will be campaigning hard to elect our own, very well qualified candidate to the post, but I would urge you, before nominations close, to reconsider your choice.
The electors and communities of East Brighton will surely question how seriously the Conservative Party takes them if this is the person they believe is best qualified to work on their behalf.
I’d stress these are my personal views, and not those of the Labour Party.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Warren Morgan.
Warren!….how you doing Booster?..Mwah!!
From: Chris Cooke
To: Gill Mitchell
Cc:
Sent: Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Subject: East Brighton by-election & “selection” process
Dear Gill
With regards to the “summing up” after my panel interview on Monday night it was evidently clear that you had decided not to shortlist me prior to the interview taking place.
I wish you had been polite enough to ring beforehand instead of have me waste my time in travelling across town to what was in fact a kangaroo court.
Your summation was in fact cruel, crude and very rude.
I’m not going to bother debating with you about the several concerns you raised, suffice to say I found them risible.
In particular as regards the 2011 Queen’s Park election where of the 13 councillors you have in the Labour group, my vote exceeded each one of them bar only yourself and Brian Fitch.
It is said that you want to surround yourself with a coterie of “yes people”, and I refuse to be part of that.
I will remain outspoken and retain my independent streak, and criticism will be made, when warranted, of Labour councillors and policies.
Indeed, my role as a prominent community activist will continue and I will continue to work with both the Greens and the Tories, without having my hands tied.
With only three candidates there was no need for you to engineer a shortlist.
You should have allowed the East Brighton members to choose from amongst all candidates rather than personally handpick your preferred candidates prior to your members vote on Thursday. It’s called democracy.
As leader of the Labour group you should be strong enough to field even those candidates that have their own voice.
You need to avoid the short sightedness of selecting your “newest best friend” from an Executive Committee primarily concerned with feathering their own nests.
I seem to recall how ill-fated it was when Caligula tried to appoint his favourite horse as a consul of Rome.
As for myself, I will not be supporting the Labour Party in the near future, as what I have witnessed recently is both underhand and quite disgraceful.
If this in 2012 is the state of the party in this city, then I am not sure I want to play any part of it.
Regards
Chris
Will you be resigning from Labour then, Chris? Genuinely interested.
I agree with Warren Morgan about it being good to see young people taking “an interest” in politics, but standing for election? It is kind of curious that any young whippersnappers with a Labour bent must be AOK, but those with Tory inclinations are inexperienced etc. etc.
I would suggest that both groups are the next best thing to useless, and are merely used as window-dressing to grab votes amongst the young, to then move on to being politically manipulated by older, wiser – but less glamorous – heads if elected.
Fair points you make Warren but what about Mrs Leader of the Council?
“Well… first thing you will spot about me is the fact that I am rather good looking. Then you will notice that i have great sense of humor, i love to laugh and that I take myself lightly. Later, when you give me a chance to show you my colours you will understand that I am a kaleidoscope of juxtaposed characters and intricacies. I do justice to the word ‘woman’. I am passionate but composed. I am vulnerable but tough. I am expressive but always hiding more to reveal. I am an optimist, but hard working! I am who and what you are looking for ;- ) So go on, go on- drop me a line!”
And there’s more:http://www.starnow.co.uk/aniakitcat
Good to read, but not that surprising, that she takes herself lightly!
RoddyG
Sorry, BPB, but I couldn’t let this opportunity pass.
As a former model (naked in a bath across two pages for Vogue’s quarterly ‘Beauty’ edition in 1969 and later a fashion designer I am in a position to comment on these photos.
Amateurish posing, piss-poor photography letting her down badly, and nothing in any of the photos that you would not see in a fashion magazine. Judgment of her as a model? Catalogue work, advertising.
Regrettable way for Ania to advertise herself too. Cheapens her unnecessarily. Clearly did not/does not have a proper agent. She’s capable of better than this.
That site is absolutely dire. Not even good for ‘glamour’ work.
Surely the fault of the users rather than the site? They are the ones uploading the pictures.
Ania’s pictures have to be viewed within the context of all the othere model photos posted on this site. The overall impression is cheesy. Her photos posted on a classier website – giving them a better context hopefully – would raise them above cheesy. So no, Tony, I disagree with your comment below mine. Badly chosen site to upload to that show the pix to maximum disadvantage.
What a load of jumped up little hitlers. Trying to interfere with the selection procecs of another party.
As if they are really concerned about how serious the conservatives look – they will rejoice if the conservatives look bad. And nothing will look worse than taking advicce from the enemy.
I think an 18 year old is almost certainly too inexperienced (in life) to be a good councillor, but the law is laid down bg government and the selection rules by each party. There are also plenty of older people who would make lousy councillors.
Not knowing the individual, I am in no position to judge him specifically, and am shocked by the blind prejudice displayed here.
Generalising on age etc is fine, but to apply generalisations to specific individuals is misguided and the worst kind of bigotry.
Don’t you think it obvious the Conservative candidate is a paper candidate? He’s meant to go out there and learn the ropes of campaigning, get roughed up verbally on the doorstep to toughen him up and stand again when he’s full grown….somewhere else.
From: Chris Cooke
To: Gill Mitchell
Cc:
Sent: Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Subject: East Brighton by-election & “selection” process
Dear Gill
With regards to the “summing up” after my panel interview on Monday night it was evidently clear that you had decided not to shortlist me prior to the interview taking place.
I wish you had been polite enough to ring beforehand instead of have me waste my time in travelling across town to what was in fact a kangaroo court.
Your summation was in fact cruel, crude and very rude.
I’m not going to bother debating with you about the several concerns you raised, suffice to say I found them risible.
In particular as regards the 2011 Queen’s Park election where of the 13 councillors you have in the Labour group, my vote exceeded each one of them bar only yourself and Brian Fitch.
It is said that you want to surround yourself with a coterie of “yes people”, and I refuse to be part of that.
I will remain outspoken and retain my independent streak, and criticism will be made, when warranted, of Labour councillors and policies.
Indeed, my role as a prominent community activist will continue and I will continue to work with both the Greens and the Tories, without having my hands tied.
With only three candidates there was no need for you to engineer a shortlist.
You should have allowed the East Brighton members to choose from amongst all candidates rather than personally handpick your preferred candidates prior to your members vote on Thursday. It’s called democracy.
As leader of the Labour group you should be strong enough to field even those candidates that have their own voice.
You need to avoid the short sightedness of selecting your “newest best friend” from an Executive Committee primarily concerned with feathering their own nests.
I seem to recall how ill-fated it was when Caligula tried to appoint his favourite horse as a consul of Rome.
As for myself, I will not be supporting the Labour Party in the near future, as what I have witnessed recently is both underhand and quite disgraceful.
If this in 2012 is the state of the party in this city, then I am not sure I want to play any part of it.
Regards
Chris
Dear Mr. Cooke,
Why did you post this twice?
Yours truly,
Valerie Paynter
Hi Valerie!….Naked in the bath across 2 pages!…crikey we’ll discuss this when we next catch up..i’ve noticed you noticing me lately.
Very interesting Ghost Clark, So we have a strong independant on the loose who is not willing to play the “yes” game…..how exciting!
On a different matter, I would like to point out what I have highlighted out elsewhere on this blog, the age of the candidate is not the issue, I think the problem could be the connotations that the hairdo and moustache create – An entirely different youth than the Conservative one…….Guten-Tag!
Looks like the Tories really had to “scrabble” around for a candidate. Geddit? Scrabble tile? Thank you! I’m here all week, remember to tip your waiting staff…..
Just seen the Tory leaflet for East Brighton. It’s a cluttered mess. Photos of Master Joe maintain the humorous approach, standing on the touchline like a dork. Do they wish to humiliate their own candidate?
[…] he was even interested in politics: they were all surprised by his election. Using a picture of him in fancy dress in an early publicity shot has been mocked already by the Brighton Politics Blogger, making the vacancy of their political wisdom all the more apparent. Lord Lucan returns to […]