Neville Congratulates TC On ‘Spectacular’ Event –But Fails To Acknowledge Those Whom Made It All Possible

NEVILLE WATSON, Castle Point Borough Councillor for Canvey’s Winter Gardens Ward, decided to use the Canvey Island Independent Party’s Blog, yesterday, to congratulate the Town Council on its £20,000 Christmas event, held last Saturday.

Neville makes no mention of his recent call upon councillors to reduce their allowances – or mention the fact that his party, currently in control of the Town Council, has budgeted to introduce lucrative personal allowances for its members this year.

Perhaps that sordid matter has just been brought to his attention, and he has decided to remain quiet.

But Neville is not short of words when it comes to praising his fellow party members:-

‘I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the event. People came from neighbouring towns to join in the fun. Councillor John Anderson, Chairman of the Town Council has promised more events like this. Well done Chairman and the other Town Councillors who worked very hard over the past months in preparation to stage this event.’

Neville speaks from extensive practical experience. Since July the party’s political Blog has confined itself to recording Neville’s personal day-trips and appearances on the local celebrity circuit. This, apparently, in response to the CIIP’s promise to residents that:-

‘We'll keep you updated with our latest news right here on our blog.’

While other parties use their Blogs to inform residents of where those organisations stand on contentious local issues; provide its party members with details of agreed policies and updates to their respective manifestos – the CIIP has no such communications to offer.

The fact is that the Canvey Island Independent Party has no agreed manifesto; has no practical vision of where to lead island residents; has no idea of how much its on-the-fly policies will cost, and is totally unconcerned with island social matters. (Unless they include lavish banquets and expensive entertainment that their members can enjoy free of charge).

MPs and councillors often find themselves engaged in crass publicity stunts undertaken by the charitable sector, and some businesses, whom have contacted their local representative in the hope they will attend and thus assist them to gain valuable press coverage. And, when that event coincides with a party’s message or community activity, it is not unusual for a joint press release, agreed by the local organisation and the invited politician, to appear on the respective party’s Blog or Website.

Earlier this year, Rebecca Harris was forced to grit her teeth and submit to a photo opportunity in which she was seen holding a giant tooth-brush, accompanied by someone dressed as a tooth; but despite the ludicrous image which Rebecca was forced to bear, the message being communicated was an important one – directed at the nation’s children regarding dental health. Our MP decided to put aside her natural instinct to avoid the camera and, somewhat reluctantly, smiled as the photographer took his shot.

No such on-message shots from the CIIP though. None of its members are willing to be upstaged by a tooth. Neville’s photographic coverage of his evenings-out mainly consist of what appears to be mobile phone shots, taken with an unsteady hand and recording his fellow party members helping to hold each other up when most are the worst for wear.

Neville’s photography – and his write-ups - gives himself and his party away. He focuses upon the entertainment and refreshment that he enjoyed at the various events; but only mentions the good-cause in passing as a reason for his being there.

In his latest piece, Neville is walking a very thin line (not unusual for his party). In choosing to ‘report’ on the Town Council’s Christmas event, and associate its organisation and successful outcome with his party, he is in fact implying that the event was a Canvey Island Independent Party success - and is using the local press coverage to subliminally promote his party’s interests.

Readers will note that the CIIP led Town Council has not reported upon the event on its own Website – instead it has ensured that its party has reported it on theirs.

The incident is likely to be just the first in a local election campaign that sees the CIIP use its Town Hall base, and its residents’ PR budget, to create political advantage. And Neville, perhaps, will continue to devote a line to congratulating Town Hall officers for organising costly events. But the real fact is that any clown can stage a successful event by employing professional club acts and have competent officers organise them as part of their combined £90,000 per year salary duties.

Even more to the point, any clown can attract a large crowd, to ensure local press coverage, when the event is free and being paid for by island residents.

Neville lavishes his praise and thanks upon fellow party members and Town Council Officers, which its CIIP members employ; but he makes no mention of those 40,000 island residents who, without their Town Hall taxes, the event would not have taken place. (Not the Christmas event; nor the Civic Citizenship Awards event; nor the Armed Forces’ Day Celebrations event - nor its Night of Nostalgia).

We do not have a Town Council; we all have shares in Dave Blackwell Promotions Unlimited – specifically created to encourage islanders to vote CIIP in the local elections.

Islanders may wish to ask: ‘Who, really, is the clown?..’