East Of The Wantsum

Here's this week's East of the Wantsum. Click it to big it.

Yes, yes, I know the Gazunder isn't out until tomorrow, but seeing as it's so topical given today's news that Panama Steve has resigned. And given that I did it on Monday. And given that I don't get paid for doing it. And given that if I don't get it out there early that Checksfield fellow's likely to publish it on his titty blog. Given, given, given! I tell you, with me it's all bloomin' give. You should count yourselves lucky you've got such a philanthropic talent in your midst!

Still, good to know my exposé of the 'member for Panama' as Cllr Moores referred to him here on Thanet's Premier Blog has come to, er, fruitation! As Kevin Keegan would say.

Breaking News - Panama Steve Resigns

This just in from Thanet Labour leader Clive Hart:

For information:

I sent this communication to Cllr. Latchford this morning and he now (12.30pm) confirms that Cllr Broadhurst will be resigning but that the letter of resignation has to be signed by him in person so it may take a little while coming from Panama.

AN OPEN LETTER REGARDING CLLR STEPHEN BROADHURST CONSERVATIVE MEMBER FOR DANE VALLEY WARD

Cllr. Latchford,

As Cllr. Ezekiel is on holiday I address this request to you as the Deputy Conservative Group Leader at Thanet District Council.

At a one-to-one meeting with Cllr. Ezekiel shortly before he left for his holidays I asked him exactly what he was going to do about Cllr. Broadhurst, his apparent lack of availability for the residents of Dane Valley Ward and the excessive time he spends on the other side of the world in Panama? Cllr. Ezekiel responded with the words 'if and when it should become a problem, I'll ask him for his resignation'.

I now write to formally ask that the situation regarding Cllr. Broadhurst and his excessive time spent in Panama be dealt with officially by your group.

For far too long Cllr. Broadhurst has been 'invisible' and 'virtually unobtainable' to the residents of Dane Valley Ward. Labour members from surrounding wards are consequently receiving many requests for help. Indeed, I myself have helped an elderly and distraught lady reporting anti-social behaviour and also dealt with serious issues concerning residents and allotments. Labour members at TDC are rooted in their communities and will not turn their backs on decent local residents with problems, but it is simply appalling that the Conservative councillor Stephen Broadhurst appears to be able to do just that!

Several leading articles exposing the amount of time Cllr. Broadhurst spends in Panama and his apparent lack of response to any type of communication have covered local newspapers and have been posted on the world wide web. These articles reflect poorly on TDC as an authority and also on other decent elected members across Thanet.

Worse still, leading Conservative members at TDC are now making cynical public comments about the situation. On his return from holiday the Conservative Chairman of Planning posted the comment 'Return from somewhere (not Panama)' on his internet blog site and the Conservative Cabinet Member for Customer Services & Business Transformation actually posted a comment on the internet jokingly referring to Cllr. Broadhurst as 'the member for Panama'. Such comments from leading members do absolutely nothing to help the situation and expose an underlying culture of blazon disregard for the feelings of local residents at top levels within the current Conservative administration.

I therefore ask that you take the action that Cllr. Ezekiel appeared extremely hesitant to take himself and call for the resignation of your Conservative colleague - Cllr. Stephen Broadhurst.

Cllr. Clive Hart - Labour Group Leader - Thanet District Council.

All At Sea

Following my recent item about the RNLI, reader Michael writes:

Interesting bit of film you posted about the rough seas and the old cruise ship. Seeing as you are in nautical frame of mind here is a still photo from January 26th this year of Fred Olsen's Balmoral (ex Norwegian Crown) which sails from Dover and Southampton pitching alarmingly in the Bay of Biscay rather perilously close to land. This was just one incident out of many in a few hours of rough weather and possibly poor seamanship.

Yes it did come up again but cut short the cruise and returned to Dover with a few injured passengers and some damage.

I don't know if I am your furthest away regular reader but it's great to be able to keep in touch with all the wonderful things happening on the Plannit Fannit while I suffer here in Florida in sunny 75 degree temperatures and limited to two pina coladas per hour by a cruel mistress.

Hmm. I wonder if Michael is indeed my furthest flung follower? No, probably not. Stephen Broadhurst, the Blue Rinse councillor for Dane Valley, lives in Panama and phones his votes in, I seem to recall. He's bound to be an avid reader!

Click here to read about 'nightmare' cruise on BBC News website

Panamadness

No, really. I've heard it all now. The excelllent yourfannitinnit has followed up my recent hint that one of our local councillors is off to Panama. Stephen Broadhurst, the Blue Rinser for Dane Valley, says he might move to South America permanently, but reckons he'll still be able to represent his ward. And presumably pass go every six months to collect his stipend.

What with most of the rest of the local Tory twitterati guesting at Portuguese villas or swanning around in yachts, why don't they just go the whole hog and banish themselves to a Jacuzzi in Majorca? After all, I'm sure the non-elected council officers can get on with the important job of implementing Conservative policies without any help from actual politicians!

Click here for full story in yourfannitinnit