Can we please split this forum from 2 to 3 categories?

Newbury News

Random Rants

And

Richard Garvie's Political Rants.

Thanks.

On what basis?

That this forum has been virtually taken over by your own political ends and, as has been highlighted before here, that many do not want one persons political views to be injected into almost every topic.

By separating out your threads it gives those people a chance to avoid and, inherently, those who do wish to participate, a way of ensuring that they are directed to where they want to be.

I know it won't happen, but I was just trying to highlight that this is not the "Richard Garvie" forum.

Not just this forum

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109968362406940

This local radio DJ will jump on any bandwagon to help increase his fame it seems.

I think it's hilarious that I can't have a view on anything political because I am a member of the Labour Party, and I was once a radio presenter!!! User23 comments on more threads than I do, in fact I would say most members do. Just because I only really comment on things that matter to me, is that a bad thing?

Thing is Richard you are not having a discussion or a debate you are just bombarding the forum with your personal political views and have become very boring. I don't care if you're on here or not, all I know is that I ignore most of your posts now, I think you are a slimy and smarmy introvert and if you did ever stand for any kind of office I would not vote for you. It would seem that you are certainly rubbing more people up the wrong way than gaining allies.

I didn't say you cannot have any views, far from it I was suggesting you have your own platform in order that those who wish to get involved can do so.

Not true in the last few months that most members comment more than you, and when they do comment it is generally their own thoughts and not for political campaigning ends.

Well, I'm sorry for speaking out on the issues that matter to me. But I'm not going to sit back and let certain people railroad change through in the district without at least exposing it. Where else has the LDF suspension been reported, besides a tiny piece in the Advertiser with no comment from the Tories (who are rushing it through) or any of the objectors? It's now suspended until May, after the local elections.

Tuition fees. Read Mr Benyons website or what he had put in the media. All lies. He won't answer questions from those who ask questions on the real issues such as debt, interest rates and the length of time it will take to pay off such debt. Why shouldn't the facts be made available on a LOCAL DISCUSSION forum.

Day Care centres. 150 sacked and five centres closed. Seriously disabled people may never leave there home again because there is no place for them to go with the facilities. Nobody else is suggesting an alternative, so should I just keep quiet too?

The council want to adopt the "strong leader" leadership model after a consultation that excluded one of only two available options. Nobody speaks out about it, so I brought it up.

Court closure. Our local MP vows to fight the court closure "like a terrier with a rat" then appears to do very little. So I challenge him on the subject and ask some colleagues to raise the issue in London on our behalf. All of a sudden, Benyon shows an interest again and claims to be moving mountains. If it has provoked him to do some more on this issue, then it's a result is it not?

And finally, affordable housing. Nobody would air my view that changes to the LDF were effectively removing affordable housing commitments at the racecourse. The council tried their best to suppress it from getting out by burying it withing "good news" stories when the media finally showed an interest. Then, when it was exposed on here, the Lib Dems, NTC and a few others started to make similar noises in public.

The only reason I got involved in local politics is because I am fed up of watching people make what I believe to be wrong decisions. Instead of complaining or throwing my rattle out of the pram, I'm trying to come up with answers, different ways of doing things and trying to help people who have been given the "West Berks Treatment". Numerous people have contacted me through this site, and hopefully all of them will vouch for me putting in a bit of effort trying to resolve their issue. Just because I've said I'm a member of the Labour Party, why does it make me any different from any of you? Maybe it's because I post under my real name whilst you all could be anyone. How do I know Biker1 isn't Alan Law and Straffin isn't Tony Vickers? Anyone can hide behind fake names and multiple accounts. The fact is I have the courage to stand up and say what I believe, and if you don't like me because of that, that's completely your decision.

EDIT: Can this thread be moved to random rants?

And off he goes again.

Yes, great idea. This forum is being hijacked by a political activist whose sole intent is to preach a pro Labour, anti Tory messages. It is booring.

Who's Alan Law?

What does it matter? All that matters is you could be Micky Mouse and nobody would Know!!! And it's not so much being anti Tory, is much more being anti chaos which we seem to have now.

Reasons Never EVER to Vote Labour again.

1. Tony Blair.
2. Alistair Campbell
3. Gordon Brown.
4. Peter Mandelsson
5. Richard Garvie.

I wouldn't really mind people on this forum knowing who I am (although I am just a boring Newbury resident with nothing much to my name).
The reason I keep my identity hidden is mainly for my own personal security - i. e. I do not really want to broadcast my identity over the internet for all to see.
There was a move at one point to have a meeting which I would have been interested in as I would like to meet many of those who post on here.
Would probably make an interesting gathering!

I would suggest that very few would actually turn up for fear of "outing" themselves. I just think it is unfair to slate me on a completely pointless thread like this, because I pretty much only comment on political stories. So much for free speech, it's not like I'm lying about people or trying to say something is true when it's not.

I started that! But we felt it might be a disaster I think in the end...

To Richard - I think you have every right to be on here giving your views. Yes, you do go on a bit, , but if people don't want to read it then they should ignore your comments - not start a post about you.

Difficult.
I tried, but my failure to do so led to this post.

Yes, he does have the right to express his views but, because they are so extensive and persistent on the same subject, they may need their own category.

Made my point, in the interest of not boring folks, I'll leave it there.

Hear, hear!!!!!

I was going to add something similar myself but didn't really know how to put it so succinctly. I have found that nearly every post that Mr Garvie makes has a political message from him. If I was feeling politically suicidal and wanted to be preached to I would arrange a meeting with him! What I do NOT want is for my life to be invaded by his views when I am just trying to GENTLY interact with people on this forum who I feel have very interesting viewpoints on matters that concern me in my local community.

Most important T&C's of this forum:

5. You warrant agree and undertake that:
(a) you will not post any material which is obscene, defamatory, or which otherwise is in breach of the law or in breach of the rights of any third party;
(b)you will not post any material which is or is likely to be in any way offensive, insulting, threatening or upsetting to other users;

I genuinely believe that all of my posts conform with the T&C's on the basis that my comments are made on things that have actually happened. This thread is simply a bashing thread about me because you don't agree with my choice of politics.

Whether we agree or disagree with you choice of politics is not the point being aired here as well you know (more spin). It's that we other forum users don't want it continually shoved down our throats at every opportunity

I think you are missing the point. We don't care about your Politics. I don't care if Iommi wants to vote for the Monster Raving loony party, Bloggo want to vote for the National Socialist party and I want to vote for the Miss Whiplash party. I don't mind you commentating on anything at all. It is just 95% of your posts end in Tory bashing. It's just boring.

It maybe boring but he still has every right to write what he wants.

Just ignore the posts - simples.

No he doesn't. Not on here at least. This is a private forum, provided by the Newbury Weekly News, for people to use free of charge. Ultimately the say of those providing these facilities is final, so I see little point going on about "rights".

It is not Private - open to everyone. If the NWN have a problem with him writing what he does then I am sure he would be told. It is not up to forum writers to tell someone what they can and can't write - however annoying.

I know I said I would shut up on this but yet again the point is missed.
Yes he can write whatever he wants and no one can dictate otherwise. (As long as it meets the rules of the forum.)
Just filter it out on a political category so those that don't want it "rammed down their throats" can avoid it.

You have to register in order to be given a user account for this forum, which has to be approved by the forum administrator, so it's only open to those who are given accounts. The forum admin could, for any reason they wish, choose not to give someone an account. So it is a private forum, as it's owned by the NWN, although it chooses to give people user accounts and access to the forum free of charge.

I think that Richard takes full advantage of the fact that this forum isn't all that heavily moderated. On many other forums a user frequently posting on the same subject would be warned and then blocked if they continued the same behaviour. Richard also does the same over at newbury.net (usually carbon copies of his posts on here) with much the same negative reaction from the users over there. Again, taking full advantage of the fact that Brian doesn't have the spare time to keep moderating the site in the same way that other forums are.

This thread wasn't started with the intention of telling Richard what he can and cant post. In fact, I dont think I've seen a single post either here or over at newbury.net where other forum users are telling him what he can post. All the OP said here was that he would like to have a seperate area for Richard to post his political views where others who want to engage can, and those who don't aren't bothered by his many posts on the same subject taking up the rest of the forum where, as is evident from the reaction, people find it annoying in the least.

If nothing else, he isn't doing Labour all that many favours.

Hear hear!

Thanks for explaining to me how you have to be registered As we know, Richard is registered so CAN post what he likes. If no one likes what he writes just ignore it, then the post will get dropped down the list, or he will get the message not everyone is intrested in what he says.

Anyway, I seriously find a post being made about an individual quite embarrassing and against guidelines.

No it's not!

Wow, sarcasm, great! I thought you needed a hand with the explanation as you stated that Richard had every right to post what he liked, when clearly, he doesn't. Also, you didn't seem to "get" that this is, in fact, a private forum, as it's owned by the NWN. All clear now?


As I've mentioned before, I think Richard takes full advantage of the laid-back moderation on here, and over at newbury.net. Many other forums would have issued a warning long ago.


It's a nice idea, but non-political threads started by others where Richard happens to post often have a habit of turning political. Either by something that he says which takes the thread off-topic, or by something that someone else says that does the same. Those threads then become just one of many political "back and forth" threads where the original posters point gets lost completely.

Also, when it has been a bit quiet on the political front, he will on occasion start a thread which could be argued has no political leaning, but which he knows could quickly turn that way once others start posting, allowing him to get back to the business of plugging Labour and having a go at the Tories.



Well, take your own advice and ignore the thread!

Wow, sarcasm, great! I thought you needed a hand with the explanation as you stated that Richard had every right to post what he liked, when clearly, he doesn't. Also, you didn't seem to "get" that this is, in fact, a private forum, as it's owned by the NWN. All clear now?

No I need no explanation thank you. He does have a right to post what he wants UNTIL the NWN stop him - they haven't so it is none of your business. All clear now?

Ahhh, but is it really him? We are all assuming he is who he says he is, but maybe he's an imposter? Will the real Richard Garvie please stand up?!!!!

I think the OP is rather pointless as the NWN keep a loose hand on things anyway. It doesn't bother me that Richard Garvie posts as he does, because it gives me the opportunity to reply. It is a shame that there are not more politically motivated people out there who are prepared to put the head above the parapet. I don't like or agree with everything he posts, but I wouldn't want censure either and putting up another category seems pointless in that we have a low volume of traffic anyway.

If he posts things we don't like, we have the option of engaging or ignoring.

I think if the forum comes to be dominated (which it has) by one person, that can never be a good thing.

I suggest if anyone has such strong feelings, they start a blog. There are now lots of people doing this and the NWN has a team of bloggers which Richard might join.

I don't want to see this forum hijacked by any one person. It just becomes boring and partisan.

It's all very well you saying "just ignore it" but if it's a subject that posters are interested in and want to reply to it is incredibly frustrating and damaging to the original subject when someone wants to twist the subject for their own political gains. If, and it has happened, My Garvie wants to post his own personal, not politically motivated views on a subject then I don't think anyone would have a problem. The problem has arisen due to the fact that he is CONTINUALLY preaching his own politics. I have no problem with a healthy debating vehicle as we have here but I do have a problem when one man is trying to shove his politics down my throat ALL the time!

I will go along with this on the understanding that you do not post anything political on your newly censor shipped site. That means you not having a say on anything the council does, not posting your views on new shops/houses, council tax, petrol charges, GP's, benefit claimants, the state of the roads and potholes. So what shall we talk about on your blue pencil site ..... hmm, where can you get the best cup of coffee in Newbury.

Sorry that does not make sense - you don't want to publish your identity for personal security reasons, yet you are quite happy to go to a meeting and introduce yourself? Would you go in disguise and use an alias?

I'm Richard Garvie.........!




PS for what it's worth, I can see both PoV on here. Mr Garvie (or is it me..?) does indeed have a right to post on here but I can also see how people may find it irritating that EVERY SINGLE post is politically based and therefore subverts each thread.

not that I'm fence sitting or anything............

I take it you are three people, Tall and Dark and Handsome? If not, what right have you to talk for anyone else?

Dont we? I really cannot you asking me.

For those of us who cannot spend as much time as some on here, I do tend to look at Richard's lengthy posts and just say to myself "I can't digest all this in a few seconds" and then move on.

If I had more time and wanted to spend longer on here I may feel differently.

Hear, Hear. So admin, how about putting this to the 'Your Vote' on the Home Page. Are you pissed off Fed up with Richard Garvie. Yes. No, or Don't Care.

Yes thats right JayJay. I am in fact a paranoid schizophrenic. The fact I used 'WE' is because not just 'ME' but 'OTHER' users have voiced concerns over RG's Political clap trap...

I don't agree that Richard Garvie subverts threads. He will usually stay within the boundaries of the thread. I don't see him often bigging up Labour, but I do see him often take any opportunity to deride the Tories.

I have no problem with Richard Garvie posting as he sees fit. I will, however, robustly reply if I feel the urge to. It would not be in the public interest to encourage NWN's admin to govern more strictly that which isn't illegal. If he's taking the opportunity to Tory bash, I say, where are the fat cat Tories in reply? Their reticence speaks volumes.

I can't help but feel that some people on here simply don't like his political persuasion and see him as a mischief maker, but I think this place would be duller one without him. It seems there are a number of people on here that don't like to see people post things that goes against their own belief, or the 'common orthodoxy', but I think it is up to people to speak up, not stay quiet. He's a cage rattler and I like that.

RG's not rude or aggressive so he's welcome to post whatever he wants as far as I'm concerned. I welcome the political engagement, but I suggest his position is undermined by the absence of any of the labour candidates he purportedly organises - it's not much of a party if it's just you Richard.

Of course I'd also like to see my elected local government representatives here too - and not just skulking in the shadows.

No, I'm Spartacus Brian Richard Garvie

The reason why Mr Garvie sticks out is because the others are normally nowhere to be seen.

Rather than have a pop at him, why not put pressure upon the councillors (Newbury Town, as well as West Berks) to come on here and defend their actions?

I think we all know why they won't. (especially Vickers who turned up on another local forum and found that they had long memories, they really nailed him, and he was shown up to be full of humbug and cant - so much so that he was 'advised' not to write on that forum again by his party)

It's not that Garvie is omnipresent, it's more like the others aint turned up.

Topics I am getting increasingly bored with:

• This
• Allotments
• Market place protests
• Council leadership models
• LDF
• The cuts

Are there any other discussions on the Newbury forum? Perhaps I've overlooked them.

At least Richard comes on here and puts he's head above the parapet? You do not have to read the posts he submits and you certainly don't have to respond. As suggested other local politicians and councilors could post and comment on the forum? It would give forum members a chance to get to know them and let them make a decision when and if it comes to them asking for votes at election time. Richard will be able to prove what work he has been doing in any run up to any elections he might wish to enter for in the future and I may not agree with he's politics but at least he is suggesting and putting a lot of effort into what he is trying to do. Most other local politicians and councilors are only seen when election time comes around. Maybe even our local MP would like to post on here and enter into the local debates, perhaps even give answers to some of the questions that need answering? It would certainly be good to see him put he's head above the parapet instead of just the local photo shoots in local paper.