Harlow’s Conservative councillors agree with MP Robert Halfon that PM Boris Johnson has “let them down”
News / Sat 15th Jan 2022 at 11:22am
THE twenty-one Harlow Conservative councillors have “spoken as one” to condemn the conduct of prime minister Boris Johnson and his staff in Downing Street as reported over the last few weeks.
YH sent an individual e mail to all twenty-one councillors.
Our question was:
“Do you have a message for the residents of…… regarding the number of incidents that have occurred in Downing Street?
That’s a message to all the residents including all those who kept the rules, those who attended funerals under very strict conditions and those who attended care homes/hospital to see their loved ones but under very strict conditions.
“Basically, all those in your ward who kept the rules?”
A Harlow Conservative spokesperson said: “Our MP, Robert Halfon, has made a statement about the Downing Street issues which we support.
“We are focused absolutely on delivering on the pledges we were elected on last May: reducing Council tax, restoring pride in our estates, regenerating the town centre, building Harlow homes for Harlow families and we are getting on with that job.
“Next week, we will unveil our 2022 Budget that will deliver on those pledges and make Harlow a better place to live, to work, to raise a family and to be.
“Frankly, if the Labour party in Harlow had done the same, focused on improving Harlow Council and its services, Council Tax wouldn’t have risen every year, new Council homes would have been built, businesses would have received grants in the pandemic, landscaping in estates would not have been shambolic and Harlow would be a better place to live.
“We are focused with getting on with the job and our Budget next week will do just that.”
Mr Halfon’s response was:
Mr Halfon said:
“The ruling classes imposed these tough Covid restrictions on all of us and they should have abided by them.
“I am glad there is an independent inquiry led by a respected Senior Civil Servant into the truth of what has gone on. I hope that inquiry concludes soon to help determine what actions need to be taken.
“Whoever is found to have broken the rules, regardless of their position, should face the consequences – according to the law – without fear or favour.
“Whilst I acknowledge the Prime Minister has rightly apologised to the nation, clearly these parties should never have happened – we have all been let down.
“I respect the fact that people will have different views as to what needs to happen in the immediate future but Boris Johnson has said he will return to Parliament to make a further statement and take responsibility for the findings once the outcome of the inquiry has concluded. This must happen sooner rather than later.
Danny Long
2022-01-15 11:44:40
I 100% stand alongside and support the Tories of Harlow but just like the Tory councillors of Harlow do. I comdem the actions and behaviour of the PM Borris Johnson. But then saying that, no one can tell me or any of the British voters that Keir Starmer and his crew didn't have any secret parties and one thing I will never do, is vote for Labour. Well done to the Harlow Tories for knocking Labour of the perch back in May last year.
Ray
2022-01-15 13:07:24
Its called a political 'party' for a reason.
David Summerville
2022-01-15 15:25:07
Danny--please get someone to spell check your comments--thought you might realise that the PM is Boris, not Borris, and condemn has an "n" at the end--I would imagine if Keir Starmer had parties the Tory Press would have let us know by now--it would have been nice if you had just condemned Boris, rather than having a "dig" at Labour--I do feel the majority of the populace regard Keir as a man of integrity---very much more than you can say for Boris--I seem to remember that the Harlow Tories supported him for PM--just like Robert did-- I was certainly aware of his past record, but you all went ahead despite this.
tony edwards
2022-01-15 16:24:09
Yet again the Conservatives spin half-truths and deceptions. 1. They claim the Sue Grey report is independent - No it isn't, Sue Grey is a Senior Civil Servant who reports to the Prime Minister. It will be for him to determine what findings and recommendations are eventually submitted to Parliament. 2. They know that the Harlow element of the "Council Tax" accounts for approximately 10% of the total amount billed. Harlow Council increases of its element of the Council under the Labour administration were in line with inflation and enabled it to balance the budget and maintain services during a time when central government support was being slashed by millions of pounds. The major increases in the Council Tax were those imposed by the Conservative Controlled Police and Fire Commissioner and Essex County Council. 3. Regarding landscaping - The Labour administration set up HTS, saved the Council money and drastically turned around the mess the Conservatives left when they externalised the service to Kier It is noticeable however how much the service has subsequently deteriorated over the 9 months since the Conservatives regained power, with hedges left untrimmed and brambles left uncut. And Councillors being told that action needed to cut back overgrowing bushes and trees would have to wait until they were dealt with under cyclical maintenance - with little in the way of information as to when this would be other than in vague statements. 4. During their time in office new Council homes were built by the Labour administration - the latest in Bushey Croft are nearing completion. And a considerable programme of refurbishment of the existing stock was also undertaken - but none of this is ever acknowledged by the Conservatives 5. Approximately £35 million Covid government relief and business grants was paid out by the Labour administration - it would be interesting to know how much the Conservatives have processed over the 9mths they have been in power. So far they have not said anything. So in conclusion, just as the Conservatives in Government seem to believe it is ok to spin mistruths and mislead the electorate - so do the local Conservatives. But whatever the issues are here in Harlow they pale into insignificance when compared to the deceptions, spin and duplicity practiced by Mr Johnson and his colleagues in Downing Street, I just wish the local Conservatives would have had the guts of those Conservatives in Royal Sutton Coldfield to call for the Prime Minister’s immediate resignation.
Tiredoffailedpoliticalnorms
2022-01-15 16:55:51
Once again we see the pathetic juvenile way our local so called politicians handle the latest abject failure of the political process. CONSERVATIVE PARTY YOUR… I REPEAT YOUR LEADERSHIP HAS ABJECTLY FAILED THE ELECTORATE , and even now you try to turn what should be a grovelling apology into an attack on the Labour party. Man up, andOWN THE FACT THIS IS YOUR PARTY’S problem. On that point you all collectively ought to apologise yourselves , you voted this clown as your leader… so by default you are are culpable and you know it.
Dan
2022-01-15 17:20:33
With respect Tony Edwards, your party ran the town hall for 10 years and even now, you still don’t know how much Council Tax you received from Harlow taxpayers. It probably explains why council tax every year. It is 15.3% as you and Cllr Vince were told at the last full council meeting when you were trying to work out what it was. 10 years and clueless. Shameful. In your corporate plan period 2018-21 you did not build a single Council property. Clueless, but reckless to the taxpayers of this town.
Dan
2022-01-15 17:38:50
In fact Tony Edwards, you lost £1.5 million of New Homes Bonus because you didn’t build any properties. It’s shameful.
Tony Edwards
2022-01-15 18:32:16
Dan 1. Thank you for the correction (apologies to readers) - but it still means that 84.7% of the "Council Tax" is charged by the Conservative controlled County Council and Police Crime and Fire Commissioner. So to avoid any further inadvertent misreporting on my part I checked again on the Harlow Council website and for a Band D property where the Total Council Tax is £1912.23. Essex County Council take £1340.91p, Harlow Council £288.90p, Essex Police £208.53p, Essex Fire £73.89p 2. Regarding building Council homes - You know for example that construction was started on the Bushey Croft properties - as you were there only the other day. As reported in Your Harlow 3. As you are prepared to enter into the discussion would you now answer the question put by Your Harlow in the article above namely - “Do you have a message for the residents of…… regarding the number of incidents that have occurred in Downing Street? That’s a message to all the residents including all those who kept the rules, those who attended funerals under very strict conditions and those who attended care homes/hospital to see their loved ones but under very strict conditions. “Basically, all those in your ward who kept the rules?”
Adam
2022-01-16 09:19:29
Right wing philosophy is for self-reliance. If everyone does what’s best for them then, because each person is better off, everyone will be better off. If people don’t do well it’s because because they are lazy or feckless. Boris Johnson is only taking this philosophy to its logical conclusion. He hasn’t let anyone down, he’s behaved as a good Tory should. Remember, there’s no such thing as society.
Paul
2022-01-16 10:42:45
There is some real problems on the horizon and while boris has been a fool on this but i would rather have him in charge than starmer and his pal barry taking cash of a spy and employing a spies son.. ask yourself why are the media giving more time to a party rarther than a spy in parliament invited by the labour party
Paul
2022-01-16 10:43:56
There is some real problems on the horizon and while boris has been a fool on this i would rather have him in charge than starmer and his pal barry taking cash of a spy and employing a spies son.. ask yourself why are the media giving more time to a party rarther than a spy in parliament invited by the labour party
11 Comments for Harlow’s Conservative councillors agree with MP Robert Halfon that PM Boris Johnson has “let them down”: