SKIPP Press Release (28/12/11)

We won't remain silent...

Democracy and freedom to question those in power; two concepts which events at December’s full council meeting highlighted are denied the people of Southend by our arrogant dictatorial council.

During the session at the start of the meeting set aside for questions from the public, the dominant issue was that of selective licensing in the Southchurch area. However, as the questions began it rapidly became clear something was seriously amiss. Time and time again the persons asking a question were chastised by the Mayor and instructed to read the question verbatim from the sheet provided by the council. Bemused and angry the questioners all complained that the questions as they appeared on the sheet had been edited or altered by the council.

After each edited question was read out, Executive Cllr Slater answered in turn with the same monotonous unsatisfactory answer. Any person who attempted to respond to the answer was silenced by the Mayor. The public had no right to respond, we are required to sit down and be silent like  good little peasants.

After the questions from the public one Councillor independent Mike Assenheim asked “where in the constitution did it state that the Council had the right to edit or alter questions from members of the public?” Rob Tinlin then proceeded to read from the relevant clause in the constitution document which did indeed state that as Chief Executive of the Council he had the right to refuse, edit or alter any question submitted by the public to be asked at a Council meeting.

This whole shameful episode just highlights what many in our town already know, Southend is run by a low-level dictatorial junta which hides behind the pretence of democracy. The reality of the situation is that as far as the council and its ruling elite are concerned, the public should be silently obedient.

Well sorry to disappoint, we won’t conform, we won’t remain silent, we are not sheep to be led silently to the slaughter, we are the 99% and we will be heard...

The SKIPP Committee

Patsy Link

Sheena Walker

Mark Sharp