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MP Spink launches Save Our Green Belt party

6:10am Sunday 14th March 2010 in


MP Bob Spink is hoping his new Independent Save Our Green Belt party will help redefine politics in Castle Point.

The group, founded by Dr Spink as revealed in yesterday’s Echo, is set to field eight candidates in the up-and-coming local council election in May.

If the party is successful, it could alter the balance of power by taking the majority away from the Tories.

Currently, the Conservative-led authority has 24 of the council’s 40 seats. The Canvey Island Independent Party has 13, two are occupied by non-affiliated Independents and Labour has just one seat.

Doug Beard, a beekeeper and Save Our Green Belt candidate, said: “I’m fed up with everything being decided by a Tory cabinet. I don’t want people from Canvey telling people from Hadleigh what they want in their High Street and vice versa.”

With the Canvey independents refusing to field any candidates on the mainland, the Tories struggling to make headway on Canvey and Labour, with just one seat, a very distant third, matters have reached a bit of a stalemate.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Island Independent Party, said he would consider teaming up with the Save Our Green Belt Party.

He said: “If they manage to take a few seats, we would be silly not to look at forming some sort of coalition.”

However, Mr Blackwell ruled out his independents joining up with Bob Spink’s new party.

He said: “No way. Not in a million years is that going to happen. I would resign as leader if my party didn’t kick me out first. We are not going to sell Canvey down the river like that.”

A coalition would be an unlikely alliance as many of the Canvey independents, including Mr Blackwell, were former Labour councillors. Dr Spink used to be a Tory.

Mr Blackwell was keen to stress things had changed.

He added: “Political persuasions like that are in the past. It would be a coming together of people who want the best for their community.”

However, Norman Smith, Tory councillor responsible for economic development, warned how coalitions lead to weak councils.

He said: “History shows that if you have a coalition it’s hard to get anything done.

“You’ve got to remember how well this council has done under Conservative rule. It’s gone from being one of the worst in the country to being in the top quarter.”

Comments(17)

evilc says...
7:49am Sun 14 Mar 10

Please remember the word HONOUR and pride.

For a man that has been a member and preached the politics of the Tory Party for many many years he now wins the award of being:

'A back stabbing barstool'

I hope the voters realise that 'back stabbers ' can NEVER be trusted they are not honourable and have NO PRIDE.

Send this bafoon back to where he once came and back to the same area to cause another 'Breach of the Peace'

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thelonewhinger says...
9:10am Sun 14 Mar 10

I believe Bob Spink should have remained an independent MP. He has from my experience shown good qualities in supporting and campaigning on local issues but to tie-in with any single-issue party has been his downfall in the past and is already attracting flack.

Bob should stay independent, as should all MP's in my view, so that they are free to vote on behalf of communities they represent and not be subject to pressures from Party whips to toe the line and follow a pre-determined agenda.

In my own borough the Labour candidate has admitted that a major issue raised by constituents has been that of immigrants, multicultralism and the effect on housing policy and jobs. His response? - to trot out the same old party line.....everything'
s fine, measures are in place, the facts are.. etc. etc. and continuing to dodge the issue. If large numbers of voters want action on an issue the last thing you do is lecture them.

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tracer says...
12:05pm Sun 14 Mar 10

I am sure these candidates who have put themselves forward for election at the local elections are doing it with honesty and enthusiasm . sadly the man who formed the party they have aligned to is doing it purely to assist his further election as MP and continuing abuse of the expenses system. It is laughable that Spink has named his latest party" Independant save our green belt party" when you look at the mans history in regard Green Belt issues. Once again he has jumped on a bandwagon. The people of Castle Point are not stupid they see through you Bob and will show you that on May the 6th.the sad thing is that you have used these good people who have put their name forward as candidates for your own ends .. disgraceful act but not one that surprises those of us who know you ..

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soul man says...
12:31pm Sun 14 Mar 10

he's trying to split all the parties up, now he's a tree hugger, i cant fathom out what his real aim is, maybe he cant either, but one things for sure, he's trying to win favour in a new light, these people change their ideas like the weather

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Discouraged says...
12:35pm Sun 14 Mar 10

I have cheese in my fridge that has a longer shelf life than Spink.

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APR says...
12:36pm Sun 14 Mar 10

In my opinion, a bad move by Bob Spink.
Whatever your views of him may be, he does a lot in this area, and not just for the publicity.

The green party may have high ideals, but they don't get the votes.

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upset says...
5:26pm Sun 14 Mar 10

Probably the most important part of this story in the Echo on Friday is missing from above. The letter that Slippery Bandwagon Bob cant remember sending is published on The Canvey Beat website. http://canveybeat.fi
les.wordpress.com/20
10/03/spink-campaign
-letter.jpg

This shows what sort of MP we have been lumbered with.
With a bit of luck voters and especially CIIP party members and candidates will see just who there leader has been colluding with.

Spinky has always been disingenuous
and now those who have been hood winked know the truth.

Congratulations Bob you have been Hoisted with your own petard I hope.

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WHY says...
5:33pm Sun 14 Mar 10

What happens to the Party if Bob is not elected as Castle Points MP ?
If the Conservatives become the new Government they have Promised to Save Our Greenbelt , Rebecca Harris (Tory MP Candidate)has confirmed this and is also in writing.
So what else is this new party offering ?
The safety of this Borough Greenbelt is not something to be gambled with as Bob seems to be doing.

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woodsman says...
7:06pm Sun 14 Mar 10

It is intereseting to see the candidiates have not been activlyt involved in the greenbelt campaigns! They appear to be puppets for Spink. What else do they stand for what are the rest of their policies. It is just Spink tryin yet anothetr way of getting publicity for himself. He will set his stall to any issue that may help him and only him.
It should be noted Spink has 'stolen' the logo of resident campaigns, he never showed up at any of the local campign events he should explain why and also why he now has jumped ship from a conservatove to UKIP to independent to independent green belt! I wonder who is funding thois campaign? I hope it is not expenses!!

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Cambrensis says...
8:58am Mon 15 Mar 10

Quite clearly the "party" has been formed with the sole aim of promoting Spink. The hijacking of the green belt campaign by him, which started in Daws Heath, is just another one of his spoiling tactics. If saving the green belt (rather than saving bob spink) were the aim, he would have started the process earlier than six weeks before the general election. For a man famous for changing his political identity Bandwagon Bob has just become Desperate Dan.

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John T Pharro says...
7:06pm Mon 15 Mar 10

Just remember when you cast your vote.
Who immediately when asked raised the issue of the paddling pool on Canvey sea front throw his best efforts behind it.
Who now supports this? The Conservative and Labour prosepective candidants. Politically expediant or what?
Do you TRUST the Conservative and Labour candidates to oppose the over development of Castle Point and Canvey Island in particular?
Do you hear them showing any concern for what the hell is going on over Thorney Bay?
The question all should ask when it comes to the crunch who will follow the party whip, support the Conservative administration and who will stand up for the constituents regardless of their party? We already have a Conservative run Council and County Council who don't even know where Canvey is (except when it comes to votes).
The choice is yours if you want even more of this!!

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woodsman says...
8:11pm Mon 15 Mar 10

Get your facts right the above is not correct, some of the main party local representatives do not follow the whip and do try to do the best for Castle Point. Spink does what is best for him and joins any local campaign to get publicity for himself. Have you seen him at any of the greenbelt campaigns... NO, he only appears where the press turn up so he gets a photo in the paper so it looks like he supports the locals. He only supports Bob Spink!!!

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upset says...
8:44pm Mon 15 Mar 10

John T Pharro wrote:
Just remember when you cast your vote.
Who immediately when asked raised the issue of the paddling pool on Canvey sea front throw his best efforts behind it.
Who now supports this? The Conservative and Labour prosepective candidants. Politically expediant or what?
Do you TRUST the Conservative and Labour candidates to oppose the over development of Castle Point and Canvey Island in particular?
Do you hear them showing any concern for what the hell is going on over Thorney Bay?
The question all should ask when it comes to the crunch who will follow the party whip, support the Conservative administration and who will stand up for the constituents regardless of their party? We already have a Conservative run Council and County Council who don't even know where Canvey is (except when it comes to votes).
The choice is yours if you want even more of this!!
This must be Spink using a pseudonym no one else could write such rubbish

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lifelongislander says...
3:41pm Tue 16 Mar 10

Woodsman I can assure you every one of the Conservative Councillors follow the party whip thats why the pool was voted for demolition. They are threatened with having the whip withdrawn if they dont and worse.

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upset says...
6:42pm Tue 16 Mar 10

lifelongislander wrote:
Woodsman I can assure you every one of the Conservative Councillors follow the party whip thats why the pool was voted for demolition. They are threatened with having the whip withdrawn if they dont and worse.
If I remember correctly CIIP Councillor Wood had to resign as a member because he wanted to stand for County election.
Is this not the same or worse than having the whip withdrawn?
Short memories some people!!!

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Colleen G says...
6:48am Wed 17 Mar 10

Toffee nosed ponce jumping on any eco bandwagon to try and raise his profile, or even justify his exorbitant pay and expenses. Out of touch with reality:

Voted very strongly against the hunting ban

Voted moderately against anti-terrorism laws

Voted moderately against introducing ID cards

Reduction in abortion time limit amendment - 20.5.2008
Amendment to reduce the upper limit for abortions from 24 week to 22 weeks. (could not be bothered to vote)

In fact it does not appear he has done anything for us apart from hide at the back of the Gin Club hoping no one notices him..... must be getting desperate now to want so much attention.

Healthy expenses claim for 08/09 of £146,568

Aint his life grand.

We need politicians with b a l l s, not a limp wrist whilst holding their hands out!

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Sim0n says...
8:24am Wed 17 Mar 10

The Issue of the old Paddling Pool on Canvey is down to Council Officers, I was there when it was brought up in the Council Chamber, questions should be asked as to where these figures the Officer spoke of for repair and for continual up keep came from.
Why was it s so expensive ?
There should be public consultations over these type of issues its OUR Council and our say should be heard, why was this matter not brought up at the Canvey Neighbourhood meetings?

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