The Listening Council

"But we are listening to everyone......." Kay Cutts 18 Nov 2009

Here's an example of listening - Vogon Style:

An attempt was made to present a petition to Tory Cllr Wendy Quigley (click here for her previous attempt at spin) about the proposed Cutts in spending. Unlike the £1000 per week from various councils in expenses she and her husband, who is also a County Councillor, are allegedly claiming, she refused to accept it. This left the hapless petitioners with no option but to ask a neighbouring County Councillor from another party to take it to County Hall. Once there he immediately ensured it was passed to Ms Quigley who had to reluctantly accept it. Protocol is that it is then presented to full council. I'll now quote a witness:

She ranted and raved about the Labour leader, even whilst she was coming down to present the petition to the Chairman. It was all most undignified. In her best Retford fish wife style, she stood in front of the elected members screeching. Throughout all this her gallant husband rather than ride to the rescue put his head in his hands and left her to her own fate.

Of course during her rant she omitted to explain the subject of the petition. Members called for her to tell the chamber, so all could hear, but she suddenly seemed rather reticent. It was left to the Chairman of the Council to utter the immortal words 'its about Council cuts'!

I understood that by this point the Tory leader Kay Cutts had reached the sports pages in the paper and was considering the crossword.

David Cameron predicts this to be a glimpse of the future in Parliament.