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MP apologises for letter to dead teenager
8:24am Thursday 8th May 2008
Comments (88)
AN MP has apologised after sending a congratulatory letter to a dead boy on what would have been his 18th birthday.
Michael Wills, the Labour MP for North Swindon, said sorry to the mother of 17-year-old Chris Garrod, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Christmas Day.
“This is an appalling situation. I am really sorry and don’t know how it happened."
Michael Wills
The letter from Mr Wills was posted to Chris's address five days before what should have been his big day.
Mr Wills said that he was shocked by the administrative error and could not explain why the letter was sent out.
Mr Wills said: "This is an appalling situation. I am really sorry and don't know how it happened."
Rebecca Garrod, Chris' heart-broken mother, who lives in Pinehurst, said that the letter all but shattered her hopes that her son's birthday would be a celebration rather than an anniversary full of mourning.
Mrs Garrod, who was inconsolable until yesterday, said that she expected Mr Wills to ensure checks were made before letters were sent out to constituents.
She said: "I just started to cry when I received it and I have been crying over the past few days.
"Chris isn't here and he isn't coming back and it is hard enough to deal with as it is.
"Every day is a struggle and to have a letter like this to highlight that he is no longer around just breaks my heart more."
Mrs Garrod said that before receiving the letter she had decided to throw a party for her four-year-old son Ellis who shares the same birthday as Chris. Fighting back the tears she added: "I decided to throw Chris' birthday party on Sunday for his friends to make it more of a celebration, so I am trying to stay positive and make it a celebration but then this it makes everything harder.
"I visit his grave every day and almost anything sets me off, but I would have expected Mr Wills to check. After all, the accident was all over the papers.
"All he spoke about before his death was his 18th birthday. He wanted to celebrate it so badly."
Cathy Blake, Mrs Garrods' mother, said: "Michael Wills is right when he says this is an appalling situation. It never should have happened and if this can save another mother from going through the sort of pain my daughter is going through because of it then it has all been worth it."
Chris died after being hit by a car on Christmas morning close to the pedestrian crossing on Great Western Way at Transfer Bridges.
He had been celebrating the festive season with friends and was walking home at the time of his death.
Your Say YourSwindon Advertiser
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
9:13am Thu 8 May 08
Frontier(s), says...
9:16am Thu 8 May 08
This proves, beyond doubt, that Mr Wills has no interest whatsoever in people, only their potential votes.
That he is the Minister for Data Protection makes his pathetic excuse even more unacceptable.
If the man had an ounce of decency he would resign.
Swindon Resident, Swindon, Wiltshire says...
9:19am Thu 8 May 08
Frontier(s), says...
9:27am Thu 8 May 08
Sickening really.
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
9:28am Thu 8 May 08
Swindon Resident wrote:You get a mailmerge leaflet about voting, and a few other bits and bobs I forget about. It's all rather cheesy.
Why would an MP be sending a letter to an 18 year old for his birthday in the first place..?? Is this the norm?? Do MP's send birthday greetings to everyone celebrating their 18th? The whole thing is shoddy, disgusting and extremely distressing for the family.
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
9:30am Thu 8 May 08
malkym, says...
9:55am Thu 8 May 08
emmylou83, Stratton says...
10:08am Thu 8 May 08
Dublin Red, DUBLIN says...
10:09am Thu 8 May 08
The minister for data protection says he don't know how it happened, well, the dogs in the street all know how these things happen.
Don't trust this lot with ID cards either!!!
Frontier(s), says...
10:10am Thu 8 May 08
As the MP for this area Wills should have known about the case of the dead man and should have ensured that nothing was sent to the family.
Saying it's a 'mistake', and expecting to get away with that, is simply not good enough.
steve-o, Swindon says...
10:14am Thu 8 May 08
The excuses are totally unacceptable
emmylou83, Stratton says...
10:23am Thu 8 May 08
A commercial organisation is completely different to a political party, an MP and a Minister for Data Protection.
I did state that it wasnt the same
Voice of Sanity, Swindon says...
10:24am Thu 8 May 08
I made the mistake once of contacting him concerning school allocation. After that I received endless letters telling me how clever he was and about his latest campaigns on things I had absolutely no interest in.
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
10:26am Thu 8 May 08
Voice of Sanity wrote:If you write and ask for your details to be removed from the mailing list, he is obliged to do so. In my mind, it should be opt-in rather than opt-out, but then, since when did that matter to Almighty Leader McBroon and Co.?
I am not surprised at this example of ineptitude form the office of Michael Wills. I made the mistake once of contacting him concerning school allocation. After that I received endless letters telling me how clever he was and about his latest campaigns on things I had absolutely no interest in.
Frontier(s), says...
10:27am Thu 8 May 08
emmylou83 wrote:You said it was similar. I'm saying it isn't, at all.
A commercial organisation is completely different to a political party, an MP and a Minister for Data Protection.I did state that it wasnt the same
steve-o, Swindon says...
10:29am Thu 8 May 08
Frontier(s) wrote:Also stated it's not the same, i know what Emz meant and im sure you do!
emmylou83 wrote:You said it was similar. I'm saying it isn't, at all.A commercial organisation is completely different to a political party, an MP and a Minister for Data Protection.I did state that it wasnt the same
Frontier(s), says...
10:30am Thu 8 May 08
Which is your actual view?
emmylou83, Stratton says...
10:31am Thu 8 May 08
I know its not the same but its certainly similar, give the guy a break.
I still maintain mistakes happen, its one incident maybe that makes me a cruel heartless person but its what I believe
emmylou83, Stratton says...
10:34am Thu 8 May 08
steve-o, Swindon says...
10:35am Thu 8 May 08
Frontier(s) wrote:THats right they are unacceptable but in this real world regetablly they do happen, A goverment data base should be updated, not sure where Emma works would be tho,if they asked for goverment help in updating would'nt that be an intrusion into ones privacy
steve-o, you just posted that all the excuses are unacceptable and then support emmyloy saying that mistakes happen and we should give the guy a break. Which is your actual view?
steve-o, Swindon says...
10:36am Thu 8 May 08
emmylou83 wrote:Thank you Emma
Steveo never said he agreed with me he was just pointing out that I did say its not the same but similar
Donkey, Swindon says...
10:40am Thu 8 May 08
It does take time to get over a loss, and time will heal the pain, but in creating a vendetta against a piece of paper and the organisation which, unfortunately, sent it, and turning it into a further tragedy will help no-one.
Many people feel personal guilt over the circumstances of a sudden death, especially by accident, and blame can sometimes be pushed onto a quite innocent error, as long as many years after the event.
I received post for both my parents after they died, aged 63 and 64, and my 60 year old brother, some rather delicate unsympathetic mail, even after the organistaions had been informed by letter ... it will happen, it is bound to happen.
All I ask is that this is taken in consideration of human error and not turned into a political football in these comments and in the Adver, which is, sadly what has happened.
It is sad, but with reasonable explanation.
steve-o, Swindon says...
10:42am Thu 8 May 08
Terence, Swindon says...
10:44am Thu 8 May 08
Echoing other comments, why would an MP be sending someone, apparently unknown to him, an 18th birthday card anyway? I suspect it is another instance of mechanical and deceitful caring created for profit of some kind, in this case the luring of a potential Labour voter.
emmylou83, Stratton says...
10:46am Thu 8 May 08
, why would an MP be sending someone, apparently unknown to him, an 18th birthday card anyway?
I got one when I turned 18 I think its just standard thing to welcome you intot the wonderful world of voting
Frontier(s), says...
10:50am Thu 8 May 08
Sorry, it doesn't wash. This is simply not good enough from our Minister of Data Protection.
The really hilarious aspect to Donkey's post is that had the heartless communication been sent by a Tory MP he would have been falling over himself to use it as a 'political football'.
Donkey, you might think this is political but I do not.
This is about a man whose job it is to look after the people he represents and also act as the main person in the country to oversee how our personal data is managed and used.
This is not politics, this is the case of a man who is clearly unfit for purpose.
steve-o, Swindon says...
10:51am Thu 8 May 08
emmylou83 wrote:Your right Lord B stated earlier
, why would an MP be sending someone, apparently unknown to him, an 18th birthday card anyway?I got one when I turned 18 I think its just standard thing to welcome you intot the wonderful world of voting
Oxford, Toothill says...
11:07am Thu 8 May 08
anisations should keep their files updated, because if you think what sort of old/false/ or even bad information that is kept about you/us! However, I do think that everyone should have an ID card, as it stops terrorism, apart from America, France, Spain, etc, etc;
Frontier(s), says...
11:26am Thu 8 May 08
It's really that simple.
DarkAuror, Swindon says...
11:37am Thu 8 May 08
It is in an unfortunate incident and a mistake had been made. Yes, Michael Wills has apologised just like any head of an organisation (in case, his election team) at the top, he would do, it's just ironic that he's the Data Protection minister. The problem is making sure the information is right and is checked before acting on it.
And it is the same for any other organisation. How many times do people read or hear of stories where people has received bills/letters for a deceased loved one. It's not a defence and it's doesn't apply to Michael Wills in this case but the majority of the time, it's because the company who sent the letter/bill haven't been told of the change in cirumstances.
I bet anyone who is up in arms about this, if they checked the details held by all the companies that you deal with, there will be errors, so therefore, Michael Wills, although (well his team) is in the wrong, he is not the only one.
steve-o, Swindon says...
11:42am Thu 8 May 08
DarkAuror, Swindon says...
11:53am Thu 8 May 08
steve-o wrote:Exactly, the buck stops with him! He will do like any head of the team and accept responsiblity for his TEAM's actions. Just like Willie Walsh of BA for Heathrow Terminal 5, he accepted responsibility for the fiasco of the short comings of his managers and BAA and there are other companies/businesses
DA your the first one to mention the word TEAM,while he is head of that team he cant take the flak all the time,this is not adefence of him, just an observation
/organisations that this would apply to.
DarkAuror, Swindon says...
12:00pm Thu 8 May 08
DarkAuror, Swindon says...
12:01pm Thu 8 May 08
DarkAuror, Swindon says...
12:01pm Thu 8 May 08
doug@homefarm, SN1 says...
12:11pm Thu 8 May 08
I still get junk mail addressed to the old lady who lived in my house before me, and sheÂ’s been dead for fifteen years, on recent letter was referring to the purchase of a funeral plan from the company that buried her!
Emmylou you do realise that Frontier(s) is Big Mac under another name donÂ’t you?
Frontier(s), says...
12:12pm Thu 8 May 08
DarkAuror wrote:
Michael Wills, although (well his team) is in the wrong, he is not the only one.
Doesn't that type of response usually end sometime just after we've left school though?
I mean, the whole 'I know it's wrong but other people do it too' thing might sound half-acceptable from a five-year old, but a Minister for Data Protection?
And, as it happened, Willie Walsh of BA did merrily accept responsibility for the T5 fiasco but then ensured he kept his job whilst sacking others.
Not the best example of 'the buck stops with him'!
Mind you, it's the standard behaviour these days - just tell everyone you made a mistake and then carry on with business as usual.
Gordon Brown did the very same thing on Sunday after the humiliating polls of last week.
He happily told us all he might have made some mistakes (although he still appears not to realise what he's actually done to this country) and then said he'd carry on as normal.
These people, amazingly, seem to believe we'll all simply say, 'Oh, right, that's OK then'.
It isn't.
Frontier(s), says...
12:17pm Thu 8 May 08
doug wrote:
Emmylou you do realise that Frontier(s) is Big Mac under another name donÂ’t you?
What's that got to do with anything?
You might tailor your responses in a judgemental way based on a poster's name, I don't think many other people are quite so prejudiced.
The Big Mac account is now inaccessible, so I had to create a new one - it's as simple as that. No big, evil 'Tory' or 'racist' conspiracy here doug/Donkey.
emmylou83, Stratton says...
12:21pm Thu 8 May 08
Emmylou you do realise that Frontier(s) is Big Mac under another name donÂ’t you?
And?? I've never had any issue with Big Mac/Frontier(s) as a person and I'm sure as long as Frontier(s) behaves themselves (no offence) then webteam will let them stay
Terence, Swindon says...
12:21pm Thu 8 May 08
doug@homefarm, SN1 says...
12:34pm Thu 8 May 08
Terence wrote:Well, I suppose the answer is yes. I usually send them back with the word deceased written on the front, but as this one came from the funeral directors who actually handled her funeral I have to say I was more that curious to the content. OK naughty me tampering with the Royal Mail!
Doug - I apologise if the question is insulting but I have to ask it, have you been opening mail intended for somebody else? :)
doug@homefarm, SN1 says...
12:38pm Thu 8 May 08
emmylou83 wrote:Only a short while ago you posed the question to himself, 'Big Mac, why do you always rain on my parade', I would have thought that statement says you have had issues!
Emmylou you do realise that Frontier(s) is Big Mac under another name donÂ’t you?And?? I've never had any issue with Big Mac/Frontier(s) as a person and I'm sure as long as Frontier(s) behaves themselves (no offence) then webteam will let them stay
Frontier(s), says...
12:52pm Thu 8 May 08
doug@homefarm wrote:I think emmylou was being a little jokey with that comment. If I recall the thread (and her comment) it wasn't anything serious at all.
emmylou83 wrote:Only a short while ago you posed the question to himself, 'Big Mac, why do you always rain on my parade', I would have thought that statement says you have had issues!Emmylou you do realise that Frontier(s) is Big Mac under another name donÂ’t you?And?? I've never had any issue with Big Mac/Frontier(s) as a person and I'm sure as long as Frontier(s) behaves themselves (no offence) then webteam will let them stay
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
12:56pm Thu 8 May 08
How's life on the farm anyway Doug? Good weather is a blessing I expect!
DarkAuror, Swindon says...
1:00pm Thu 8 May 08
Frontier(s) wrote:So, you've never made a mistake or accepted responsibility of other peoples' mistakes who were working for you.
DarkAuror wrote: Michael Wills, although (well his team) is in the wrong, he is not the only one.Doesn't that type of response usually end sometime just after we've left school though? I mean, the whole 'I know it's wrong but other people do it too' thing might sound half-acceptable from a five-year old, but a Minister for Data Protection? And, as it happened, Willie Walsh of BA did merrily accept responsibility for the T5 fiasco but then ensured he kept his job whilst sacking others. Not the best example of 'the buck stops with him'! Mind you, it's the standard behaviour these days - just tell everyone you made a mistake and then carry on with business as usual. Gordon Brown did the very same thing on Sunday after the humiliating polls of last week. He happily told us all he might have made some mistakes (although he still appears not to realise what he's actually done to this country) and then said he'd carry on as normal. These people, amazingly, seem to believe we'll all simply say, 'Oh, right, that's OK then'. It isn't.
I think that to resign over a birthday card to passed away boy, is over the top. Surely, it would make more sense to apologise and make sure it doens't happen again.
To use your rules. That will mean every politican/Chairman/w
orker to resign over any mistake.
So, Gordon Brown would have to quit, So would David Cameroon, Nick Clegg, everyone.
Oxford, Toothill says...
1:07pm Thu 8 May 08
DarkAuror, Swindon says...
1:16pm Thu 8 May 08
Voice of Sanity, Swindon says...
1:53pm Thu 8 May 08
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
2:02pm Thu 8 May 08
Voice of Sanity wrote:In that case, he was breaking the law. It needs to be removed first instance - I suggest legal action if it happens again ;)
Lord B - yes, you would have thought it would be quite simple to get removed from teh mailing list by sending an e-mail. However, it took me 18 months (letters and e-mails) to get his letters stopped!
emmylou83, Stratton says...
2:06pm Thu 8 May 08
doug@homefarm wrote:I was messing and I'm sure he knows that I have no issues with him at all. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if they don't agree with mine then thats fine
emmylou83 wrote:Only a short while ago you posed the question to himself, 'Big Mac, why do you always rain on my parade', I would have thought that statement says you have had issues!Emmylou you do realise that Frontier(s) is Big Mac under another name donÂ’t you?And?? I've never had any issue with Big Mac/Frontier(s) as a person and I'm sure as long as Frontier(s) behaves themselves (no offence) then webteam will let them stay
doug@homefarm, SN1 says...
2:14pm Thu 8 May 08
LordBelacqua wrote:Yes and no Lord B, the good weather makes the sheep hot, and they cant be sheared for at least 3 weeks, in the meantime I have to prevent 'fly strike', this is where those green flies lay eggs in the fleece and then the maggots literally eat the sheep alive. A mixed blessing but I'm happy for the sun to shine, thanks again for asking.
Knowing Emmylou, she was probably being humourous. How's life on the farm anyway Doug? Good weather is a blessing I expect!
steve-o, Swindon says...
2:15pm Thu 8 May 08
LordBelacqua wrote:Exactly.
Knowing Emmylou, she was probably being humourous. How's life on the farm anyway Doug? Good weather is a blessing I expect!
Have a good birthday Daniel
doug@homefarm, SN1 says...
2:20pm Thu 8 May 08
emmylou83 wrote:Fair enough, no offence!
doug@homefarm wrote:I was messing and I'm sure he knows that I have no issues with him at all. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if they don't agree with mine then thats fineemmylou83 wrote:Only a short while ago you posed the question to himself, 'Big Mac, why do you always rain on my parade', I would have thought that statement says you have had issues!Emmylou you do realise that Frontier(s) is Big Mac under another name donÂ’t you?And?? I've never had any issue with Big Mac/Frontier(s) as a person and I'm sure as long as Frontier(s) behaves themselves (no offence) then webteam will let them stay
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
2:29pm Thu 8 May 08
doug@homefarm wrote:Oh dear. Doesn't sound very nice - just as well I'm not on lunch!
LordBelacqua wrote: Knowing Emmylou, she was probably being humourous. How's life on the farm anyway Doug? Good weather is a blessing I expect!Yes and no Lord B, the good weather makes the sheep hot, and they cant be sheared for at least 3 weeks, in the meantime I have to prevent 'fly strike', this is where those green flies lay eggs in the fleece and then the maggots literally eat the sheep alive. A mixed blessing but I'm happy for the sun to shine, thanks again for asking.
How do you manage to prevent something like that anyway?
doug@homefarm, SN1 says...
2:34pm Thu 8 May 08
just like cats and dogs but much, much bigger
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
2:37pm Thu 8 May 08
doug@homefarm wrote:Haha! That must be one big applicator ;)
Gallons of 'spot on' just like cats and dogs but much, much bigger
Frontier(s), says...
2:48pm Thu 8 May 08
DarkAuror wrote:
So, you've never made a mistake or accepted responsibility of other peoples' mistakes who were working for you.
Of course I've made mistakes, everyone does.
However, mistakes are not all equal.
When you are the Minister for Data Protection it is not simply a 'mistake' to use data that you hold (for your own potential gain) improperly.
It is not simply a 'mistake' to misuse data in a way that then upsets a grieving family.
We all make mistakes at work, yes, but if we made one as monumentally bad as the one Mr Wills' made, we would either be sacked or have the decency to accept that maybe another form of employment is more suited to us.
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
2:58pm Thu 8 May 08
(for your own potential gain)
It's not. It's electoral commission material - other than the letter from your MP, which does not ask you vote Labour - it merely congratulates you on reaching 18 and, along with the material from the EC is probably mailmerged too.
Voice of Reason, The Parks says...
3:07pm Thu 8 May 08
DarkAuror, Swindon says...
3:08pm Thu 8 May 08
Frontier(s) wrote:How was it used improperly? It was taken from easily available records that interested parties can get hold of.
DarkAuror wrote: So, you've never made a mistake or accepted responsibility of other peoples' mistakes who were working for you.Of course I've made mistakes, everyone does. However, mistakes are not all equal. When you are the Minister for Data Protection it is not simply a 'mistake' to use data that you hold (for your own potential gain) improperly. It is not simply a 'mistake' to misuse data in a way that then upsets a grieving family. We all make mistakes at work, yes, but if we made one as monumentally bad as the one Mr Wills' made, we would either be sacked or have the decency to accept that maybe another form of employment is more suited to us.
The data wasn't misused, just not checked to see if it was still valid.
It wasn't a monumental mistake as you are suggesting but one that anyone who has a mailing list that hasn't been updated can make.
There have been worse mistakes then this from all companies/politician
s etc and there will be more. It's unfortunate about what has happened but it's not resigning material.
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
3:16pm Thu 8 May 08
Voice of Reason wrote:Thankee VoR :) Popping out tonight for a meal at Bob's (The Carpenters, I've wanted to try the food there), and I've just received a work card signed by lots of people I've either met once or not at all!
Off the subject, Happy Birthday for this weekend M'lord B hope you have a good one mate and not to many shandies lol...
emmylou83, Stratton says...
3:18pm Thu 8 May 08
LordBelacqua wrote:Oi what am I scotch mist. I;m giving up a saturday night of dying from this summer cold to see you grrrr
Voice of Reason wrote: Off the subject, Happy Birthday for this weekend M'lord B hope you have a good one mate and not to many shandies lol...Thankee VoR :) Popping out tonight for a meal at Bob's (The Carpenters, I've wanted to try the food there), and I've just received a work card signed by lots of people I've either met once or not at all!
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
3:20pm Thu 8 May 08
Oi what am I scotch mist. I;m giving up a saturday night of dying from this summer cold to see you grrrr
And I've told you if you're not well to not bother! No point in making yourself ill for my sakes!
emmylou83, Stratton says...
3:24pm Thu 8 May 08
LordBelacqua wrote:I'm already ill but int he true spirit of being a woman and working through it I will be there
Oi what am I scotch mist. I;m giving up a saturday night of dying from this summer cold to see you grrrrAnd I've told you if you're not well to not bother! No point in making yourself ill for my sakes!
Voice of Reason, The Parks says...
3:26pm Thu 8 May 08
john c, swindon says...
3:28pm Thu 8 May 08
Yes his being the Minister for Data Protection does make the error seem worse.
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
3:30pm Thu 8 May 08
Voice of Reason wrote:Indeed - congratulations on the new job, by the way. Applying for my new one at the moment! I'm just thinking of spiel for "Why do you want to work here". I don't think "Working with radioactive stuff is kewl and I, like, desperately need the income" will cut it. Unfortunately ;)
I know what you mean Dan its my last day here tomorrow after 6yrs I wonder how many people will sign a goodbye card that I dont even know..
emmylou83, Stratton says...
3:31pm Thu 8 May 08
Voice of Reason wrote:But aren't you going back in like a week?? Same building etc etc just different company name
I know what you mean Dan its my last day here tomorrow after 6yrs I wonder how many people will sign a goodbye card that I dont even know..
Frontier(s), says...
4:06pm Thu 8 May 08
john c wrote:I don't suppose for one second that he chose to make his apology public. I'm sure he'd have liked nothing more than for it to be buried.
This appears to have been just an unfortunate mistake and at least Mr Wills has had the decency to make a public admission of the error and apologise for it. Yes his being the Minister for Data Protection does make the error seem worse.
It looks like the family went to the press and Wills then had to issue the standard 'administrative error' apology.
Donkey, Swindon says...
4:33pm Thu 8 May 08
I really would like to see him challenge Mrs Snelgrove in South Swindon. Justin would tell him where to go in the North, of course, but he could stand as an Independant in either ... I have a feeling that our sitting MPs have far more support and admiration from the electorate than some seem to imagine, though.
Come on, show us all what you are made of ... have you got what it takes 'cause you sure can run people down who are actually doing a decent job even if you fail to see that.
This goes for the other contributors who jump at the slightest mention of a Labour problem. No-one is infallible!
It becomes so obvious whenever the Adver bait up a hook story, some of you do it in your pants, it appears!
Rarely, if ever, do you read the 'socialist' sympathisers mud-slinging at Cameron or the other bloke on here, and yes they do make blunders by the dozen ... perhaps we realize the world is not perfect and never has been and never will be!
doug@homefarm, SN1 says...
4:40pm Thu 8 May 08
Frontier(s), says...
5:26pm Thu 8 May 08
I have told you time and time and time again, I am NOT a Tory and have no affiliation to any political party.
Will you please learn and accept that just because a person realises just how appalling the Labour government has been for the past decade that does NOT make them a Tory!
Donkey wrote:
I have a feeling that our sitting MPs have far more support and admiration from the electorate than some seem to imagine, though.
What an astonishingly ridiculous statement to make.
Yourself, and doug, of course, are the only two people that I have EVER seen attempt to defend Wills and Snelgrove on these forums.
Anyway, the matter isn't up for debate - the proof about these two hopeless cases is out there on the Internet for all to see. All they ever do is vote in support of whichever leader is in charge of their party at the time - they do little or nothing positive for the people of Swindon, as can be seen by their disgraceful duplicity over the recent post office closures.
These two clowns are using MY money to further their own careers and are using MY money to fund their ludicrous 'expenses' claims. Therefore I have every right to hold them accountable for what they do and to publically condemn them for their inept behaviour.
Admittedly, they are part of the government that itself has failed, dismally, and so we cannot really expect too much from them.
As for me standing as a potential MP, sorry Donkey, I have far more important things to do with my time and effort and, in any case, I'm far too honest to ever cut it as an MP.
WTF?, Swindon says...
5:50pm Thu 8 May 08
After all, his family dredge it up every five minutes in the local paper.
What about the driver of the car?
Imagine how they've felt since this accident?
And before anyone gets on their high horse, I cannot remember seeing anywhere that the driver had been drinking!
Dick-Turpin, Swindon says...
6:19pm Thu 8 May 08
jo-ent, Swindon says...
6:58pm Thu 8 May 08
The problem is that computers don't read newspapers before generating these letters, and it would be virtually impossible to update databases manually to take account of every incident.
So how much blame/responsibility should be apportioned to Michael Wills on this one? For the reasons I've mentioned above, I cannot justify calling for him to step down as an MP. But surely his position as Data Protection Minister is now completely untenable, and he should resign from that post.
Frontier(s), says...
7:04pm Thu 8 May 08
But surely his position as Data Protection Minister is now completely untenable, and he should resign from that post.
Agreed. That would be the only right, proper and decent thing to do.
So, obviously, he won't.
Des Moffatt, Swindon says...
7:36pm Thu 8 May 08
Frontier(s), says...
7:40pm Thu 8 May 08
Something we're becoming more and more used to.
The builder, Old Town says...
8:25pm Thu 8 May 08
So how much blame/responsibility should be apportioned to Michael Wills on this one?
Oddly enough I am not going to blame Michael Wills MP for the c*ck up here, anyone using a large database has to accept errors will be present so they should ensure there is double/triple checking before using said data.
This perhaps illustrates two things :-
firstly:- never ever trust a politician with any personal data. The Labour government want to have a single database called the national identity register containing 49 pieces of unique data about you ! I hope you have faith in them -I haven't.
secondly :- wasn't this a cynical attempt by a failing MP to try and ensnare a young individual to garner their support ? I would have been impressed if Michael Wills MP could have been bothered to get off his backside to actually visit the young man (prior to his demise) to talk to him, but sending a letter based on an imperfect(aren't they all) database is taking the "michael".
people wonder why we distrust politicians with our data- this is a classic example.
neither of our two MPs Anne Snelgrove MP or Michael Wills MP could organise a drinking session in a brewery - and some of you want them to control every aspect of your personal data.
Vote Labour :- vote loss of freedom, liberty and democracy.
The only thing we have left is freedom of thought - use it wisely while you can.
secondly
town of the future, swindon says...
10:44pm Thu 8 May 08
doug@homefarm wrote:After all, his family dredge it up every five minutes in the local paper.
You are quite correct in many ways Big Mac, if the family had not gone too the press no-one, including Wills, would have known. If the family had ensured that his name was not being held on the lists of electors etc, then it would not have happened. True they have many things on their mind, and how many of us would rember to get thises things deleted when loved ones die.Wills has apologised, people might want his blood for it, but thats not fair!
Firstly, since the initial accident and when the story first broke, we have only "dredged it up" twice. Once when the Editor, Dave King, wrote an article regarding floral and roadside tributes. I wrote to him personally in reply to his comments, and he then asked ME if he could print it.
Second occasion was now. We contacted the adver, not as a story, but to see if they could speak to Mr Wills direct, on our behalf, they then ran it as a story.
What about the driver of the car?
Imagine how they've felt since this accident?
Who Cares???
If you lost your child, would you be considering how the driver felt? He knocked him down, smashing up his car in the process clearly highlighting the impact and seriousness of his accident, however he CHOSE to drive off and leave him to die. He did not even have the decency to anonymously call an ambulance once out of sight.
If it wasn't for a witness seeing him, he would be walking around and the police would still be looking for whoever done it. We also know his friends. He's confident of getting away with it he has even been trying to sell the car, and bragging to his mates about it.
There are more details that the papers have not released, to make us not give a toss about how he's feeling however it cold put the prosecution in jeopardy. One major detail meaning that he shouldn't of even been driving the car in the first place! And just because you "cant remember seeing it in the paperanywhere" doesn't mean it didn't happen. When the case is heard in court, then you will know. Quite frankly i'm shocked that anyone would even consider his feelings and maybe this describes the sort of person you are. What next? forgiving rapists and muderers?
Strange thing is Wtf...from day one, you have only ever posted negative comments, even describing his friends who got the tattoos done as "muppetts", and then impliying illegal goings on regarding the tattooist. You have only even been negative and the only one to do so. We are curious as to your reasons for this or your connection to the case. Are you somehow involved with the driver, plain heartless, or just so self-indulgent in your own glory that you dont care who you upset in the process.
if the family had not gone too the press no-one, including Wills, would have known.
We never meant for this argument to turn political. At the end of the day ALL politicians are as bad as each other. Where one party gives, the other takes. Mr Wills has decided to stop sending these letters out altogether now. So if he had not known then the practice would still be going on.
If the family had ensured that his name was not being held on the lists of electors etc, then it would not have happened.
At 17 years old, Christopher should never of been on the database in the first place. As he was killed before his 18th birthday, it should never of made it to one, for us to remove. Even if it had been top of our priority lists.
We accept that it was a mistake and one which genuinely appears to of been out of Mr Wills hands, however it was one that still should never of happened. If there was no need to request removal from a database that we did not request to be on in the first place, then we wouldn't of been here all day debating it.
SpeakUp, Swindon says...
1:39am Fri 9 May 08
It is horrible that this has happened but in the real world it is hard to avoid. Mr Wills has not (to my surprise) attempted to squirm out of it - he apologised. Quite rightly too.
But whatever we would like to see in an ideal world, this was an understandable error that would have been really hard to avoid, given the realities of the modern world.
doug@homefarm, SN1 says...
9:14am Fri 9 May 08
I write here as you have used one of my posts as your lead, and it is followed by some bold quotes from other posters which have nothing to do with me.
Unless things have changed it used to be the case that you completed the form in the October prior to your 18th birthday in order to give you the right to vote as soon as you are 18. This as a rule works, until something like this happens and it falls apart with distressing consequence for people such as you. Of course when you find yourself in such circumstances thinking of removing a name from the roll is not something that jumps to mind.
You didnÂ’t intend to make a political issue here but unfortunately you will find many posters here ready to knock our two MPÂ’s for the simple reason that they are, in the first instance, members of the Labour Party. If Wills rescued a drowning puppy some one would accuse Snelgrove of throwing it in. You say you merely asked the Advertiser to talk to Wills, well now you know that the newspaper business is to sell stories and for papers like the Adver the more salacious and sensational the better
At least by talking to the Advertiser Wills will discontinue the practice of sending out 18th birthday greetings. This is an old and really outdated practice which should have been done away with years ago and I hope the other parties follow suit. Very small comfort to you and your family but at least some good has come out of this.
Wills has apologised and you have accepted that it was a horrible mistake, which I hope should satisfy everyone.
Finally, I really do hope that you are given justice for Chris when this case gets to court.
town of the future, swindon says...
2:27pm Fri 9 May 08
It must be an automated process now with the government getting details from things like tax credits and child benefits agencies. Thats bad enough as it is with adults, let alone under 18's.
Never mind anyway, it happened and Mr Wills apologised so its water under the bridge. My main problem was with "wtf?" who has been negative and often insulting right back to christmas day.
Donkey, Swindon says...
4:24pm Fri 9 May 08
This unfortunate lad would have been included on the Electoral Forms, which as I understand are completed by the head of the Household, at every address in the Borough, and are supposedly enforced by law to include all occupants, eligible to vote in British elections, over the age of sixteen .
I will stand to be corrected, but this is the same form that the clown with the dog used to enrol it?
It is not difficult to understand how the name was present on a database for almost two years. It is a common list available to all parties who are then able to invite our sons and daughters into the adult world. There is no agenda, but in fairness, in the past it has been a 'nice touch' in my humble whatsit.
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
8:01pm Fri 9 May 08
Big Tory Mac Frontiers wrote
I have told you time and time and time again, I am NOT a Tory and have no affiliation to any political party.
Ah... so you are a Tory then.
Don't worry about denying it. Your closest family, and your true friends, will accept you for who you are.
Frontier(s), says...
6:55am Sat 10 May 08
I am not a Tory, mainly because today's Conservatives are far too similar to Labour for me to fully support them.
They are, however, a preferable choice to Labour - although, frankly, anything is preferable to Labour.
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
11:45pm Sun 11 May 08
Hopefully that was supposed to be a mickey take out of Donkey.
Duh?
Labour Labour Labour.
Oooh! I stubbed my big toe. That will be labour's fault.
I got some junk mail through my door. That would be Labour's fault.
Everyone thinks I'm a Tory (which I am). That's Labour's fault that is.
There's a lot of unrest in China. I blame Labour for that.
Don't even get me started on Robert Mugawbe. Labour I bet.
Labour Labour Labour
ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzz
Chris Garrod
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Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
8:56am Thu 8 May 08