Burnley gets UKIP County councillor

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:41 pm

Alan Hosker has won his seat from Labours Marcus Johnstone.
I think it's more the work Alan has been doing for the local community rather than the party he represents though.
http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/poli ... -1-8528931" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:43 pm

I have no idea if he is a good Councillor or not, but that wont stop people from seeing us as knuckle draggers again.

taio · Post by **taio** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:44 pm

I remember him as a local referee - under no circumstances was swearing permitted.

Tories are going to comfortably take control of the council by the looks of it.

dermotdermot · Post by **dermotdermot** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:56 pm

The Curse of Corbyn.

taio · Post by **taio** » Fri May 05, 2017 1:58 pm

Some electoral divisions still to be declared but the Tories have just gained their 43rd seat which means they have regained overall control of the council.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:03 pm

dermotdermot wrote:The Curse of Corbyn.

Marcus Johnstone has been getting destroyed on social media for lying about things such as youth centres and libraries closing. He never turned up to a flood meeting in Padiham that he was asked to. Very poor from what I know of him.

Whereas Alan Hosker seems to sort anything you go to him with straightaway. Should be good for the local area.

I don't think you can blame Corbyn for this one.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:04 pm

Currently the only councillor they have.

He's be the leader by the next election at this rate.

taio · Post by **taio** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:08 pm

Quickenthetempo wrote:Marcus Johnstone has been getting destroyed on social media for lying about things such as youth centres and libraries closing. He never turned up to a flood meeting in Padiham that he was asked to. Very poor from what I know of him.

Whereas Alan Hosker seems to sort anything you go to him with straightaway. Should be good for the local area.

I don't think you can blame Corbyn for this one.

Corbyn and the state of the Labour Party nationally of course will have influenced this local election. Coupled with the fact that LCC under Labour, supported by the Lib Dems, has had to make cuts to services because the Tories have slashed local authority funding.

ClaretMoffitt · Post by **ClaretMoffitt** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:15 pm

cloughyclaret wrote:I have no idea if he is a good Councillor or not, but that wont stop people from seeing us as knuckle draggers again.

We'll look better to the out of town snobs if we vote labour so we should vote for them.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:16 pm

taio wrote:Corbyn and the state of the Labour Party nationally of course will have influenced this local election. Coupled with the fact that LCC under Labour, supported by the Lib Dems, has had to make cuts to services because the Tories have slashed local authority funding.

I agree to a certain extent but Labour just seem to put up poor candidates up thinking Burnley is a given. Cooper will struggle as well so it's time for Labour to sort itself out in this regard.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:19 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:Currently the only councillor they have.

He's be the leader by the next election at this rate.

Now that Brexit is on track UKIP hasn't got anymore uses really. He will probably go as an independent when UKIP folds.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:21 pm

I don't think UKIP will fold, simply because the people who don't want Brexit are unlikely to quit anytime soon.

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:24 pm

ClaretMoffitt wrote:We'll look better to the out of town snobs if we vote labour so we should vote for them.

I didnt say we should vote for Labour to look better. My area voted for Jeff Sumner for Lib Dem (because he is a good bloke). But it doesnt change my point. People (snobs or not) will see us as knuckle draggers. Its what a lot of people think of UKIP

ClaretMoffitt · Post by **ClaretMoffitt** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:27 pm

cloughyclaret wrote:I didnt say we should vote for Labour to look better. My area voted for Jeff Sumner for Lib Dem (because he is a good bloke). But it doesnt change my point. People (snobs or not) will see us as knuckle draggers. Its what a lot of people think of UKIP

******** to them I say.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:29 pm

A good, local councillor is a good local councillor whoever he supports.

As long as non-UKIP voters can go to him with their concerns, then its often better to have independents or non-partisan councillors.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:30 pm

cloughyclaret wrote:I have no idea if he is a good Councillor or not, but that wont stop people from seeing us as knuckle draggers again.

A lot of people think football supporters are hooligans. But you wouldn't give up football because of prejudiced and ignorant opinions from people you have never met; so why get upset about thickos who don't know the difference between UKIP and the BNP?

Almost everyone in England has a UKIP representative in government; mostly in the European parliament. Are we all knuckle-draggers?

ClaretMoffitt · Post by **ClaretMoffitt** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:32 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:A good, local councillor is a good local councillor whoever he supports.

As long as non-UKIP voters can go to him with their concerns, then its often better to have independents or non-partisan councillors.

Exactly this

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:36 pm

Course CM and DSR, it would certainly help with the national reaction to this if he was nothing to do with the BNP (not saying he is btw as I've no idea, but if its there, then its going to come out, and come out soon)

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:41 pm

dsr wrote:A lot of people think football supporters are hooligans. But you wouldn't give up football because of prejudiced and ignorant opinions from people you have never met; so why get upset about thickos who don't know the difference between UKIP and the BNP?

Almost everyone in England has a UKIP representative in government; mostly in the European parliament. Are we all knuckle-draggers?

If he is a good councillor then great, the people have voted for the right man for the job (as I believe they did in SW). I am not against him, so please don't get me wrong or put words in my mouth. I didn't say I think we are all knuckle draggers, just that many people will, and no. I don't like people thinking that when I know we aren't.

Not sure a lot of people believe football supporters are hooligans.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:41 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:Course CM and DSR, it would certainly help with the national reaction to this if he was nothing to do with the BNP (not saying he is btw as I've no idea, but if its there, then its going to come out, and come out soon)

Saying "I don't know whether he's a member of the BNP" can still be slander, you know.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:42 pm

cloughyclaret wrote:If he is a good councillor then great, the people have voted for the right man for the job (as I believe they did in SW). I am not against him, so please don't get me wrong or put words in my mouth. I didn't say I think we are all knuckle draggers, just that many people will, and no. I don't like people thinking that when I know we aren't.

Not sure a lot of people believe football supporters are hooligans.

And I'm not sure a lot of people believe UKIP voters are knuckle draggers. 4 million people voted for them at the last election - they weren't just a tiny minority party.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:44 pm

Ah, the threat of legal action

Cheers, tells me all I need to know, though I should cut you some slack, its been a really bad day to be UKIP.

ClaretMoffitt · Post by **ClaretMoffitt** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:51 pm

What's this about him being a member of the BNP, have I missed something??

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:53 pm

Nothing, its just a simple question I asked which DSR decided to call all in on.

I'm not that bothered, but DSR over reaction seems a bit strange.

If he's the only UKIP councillor left after today, then he's going to get a lot of attention was really the only point I was making.

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:53 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:Course CM and DSR, it would certainly help with the national reaction to this if he was nothing to do with the BNP (not saying he is btw as I've no idea, but if its there, then its going to come out, and come out soon)

He's nothing to do with the BNP, and never has been..

Both Blackburn with Darwen and Milton Keynes have former BNP members, sitting as Labour Councillors..

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:54 pm

ClaretMoffitt wrote:What's this about him being a member of the BNP, have I missed something??

I think it's just Lancasters way of getting a slur in with out any basis. Certainly an odd thing to say without any proof.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:54 pm

Cheers Clarets4me

Hope he's a good councillor for his constituents.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:56 pm

I've re-read what I put.

Its not my fault neither DSR and Quickenthetempo can't read.

mikeS · Post by **mikeS** » Fri May 05, 2017 2:58 pm

Interesting that Johnstone has lost his seat, the countycouncillorfor culture, libraries etc that have been decimated in Lancashire on his watch

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:03 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:Nothing, its just a simple question I asked which DSR decided to call all in on.

I'm not that bothered, but DSR over reaction seems a bit strange.

If he's the only UKIP councillor left after today, then he's going to get a lot of attention was really the only point I was making.

He won't be the only UKIP councillor left, unless all the sitting councillors that weren't standing choose to resign. He may be the only one who wins today.

Why would you link a man with the BNP if you don't want to stir up rumours? I could, for example, suggest that while I don't know if you have ever mugged any old ladies, if you have the truth will come out - but why would I? If I have no reason to believe you're a mugger - and I don't - then I don't link your name with mugging. It's not polite, and not fair, to link a man with the BNP just because you would prefer he hadn't been elected.

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:04 pm

cloughyclaret wrote:If he is a good councillor then great, the people have voted for the right man for the job (as I believe they did in SW). I am not against him, so please don't get me wrong or put words in my mouth. I didn't say I think we are all knuckle draggers, just that many people will, and no. I don't like people thinking that when I know we aren't.

I know both Alan Hosker and to a lesser extent, Jeff Sumner..

Alan was first elected as a Councillor in 2015,in a by-election. His term only lasted a year, and he was then re-elected for another 4 years in 2016. During that time, he's worked like a trojan in his ward, sorting out people's issues. He's also put out regular newsletters updating people on what's going on in the area, unlike some Councillors who you only see in the 3 weeks leading up to Election time..

He's won despite the Labour party chucking huge resources at the seat...well done him !!

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:09 pm

mikeS wrote:Interesting that Johnstone has lost his seat, the countycouncillorfor culture, libraries etc that have been decimated in Lancashire on his watch

Seems like he'll have quite a bit more Leisure time himself, after today !!

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:10 pm

Bullshit argument DSR. I never implied anything, and asked the question because unless you are as thick as pigshit, that question will be asked by the national media.

Like I said, you've had a really bad day so I'm cutting you some slack.

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:14 pm

This is absolutely no reflection on Mr Hosker- whose past and background I have no knowledge of whatsoever, but the BBC are already linking his victory to the BNP past of the seat.
"It did win one seat from Labour Lancashire Council. Alan Hosker won in Padiham and Burnley West, a ward represented by the BNP between 2009 and 2013."
From what I hear he is a sound man and a good councillor, so I think he would do himself a favour if he came out immediately and denied any previous link with the BNP and its values.

Ptangyangkipperbang · Post by **Ptangyangkipperbang** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:22 pm

I would never have thought in a million years I would have voted for ukip but yesterday I did because I 100% know what Alan Hosker has done and tried to achieve for my town.And if the BBC are trying to undermine him they would do well to come down and see all the good and positive things he has done

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:25 pm

Fair play Ptang, fair play indeed.

Its a local vote, and voting for locals with a good track record is absolutely the way forward.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:28 pm

Who would of thought the left wing BBC would make the link first?

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:32 pm

Just for reference I would like to distance Alan from the IRA, Taliban, SNP, KKK, Burnley Suicide Squad and Nazi party all in one go.

ClaretMoffitt · Post by **ClaretMoffitt** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:50 pm

Ptangyangkipperbang wrote:I would never have thought in a million years I would have voted for ukip but yesterday I did because I 100% know what Alan Hosker has done and tried to achieve for my town.And if the BBC are trying to undermine him they would do well to come down and see all the good and positive things he has done

Not much chance of that.

They like the narrative they are going with just fine.

Falcon · Post by **Falcon** » Fri May 05, 2017 4:52 pm

Quickenthetempo wrote:Who would of thought the left wing BBC would make the link first?

Lol - I find it funny how people on the left think BBC is right-wing biased and people on the right think BBC is left-wing biased. Almost as if it is chartered to be politically neutral or something...

Back to the UKIP thing, to outsiders it does look a bit like the good people of Padiham have forgotten we've already had the Brexit referendum, making UKIP essentially pointless. However, looking at the points above it looks like people are voting for the man, not the party, which is good.

gawthorpe_view · Post by **gawthorpe_view** » Fri May 05, 2017 4:57 pm

I think most people in Padiham voted for the candidate rather than his party, I certainly did.
Well done Alan, you deserve your victory.

Imploding Turtle · Post by **Imploding Turtle** » Fri May 05, 2017 5:45 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:Currently the only councillor they have.

He's be the leader by the next election at this rate.

Yep. Now watch as Burnley gets painted as the only town racist enough to elect a councillor from a racist party.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri May 05, 2017 5:55 pm

Imploding Turtle wrote:Yep. Now watch as Burnley gets painted as the only town racist enough to elect a councillor from a racist party.

I'm sure you will put up a strong argument for the town though.

Imploding Turtle · Post by **Imploding Turtle** » Fri May 05, 2017 6:16 pm

Quickenthetempo wrote:I'm sure you will put up a strong argument for the town though.

I hear racism every day at work so I'd be better placed to make the argument that we are a race town. We're certainly further along the spectrum than most towns.

But my point is that no one will look at this guys public service record. They'll see 'ukip', they'll see that he's the only one that won (have any others yet?) and jump to a conclusion. I'm not saying it's the right or wrong conclusion, my complaint is mostly about the conclusion being reached for the wrong reasons.

RingoMcCartney · Post by **RingoMcCartney** » Fri May 05, 2017 6:21 pm

nil_desperandum wrote:This is absolutely no reflection on Mr Hosker- whose past and background I have no knowledge of whatsoever, but the BBC are already linking his victory to the BNP past of the seat.
"It did win one seat from Labour Lancashire Council. Alan Hosker won in Padiham and Burnley West, a ward represented by the BNP between 2009 and 2013."
From what I hear he is a sound man and a good councillor, so I think he would do himself a favour if he came out immediately and denied any previous link with the BNP and its values.

I think one of the ukip manifesto pledges is to scrap the bbc licence fee.

Perhaps they have an agenda.

Given the poor election results for labour, I'm surprised that the BBC isn't broadcasting sombre music as a mark of respect.....

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Fri May 05, 2017 6:53 pm

taio wrote:I remember him as a local referee - under no circumstances was swearing permitted.

Tories are going to comfortably take control of the council by the looks of it.

Sounds like he is a better councillor than he was a referee.

Without doubt the worse, most obnoxious, ignorant referee I ever experienced in sunday league. A ref so full of his own self inportance - think Howard Webb on steroids.

Jeff Sumner incidentally was committee chairman at the time. And a much more reasonable and grounded chap.

Alan only ever listened to one voice. His own. Happen make a good mp after all.

taio · Post by **taio** » Fri May 05, 2017 7:04 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Sounds like he is a better councillor than he was a referee.

Without doubt the worse, most obnoxious, ignorant referee I ever experienced in sunday league. A ref so full of his own self inportance - think Howard Webb on steroids.

Jeff Sumner incidentally was committee chairman at the time. And a much more reasonable and grounded chap.

Alan only ever listened to one voice. His own. Happen make a good mp after all.

Agree, he was a bit of a t**t as a referee - but I don't think that should be used a measure of him given what he had to put up with in that role. He's obviously impressed his local constitutes presumably through hard work and dealing with local issues so fair dos to him.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Fri May 05, 2017 7:10 pm

taio wrote:Agree, he was a bit of a t**t as a referee - but I don't think that should be used a measure of him given what he had to put up with in that role. He's obviously impressed his local constitutes presumably through hard work and dealing with local issues so fair dos to him.

I feel for refs. Especially sunday league ones. But all of his issues he had to deal with were of his own doing. You could have the most sporting game with no incidents and he would still send someone off.

Not a reflection of his politicak skills i must add but given his character as a ref I am surprised he is an mp never mind a succesful one.

taio · Post by **taio** » Fri May 05, 2017 7:15 pm

Know what you mean but he's not a MP

Burnley loyal · Post by **Burnley loyal** » Fri May 05, 2017 9:36 pm

Sent me off a few times!