Editorial Comment
IN EARLY April 2010, YT ran an article titled: Phil Anderson: Future Tory leader. We didn’t quite realise that it would be this quick!
We ran that article because on meeting Phil for the first time on a chilly afternoon in Stanford it was clearly evident that Phil was intellectually and politically, head and shoulders above any other Conservative (in Thurrock) that we had met.
In two weeks time he could be the next leader of Thurrock Council. Some may be surprised that someone with only a years experience of being a councillor could be leader of a multi-million pound organisation.
But firstly, Phil will need to heal the rifts in his party. Even the election process will have exposed fissures and cracks. It was clear that cllr Rob Gledhill saw himself as a certainty for the job. It was only when the figure of Homesteads cllr Sue MacPherson appeared as a possible candidate that he realised what was going on.
Indeed, the east side of the borough could have had a clean sweep had Orsett councillor Mike Revell successfully bid for the deputy leadership. Ockendon councillor Amanda Arnold won through this time but “la belle dame sans merci” will not have taken kindly to the challenge.
Phil’s first task will be to persuade East Tilbury Independents John Purkiss and Barry Palmer that they can continue to work together. As John Purkiss said to YT during the election when asked about their voting patterns: “Well, maybe the Tory policies suit the people of East Tilbury”.
The next step is Concerned Conservative Iain Harrison, who Phil will hope to bring in from the cold. The same will apply to outgoing mayor Anne Cheale. Both roles will be tricky as he has become leader through the perceived political patronage of Mike Revell and so that may be a major stumbling block.
We would like to think that Phil’s cerebral form of politics would not have run a campaign such as that in Aveley on “Consigning political correctness to the dustbin of history.” a campaign that was offensive to ethnic minorities or a clumsy one which trod all over the procurement process.
Phil is a fascinating choice. It is clear that some of his Tory colleagues find his discourses difficult to follow and he may need to keep it brief for fear of losing them.
If he does form an administration then he may struggle to fill it with talent. Tunde and Sue may have mayoral duties, Barry Johnson has gone.
Once again. interesting times. It is clear that the Thurrock Tories are the black sheep of the British Conservative Party, question is whether Phil is the good shepherd to return the flock to the fold?
Is this maneuver an attempt to win 2 more votes from Iain Harrison, whose wife received an award for 50 years of loyalty and hard work to the Tories who was removed because in my opinion didn’t fit in with certain members in the Tory group? How dare they say .At present Cllrs Chelae, Harrison they hope to bring these in from the cold? I think these two individuals have more integrity followed by common sense then to be used to make up the numbers to help win the administration. Sounds like a filthy tricks campaign these two life long conservatives was just disregarded 21 other conservatives could have spoken up when they removed the whip from Cllr Cheale nevertheless only two did Cllr Haslam and her loyal running partner Cllr Harrison, Cllr Anderson now it’s the right time you will make a stand to bring them back in the fold like two little lost sheep I’m sorry but these two councilors have to much intelligence to be used
This all sounds excellent what happened to the third little lost sheep that needed support and a friend when he was the chair. Then again he cant help you with winning the administration why even bother to mention him then John Cowell supporting Ukip racial leaflets Cllr Anderson it will take a year to try and put things right with this maneuver you remind me of the former leader in another suit I hope you demonstrate to me I am wrong. Furthermore residents are appalled with what’s been happening in Thurruck Tories back stabbing tricks clear the wolfs out who are hurting your sheep
Albert’s rants sound just like Terry Hipsey’s un-articulate nonesense…
Turner lets get the facts right they removed the whip from Cllr Cheale a life long Tory member who devoted her time to the group. Same as Ian Harrisons wife only to be stabbed in the back by their group. as for the word defected i suppose they didn’t want to be embroiled with lorry parks illegal meetings read your Thurrock’s articles Mike gives great coverage on the letters from the TTGDC I haven’t got any love for labour either But they didn’t leave the council in six million pounds worth or debt mainly in consultants’ fees and try to privatise Grays beach leaving Thurrock council in a sticky legal position. All of a sudden you want to have 24 sheep in the Tories after publicly humiliating these cllrs should you use this word morals with that group after they make life uncomfortable for life long member surly more could have been achieved if their was more discussions less bulling .You cant boot people out then when its suits call them back to the fold where are their principles unfortunately Tuner people are individuals as we all know and can start off with all good intentions all travelling down the same road together and then individuals with in the group try to impose their will on others and this doesn’t make them cowards it makes them human beings who have got the right to change their minds on any issues and political affiliations simply because they use their intelligence and try to do the things they was elected to do for the residents of Thurrock and if that means not towing the Tory line so be it but i would rather somebody use their intelligence then follow like a sheep as for cowards Winston Churchill changed parties so do you consider him a coward .