Labour Councillor used pseudonym to praise own work

Such is the lack of support or enthusiasm for Labour Councillors these days,that some of them have come up with a new way of promoting themselves.

Labour councillor Ben Grower has been exposed for using a number of pseudonyms to write letters to his local newspaper to "praise" his own work.

In one post about plans to build Europe's first artificial surf reef in Boscombe, the Labour councillor wrote: "At least two councillors seem to be concerned about this mess. Well done Cllrs Ratcliffe and Grower."

Other comments praised him for fighting a housing plan and, concerning the expansion of a dentist's surgery, he wrote: "Just shows that the area does have councillors who care about their residents.

"Well done Ted Taylor, Ben Grower and Beryl Baxter."

Grower said that many other councillors did the same thing but he had never written anything "offensive". I believe him on that point. He is hardly likely to write a letter, saying that he is a liar and a fraud.

But if what he says about other councillors committing the same offence is true, then he should name them. Voters in his ward should make a formal complaint to the Standards Board on his actions and demanding he be disciplined.

But having been exposed he does not intend to stop. He says that he will carry on praising himself but would use a different pseudonym. This truly shows the arrogance of the people we are up against.

If they are allowed to get away with this kind of behaviour, it totally destroys any confidence members of the public have in their local councillors.

But if you want to see real arrogance in operation, then you might like to visit this article on how the conservatives deal with real letters from real constituents.

UPDATE

And let us not forget how Home Secretary Jacqui Smith pursuaded her husband to write letters in support of her without actually mentioning that he was paid £40,000 per year by her to do so.

Tags: Ben Grower