Reply to: George Galloway

[mudskipper]

George Galloway is a gobby cat.

FTFY

[Moscow Mule]

George Galloway is a gobby twat.

[AtW]

I mean FFS, how many local council planning decisions are made without any undue influence of money? The whole premise of some of councillors' mates doing it limits it rather massively - that's "ambient" level of corruption if you like, some gets prosecuted, probably not enough but it happens and process is public - anyone who gives a tulip about local planning decision can object and if enough people give a tulip things can be affected thats democracy (sadly as 3rd runway at Heathrow should have been pushed through by central Govt but they ain't got stomach for it).

Proper corruption that affects ordinary people is when they are EXTORTED money to put through planning permission, that clearly does not happen in the UK - certain far less than "mates get rich" kind of thing that does occur but in my view not significant - look at TOTAL number of planning decisions and how many of them corrupt?

IMHO the main problem with planning system is that it requires permission for a lot of things that should not be - cut down red tape in planning laws and this would help reduce already small corruption to even lower levels.

[TimberWolf]

I've just been watching more Galloway. Whether right or wrong, he's better entertainment in real life than TV fiction.

This time the Israelis and a Sky News reporter are getting a tongue lashing

[RichardCranium]

Try to get planning permission to do anything in Moscow.

But don't they have democracy in Russia? It's not like it's a socialist country, like Cuba.

[AtW]

Try to get planning permission to do anything in Moscow.

In your references 2 cases of alleged corruption got charged - this is good because in very corrupt countries like Russia police is also corrupt and won't take action.

"there is no statutory requirement for the Police to take action and therefore officers of the Council are immune from prosecution "

There is new Bribes act that would cover it nicely: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/bribery-bill.htm

As for the guy who had his home demolished - I am sure there are edges cases, it's just his view - better check how they demolish houses in Spain bought by UK ex-pats.

[Paddy]

there is no statutory requirement for the Police to take action and therefore officers of the Council are immune from prosecution

Council corruption | Corrupt Councils | rottencouncil.co.uk

Unfortunately, 99.9% of corrupted decisions are left uncontested and applicants just simply accept the injustice. This is simply due to the ordinary person not having the funds to pursue such matters in civil actions brought against corrupt Councils such as North East Lincolnshire Council.

BBC News - Former planning official faces corruption charges

A former North Lanarkshire Council official and a local businessman are to face corruption charges. The accusations relate to allegations involving a million-pound land deal at the village of Plains, near Airdrie.

Planning Corruption | Dover District Council

My 26-year fight for justice against Dover District Council, who unlawfully demolished my home.

Corruption Probe Councillor Steps Down From Planning Role | Council Maladministration

A COUNCILLOR at the centre of a planning corruption probe by police has resigned from several positions he held at the local authority.

Action to Save St John’s Hospital Councillor Gordon Beurskens, (47), and his business associate Peter McMahon, (60), were charged last week with alleged offences under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act. Both deny the allegations made against them.

and on and on and on...

[AtW]

Consultation does not mean the public will be listened to.

It's public and public can resist it - if the deal is big enough local newspapers will pick up, etc etc etc - corruption hates publicity - it's like shining light to darkness of dumb idiots like yourself paddy.

If UK was so corrupt for planning permissions how come Heathrow did not get 3rd runway? It's public resistance that's why - £100 mln bribe would not make a difference.

[Paddy]

You were lucky not to live in a country with proper corrupition, there are 2 levels:

1) some people (mates etc) bring in some bribes on limited basis to get something approved that would normally not be - usually in those case such approvals are not too controversial because of attention they may cause: this can happen in any country on a limited basis.

2) proper corruption - normal citizens and companies who want proper process to follow are FORCED to pay bribe otherwise they won't get through - in such cases they are not mates, this behavior is more widespread - in extreme cases people won't get permission unless they pay up. Now THATs proper corruption.

In this country planning permissions are subject to public consultation - process is reasonably open and if people do give a tulip no bribe can help drive it through, say 3rd runway at Heathrow which is totally essential is completely derailed despite obvious commercial ability of companies involved to buy whole councils left right and center, they are not doing it though because they can't - corruption in the UK is at pretty low level that's why.

I'd say probably the most corrupt things that take place are involved with giving bribes to foreigners in foreign countries in order to gain benefit for British companies.

HTH

Consultation does not mean the public will be listened to. It just means they will let you know what they are going to do. I live in a listed building in a conservation are. Over the wall of my garden you could not fart without planning permission. Brother of planning officer builds an eyesore modern black of flats despite objections from all surrounding neighbours.

AtW, your ignorance never ceases to amaze me

[AtW]

See private message.

You were lucky not to live in a country with proper corrupition, there are 2 levels:

1) some people (mates etc) bring in some bribes on limited basis to get something approved that would normally not be - usually in those case such approvals are not too controversial because of attention they may cause: this can happen in any country on a limited basis.

2) proper corruption - normal citizens and companies who want proper process to follow are FORCED to pay bribe otherwise they won't get through - in such cases they are not mates, this behavior is more widespread - in extreme cases people won't get permission unless they pay up. Now THATs proper corruption.

In this country planning permissions are subject to public consultation - process is reasonably open and if people do give a tulip no bribe can help drive it through, say 3rd runway at Heathrow which is totally essential is completely derailed despite obvious commercial ability of companies involved to buy whole councils left right and center, they are not doing it though because they can't - corruption in the UK is at pretty low level that's why.

I'd say probably the most corrupt things that take place are involved with giving bribes to foreigners in foreign countries in order to gain benefit for British companies.

HTH

[EternalOptimist]

The answer is a few grams of something, but I don't think it's lead.

We need tha Galloways and the Tebbits as it keeps the rest of us away from extremism.

Well, I can see Tebbit leading us down the dark path to extremism, but all I see with Galloway is him standing behind us , shoving us, and shouting out to the front, 'yes mr pied piper, thats the lot, we got them all'
He's not so much of an extremist, as a cheer leader fawning twat for whoever our enemies might currently be.

he is clever, eloquent and has strong convictions. no doubt about that.

[RichardCranium]

That's how planning decisions get made in many councils in the UK, I'm afraid.

Rubbish.

See private message.

[Zippy]

whats the answer ? a few grams of lead probbly. in the ear

The answer is a few grams of something, but I don't think it's lead.

We need tha Galloways and the Tebbits as it keeps the rest of us away from extremism.

[EternalOptimist]

And he knocks out a mean tune on the flute.

It's hard to find a man that is all bad. Even Adolf loved his dog.

Apart from Tony. Did he play the flute ?

[mudskipper]

Galloway has a few skills that a lot of the brainy types here lack. Not only is he brainy, but he is eloquent, strong willed and convinced.

And he knocks out a mean tune on the flute.