One of the great pleasures of attending the party conference is meeting new people. I met up with Andrea Jenkyns, who was elected a councillor in Boston, Lincolnshire in June. Unfortunately, she was not in post very long before Labour complained she was not eligible to stand and was forced to quit.
Andrea worked on a part-time basis for Lincolnshire Music Services and before she completed her nomination papers she asked officials if this would disbar her from standing. They told her she could stand, however, they were wrong. For more information click HERE.
She has since resigned from her post with Lincolnshire Music Services and is standing again at a by-election next Thursday. She won the seat four months ago with a narrow majority over the BNP, so much effort has gone into the campaign to get her re-elected.
Any readers who would like to help her in the latter stages of the campaign please click HERE for contact details. I wish her well. She is a very pleasant, likable and determined woman who deserves to win.
7 comments:
To blame this on Labour seems a little party political. The law is clear, even if she was misguided. you are either ineligable or valid.
If I were running a campaign against her I'd make the electorate know that thanks to the advice the council gave to her, they will have to fork out for another election from council funds and I'd let the electorate draw their own conclusions as to how well run the council was.
I have to say, it seems obvious that her job would ahve precluded her, and I speak not as a professional but as someone with jsut basic political legal knowledge.
Yes it is a little party political, but it's true. If I had known her at the time, I would have told her she was precluded and I agree you don't have to be a professional to know that, although you and I have been involved in politics for so long, we have picked up lots of knowledge along the way.
The problem here lies with the so called professionals who did advise her. Also, although Andrea does have strong views, she never thought about becoming a councillor until recently. I don't think I would have known if I hadn't been involved in politics for so long.
She is not complaining. She has taken it on the chin and told me everything happens for a reason. I just hope she increases her majority and keeps the BNP out. Something we can both agree on.
Is it true this by election is costing the taxpayer £15,000 because the local tories did not know the rules. If so my vote is going back to Labour this time
Anon: The problem here lies with Lincolnshire County Council. I know the rules as I have been a political activist for more years than I care to mention, but even in this case I would not have been sure. Labour wasn't sure of the rules before the election either. It was only after they thought something may be wrong, they probed this further. Why they just couldn't let her continue after she resigned, I don't know.
The people who should have known the rules are the so-called professionals in Lincolnshire County Council. They are to blame for the cost of this by-election. If they had advised Andrea properly, she would have resigned from her post with Lincolnshire Music Services and there would not have been a by-election next week.
Anon: Just to clarify, I would have told her she was precluded, but because this was not a regular 9-5 job, I would have told her to check with the council.
I just find it hard to believe this situation has come around and cost us the taxpayer money. We had a Labour leaflet to day which was poor so i am a little confused who to vote for at present.
I understand where you are coming from but there is still a cost on the taxpayer that isnt fair. Boston gets a rough deal as it is from the County Council and i dont want us suffering more because of the cost of this election.
Anon: I understand. You want the best deal from the council and want to be represented by the right person.
You don't know me and it is probably the first time you have visited this blog; I don't know. What I do know is I spent a lot of time with Andrea last week and she is a very determined woman, someone who will not take any nonsense and will represent you with conscience, integrity and will fight for your interests. I can't say anymore than that.
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