Dane Valley anger as Broadhurst resignation bounces and TDC media manipulation?

In what is yet another extraordinary twist in the Dane Valley absent councillor story, Cllr Stephen Broadhurst’s resignation (post dated) has been bounced (rejected) by Thanet Council’s Electoral department, and adds to the already unique features of this story, that has deprived local residents of proper democratic representation in these parts.

Already those of us who actually live in Dane Valley have witnessed plenty of nonsense from local Tories and their commitment or lack, to the democratic process. It all started when Cllr Broadhurst’s absence was noted soon after the last local district elections, it was suggested that he was taking business trips but eventually it became clear to most, apart that is from none to bright local Conservatives, that he was out of the country in Panama for months at a time, and as in my case, not able or willing to respond to his constituents.

In August Bignews Margate exclusively revealed that despite Thanet Council’s assurance, Cllr Broadhurst “the invisible man” had not attended a council meeting in July as falsely claimed by TDC. I insisted that council officers check their facts, which they did and promptly they amended their records, surprisingly a point not mentioned by local politicians or even the rather poor Gazette, that Bignews Margate had discovered the attendance anomaly that has been the catalyst for the current election fever.

Any how this latest news, is proof if you need it of the level bungling within our local council, admittedly a post dated resignation is a rare thing, presumably similar to that old practice in business of sending a post dated cheque made payable, when funds are available at some future date, still it seems odd that council officers hadn’t apparently checked the resignation letter earlier, given the public interest (they’ve had it since early September).

Incidentally despite putting in a call to TDC yesterday morning nobody had the courtesy to ring back despite reading back my phone number, I take it, they must still be upset about my earlier insistence that they’d got it wrong. However it seems wrong to me that council officers appear to manage news in what could be misinterpreted, as manipulation.

It seems a bit partial that TDC were happy to assist yourthanet and didn’t bother with Bignews Margate, seeming a bit perturb with a “who told you this response” my refusal, which might explain the reason, why they were less than forthcoming with me.

So what now, well my guess is this, like most things at TDC, the matter will drift, to a natural conclusion between Sandy Ezekiel’s inspirational leadership and Richard Samuel’s highly competent administration, I’d imagine the most likely outcome is Cllr Broadhurst, will not show up in council, before October 23th in which case he will cease to be a councillor, although given some of the brazen behaviour of current and past local Conservatives he could just turn up and continue to “represent” his constituents in the same questionable manner.

Still if Cllr Broadhurst were to turn up and proceed to go and collect £200 pound sorry that’s monopoly, at the council and continue to bag the councillors allowance of four grand plus it would make things a bit more excitable.

PS I might be wrong but so far most of the “would be” candidates appear come from outside of Dane Valley, and doesn’t it seem remarkable that Labour cannot find a candidate in what was a once a Labour stronghold, I suppose that’s a measure of just how far Blair, Brown & Mandelson have taken “New Labour” perhaps if they went the whole hog they could style themselves “New Conservatives” which is exactly what they are.