The truth about the One Barnet programme

The Friends of Mike Freer are aware that many local residents have concerns regarding the One Barnet programme. These concerns are largely based on the rather inaccurate media coverage and the concerted publicity campaign, run by the local Trades Unions. This campaign is based on the premise that nothing can ever change in local government and the only thing that matters is keeping safe the jobs of union members. 

In reality, the One Barnet programme has seen the council look at all the services the council provide, to see if they can be improved and be as cost effective as possible. They have been examined to see if there are better ways of running them. I am sure you will agree that this is a good thing in the current finical crisis we face.  

A good example is how the council are now sharing legal services with Harrow council (A Labour run authority). The council also have wonderful community and charity led community coaches who are making some great differences in our communities.  Some critics have tried to portray Barnet Council as ideologically driven, but the council has brought waste services back in house, as this proved to be the most cost effective solution.  

Of course some services will be more cost effective to outsource. The service providers will provide huge investment to our services, money the council doesn't have, whilst improving the services and keeping council tax down. Isn't this what sensible Councils are meant to do?

The lies of Labour exposed

If you have ever wondered what the Labour party would do to win an election, you need look no further than the Barnet Eye blog. This is run by a character called Roger Tichborne. If you don't know his history, Mr Tichborne was a Labour party member for many years. Sadly for Mr Tichborne the Labour party had moved on from his brand of swivel eyed politics. In a desperate attempt to raise his profile, he decided to stand as a Lib Dem in Mill Hill ward in the 2010 council elections. He couldn't actually bring himself to resign from the party he loved, so actually stood as a candidate for the Lib Dems whilst retaining membership of Labour!!!! When the Labour party found out, they kicked him out and banned him from membership for five years, in accordance with their rulebook. Sadly for Mr Tichborne, his bid to become a Lib Dem Councillor also floundered. The previously safe Lib Dem seat tumbled and Mr Tichborne finished bottom of the three Lib Dems in the polls.

Mr Tichborne has been sulking ever since. In his efforts to suck up to the Labour party, he has published ever more misleading blogs. He even made a couple of films which no one has ever seen about how nasty the local Conservatives are!!! He has managed to fall out with all of the other local bloggers, even prompting one to threaten court action over abusive tweets!!!  Whilst other bloggers attend the town hall, check invoices and trawl through FoI requests, Mr Tichborne simply listens to those charming voices in his head for his inspiration!

The local Labour party see Mr Tichborne as a useful idiot. They occasionally dangle the prospect of lifting the ban on his membership (without ever having the slightest intention of actually doing it) in return for publishing some wild and whacky blog, making grossly misleading claims.

The lastest of these appeared on his blog yesterday, claiming that Mike is responsible for the destruction of 300 jobs in Barnet!!!! The spurious argument Tichborne used was the fact that Mike was the leader of Barnet Council in 2009. It is a matter of public record that Mike ceased to be involved then. He became an MP in 2010 and has dedicated himself to representing the people of Finchley and Golders Green. Since Mike stepped down as leader of Barnet Council, there have been three leaders. Whilst it is true that Mike initiated a program of efficiency and transformation at the council (what sensible leader wouldn't), to claim he is responsible for the final plan, which emerged three years later,  is clearly ridiculous.  It would be like blaming John Major for the credit crunch in 2008 because he'd been prime minister before Tony Blair.

The truth of the matter is that all decisions about One Barnet are matters solely for Barnet Council, which Mike left over two and a half years ago. Whatever Mike may think has no bearing on what the council actually does. There can only be one reason for such a claim being made. Liebour believe that Mike is doing a good job and they will resort to absolutely anything to try and undermine him, even if it means having to lie in the gutter with the likes of Roger Tichborne!!!