Neville Asks Why His Party Is Being Criticised For Starting Another Petition

THERE WAS a creaking of levers and clashing of gears in Cyberspace today as the Canvey Island Independent Party decided to crank-up its Blog site for the New Year.

As widely anticipated, there was no explanation of the party’s weeding of critical resident remarks from its sites – and no apology or rectification of the misappropriation of Veteran Charities’ funds. Neville Watson, as usual, chose not to address the issues residents want answers to; but, instead, asked why his party was being criticised for raising the petition that he and his colleagues have been so busily publicising in the local press.

He does not provide details of the petition, of course. To admit that it is addressed to Essex County Council, which has no control over the operational decisions of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, would just make his party look silly. And it would look even sillier if Neville were to admit that, although the CIIP has its own County Councillor – in the shape of Brian Wood – they have no idea of how to use him. Although elected to serve Canvey residents and sporting the party’s white rose, it appears there is no communication between Wood and his party on the matter of losing full-time fire-fighters on Canvey, upon which, Neville has it, ‘all [CIIP members] agreed to fight against this act of insanity.’

But then ‘fighting’ only means one thing to the CIIP: forming neat ranks for the Echo’s photographer and waving another petition.

The idea that Brian Wood might head a party of local CIIP councillors to call upon the County’s Chief Fire Officer to discuss his decision and represent residents’ concerns in good time to avert the situation – or even lend their support to our MP, Rebecca Harris, in her attempt to have the CFO change his mind – was not considered by the CIIP.

Instead it chose to waste time collecting signatures from those whom had already empowered them to speak on their behalves by voting them in at the polls.

The Canvey Island Independent Party is incapable of representing residents. No matter what the problem, the CIIP’s answer is always to launch another petition.

Don’t let’s argue our case for youth facilities at the Paddocks – let’s raise a petition for residents to sign.

Don’t let’s discuss this matter of the Concord Pool and come to a satisfactory compromise – let’s raise another petition.

Don’t let’s debate the Cabinet system to iron-out the problems – let’s have a petition for an elected Mayor (and keep the cabinet system for when we win).

Don’t let’s represent islander wishes to the County’s Chief Fire Officer – let’s raise yet another petition.

Voting CIIP is a waste of time; because they will never act on your behalf. They will always ask for your signature on another petition to get things done – and that is something that residents can easily do for themselves.

• What function does the CIIP actually perform?
• Who needs them?
• And what the hell are we paying them for?

Now, do you get it, Neville?..