In a world of Blackberrys, Facebook and dare we say, Twitter, do the MP’s feel there is an IT overload or do they welcome the access it gives to their constituents?

All the major newsgroups have made a number of cuts in the last year as the recession has bitten very deeply. It is understood that Newsquest, which runs the Thurrock Gazette is set to ask staff to take unpaid leave.

Reporters at the Thurrock Gazette were understood to be angry at the price of tickets for the Thurrock Business Awards, organised by the Thurrock Gazette (£75) and boycotted the ceremony.

YourThurrock visited the House of Commons to assess the opinions of Thurrock MP’s Andrew MacKinlay and Angela Smith.

South Basildon and East Thurrock MP calls for urgent talks with Council Leader over damning Audit Commission report.
MP Andrew Mackinlay slams a “hopelessly out of touch” Thurrock Council as well as demanding that Environment Agency has its backside kicked.

BOTH THURROCK MP’s have expressed their deep concern at the revelation by last week’s Audit Commission report that Thurrock Council is one of the worst performing councils in the country.
In a series of interviews back in their constituencies, Andrew Mackinlay and Angela Smith have both called for urgent action in the light of the report.

Andrew Mackinlay described the Council as “breathtakingly out of touch” as he demanded that the Council act swiftly to redress the criticisms detailed by the Audit Commission.

South Basildon and East Thurrock MP Angela Smith has asked for urgent talks with beleaguered boss Terry Hipsey to assess what action is being taken.

It’s clear that at the highest level of government, the actions of the council are being watched to see if they are capable of pulling themselves out of the mire.

It’s also clear that Cllr Hipsey’s fellow Tories are looking for firm leadership and crisis management.

YourThurrock has asked several Tories for interviews on the crisis but they have stated that it has to come from the Leader.

Cllr Hipsey’s office have indicated that he is not available for interview until March 31st.

Tomorrow, YourThurrock will be assessing how “Out of Touch” the Conservative Councillors are.

Speaking on Friday in the town, Angela Smith clearly delivers the message that she fully supports the traders and will ensure that the plight of small businesses in Corringham wil be a focus in Thurrock but also in Westminster.

The campaigns are hotting up. The facebook site now has 1200 members and a petition is on-line at http://www.gopetition.com/online/25879.html

What is also clear is that a large chunk of the campaign is being is being fought out on social networking sites such as facebook, youtube and twitter.

What was good enough for Barack Obama is good enough for the supporters of the Corringham Traders.

Now the world can see Cllr Anne Cheale scream at one of her constituents: “You should get your eyes tested.”

The Labour Group are also planning to place a ballot box in the Town Centre.

The next Cabinet meeting will be on Wednesday March 11th.

http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWeb

Public/Meeting.aspx?meetingID=1676