tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7397970649062371366.post210367401060699256..comments2024-03-19T12:00:16.160+00:00Comments on The Deptford Dame: Evelyn ward by-election; runners, riders, and Ray.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7397970649062371366.post-67697034949455073832016-10-13T16:37:40.988+00:002016-10-13T16:37:40.988+00:00Why were dodgy Ray's followers recording peopl...Why were dodgy Ray's followers recording people's poll card numbers outside the polling station? As if they were some sort of officials.Duane Dibleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7397970649062371366.post-87678808086084249002016-10-03T22:24:33.020+00:002016-10-03T22:24:33.020+00:00@anon I have met Ray several times and I have also...@anon I have met Ray several times and I have also heard him talk on more than one occasion. I don't share your opinion that he is invigorating; in the exchanges I've witnessed at public meetings he's come across as a zealot who has no ability or desire either to listen to his critics or to respond to them in any effective way. If he were elected as a councillor, would he only be willing to work for those whose opinions he agrees with? If any of the opposition candidates win this seat, they will have very limited power to achieve anything unless they can work alongside the ruling Labour party effectively, and I have no confidence that Ray would make any attempt to do that. I might have put forward a kinder profile of him had he not been such a rampant self-publicist, but I also feel very strongly that he needs to be more transparent about how his businesses operate and how they relate to the endeavours he claims as charities. He regularly states that his estate agency is a social enterprise, and yet its governing document contains no statement of its social mission, which is one of the most basic requirements for social enterprises. He seems to feel no obligation to back up these claims, which suggests he has no respect for those who choose to believe them. I think I've been very fair in the circumstances. Deptford Damenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7397970649062371366.post-42528844218185029562016-10-03T17:22:11.433+00:002016-10-03T17:22:11.433+00:00I usually enjoy your fair-handed comments Dame but...I usually enjoy your fair-handed comments Dame but I think you've been unfair and negatively biased towards Ray Woolford. I know him tolerably well, and although he has his faults, and it's easy to trawl through a few things to find those, he also has many assets, chief of which are his unstinting work for many disenfranchised people in Deptford and his ability to move on from experiences that may deter lesser people.<br />You should try and meet him dame, you really should. Whilst his written word may sometimes cause derisive humour (sic) this is as a result of his dyslexia, but to hear him talk, especially in a public situation, is invigorating and it shows his passion for community engagement very clearly. If he were to bring that oratory to the council chamber he would be a powerful voice for the people of Deptford, who have been consistently failed by the Labour and Bullock monopoly.<br />When you have worked as hard as Ray, and perhaps made mistakes as publicly as Ray may have done, then feel free to criticise him, but until that time I suggest you treat him fairly, as you have the other candidates.<br />Perhaps if you were to investigate the other candidates as thoroughly you'd find skeletons in their cupboards, but no, you choose the easy target.<br />As I say, go and meet Ray then perhaps reform your opinion, but in the meantime at least be fair.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7397970649062371366.post-78400904998863651072016-10-02T08:58:05.461+00:002016-10-02T08:58:05.461+00:00The area definitely needs someone who is willing t...The area definitely needs someone who is willing to challenge the Labour dominated council. Especially with planning. The councillors (that don't live here so don't care) watched while an austerity school got passed (sir Francis Drake) and funding for the "play" part of the Skate-n-Play got cut in Folkestone Gardens. Children's services diced and sliced. No playgroup at Silwood. Minimal social housing in new developments. I dont know why those guys want to represent this area except to further their own personal goals. Look at the record of dodgy councillors that are forced to stand down or deselected by their own party in this area. No wonder local people are not seeing regeneration.<br /><br />And the big Renewal/Bullock redevelopment of Surrey Canal AKA "New Bermondsey" (erasing our history is not good) just on the border at Millwall...something is rotten over there and it ain't Zampa Fish. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7397970649062371366.post-91083695195712486482016-10-01T11:05:39.647+00:002016-10-01T11:05:39.647+00:00If anyone has any questions for me I am happy to a...If anyone has any questions for me I am happy to answer them on twitter @scottbarkwith, via email, on my website www.VOTEie.org or if you see me out and about. I am even happy to meet for a coffee somewhere local. If you feel like getting involved let me know but do sign up to my mailing list as I will be sending out some ideas I want to share with everyone over the coming days that I hope will start some discussions. Most of all it is important to vote. A 16% turnout in 2013 can be bettered. Thank you.<br />Scott BarkwithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7397970649062371366.post-50280059436155929172016-09-30T21:33:42.058+00:002016-09-30T21:33:42.058+00:00It is certainly refreshing to see the Independent ...It is certainly refreshing to see the Independent Evelyn choiceRichard Wnoreply@blogger.com