You're the judge. Portishead pool campaigner stands for European Parliament.
AFTER winning the battle to keep Portishead Open Air Pool open one campaigner is taking on a fresh political challenge.
Roger Whitfield, chairman of the Portishead Pool Community Trust, wants to stand for election to the European Parliament.
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Roger Whitfield
Roger, aged 43, is a prospective candidate of a new political party, or non-party as it might term itself, The Jury Team.
The organisation is planning to field 70 candidates in June's European elections on an anti-political party platform.
It intends to select independent candidates for each region, chosen by a text-message voting system, to offer an alternative to what it describes as the 'lobby-fodder' of traditional political parties.
Roger, who has previously stood for election for the Labour Party, said he put his name forward as he was disillusioned with the main political parties.
He said: "I am standing because like many people I feel let down by politicians and the party system.
"I've always put my money where my mouth is and feel I can make a difference.
"While I have previously represented the Labour Party I do agree with some elements of Conservative policy but feel the party whip system is undemocratic.
"I'd like to see more transparency and honesty return to politics.
"People are fed up of seeing politicians claiming huge expenses and the whole system needs reforming.
"But to make effective change you have to do it from within."
The system Jury Team is using to chose its candidates owes a lot to the American Primary system.
Prospective candidates have signed up to its website and take part in 'Open Primaries' with the public texting their preferences.
The party has been backed by the former independent MP for Tatton Martin Bell.
The Jury Team believes it is the first political movement in the world to select its candidates by text voting, something it says is direct democracy in action.
People who wish for Roger to become a candidate can vote for him before the end of April by texting ROGWHI01 to 86837, texts cost 25p plus the usual network rate.
The party, founded by Sir Paul Judge, said it will harvest the power of the internet to attract support.
It begins an aggressive attack advertising campaign against politicians tomorrow by placing online adverts with Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's local newspaper The Redditch Advertiser regarding her expenses claims.
17 Comments
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by Just a Thought, North Somerset
Thursday, April 09 2009, 8:44AM
“"There are none so blind as those who will not see."”
by Also a swimmer, Portishead
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 3:10PM
“Thank you Roger for putting the facts forward regarding our local qualified gardener, civil engineer, social worker , residential worker, train engineer, accountant, water engineer, nurse, doctor hygienist, ward manager, policy former and all round expert...... oh by the way how much does it cost for an adult to swim in the open air pool.......only went down twice this season?!
There appears to be many questions unanswered regarding the open air pool on these pages, can I suggest that as me you walk down the High Street into your local shop and speak directly to whom you have so many concerns for. Or contact the many Trust ran pools that have all been saved by local communities and all ran well from Burnham to London to Manchester.
I my self as many fellow swimmers and looking forward to contributing to this great community response and the first swim of the season.”
by Voter, Portishead
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 11:27AM
“So the facts basically are that as a previously unsuccessful local politician, Mr Whitfield used the Open Air pool Trust as a means of ensuring publicity for his political resurgence as no doubt will other ex Labour unsuccessful politicians who were also involved in the pool campaign.
At the last election another councillor changed her political allegiance to ensure winning a seat, it seems to be quite a habit.
These fickle and intrustworthy acts do not go unnoticed by the voting public which is probably why the turnout on election day is always so low.
Having listened to all sides of the argument, would I choose to believe a self interested politician with no loyalties or a local lady who has chosen to follow through her words and opinions on many occasions with no financial goal in sight and no ulterior motives? I think that question might just answer itself.
And where on earth has Mr Whitfield got the idea the pool is safe for the next 99 years. It seems the political spin that ensures all statements are economical with the truth has already become part of Mr Whitfields electioneering policy.”
by Roger Whitfield, Portishead
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 7:50AM
“Yet again Annette Hennessy gets it wrong, please check your facts.
Trustees are required to stand down on a regular basis and have maximum term restrictions, this is good practice for a trust.
The council closed the pool because it was too expensive to run, their figures may have been flawed and their conculsions weighted but their case does stack up enough to prove the point. Only with real investment will the pool become viable, and the council won't invest.
We have already negotiated the formal agreement for this year and the following 99, everything will be in place by the 23rd May 2009.
On the subject of my political colours, all I can say is that I am making a stand against the party political system that forces certain viewpoints onto its members, I believe that politicians should be free to represent their constituents.
I have not left the Labour party to join the Conservatives, or even the Lib Dems, I have left to enable me to do what is best for the people, not what is best for a political party.
You don't have to vote for me, that's your choice, but before voting you should look at the existing party political system and ask yourself, if it is giving you want you want.
There will be plenty of Independent candidates available at the next election, consider voting Independent before handing your vote to the same old party.”
by Annette Hennessy, Portishead
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 2:40PM
“I have sent personal correspondence to Roger Whitfield to correct him on his comment that the Friends "lost" and remind him of some of the issues. I also feel he should be open about his plans not to remain as a Trustee after the initial stages. The matter was far from over and whilst the Ombudsman cannot force any council to implement recommendations, North Somerset Council would have been unlikely to ignore matters.
Finally and I mean finally because I rarely post more than one comment on a subject, the open air pool is not safe. It has been secured for one season only after which time, a formal agreement will be negotiated. It is this negotiation that concerns me because of Trust instability and possible inflexible conditions imposed by the council.”