Dude Swheatie of Kwug welcomes Kilburn Cllr John Duffy's Kilburn Calling blog

Dude Swheatie of Kwug welcomes Kilburn Cllr John Duffy's Kilburn Calling blog

While Brent Council officers are increasingly acting in the style of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty Four shape of how awful things can become, Cllr John Duffy (Labour) on Brent Council has launched a blog outpost named Kilburn Calling. (Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four that introduced the term 'Big Brother' was actually written back in 1948.)

Below is copy and paste of Dude Swheatie's comment responding to Cllr Duffy's blog piece

Kilburn councillor's attempt to represent residents thwarted by 'Big Brother' Brent officer action

Well said, Cllr Duffy!

The officers' attitude to South Kilburn residents reminds me of attituddes toward disabled peoples' empowerment within what has now become Jobcentre Plus within the Department for Work & Pensions [sic].

While on a period of 'Work Preparation' at Hendon College paid for by my [then Employment Service] Disability Employment Adviser in 1999 I asked my DEA for a copy of the Action Plan that I had agreed to so that I could be a truly active particpant in the programme, especially as the Action Plan would be relevant to the outcomes and review procedures. Her response was that all such paperwork involved was "confidential to the Employment Service and to the service provider. You can see a copy of the Action Plan in my presence, but cannot have a copy for yourself." Brilliant, especially as my disability involves short-term memory.

Disability charity Skill (National Bureau for Students with Disabilities in post-16 education) affirmed to me by emial that that practice was contrary to my information rights; and the College took such a different view of the matter from the Employment Service point of view that they sent me transcript notes based upon the Action Plan allowed participants and allowed participants to review the exit reports made of them and even propose amendments to the draft exit report.

That was 1999 and Skill closed in 2011 through starvation of funds. It seems to me that charities really need to be far more indepent from statutory funding to be enabled to continue informing, advising, guiding and speaking out for THEIR constituents. And we know what has happened to Government policy regarding disabled people since 2011, or at least I hope we do.

And re South Kilburn residents 'living on a building site' for nine years, and their having been told back in 1997 that things were going to get better for them, that has made them all the more vulnerable. Revd Dr Martin Luther King Jr warned of "the tranquilising drug of gradualism."

Tulip replies to challenge

The following content was sent by Hampstead & Kilburn Labour Parliamentary candidate Tulip Siddiq to the blogmeister's gmail inbox.

Thanks for your email. I have now read the blog [piece A challenge to Tulip Siddiq: stand up for claimants, not just the camera!].

A few points - 

When Boris Johnson walked past my office, I asked Boris Johnson what he was going to do about the No 13 Bus which he is planning to scrap. He refused to answer. It's a very important bus for elderly residents in this constituency and therefore, I felt the need to raise it. The CNJ reported that I asked that question in their coverage. 

Secondly, did you invite me to the protest on 7th April? Apologies if I missed it but I can't see an email about it. I would have attended if I had known about it. 

Thirdly, please can you let me know the name of the person who dropped into my office? I can look into their case. 

Lastly, there are plenty of Labour posters and garden stakes up in Brent. There's also a big poster in the window of the Good Ship on Kilburn High Road. And of course, that's the Brent side of Kilburn High Road. 

I'm happy to help constituents but of course, my power is somewhat limited as a candidate. If I am elected on 7th May, I will be in a stronger position to help people in the constituency.

Best wishes  

--

Tulip Siddiq

Parliamentary Candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn
The Labour Party

Email contacts are signed up for an e-newsletter, with the usual unsubscribe/reply features.

Whoever you choose, don't forget to vote on Thursday 7th May.