Councillor suspended over Twitter remarks (From Thisisdorset)
When news happens send us your pictures, video and views. Text BE to 80360 or contact us by email
Councillor suspended over Twitter remarks
5:48pm Sunday 6th May 2012 in Latest By Stephen Bailey
Councillor suspended over Twitter remarks
A COUNCILLOR has suspended herself from the Conservative Party after saying online that nobody but the right wing English Defence League (EDL) “sticks up for the English”.
Bournemouth Conservative Sue Anderson has referred herself to her party’s disciplinary procedures and the standards board.
She made the comments on Twitter on Saturday night and her views were retweeted by more than 20 people.
The mum-of-four, who represents Moordown, was criticised by hundreds of people and labelled “shameful” by one Twitter user.
She told the Echo she did not support the EDL and that it was a throwaway remark made in anger late at night.
But the Conservative Party’s Dorset chairman, Bournemouth Cllr Nick King, told the Echo: “These kind of comments are completely unacceptable.”
Bournemouth’s Labour group leader Cllr Ben Grower said: “She should seriously consider her position.
“The Conservative Party has got to deal with this matter quickly and firmly.”
Cllr Anderson also tweeted to an account jointly run by a woman of Asian descent: “If you don’t like it here go back to where you came from.”
The EDL opposes “Islamic extremism” and its demonstrations have seen violent clashes with the police and anti-racism protesters.
Last year Prime Minister David Cameron said the EDL was “sick”.
Around 20 tweets were deleted from Cllr Anderson’s account yesterday afternoon and her picture was removed.
Asked about her tweet on an EDL St George’s Day demonstration she told the Echo: “To see English people waving English flags being held back by the police from a peaceful protest – I don’t agree with that.
“That said, I would say the same about the Scots and the Welsh and the Irish.”
Asked about the tweet saying “go back to where you came from”, she said: “I tweeted that? It doesn’t sound like me. I would say that to anybody, any English person that was living in Bournemouth.”
She also said: “I am not going to continue this conversation if you are going to try and make out I am some sort of racist because I am not.
“You are trying to make me out to be an EDL supporter and I am not an EDL supporter. I am a Conservative supporter and that’s it.”
She later released a statement saying she had not understood the “racist” views of the EDL and that she abhorred intolerance. She made an unreserved apology.
Comments(108)
darcyknows
says...
6:53pm Sun 6 May 12
fartycat
says...
6:58pm Sun 6 May 12
.
When the EDL came to Weymouth, they got very drunk, chanted lots of foul racist abuse, tied up hundreds of police for the whole day and evening and frightened tourists and locals alike.
.
Weymouth people including councillors held a very dignafied vigil against the EDL. At this event Tory, Labour and Lib Dem councillors put aside their differences and united to condemn the racist EDL.
.
Sue Anderson is not fit to represent us and she should resign immediately. Fair play to the local Tory party for acting so fast on this issue and suspending her from the party.
.
I also note that Stephen Bailey tweeted earlier about a politician threatening to withdraw cooperation from the Echo if Stephen went ahead and reported on a story. No names were mentioned but the Echo should come out and tell us who that politician is.
step up
says...
7:23pm Sun 6 May 12
Slobber
says...
7:37pm Sun 6 May 12
I agree with him that if this is true, Sue Anderson is not fit to represent her constituents.
I also agree with Fartycat (pass me the smelling salts, please, before I almost pass out again) that should Mr Bailey's tweet about "don't run that story" is true then that person needs to be named.
Blimey. Twice I've agreed with Fartcat in one post. I need to go lie down in a darkened room to a short time and listen to whale music to recover...
step up
says...
7:43pm Sun 6 May 12
Jettyway
says...
7:51pm Sun 6 May 12
O'Reilly
says...
8:32pm Sun 6 May 12
O'Reilly
says...
8:34pm Sun 6 May 12
fartycat wrote:I'd pay to see the EDL tie up hundreds of police.
She also tweeted to someone called Deepa Naik that he should go back to where he came from.
.
When the EDL came to Weymouth, they got very drunk, chanted lots of foul racist abuse, tied up hundreds of police for the whole day and evening and frightened tourists and locals alike.
.
Weymouth people including councillors held a very dignafied vigil against the EDL. At this event Tory, Labour and Lib Dem councillors put aside their differences and united to condemn the racist EDL.
.
Sue Anderson is not fit to represent us and she should resign immediately. Fair play to the local Tory party for acting so fast on this issue and suspending her from the party.
.
I also note that Stephen Bailey tweeted earlier about a politician threatening to withdraw cooperation from the Echo if Stephen went ahead and reported on a story. No names were mentioned but the Echo should come out and tell us who that politician is.
Freddie frog
says...
9:16pm Sun 6 May 12
politicaltrainspotter
says...
9:17pm Sun 6 May 12
poolebabe
says...
9:18pm Sun 6 May 12
.....!!!
EGHH
says...
9:27pm Sun 6 May 12
Jettyway
says...
9:31pm Sun 6 May 12
9:18pm Sun 6 May 12
No no no no no no no no no!!! As a politician, she should set an example. Racism is wrong. Full stop! ....................
.....!!!
.....
What racism? The EDL is made up of all races and religions, they are against muslim extremists and have muslim members, people should do their homework and seek out the truth for themselves and not rely on lefty biased journos to label people. For a real eye opener look up who is behind the UAF..you'll see Cameron, Livinstone, Unite union, broadcasters, journalists etc.
LionSingh
says...
9:41pm Sun 6 May 12
the EDL “sticks up for the English”...the Black English, the Brown English the White English...The Pink Gay English, It sticks up for the English Hindus and Sikhs..It stands by the English Jews...It stands for the English muslims who want to be English...
THE EDL loves our England. Our many cultures and colours.
SHE IS RIGHT and PC idiots are just picking on her ..
Angry Lionsingh
Slobber
says...
9:58pm Sun 6 May 12
Generally though, the comments have been expressed at closed functions, meetings and, for want of a better word, "parties" where everyone attending was of the same blue hue.
I have attended several over the years and was quite shocked at the overly racist, anti-semetic (in certain circles but not others!) as well as homophobic (though that's quietened down now there are some openly homosexual Conservative councillors).
It's quite possible that the lady concerned hadn't actually realised the reach of her audience when she naively posted her twit. And Twit is what she is...
Resign Sue - it's the only honourable option...
penhale
says...
10:33pm Sun 6 May 12
If you are unfortunate enough to ave to appear in court and tell lies you get done, if you stand in the community and tell the truth you get done, is there no winning in this country any more.
poolebabe
says...
11:06pm Sun 6 May 12
Jettyway wrote:Muslim extremists? What's that got to do with "religion" Or this story in fact? So what has the EDL or UAF got to do with multiculturalism or racism? Being member of any club does not prove anything. How many people are members of a con club, but vote Labour? Just saying! Unless they were a chromosome away from being a part of the national front of course!
poolebabe says...
9:18pm Sun 6 May 12
No no no no no no no no no!!! As a politician, she should set an example. Racism is wrong. Full stop! ....................
.....!!!
.....
What racism? The EDL is made up of all races and religions, they are against muslim extremists and have muslim members, people should do their homework and seek out the truth for themselves and not rely on lefty biased journos to label people. For a real eye opener look up who is behind the UAF..you'll see Cameron, Livinstone, Unite union, broadcasters, journalists etc.
It doesn't matter a heck what people choose to be a member of, but comments like hers above do. There is no excuse!
She is racialist. She isn't Tory, leftie, liberal, righty. She should be sacked.
High Treason
says...
11:19pm Sun 6 May 12
step up wrote:Sue Anderson was speaking the truth and your socialist party Nu Labour importing millions of people to live off tax payers is why she is correct. The good thing about having a French socialist government is they will screw up the Euro with overspending. Sue Anderson should stand for UKIP.
Thoroughly bad lot. Rotten to the core. Lucky France with the decency of a socialist president Hollande. This town with always be sick because it will always be Tory. Sad
High Treason
says...
11:33pm Sun 6 May 12
poolebabe wrote:Many will disagree with you for the following reasons. A vast majority of those settling here have no intention of intergrating into British society. Not all I agree. Many do not work yet claim health care, housing and education for their children. They even arrive with elderly members of their family who immediately get the retirement pension. Look at the figures and then wonder why there is a shortage of school places, housing, jobs and increased taxation. Perhaps you can see why many think like Cllr Sue Anderson but we have lost freedom of speech in this country to say as such.
No no no no no no no no no!!! As a politician, she should set an example. Racism is wrong. Full stop! ....................
.....!!!
High Treason
says...
11:39pm Sun 6 May 12
politicaltrainspotte"charged with a race hate offence"
r wrote:
Well done Stephen Bailey and now this is a test of Councillor Beesley leadership metal but it seems the evidence is clear to see,so she should be sacked and if neccesary charged with a race hate offence.
What a complete load of rubbish. Charge her and no jury would convict her unless it was made up of the likes of you.
mrhectic
says...
11:41pm Sun 6 May 12
eathe of fresh air??? lol! For starters flag waving existed long before the edl.
Give this Councillor should get the sack. I for one don't want her in a position of authority with such warped views.
MrPitiful
says...
12:29am Mon 7 May 12
Pity we can't find a decent way to get rid of a few more - voting them out seemingly isn't enough in Bournemouth.
muscliffman
says...
12:46am Mon 7 May 12
The real issue is the conflict with her role as an elected Conservative member of the Council - and therefore (presumably) that Parties differing attitude in such matters.
Honourably, if she does not unreservedly withdraw the comments, then she must resign.
Perhaps then to later seek re-election in Moordown as an Independant, or for a political party more in tune with her comments.
It is not however racist to support the English as a race (of all hues) or a culture as some seem to shout - the English were founders of todays Left and Right political Parties, so we do have broad views.
It is increasingly considered by a vocal minority, as partly evidenced here, to be racist just to ask the native English (of all hues) what their opinions might be, let alone put a voice to them - this is not acceptable either.
However I hope this lady does not insult any of the Moordown constituents by sailing under false political colours (again?). This appalling fraud already applies to someone else on Bournemouth Council.
Jettyway
says...
12:50am Mon 7 May 12
mrhectic wrote:Hello mrhectic, I fail to see what your comment on 'flag waving' has to do with my post.
hello Jettyway....edl...br
eathe of fresh air??? lol! For starters flag waving existed long before the edl.
Give this Councillor should get the sack. I for one don't want her in a position of authority with such warped views.
Here's a novelty - report the cllr to the police for her views and let them decide whether a 'racism' crime has been committed rather than the kangaroo court of ill informed mob mentality ruling what is acceptable. It's small minded people who scream racist! that are ruining this country.
Linguist
says...
1:14am Mon 7 May 12
LionSingh wrote:Well said Lion. There are too many people who comment on here who only believe what others want them to hear.
EDL far-right ?? Complete rubbish... and the lady is right !!!
the EDL “sticks up for the English”...the Black English, the Brown English the White English...The Pink Gay English, It sticks up for the English Hindus and Sikhs..It stands by the English Jews...It stands for the English muslims who want to be English...
THE EDL loves our England. Our many cultures and colours.
SHE IS RIGHT and PC idiots are just picking on her ..
Angry Lionsingh
politicaltrainspotter
says...
1:23am Mon 7 May 12
High Treason wrote:You are obviously out of touch on the sensitivity of race...
politicaltrainspotte r wrote: Well done Stephen Bailey and now this is a test of Councillor Beesley leadership metal but it seems the evidence is clear to see,so she should be sacked and if neccesary charged with a race hate offence."charged with a race hate offence" What a complete load of rubbish. Charge her and no jury would convict her unless it was made up of the likes of you.
ldc
says...
2:56am Mon 7 May 12
i4hs2 from 8th April - she is an illogical shallow thinker at best or a racist who now lies when caught out. Either way not fit for council.
AdamSFC
says...
6:34am Mon 7 May 12
step up wrote:What's this?? A level headed, reasonable and non-reactionary response to a story on the Bournemouth Echo website?? Now I have seen everything!
Thoroughly bad lot. Rotten to the core. Lucky France with the decency of a socialist president Hollande. This town with always be sick because it will always be Tory. Sad
EGHH
says...
6:50am Mon 7 May 12
tomtom909
says...
9:15am Mon 7 May 12
davecook
says...
9:31am Mon 7 May 12
So if this is wrong, is it also wrong to say that only Plaid Cymru sticks up for the Welsh, or the SNP sticks up for the Scottish?
Is it possible for anyone to stick up for the English without being seen as racist?
fishington123
says...
9:48am Mon 7 May 12
step up
says...
9:54am Mon 7 May 12
High Treason wrote:I agree with you that the influx of eastern Europeans was a terrible mistake that had profound consequences for our country and our town but think hands were tied with freedom of movement from all Member states. But at least it's an honest mistake made from being human and overgenerous. Unlike the Tory party who are self serving and cruel. Why doesn't Sue Anderson stand as EDL ?? Because she won't get elected so like a good self serving tote that is what Tory party is made up of she stands as a Tory to ensure shes elected. Then we have the usual undemocratic bullying of another Tory trying to gag the media. Give me a socialist, with mistakes, any day. At least you are dealing with people who have conviction in what they say and integrity. Never be the case for Bournemouth though and that is sad. Always be self serving Tory rubbish.
step up wrote:Sue Anderson was speaking the truth and your socialist party Nu Labour importing millions of people to live off tax payers is why she is correct. The good thing about having a French socialist government is they will screw up the Euro with overspending. Sue Anderson should stand for UKIP.
Thoroughly bad lot. Rotten to the core. Lucky France with the decency of a socialist president Hollande. This town with always be sick because it will always be Tory. Sad
Gordon Cann
says...
9:59am Mon 7 May 12
'A web of privilege supports this so called meritocracy'
fartycat
says...
9:59am Mon 7 May 12
.
The BNP got wiped out at the elections on Thursday even after pretending they weren't racist whilst wearing shiny suits. EDL, you're next.
.
On the subject of Weymouth, Jettyway I am afraid you are very wrong. The EDL (all white by the way) arrived by train already **** up. They went to a pub. Got more drunk. Walked up and down the prom (a whole 500 yards). Went back to the pub and got more drunk. It was watching a bunch of nethanderal football hooligans. As I was outside your pub you started shouting '**** ****' at someone walking past.
.
If people want to see the EDL in action I suggest they get on YouTube and search. Plenty of videos on there of them behaving like the nasty racist knuckledraggers they are. Here's one I picked totally at random;
.
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=okHq3PGIz
Qs
PokesdownMark
says...
10:08am Mon 7 May 12
step up
says...
10:15am Mon 7 May 12
PokesdownMark wrote:It's not a question of being too sensitive! It about hypocrisy. She stood and is elected as a Tory. If this does not, in reality, reflect her true beliefs, she's a fraud!!! Let her stand as an EDL and you know what your voting for. EDL are not banned are they? She is a fraud and should go!!
I think we (society) are way too sensitive about these issues. Which is a tragic shame because it acts as a barrier to logical, reasoned discussion.
*Fiona*
says...
12:21pm Mon 7 May 12
politicaltrainspotteDo you remember when Stephen and Nick Rowe did that really nasty piece about Cllr Ben Grower.
r wrote:
Well done Stephen Bailey and now this is a test of Councillor Beesley leadership metal but it seems the evidence is clear to see,so she should be sacked and if neccesary charged with a race hate offence.
They took great delight in totally humiliating him -it gave the Echo staff a right old laugh.
ekimnoslen
says...
12:31pm Mon 7 May 12
username is already in use wrote:English? Who are they? I thought we'd been outlawed
She's right.
*Fiona*
says...
12:34pm Mon 7 May 12
They printed a letter that was discriminatory towards the mentally ill.
THEY NOT ONLY PUT IT ON THE LETTERS PAGE THEY ACTUALLY BANNER HEADLINED IT WITH A PHOTOGRAPH AND HIGHLIGHTED IT AS 'EDITORS CHOICE'.
I wrote a letter in to try to neutralize the negativity but they refused to print it so I forwarded it MIND.
___________________
Dear Sir/Madam
I have forwarded a letter sent to the Bournemouth Daily Echo in response to an Echo reader who described patients at St Anns as behaving abusively towards staff.
Sadly it hasnt been printed which is a real shame because the mentally ill have enough stigma to contend with in Dorset.
From what I can gather the letter was from someone who had a depression anxiety breakdown and it was their first time in a psychiatric hospital.
From: fiona.d.p@hotmail.co
.uk
To: letters@bournemouthe
cho.co.uk
Subject: Pejorative words stigmatize the vulnerable.
Date: Wed, 2 May 2012 11:14:35 +0100
In response to the letter 'NHS are given a very hard time' Wed 25th April
It was refreshing to read of your correspondents recovery from a mental breakdown after having such a positive experience with staff members at St Anns hospital.
If you look at the history of the mental healthcare system there tends to be precious little mention of the use of kindness in the treatment of the mentally ill however it was slightly unfortunate that his/her fellow patients were interpreted as behaving abusively.
Individuals who are ill enough to be sectioned into a mental hospital but are still coherent can find it very frightening to be around people suffering psychotic episodes as they are experiencing delusions and auditory hallucinations and are unable to control how scared they feel -it can be very shocking for someone who has never had to deal with this.
I feel its important not to pejoratively label the mentally ill -people who have cancer have a better chance of recovery than most people with a long standing mental illness.
Fiona Dougherty-Price.
Hainesman1
says...
12:49pm Mon 7 May 12
Arjay
says...
1:08pm Mon 7 May 12
..OK to cheer 'Team GB' ?
..OK to be proud to be British?
..OK to be proud of my nationality, if I'm Scottish or Welsh?
..NOT OK to be proud to be English though?
That would bring down the wrath of the Commissars of the Bournemouth branch of the Stasi upon me, I'm guessing?
Hey ho.....
Paul Nelson
says...
1:25pm Mon 7 May 12
It is NOT "defending" England, it is an embarrassment to it!
If you read websites like www.edlnews.co.uk or any of their Facebook pages you will see the racism, hatred and bigotry openly pouring from it's members. Which is why the vast majority of the English people have rejected these oddballs, neo-nazis and drunkards.
I am proud to be English but I am ashamed of the likes of the EDL!!!
fartycat
says...
1:30pm Mon 7 May 12
Paul Nelson wrote:Well Said!
If the EDL was simply set up to oppose "islamic extremism" it would have universal support, even amongst Muslims. However it was not. It was set up by far-right thugs, football hooligans and ex-members of the BNP with a clear racist agenda.
It is NOT "defending" England, it is an embarrassment to it!
If you read websites like www.edlnews.co.uk or any of their Facebook pages you will see the racism, hatred and bigotry openly pouring from it's members. Which is why the vast majority of the English people have rejected these oddballs, neo-nazis and drunkards.
I am proud to be English but I am ashamed of the likes of the EDL!!!
Jettyway
says...
1:43pm Mon 7 May 12
fartycat wrote:Oh dear, you've just proved you know as much about the EDL as you do about the Weymouth march - the EDL was instigated in response to our soldiers being abused at their homecoming parade in Luton by muslim extremists and the EDL have protested about extremist muslims, inc poppy burners on remembrance day, ever since. When I initially replied to your post I didn't realise you were the Echo's resident, embittered, troll and so I won't be feeding you in future.
Nice to see that somone linked this story to a far right messageboard so that the comments above were flooded by EDL supporters.
.
The BNP got wiped out at the elections on Thursday even after pretending they weren't racist whilst wearing shiny suits. EDL, you're next.
.
On the subject of Weymouth, Jettyway I am afraid you are very wrong. The EDL (all white by the way) arrived by train already **** up. They went to a pub. Got more drunk. Walked up and down the prom (a whole 500 yards). Went back to the pub and got more drunk. It was watching a bunch of nethanderal football hooligans. As I was outside your pub you started shouting '**** ****' at someone walking past.
.
If people want to see the EDL in action I suggest they get on YouTube and search. Plenty of videos on there of them behaving like the nasty racist knuckledraggers they are. Here's one I picked totally at random;
.
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=okHq3PGIz
Qs
yohodi
says...
2:45pm Mon 7 May 12
It was a reckless statement, but like it or not, a simple statement of a very obvious truth.
*Fiona*
says...
2:57pm Mon 7 May 12
I dont feel she was racist in saying she felt the EDL was the only organisation with a pro British ideology she was just politically incorrect.
She was not denigrating a minority by saying they were inferior she was expressing a viewpoint.
The Echo is being slightly unfair in depicting her as a racist.
I have heard the leader of the EDL speak on Newsnight a couple of times and he is a very intelligent man
(even Paxman seemed quite impressed) unfortunately his followers have among their number some ignorant thug scum bags.
We (supposedly) live in a democratic culture so its quite worrying that the Daily Echo wants so desperately to depict the Cllr as a racist oppressor.
step up
says...
3:10pm Mon 7 May 12
yohodi wrote:Think you are missing the point! If that's what she thinks why has she signed up to stand and be elected as a Tory! Let her resign and join the EDL whose views she so admires and see if she gets reelected! She's a fraud
It's the unspoken truth, the Elephant in the room.
It was a reckless statement, but like it or not, a simple statement of a very obvious truth.
fartycat
says...
4:55pm Mon 7 May 12
.
I would really love it if the Echo could display the whereabouts of each poster as well as their username. Perhaps then we'd see that just like the Weymouth demo last year we are seeing lots of EDL supporters being bussed in to stand up for a rather dubious councillor and a racist organisation.
.
*Fiona* - she WAS denigrating a minority when she told Deepa Naik that he should go back to where he came from in reply to a tweet from him on the subject of inequality re education. That WAS racism, no matter how you try and paint it.
.
Funeral Addict
says...
5:02pm Mon 7 May 12
wayne.asquith
says...
5:14pm Mon 7 May 12
ldc
says...
5:19pm Mon 7 May 12
Any EDL supporters care to state out loud what exactly they are defending about england?
I see the students the medics the disabled the teachers all fighting to defend england and its true culture of NHS/education etc - Where the hell were the EDL in the fight to save the NHS - where were the EDL on trhe studebt marches - down the pub ranting about how it is the immigrants fault - falling hook line and sinker for the governments divide and rule tactic. They defend nothing - I have patriotism for England - it is a multi cultural island that from year dot has contained immigrants - fighting for the NHS education etc.. (ie the left) are those truly defending england.
Ocd1980
says...
5:21pm Mon 7 May 12
EGHH
says...
5:48pm Mon 7 May 12
"For both comments I apologise unreservedly.
"I would like to make it clear that I in no way support the English Defence League or any other organisation that promotes intolerance."
And that her comments are:
"incompatible with active participation within the Conservative Party"
She has removed her Twitter account.
*Fiona*
says...
6:59pm Mon 7 May 12
fartycat wrote:I missed that bit...
Yay, I'm promoted to embittered troll. How many points till I reach the next level?
.
I would really love it if the Echo could display the whereabouts of each poster as well as their username. Perhaps then we'd see that just like the Weymouth demo last year we are seeing lots of EDL supporters being bussed in to stand up for a rather dubious councillor and a racist organisation.
.
*Fiona* - she WAS denigrating a minority when she told Deepa Naik that he should go back to where he came from in reply to a tweet from him on the subject of inequality re education. That WAS racism, no matter how you try and paint it.
.
It would depend on how she said it to him.
Its not necessarily racist to debate race and where ppl come from ,their origins etc.
EDL is (mainly) an anti Muslim organization.
Personally I dont believe Islam is correct in its beliefs some of which are plain weird (ie Judas was crucified in Jesus place).
I have nothing against Muslims, they may be misguided but they are also clean living, spiritual honourable, people.
__________________
Recently I received abuse on here including threats of police intervention when I criticised Rubyz for sexualizing the Titanic tragedy.
I was cyber bullied and called all sorts of names inc stupid woman,bigot homophobe,trying to incite sexuality hatred and so on.
It seemed to be taken for granted that the nightclub and the clubs patrons offensive/ entitled behaviour was not to be challenged in any way because the Bmth gay community had a politically mandated victim status and the state (services of the police) could be called in to intervene to silence me.
Thats plain wrong.
__________________
Cllr Anderson was venturing a legitimate view in a democratic society.
All groups (excluding the very vulnerable ill disabled etc) should be subject to a degree of criticism without an automatic
pc interpretation of prejudice and or bigotry.
Britian is well known for championing the underdog, tolerance and compassion but this has been exploited and some minority groups are gaining unjust personal advantage, preferential treatment and political power.
PokesdownMark
says...
7:39pm Mon 7 May 12
They are on tricky ground though and no doubt realise that. We tend, rightly, to support minority groups in this country. So to organise against certain aspects of an extreme (?) subset of a minority group is bound to create friction.
Meanwhile it was a Labour government that bought in legislation to prevent young teenage girls being taken out of school and abroad to marry. Usually to marry a first cousin. See now I am immediately uneasy even typing that. What I meant about being over sensitive. Am I criticising a race? a religion? a tradition? a socio-political expedience? Is it acceptable? It must be a genuine issue because legislation was created by a left wing (kinda!) government. If the EDL is "wholly incompatible with Conservative policy" does that mean the law to protect young teenage British girls would not have been introduced by a Tory government?
bourne free
says...
8:02pm Mon 7 May 12
Winstanley
says...
8:13pm Mon 7 May 12
Anyone who claims that they are standing up for English values is an idiot - english values like tolerance, democracy, human rights?
Violent thugs is what they are.
Yes they started in response to Al Qaeda influenced extremism in Luton, but one extremist group isn't the answer to another and this type of racist response only fuels the AQ narrative.
For more info on the EDL - http://www.hopenotha
te.org.uk/hate-group
s/edl/
Winstanley
says...
8:48pm Mon 7 May 12
http://www.bournemou
thecho.co.uk/news/82
93728.EDL_members_ar
rested_over_Bournemo
uth_mosque_bomb_plot
_fears/
*Fiona*
says...
9:06pm Mon 7 May 12
The Conservative party isnt a party of conservatives anymore.
Cameron and his ilk seem intent on undermining our Christian based society in the name of social progression.
Its a disgrace.
s-pb2
says...
12:23am Tue 8 May 12
Nixcails
says...
12:37am Tue 8 May 12
Arjay
says...
1:09am Tue 8 May 12
http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Godwin's_la
w
What a surprise.....
fartycat
says...
7:18am Tue 8 May 12
Arjay
says...
8:43am Tue 8 May 12
O'Reilly
says...
5:26pm Tue 8 May 12
Bmthdad
says...
5:29pm Tue 8 May 12
*Fiona* wrote:..............and telling someone with a different skin colour to "go back to where he came from" isn't racist????
Cllr Anderson lives in a democracy where we have free speech.
I dont feel she was racist in saying she felt the EDL was the only organisation with a pro British ideology she was just politically incorrect.
She was not denigrating a minority by saying they were inferior she was expressing a viewpoint.
The Echo is being slightly unfair in depicting her as a racist.
I have heard the leader of the EDL speak on Newsnight a couple of times and he is a very intelligent man
(even Paxman seemed quite impressed) unfortunately his followers have among their number some ignorant thug scum bags.
We (supposedly) live in a democratic culture so its quite worrying that the Daily Echo wants so desperately to depict the Cllr as a racist oppressor.
She is a racist with that remark alone. Disgrace. Sack her NOW
*Fiona*
says...
5:45pm Tue 8 May 12
Arjay wrote:Id never heard of Godwins law before.
It's taken longer than i thought, but, as usual with this kind of thread, Godwin's Law has now been applied.
http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Godwin's_la
w
What a surprise.....
The quickest way to stifle free speech and close down any debate is to become very reductive and play the phobe or the ism card.
Bmthdad
says...
5:47pm Tue 8 May 12
High Treason wrote:You are forgetting than many that settled here from the 50s onwards were given the right to being part of the Commonwealth, and because those people living here thought the jobs they came to do were "beneath them".
poolebabe wrote:Many will disagree with you for the following reasons. A vast majority of those settling here have no intention of intergrating into British society. Not all I agree. Many do not work yet claim health care, housing and education for their children. They even arrive with elderly members of their family who immediately get the retirement pension. Look at the figures and then wonder why there is a shortage of school places, housing, jobs and increased taxation. Perhaps you can see why many think like Cllr Sue Anderson but we have lost freedom of speech in this country to say as such.
No no no no no no no no no!!! As a politician, she should set an example. Racism is wrong. Full stop! ....................
.....!!!
then we joined the EU and ANYONE within the EU can come here to live and work. So where is the wrong?
This Cllr told someone with a different coloured skin to "go back where they came from" That is a highly offensive, racist, ignorant and bigoted thing to say. End of. That sort of thinking has NO place in this or any other country, let alone from a supposed higher member of our society. Sack her.
Please go and find some facts to back what you say about the "many" of those settling here.
Arjay
says...
6:34pm Tue 8 May 12
Are you making this up as you go along? -- where did THAT come form.
Normally, that would just be a laughable comment from a typical Echo 'troll', but in this case that is a serious accusation. She told them to go back to where they came from because of the colour of their skin?....
Could you direct us to the source of that quotation please?.....
Bmthdad
says...
6:37pm Tue 8 May 12
Arjay wrote:Third post in. It always helps if you read the entire thread?
'told someone with a different coloured skin to go back where they came from' ??
Are you making this up as you go along? -- where did THAT come form.
Normally, that would just be a laughable comment from a typical Echo 'troll', but in this case that is a serious accusation. She told them to go back to where they came from because of the colour of their skin?....
Could you direct us to the source of that quotation please?.....
Bmthdad
says...
6:40pm Tue 8 May 12
Arjay wrote:http://politicalscra
'told someone with a different coloured skin to go back where they came from' ??
Are you making this up as you go along? -- where did THAT come form.
Normally, that would just be a laughable comment from a typical Echo 'troll', but in this case that is a serious accusation. She told them to go back to where they came from because of the colour of their skin?....
Could you direct us to the source of that quotation please?.....
pbook.net/2012/05/cl
lr-sue-anderson-raci
st-tweets-twitter/
Arjay
says...
6:44pm Tue 8 May 12
As I say, no reference to skin colour, that I can see?....
Arjay
says...
6:54pm Tue 8 May 12
It does not mention on their website whether either (or both?) of those people are of asian descent or hot -or even what genderthey are.
I think there might be an element of 'creative thinking' here, in an effort to promote a racist slant to the comment.
Again, no mention of skin colour.....
Bmthdad
says...
6:58pm Tue 8 May 12
Arjay wrote:I think you'll find fartycat saw her tweet as did I...........it is also on the link provided and also in the Echo.She deleted the tweets after the controversy started. Don't be so blind.
From your subsequent link, it appears that 'Not aGateway' is run by Trenton Oldfield and Deepa Naik.
It does not mention on their website whether either (or both?) of those people are of asian descent or hot -or even what genderthey are.
I think there might be an element of 'creative thinking' here, in an effort to promote a racist slant to the comment.
Again, no mention of skin colour.....
Obviously Deepa is an Asian woman who is not white.........
Arjay
says...
6:59pm Tue 8 May 12
Bmthdad
says...
7:02pm Tue 8 May 12
t does it matter who runs Not a Gateway? FACT is the Cllr made the remark based on her assumption the Asian woman was not British simply by her name and skin colour, (which could be seen via her twitter page)
Arjay
says...
7:03pm Tue 8 May 12
How on earth can you possibly know that? Are you acquainted with Deepa Naik?
It's not difficult to see how 'racial' stereotyping can occur.....and that can lead on a very slippery path to racial accusations ...
Oh, hang on, that 's where we came in....
Arjay
says...
7:13pm Tue 8 May 12
http://news.sky.com/
home/uk-news/article
/16204481
Don't know if the other half is as well?......
Bmthdad
says...
7:14pm Tue 8 May 12
Arjay wrote:Well if you had done an ounce of research, as I did, before commenting, you would know that what I am saying is true.
'Obviously Deepa is an Asian woman who is not white'?
How on earth can you possibly know that? Are you acquainted with Deepa Naik?
It's not difficult to see how 'racial' stereotyping can occur.....and that can lead on a very slippery path to racial accusations ...
Oh, hang on, that 's where we came in....
Deepa is a woman of Asian descent, but is British, she also happens to be non-white. So, the racism is all too obvious, hence the Cllrs swift removal of the offending tweets and her apology, both of which are too late.
Arjay
says...
7:31pm Tue 8 May 12
It would appear that the 'Not a Gateway' people are keen to have a 'jab' at the establishment, if the boat race stunt was typical, so they may have been deliberately goading Cllr. Anderson, to try and elicit some response.
Which they seem to have succeeded in doing.
It was certainly naive of her to respond, but not necessarily malicious.
And I still can't find anything, other than supposition, that indicates the remarks were made because of anyone's skin colour......
Bmthdad
says...
7:51pm Tue 8 May 12
Arjay wrote:So why did Cllr remove her tweets and apologise?
I didn't see the entire Twitter exchange between Cllr Anderson, and the 'Not a Gateway' people, so I have no idea whether there was more to it than the selective quotes extracted , and published, by various people, for their own political ends.
It would appear that the 'Not a Gateway' people are keen to have a 'jab' at the establishment, if the boat race stunt was typical, so they may have been deliberately goading Cllr. Anderson, to try and elicit some response.
Which they seem to have succeeded in doing.
It was certainly naive of her to respond, but not necessarily malicious.
And I still can't find anything, other than supposition, that indicates the remarks were made because of anyone's skin colour......
I have seen the entire content which was simply the Cllrs comments made when some inequality statistics were tweeted. There was no exchange or provocation. All is freely available if you bothered to do some research You are being deliberately blind and condoning racism simply because it is aimed at someone who is associated with someone else or a body who is anti establishment? Wow!
Arjay
says...
7:59pm Tue 8 May 12
You can't have it both ways.
Or are you expecting me to believe that the re-posted items are the complete exchange, just because you say so?......
Bmthdad
says...
8:03pm Tue 8 May 12
there are many websites that have the tweets. Just because the Cllr deleted the tweets her end does not remove them entirely. Come back and comment when you have done some research yourself.
Arjay
says...
8:06pm Tue 8 May 12
I did once tell someone from 'up north', complaining about how bad southern beer was, to go back to where he came from, if he didn't like it.
I don't remember the colour of his skin.......
Arjay
says...
8:09pm Tue 8 May 12
Bmthdad wrote:...Like I'm going to trust the evidence from a website who's main contact disrupted this years boat race as a stupid 'political prank'
Look, it's really simple. Google it, or go to notagateway twitter page and find the exchange.
there are many websites that have the tweets. Just because the Cllr deleted the tweets her end does not remove them entirely. Come back and comment when you have done some research yourself.
*Fiona*
says...
8:13pm Tue 8 May 12
Arjay wrote:Theres no point arguing with Bmthdad he's a compulsive invalidator and tends to see most issues in black and white (no pun intended).
Make your mind up!....it's either 'All freely available' or it's 'been removed'...
You can't have it both ways.
Or are you expecting me to believe that the re-posted items are the complete exchange, just because you say so?......
There are no shades of grey in his frame of reference.
Arjay
says...
8:27pm Tue 8 May 12
*Fiona* wrote:Ahh... I see... thanks. I've been trolled... how embarrassing!!
Arjay wrote:Theres no point arguing with Bmthdad he's a compulsive invalidator and tends to see most issues in black and white (no pun intended).
Make your mind up!....it's either 'All freely available' or it's 'been removed'...
You can't have it both ways.
Or are you expecting me to believe that the re-posted items are the complete exchange, just because you say so?......
There are no shades of grey in his frame of reference.
Well done, bmthdad, I really didn't spot it....:-)
Bmthdad
says...
8:36pm Tue 8 May 12
I am simply a person that speaks up against racism and bigotry of any kind, and wont stand for the likes of bigots such as Fiona trying to suppress comments that disagree with her views. She complains to the echo to have dissenting views removed and ask that those that disagree with her not to comment on her posts but she feels free to comment on theirs, and adds comments unrelated to the matter at hand. She is a bigoted homophobe and racist herself, not to mention a rampant member of the God squad trying to ram religion down peoples throats.
Arjay
says...
8:42pm Tue 8 May 12
I'll leave you to play among yourselves...
It's so difficult to tell when you're being wound up, or not.....
Oh, and for the record: I still can't find any reference to anything about skin colour.....
PokesdownMark
says...
8:53pm Tue 8 May 12
In Absentia
says...
9:00pm Tue 8 May 12
If she really didn't know what the EDL stood for then why describe them in positive terms? Do the people of this town deserve to be represented by someone who waves the flag for an organisation and then claims not to understand what they stand for when challenged?
With regard to the 'go home' remarks, then I'm sorry, but assuming that the person in conversation is here legally and is law-abiding then there is no justification for that sort of comment. It's racism pure and simple.
If Cllr Anderson has a shred of decency she would resign like Charon and force a by-election for a vote of confidence. That's the only way to really test her standing.
Bmthdad
says...
9:05pm Tue 8 May 12
Arjay wrote:Don't let some of us put you off. You have some good points. It's all about opinions and you have a right to state yours as do we all.
Think I'll beat a hasty retreat. Not used to playing with the 'heavyweights'......
I'll leave you to play among yourselves...
It's so difficult to tell when you're being wound up, or not.....
Oh, and for the record: I still can't find any reference to anything about skin colour.....
I owe you an apology as there was indeed no reference to colour of skin so my mistake.
However, it is obvious what the Cllr meant by her comment as in my view her comment was all about the assumption that someone of Asian descent or Asian named, and therefore non white, is not British and should therefore "go back to where you came from". YOU know what that means and alludes to and so does everyone else. So lets stop beating around the bush. It was a racist comment irrespective of whether colour was mentioned or not. As for Fiona, you will get what she is about if you stick around long enough. In her world other religions and homosexuals are "misguided" and Jesus was a white geezer........
Arjay
says...
9:14pm Tue 8 May 12
PokesdownMark wrote:That's kind -- although I shall probably get eaten alive!!
Stick around Arjay. I (for one, ) appreciate your rational opinions and thought provoking questions.
Take the last post....describes Cllr. Anderson as 'someone who waves the flag for an organisation' when I'd read it as Cllr. Anderson saying that 'the EDL was the only organisation waving the flag for England'.
Not quite the same thing..in fact, not the same thing at all...but dare I say so?......
In Absentia
says...
9:54pm Tue 8 May 12
Arjay wrote:You can say what you like Arjay, but what's your point?
PokesdownMark wrote:That's kind -- although I shall probably get eaten alive!!
Stick around Arjay. I (for one, ) appreciate your rational opinions and thought provoking questions.
Take the last post....describes Cllr. Anderson as 'someone who waves the flag for an organisation' when I'd read it as Cllr. Anderson saying that 'the EDL was the only organisation waving the flag for England'.
Not quite the same thing..in fact, not the same thing at all...but dare I say so?......
retry69
says...
10:04pm Tue 8 May 12
Arjay
says...
10:05pm Tue 8 May 12
The former comment automatically suggests her support for the organisation.
The latter does not.
Big difference....
In Absentia
says...
9:39am Wed 9 May 12
She might well have tried to use the EDL as an example of a patriotic organisation, but she then claimed not to really know what they stood for. That's either ignorance or covering up, neither particularly attractive in a locally elected representative.
Arjay
says...
10:17am Wed 9 May 12
I've not had any dealings with them, so I don't know which of those views is correct.
I do know they like to 'wave the flag for England'
The same may be said for many on the left too. They say they are one thing, and then do another. Look how many 'socialist' MPs end up in the House of Lords - ermine robes and all!
So ignorance of the reality of the actual 'workings' of many different groups is entirely understandable....
And the mindless rants from
extremists, on both the far right, and the far left, don't exactly help to clarify things.....
*Fiona*
says...
3:44pm Wed 9 May 12
Greater Manchester Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have now apologised after they failed to bring the case of the first victim – Girl A – to trial following her cry for help in August 2008.
One 13 year-old victim became pregnant and had the child aborted while another was forced to have sex with 20 men in one night, the court heard.
Complaints to social workers and the police were ignored because they were "petrified of being called racist", former Labour MP for Keighley Ann Cryer said.
______________
The authorities were terrified of being politically incorrect this is what it means to live in modern Britain.
People are afraid of raising legitimate concerns for fear of being vilified.
Slem_1990
says...
7:18pm Wed 9 May 12
step up wrote:Amen. And when they're **** off they go right.
Thoroughly bad lot. Rotten to the core. Lucky France with the decency of a socialist president Hollande. This town with always be sick because it will always be Tory. Sad
Long live the Daily Mail!
stonkin
says...
8:04pm Wed 9 May 12
stonkin
says...
8:08pm Wed 9 May 12
elfinia
says...
12:03am Thu 10 May 12
Leave the Councillor alone. If you object to her comments ( which can be easily misunderstood through the medium of TWITTER , that's why it's called "twitter")then don't vote for her at the next election.
No way should she be suspended. do we have no more freedom of speech???
and what about Derek Borthwyck or whatever his name is.....I voted for him as an independent and he is still allowed to be in office though the next day he switched to Tory. blatant deceit, whereas this Moordown councillor was tweeting rather rashly but openly.
oversixty
says...
10:49am Thu 10 May 12
Is it the fact that we are multi- cultural? The fact is that we are a mixture of races from way back.
I remember vividly on a TV programme about ancestry when a chap who was British had his DNA taken.It turned out he was of Viking ancestry!
The fact is that the far right have one agenda-to target those of coloured skin!
Bmthdad
says...
2:54pm Sat 12 May 12
*Fiona* wrote:Why do you feel the need to mention they were Asian? It does not matter what religion/race/colour these men were from, they are evil paedophiles that should be locked away for good.
The asian paedophiles.
Greater Manchester Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have now apologised after they failed to bring the case of the first victim – Girl A – to trial following her cry for help in August 2008.
One 13 year-old victim became pregnant and had the child aborted while another was forced to have sex with 20 men in one night, the court heard.
Complaints to social workers and the police were ignored because they were "petrified of being called racist", former Labour MP for Keighley Ann Cryer said.
______________
The authorities were terrified of being politically incorrect this is what it means to live in modern Britain.
People are afraid of raising legitimate concerns for fear of being vilified.
*Fiona*
says...
4:53pm Sat 12 May 12
Daily Echo
A spokesperson for the club stressed the night was organised with the best of intentions and was not designed to be disrespectful or offensive.
“It wasn’t in any way, shape or form meant to offend anybody,” she said. “We can only apologise if anybody has taken it that way.
_________________
The spokesperson that gave the quote to the Daily Echo was Cllr King he owns and runs that nightclub.
I therefore think it is rather unfair of him to criticise a fellow councillors judgement.
username is already in use says...
6:22pm Sun 6 May 12