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Wish you were here Barrie
8:34am Saturday 16th February 2008
Comments (67)
A COUNCILLOR who has been sunning himself in Spain since the beginning of January and hasn't attended a council meeting in seven months is still collecting his £7,429 allowance.
Coun Barrie Thompson (Lab, Parks) says he has no plans to give back the money, despite not being available to his ward residents while in Spain.
He last attended a council meeting on July 19, 2007.
Since then he has missed all eight of the meetings he has been required to attend.
However, he did manage to attend three meetings of the South-West Regional Assembly in December, so under local government rules is not in immediate danger of being disqualified.
He is now in the process of resigning but does not know how long it will take.
He has no intention of returning to England until the beginning of May.
Conservatives have called for a by-election to be held, but the Labour Group says there is no need for this, as elections are being held in May.
Coun Thompson, 70, who has been suffering with ill health, spoke to the Adver from his rented apartment in south west Spain.
He said: "I was intending to come back around now but my family say I'm looking much better and that the sun is doing me a lot of good.
"I still think I am able to do my duties from Spain.
"I have been a community leader for 40 years, with 30 of those as an elected representative.
"But there comes a time when you have to accept the fact that it is time to move on. That is why I emailed the council to tell them I was going to resign."
Coun Thompson's impending retirement was brought up at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday night by Coun Justin Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads).
He paid tribute to Coun Thompson as a "long-standing member of the council who was never afraid to speak his mind."
Coun Thompson said: "Justin Tomlinson was jumping the gun as usual."
On the subject of a by-election Labour leader Kevin Small said it would not be in the interest of taxpayers.
He said: "There is no secrecy about the fact that Barrie is going to resign.
"I would expect him to step down by around mid-March.
"We want to save the council taxpayers extra expense by not calling a by-election."
Robert Buckland, Conservative candidate for South Swindon, disagrees.
He said: "The Labour party need to answer to the people of Swindon.
"A by-election would give the people the chance to have their say - why should they have to wait?"
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Stan Pajak said: "If a councillor is unable to carry out his duties he should throw in the towel.
"It's not just about missing meetings it's also about sorting out problems in the ward.
"The question of whether there should be a by-election is difficult.
"Is it worth the expense to have a councillor who would be there just for a month or so?"
Your Say YourSwindon Advertiser
Casual Observer, Swindon says...
10:14am Sat 16 Feb 08
He paid tribute to Coun Thompson as a "long-standing member of the council who was never afraid to speak his mind."
Indeed:
I was intending to come back around now but my family say I'm looking much better and that the sun is doing me a lot of good.
I'm in the wrong business
Gargoyle, Swindon says...
10:15am Sat 16 Feb 08
Big Mac, says...
10:22am Sat 16 Feb 08
What a surprise that he's a Labour Party councillor.
You'd think there would be some massively ashamed and embarrassed colleagues but, oh no, in typical Labour fashion, the likes of Kevin Small are actually defending this shyster.
This is an absolute disgrace and theft of taxpayer's money.
And what do our two highly esteemed Labour MPs have to say about this?
A Tax Payer, Peatmoor says...
10:33am Sat 16 Feb 08
.
Robin Harris, Swindon says...
10:33am Sat 16 Feb 08
Typical of small minded Labour. Let's carry on paying him to sun himself in Spain. Waste not want not.
dalekdave, Swindon says...
10:42am Sat 16 Feb 08
This beggars belief and I am not sure how he can sleep at night.
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
10:57am Sat 16 Feb 08
R.Feal-Martinez
UKIP PPC South Swindon
Big Mac, says...
11:13am Sat 16 Feb 08
dalekdave wrote:
I don't care what party this gentleman belongs to; the real issue here is why do Councillors get these allowances anyway?
I think it's very important in this case.
A man who, no doubt, proclaimed his 'working class' and 'salt of the earth' credentials in order to gain the trust and votes of the people in two of the most deprived areas of Swindon then goes on to sun himself on the beaches of Spain on their money?!?
These types of things are even more hypocritical when the councillors involved are Labour Party members because they position themselves as the 'caring' party of the less well off (not that it's even true, of course).
yeti, swindon says...
11:22am Sat 16 Feb 08
Donkey, Swindon says...
11:22am Sat 16 Feb 08
There are many aspects to consider here.
1. The Councillor, no matter which political colour, should consider whether he is doing the work for which he is being paid. Councillors are reimbursed very generously in my view.
2. Other than seeing his constituents face to face, is he able to represent them from where he is? Can his colleague keep him up to speed, does he have Internet access?
3. The man is elderly, and not well, what comes first, health or fear that one may not be totally fulfilling one's duty? He is standing down anyway.
4. Other than the Cabinet, Councillors of all parties are extremely anonymous for much of their time of office. A general comment. Though working on local Ward cases and the occasional vote is the main task of duty, I guess? The Opposition votes are mainly irrelevant when the controlling party have an undefeatable majority anyway.
Those who ask 'How do I get that job?' It's easy to apply, but if the electorate don't actually vote for you by majority in the Ward you apply for, as an Independant or party candidate ... just dream on!!!
You can always ask the 'also rans', and I don't need to highlight them here.
Big Mac, says...
11:27am Sat 16 Feb 08
As for how he got the 'job', put me up as Labour candidate in the Parks and I'd win.
You could put anyone up as the Labour candidate in the Parks and they'd win.
Very few people bite the hands that feeds them, after all.
The Fonz, The 50's says...
11:31am Sat 16 Feb 08
yeti, swindon says...
11:37am Sat 16 Feb 08
i cant wait to see the faultless mr tomlinson delivering all the goods labour have failed to do.....
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
11:47am Sat 16 Feb 08
Janais, Penhill says...
11:59am Sat 16 Feb 08
Robin Harris, Swindon says...
12:27pm Sat 16 Feb 08
When is fraud not fraud? when you know how to work the system.
Big Mac, says...
12:42pm Sat 16 Feb 08
He is now in the process of resigning but does not know how long it will take.
You hand in your resignation, it's accepted, you've resigned.
It takes about two days, maximum.
How has Kevin Small even allowed this to happen? He must have know this councillor was taking the taxpayer and his constituents for a ride?
Or, just maybe, Barrie Thomson is playing a clever game to see Labour lose the Parks ward at the next local election?
Surely even the most hardcore Labour supporters in those areas can no longer trust the party at local level.
Paul Andkim, West Swindon says...
1:13pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Tony Hillier, Old Walcot says...
1:14pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Wot no poem !
Tony
ps if you want a cracking poem go to the Retiring Big Yellow Bus article on this site !
Paul Andkim, West Swindon says...
1:14pm Sat 16 Feb 08
CK, Swindon says...
2:03pm Sat 16 Feb 08
He should be sacked never mind resign and every penny he's stolen from the people of the Parks should be paid back.
Now he's sunning himself in Spain. Poor health is no excuse for fleecing people. I have no doubt there are many people in the Parks suffering from ill health who would love to have a week in Spain but can't afford it due to ever increasing Council Tax to pay greedy pigs like this man.
To my way of thinking, he's no better than a common thief.
Seems to be something that's endemic in the Labour party - Snout-in-the-Trough syndrome.
Big Mac, says...
2:24pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Tony Hillier wrote:
My intial response to this article and comments is that this situation raises considerably more questions than might fully be answered by , bless it, this Adver comment blogsite.
Wot no poem !
Thanks for your input Tony, and for sparing us yet more 'poetry'.
Which questions does the article raise, in your opinion?
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
4:46pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Big Mac, says...
4:56pm Sat 16 Feb 08
I don't quite understand this:
He last attended a council meeting on July 19, 2007.
Since then he has missed all eight of the meetings he has been required to attend.
However, he did manage to attend three meetings of the South-West Regional Assembly in December, so under local government rules is not in immediate danger of being disqualified.
How can he have been 'required' to have attended 8 council meetings when the consequence of him missing ALL of them is absolutely nothing?
A Tax Payer, Peatmoor says...
5:29pm Sat 16 Feb 08
WTF?, Swindon says...
5:32pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Just shows how much he contributed when he was here!
Donkey, Swindon says...
6:17pm Sat 16 Feb 08
This HAS happened previously to a TORY Councillor ... more than once if my memory serves me ... so, get off your high horses you Tory mouthpieces and read the facts and reasons behind this propoganda dished up by our, failing miserably, daily newspaper ... The once proud Swindon (Evening) Advertiser! The paper that makes special letters page area available to Heaton-Jones, the Travelling Tory. he spends most of his time in Australia, and thinks he can just get off at Heathrow and represent Western Ward residents ... enough said. Vote him in and he will do the same!
You ain't as clever as you seem to think you are ... you're becoming very boring!
timeschange, says...
6:20pm Sat 16 Feb 08
After 6 months of no meetings you are automatically thrown off the council. He has obviously played the system by attending in December and again going awol for another 6 months.
Some councillors, especially the younger lot, seem to be doing all the work for residents. About time these guys were sacked
john c, swindon says...
7:04pm Sat 16 Feb 08
If he has been to unwell to work for the last six months which doctor has been signing his sick note?
Oh let me guess he does not need one.
If anyone working for a company in the private sector was of work for six weeks without a doctors sign off they would be sacked let alone six months.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
7:20pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Libertarian, Swindon says...
7:32pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Coun Barrie Thompson (Lab, Parks) says he has no plans to give back the money, despite not being available to his ward residents while in Spain.
Priceless, simply priceless. :)
Libertarian, Swindon says...
7:42pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Surgery
Information - First Saturday of each month 10.00am-12 noon at The Shop, Cavendish Square.
The above was taken from his webpage. Those of you who are a little concerned that he is not quite doing what he should can discuss it with him at his surgery!!
ROFL - Viva España
WTF?, Swindon says...
7:51pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Donkey wrote:Typical Labour.
Let's get it straight ... he is a Labour Councillor ... so what! This HAS happened previously to a TORY Councillor ... more than once if my memory serves me ... so, get off your high horses you Tory mouthpieces and read the facts and reasons behind this propoganda dished up by our, failing miserably, daily newspaper ... The once proud Swindon (Evening) Advertiser! The paper that makes special letters page area available to Heaton-Jones, the Travelling Tory. he spends most of his time in Australia, and thinks he can just get off at Heathrow and represent Western Ward residents ... enough said. Vote him in and he will do the same! You ain't as clever as you seem to think you are ... you're becoming very boring!
Just because someone else may have done it, it's acceptable. Is that what you're implying?
Doesn't this man have his own standards or does he just sink to the standards of the lowest common denominator?
This case is made worse because it's a Labour councillor who is supposed to be representing people with very little money and who would probably love to have a weeks holiday in Spain, let alone half the year on a beach spending other people's money on cocktails.
Peter Heaton-Jones is not yet a councillor and so can travel wherever he wants and whenever he wants, just as you can Donkey!
However, it's pretty clear to everyone that at the forthcoming local elections Mr Heaton-Jones will become a councillor and many Labour councillors, including Senor Thompson, will be losing their meal ticket.
Why do you continually try to defend the indefensible Donkey?!
Buster, Town Centre says...
8:24pm Sat 16 Feb 08
It's a good thing that he intends to resign as he's clearly unfit for the job. It's just a shame that the Labour Party have no shame and haven't sacked him.
I would advise him to stay in Spain as I don't think he'll be welcome back in Swindon any tme soon.
i sa the truth, sn4 says...
8:28pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Jacko wrote:Too right, what do you expect from an incompetent council. Its about time voters realise theres better political partys out there, atleast the BNP do exactly what they promise to do and don't steal from the British!
Well I think he,s guilty, just like ALL the defendants in the hammer attack case
i sa the truth, sn4 says...
8:30pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Jacko wrote:Too right, what do you expect from an incompetent council. Its about time voters realise theres better political partys out there, atleast the BNP do exactly what they promise to do and don't steal from the British!
Well I think he,s guilty, just like ALL the defendants in the hammer attack case
i sa the truth, sn4 says...
9:33pm Sat 16 Feb 08
12:00pm Thursday 14th February 2008
A RECOMMENDED council tax rise of 3.5 per cent was agreed by councillors at a cabinet meeting last night.
Theyu didn't say this would pay for Coun Barrie Thompson who has been in Spain since January py.
Tobz, says...
10:06pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Why do you continually try to defend the indefensible Donkey?!
Coz he 'eee-oor eee-oor ee' always does... Donkey is stubbornly politically aligned! He's an old beast who's lame on the left hand side ;-)
As for Mr Oxymoron i sa the truth - is that a freudian slip?
I did wonder, seeing as we're nearing election time, when we might see the modern-day brownshirts descending once again onto the Adver comments page. Remember last time, when a dozen or so started posting from London, the Midlands etc as part of a rather crudely orchestrated campaign to appear popular? I seem to recollect that everyone who argued with them was labelled a 'trot' (including me - ROFL) - and every overtly rascist comment which their local supporters posted was immediately blamed on anti-nazi league infiltrators and 'commies'.
Their campaign achieved a clear understanding of the sort of people they were - as reflected by the results.
Tobz, says...
10:07pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Why do you continually try to defend the indefensible Donkey?!
Coz he 'eee-oor eee-oor ee' always does... Donkey is stubbornly politically aligned! He's an old beast who's lame on the left hand side ;-)
As for Mr Oxymoron i sa the truth - is that a freudian slip?
I did wonder, seeing as we're nearing election time, when we might see the modern-day brownshirts descending once again onto the Adver comments page. Remember last time, when a dozen or so started posting from London, the Midlands etc as part of a rather crudely orchestrated campaign to appear popular? I seem to recollect that everyone who argued with them was labelled a 'trot' (including me - ROFL) - and every overtly rascist comment which their local supporters posted was immediately blamed on anti-nazi league infiltrators and 'commies'.
Their campaign achieved a clear understanding of the sort of people they were - as reflected by the results.
CK, Swindon says...
10:25pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Libertarian wrote:BRAINWAVE!!! I wonder if people from the Parks who have a grievance and need to talk to Cllr Barrie can get the Council to pay for flight tickets and accommodation so they can discuss their problems with Cllr Barrie in sunny Spain.
Surgery Information - First Saturday of each month 10.00am-12 noon at The Shop, Cavendish Square.The above was taken from his webpage. Those of you who are a little concerned that he is not quite doing what he should can discuss it with him at his surgery!! ROFL - Viva España
No, thought not :(
geoff reid, Not The Costa Del Sol..... says...
11:51pm Sat 16 Feb 08
Derek the Donkey whittered:
...get off your high horses you Tory mouthpieces and read the facts and reasons behind this propoganda dished up by our, failing miserably, daily newspaper ... The once proud Swindon (Evening) Advertiser!
Methinks the lady doth protest too much...
...But don't be too upsey Donkey, the Swindon Nu-Labour letter writing team are getting a huge amount of anti-Bluh letters published each and every week...they should be well chuffed with themselves, and with the adver for publishing them.
I don't think the Adver deserves Donkeys special vitriol, it's reported Thompsons dereliction of Parks very accurately, and has obviously contacted Barrie 'Outsourced' Thompson for his response.
It's likely that Donkey is angry with the Adver because it allows comments to remain published which, if he had his hooves on the keyboard, he would delete without a seconds worth of thought as to the value of free speech and the exchange of differing opinions.
As usual, anyone who doesn't share the rose-tinted and bespectacled view of the 'world according to Donkey' must therefore be a Tory. well, if deluding yourself helps you sleep at night Derek, carry on.... but it won't make the Blue coloured dung you're throwing any stickier!
Donkey finishes by blustering:
You ain't as clever as you seem to think you are ... you're becoming very boring!
How ironic then, that Donkey blunders into these battles of wit obviously and completely unarmed....
...and no Donkey, I'm still not Big mac or a Tory.
jack the rippler, east 17 says...
11:57pm Sat 16 Feb 08
I hope that all the entrants to "fit fellas" have chainsaw license. If not they shouldn't be cutting down trees in the first place.
Captain Sensible, Near Swindon says...
7:10am Sun 17 Feb 08
Donkey, Swindon says...
10:23am Sun 17 Feb 08
You see, I mainly write in defence of those people who find themselves incessantly dissected by certain 'right-wing elements' who perceive themselves to be 'the elite' on theses comments sections.
The ficticious 'New Labour' letter writing team does not exist! On the other hand, it's pretty darned clear that other factions do contrive as a matter of political ambience.
You see, run by the Conservative press, our local newspaper is doing it's best for it's shareholders, by utilising any tiny blemish in any other political party to enhance a reputation for it's own.
Although the facts are clearly stated, they are ignored, as one would expect by somewhat self-esteemed, 'Godly' individuals.
You see how it makes front page news out of a story about Mr Thompson, which otherwise, not so close to local elections, would be on page 3,4 or 5. It ain't that much a big deal. Though I will say, over two-thirds of our Councillors are being paid in excess of seven grand too much for what they are achieving! In my view that is ...
I don't listen to the Labour Party with confident regards to them being actively involved in 'Opposition', and they are aware of my feelings I am sure.
I will just add that the prospective Councillor for Western Ward, Jim Grant, is worth fifty of the globe-trotter Heaton-Jones's. Mr Grant has been actively helping this electoral ward for many, many years and has, lived within it for decades! He is a tireless worker in whom the residents can have full faith.
There, that's my own words, and feelings about a superb candidate. Twenty more like him and Labour would be back on track!
Go on then ... I'm reading ...
WTF?, Swindon says...
10:39am Sun 17 Feb 08
Donkey wrote:
utilising any tiny blemish in any other political party
That speaks volumes.
A Labour councillor swans off to Spain, effectively steals over £7000 of tax payers money and leaves some of the most vulnerable people in Swindon completely unrepresented and you refer to it as a 'tiny blemish'?!?
What would this man have to do in order for you to say he'd done wrong? Kill someone?
Donkey, you are a very worrying individual. You have no thoughts of your own, you clearly have no concept of reality and you continually make yourself look foolish on these pages.
It is quite incredible that you try and turn a story about yet another discredited Labour councillor into an attack on The Adver, who, because they don't reflect your Marxist views completely, you inevitably refer to as 'Tories'.
You have already lost the battle you're fighting. Your glorious NeuArbeit have failed. Everyone now knows it and the people will make their views known at the upcoming local elections.
And as for your glowing reference for Jim Grant, I bet you used to say the same about Barrie 'Let them eat cake' Thompson at one point.
Mr Heaton-Jones is a widely respected and much loved man. His intellectual capabilities are far in excess of Jimbo Grant and, unlike any Labour politician, he actually has the people's interests at heart and wants to good better for them, not simply continue the misery everyone is enduring under Labour.
I look forward to the good people of the Western Ward using their eyes and ears to take in all the failures of Gordon Brown and his corrupt government and demonstrate their disgust by voting for a long overdue change.
As for you Donkey, do you not realise that with every post you become more and more the message board clown? Just because you believe yourself to be some kind of socialist crusader doesn't mean the rest of Swindon isn't laughing at you.
Donkey, Swindon says...
11:13am Sun 17 Feb 08
No matter what slagging off I receive, I would at the very least accept the other person's view, even if I contradict the content thereof.
I don't think I have been so openly personal and nasty as yourself, in the way that you are trying to discredit me, a mere contributor to these comments, but there again, that is the way I am.
Maybe if I had be been born God's gift like many of you who take every oportunity to undermine the opposite view to yourselves ... namely my view.
Anyway ... live in your ideal world of utopia ... I know the way that the Tory mind thinks, and personally, I am not too impressed ... bigots!
dalekdave, Swindon says...
11:32am Sun 17 Feb 08
Big Mac wrote:Fair point. I was merely saying that I wasn't making a party political statement, simply saying that this is wrong full stop.
dalekdave wrote: I don't care what party this gentleman belongs to; the real issue here is why do Councillors get these allowances anyway?I think it's very important in this case. A man who, no doubt, proclaimed his 'working class' and 'salt of the earth' credentials in order to gain the trust and votes of the people in two of the most deprived areas of Swindon then goes on to sun himself on the beaches of Spain on their money?!? These types of things are even more hypocritical when the councillors involved are Labour Party members because they position themselves as the 'caring' party of the less well off (not that it's even true, of course).
That said, the Labour Party, and I speak as an ex member, seems to have got itself mired in alleged sleaze a alleged corruption at all levels. For a party that campaigned against the last Tory government on th basis that they were allegedly corrupt, this is surely hypocritical.
Back to my original point; if Councillors only got paid actual expenses upon submitting receipts and a small fee (if anything) for being in attendance at meetings, then this would not be an issue.
WTF?, Swindon says...
11:33am Sun 17 Feb 08
If anything, when reading these boards it comes across as if it's you that believes yourself to be some kind of socialist sage that is always right and everyone else (or, as you would have it, 'Tories') is wrong and is victimising you.
BTW, I don't even vote Tory!
Robin Harris, Swindon says...
11:38am Sun 17 Feb 08
He has every right to air his views no matter what we think of them.
Staunch Labour and Tory supporters always have a limited view of events and see anything done by their political enemies as major flaws, it is only natural.
Councillor Thompson would not have be as noticeable if he hadn't wage attacks on Tory councillors ie coun. Lister. It seems he views some actions or comments more serious than others.
WTF?, Swindon says...
11:54am Sun 17 Feb 08
What he does not have is the right to play the victim every two minutes and label everyone who doesn't agree with his misguided views as a 'bigot'.
He is attempting to defend a councillor who has effectively stolen £7k from the people of Swindon.
That being the case, he also has no right to expect to be taken seriously.
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
2:25pm Sun 17 Feb 08
Mumstheword wrote::P
Come on Dan, your turn to stand!
It's amusing that Donkey still claims the victim every time someone doesn't agree with him, when he's usually the one berating me with regards to my age and "inexperience" of politics.
I get the feeling that it's me, and not him, that's got a copy of the EU Constitreaty sat on their desk, with several highlighters and sticky notes handy - some of us are more than just retoric, Donkey.
Donkey, Swindon says...
2:56pm Sun 17 Feb 08
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
3:18pm Sun 17 Feb 08
Donkey wrote:How very true - hence the reason I'm not there now.
There's more to life!
However, politics encompasses much of our life - controls how much you pay for everything, what you can and cannot do, and lately, what you can and cannot say (or think).
Some of us are concerned enough to take it seriously - although, if I had spent all of my time on it, I'd've been done a long time ago.
jesuswept117, swindon says...
4:09pm Sun 17 Feb 08
Captain Sensible, Near Swindon says...
5:12pm Sun 17 Feb 08
The Fonz, The 50's says...
5:29pm Sun 17 Feb 08
Big Mac, says...
5:29pm Sun 17 Feb 08
LordB wrote:
I get the feeling that it's me, and not him, that's got a copy of the EU Constitreaty sat on their desk
Don't be silly, LordB, Donkey has no need to read the new EU Constitution himself because Gordon's said it's fine.
In fact, none of us need give it a second though because Gordon's made his decision and Gordon is always right.
CK, Swindon says...
6:45pm Sun 17 Feb 08
The Northern Rock fiasco's just jumped up and bit them good and proper in the a*se!!!
ROFLMFAO!!!!!
who dat?, says...
7:11pm Sun 17 Feb 08
They are all at it!!
Dosomethingmutley, Hanger 14 Swindon says...
7:52pm Sun 17 Feb 08
I do however have a comment regarding this councillor who, by virtue of not fulfilling his duties, which the electorate in his ward who voted him in, have a right to expect.
If he want's to retire to Spain, particularly for health reasons, then that his his choice and I wish him well.
What is not acceptable, whatever colours you nail to the mast, is a man claiming expenses from the public purse, for work he clearly has not done, nor intends to do in the future.
How he can even concieve that he is able to carry out his duties for local residents from Spain, is so ludicrous it is almost funny.
He says he "intends to resign". It would be more appropriate for him to be sacked at once, followed by a summons for financial fraud.
Is it any wonder, when every day we read of political figures, skimming public money like a third world , tin pot dicatorship, that the level of cynism regarding politics is at an all time high.
WTF?, Swindon says...
9:06pm Sun 17 Feb 08
He said he's having a Tequila on us!
Chin chin!
Jason, says...
11:24pm Sun 17 Feb 08
At a similar time, he siezed the opportunity to badmouth Councillor Lister ( who just happened to be trying to protect said area in Thopmpons Ward).
No surprise that he DID manage to attend three meetings of the South-West Regional Assembly (deals for the lads eh?).
It is irrelevant that he is/was a member of Labour or any other party. The fact seems to be pretty blatant that he does not represent his ward.
The codenamed councillors on this site are becoming very boring
" I blame Labour"?"I blame the Tories" (yawn, change the script please).
When "deals" are being done, it makes no difference which governing party has been elected.
I contacted Mr Thompson on a couple of occasions. I found him to be very self centred and arrogant. Just my personal view.
Stop him claiming my taxes and then leave him in Spain.
Good riddance
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
11:52pm Sun 17 Feb 08
Big Mac wrote:Getting closer to showing the true leftie in me, you know.
LordB wrote: I get the feeling that it's me, and not him, that's got a copy of the EU Constitreaty sat on their deskDon't be silly, LordB, Donkey has no need to read the new EU Constitution himself because Gordon's said it's fine. In fact, none of us need give it a second though because Gordon's made his decision and Gordon is always right.
REVOLUTION!
Ha ha!
Pav, Swindon says...
10:19am Mon 18 Feb 08
PROVE ME WRONG!
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
10:29am Mon 18 Feb 08
However, I can't comment on how the chavs will vote as you can't get a legible word out of them.
The builder, Old Town says...
4:50pm Mon 18 Feb 08
"Similarly, tens of thousands of ex-patriots who have chosen to reside away from the UK, many for tax evasion purposes, still retain their right to vote in the UK and retain their passports even though they do not contribute to the UK economy in any way."
If Derrick is reading this, or perhaps his good friend Donkey, is Councillor Barrie Thompson in spain for tax evasion purposes ?? The truth must be told !
Coun Barrie Thompson who has been in Spain since January
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TheBluesBrother, Swindon says...
9:26am Sat 16 Feb 08
I have always fancied being a councellor, how to I apply to get on the gravy train.
Is the email address "pigs in the trough@...