Rochdale's Alternative Website

Can The Mirror save local journalism?

2010-02-11T00:35:00.000-08:00

Trinity Mirror has bought Guardian Media Group Regional Titles.

The Rochdale Observer offices will have a second move in a year - from Rochdale to Manchester and now to Oldham.

Times are tough for inkies - as freesheets and other media streams have diverted already dwindling advertising revenues. Youngsters don't seem to read newspapers.
Is this the final nail in the coffin of local journalism?

We don't think so.

In fact, there is a strong argument to suggest that this move could actually SAVE and IMPROVE journalism for Rochdale. Proper journalism, not daft little blogs (like this) or Council Propaganda sheets like Local Matters, or shameless Pollyanna advertorials (furtively backed by the local Council) like the new Rochdale & Heywood Independent.

Journalism requires an element of objectivity and intelligence. It takes some thinking about. It is different from "churnalism" - the taking of professional press releases that are simply cut and pasted as copy.

Years ago, many saw the Rochdale Observer as a joke. It didn't reflect or report our town. It was patronising and blinkered by a local Establishment bias. The Great and the Good included mill owners, Freemasons, Curtain Theatre attending Rotarians, grammar school golfers and wife swapping businessmen. Ob readers - ordinary Rochdalians - were generally hard working folk who were made to know their place. Decades ago, the Rochdale Observer editorial policy tended to reflect that. There were no awkward investigations into wrong-doing or injustice. If local politicians were in the "Rochdale Observer Club" then they could get away with almost anything.

Then in 1970 came the Rochdale Alternative Press. A revelation to many in our town that knew that things were not as rosy as was stated in th'Ob.

New technology in the form of cheap lithographic printing opened up political speech and local debate. It was a product of its day: a time of radical, angry, long haired hippy types who had benefited from the 1948 Education Act and had got themselves a voice and an inquiring mind. In style, RAP was anti-establishment, cheeky and crude but acknowledged it was sometimes crass, preaching and up its own arse. An Oz of the North. It had the dangerous feel of a freethinking underground pamphlet. Thirty years after its last edition RAP is still remembered by many with affection.

One of its biggest scoops was The Strange Case of Smith the Man- the detailed investigation of the sex abuse allegations relating to Cyril Smith at Cambridge House lad's hostel. Smith never sued. The Rochdale Observer NEVER mentioned a word of the scandal.

Since the Rochdale Observer left its Drake Street home there has been a subtle shift in its reporting and editorial voice. It is as if the local Liberal Democrat strangle hold has slightly eased. Some dissent gets through. Some awkward questions are asked. This could be because of the physical distance from Rochdale (no more Lib Dem politicians barging through the office doors threatening the Editors? - fewer cosy chicken dinners at Freemason's Hall in Richard Street or quiet chats in the interlude at the Curtain Theatre?). It could be that the reporters are younger, less grounded locally and less deferential of the Old Local Establishment. The Law of Unintended Consequences may have helped - technology such as digital cameras, T'interweb emails and smartphones gives local people the chance to help journalists with sources of news in a way that doesn't need a trip to Drake Street or a professional PR letterhead. Finally there is the fact that readers' comments can be put online - allowing for a new type of feedback - raw, honest, irreverant and something that can grow organically into a bigger story. It is all quite fresh and imperfect and it is new ground for journalism.

Some lament the loss of a local office for local news - but take a look at the content of bygone Rochdale Observers - the traditional Ob fayre of photos of bonnie babies, pothole pointing politicians, the Ugly Page (drinkers "out on the town") and boy scouts rescuing cats from trees can be done over the phone and net.

Meanwhile, Paul Rowen's former spin doctor, Dave Hennigan, is back...

...only for a wee while, just to voice his opinion of the Trinity Mirror takeover.
His slipperly views are actually quite revealing. Remember, this is the little chap who wrote the front page grovelling apology in the Ob when Paul Rowen threatened to sue about reporting of his Parliamentary expenses in June 2009. It was a calucated gamble that saved Paul's bacon in the short run. (But as the facts come out about Rochdale Lib Dem finances it could become a problem that may bite him on his rosey cheeks).

Dave's calculated risk of a legal threat to the Ob was based on a number known factors: Guardian Media Group's Regional Titles had shaky finances so wouldn't want to risk litigation, a new Editor didn't have much support from a Head Office that still had some residual Liberal sympahies.

For spin paramedic Dave Hennignan to lament local journalism is cunning bullshit. During the golden years of this shower's reign of spin - the controlling mind of the Rochdale Observer was the Stockport office of Richard Catlow.

So, although the Obby will be produced in Oldham by a national media title, perhaps our local newspaper will have a more robust voice?

Could the bad old days be over when allegations of serious sexual abuse are silenced?
The next time a piss poor politician, with mysterious revenue streams, tries to sue the Rochdale Observer, proper media lawyers from that there London could be on hand to defend proper journalism.

Could Kevin Maguire help out with the Trinity Mirror's newest regional title?

Cyril Smith and un"Reformed" characters?

2010-02-04T23:17:00.000-08:00

Last year, at the height of the MP's expenses scandal, Paul Rowen suggested that the second week of June 2009 had "probably been the hardest of my political life". This was after a mildly critical exposee of his expense claims.

In a high risk gamble, Paul Rowen bet the farm on silencing the Guardian Media Group by threatening a libel action. It worked, sort of. The Rochdale Observer pulled web version of the original article and Paul's spin doctor, Dave Hennigan, drafted a front page grovelling apology.

The funny farm was safe- for a while. But have the chickens now come home to roost?

A few months after the Lib Dem "correction" on the front page of the Ob, Paul Sacked Dave Hennigan. The devil is in the detail of Paul Rowen's principled stance on Parliamentary expenses. Is it a pack of lies? Will the house of cards collapse on proper inspection?

As RAW revealed yesterday, Paul Rowen claims public money for his constiuency office "142a Drake Street". The invoices come on Rochdale Liberal Democrat headed paper. The landlord is described as "Rochdale Reform". The full title of the owner of both 144 and 142a Drake Street is Rochdale Reform Buildings Limited. (RRBL)

How has Paul Rowen and the Rochdale Liberal Democrats described this company?

To find this out, the same grovelling apology that the Rochdale Observer was forced to print is most revealing. Is Paul Rowen damned by the very words penned for him by David Hennigan?

Under the headline " I have always striven to put Rochdale first" Paul Rowen explained his:

"...Drake Street offices, while part-owned by the Lib Dems, are paid for at a market rate"

and

"The rules for this are clear. It must be a fair market rent determined by an independent surveyor. That was what I did."

The article was concluded with the following apology:

"The Rochdale Observer would like to make it clear it has no information that Paul Rowen MP was using parliamentary expenses to fund Liberal Democrat political activities and apologises if any reader got that impression."

To recap, Paul Rowen says his constituency office is "part-owned" by the Lib Dems, his parliamentary expense claim is based on a "fair market rent" determined by an "independent surveyor" .

So who are the directors and shareholders of Rochdale Reform Buildings Limited- the recipients of Paul Rowen's Parliamentary expenses cash for constiuency office space?

The 2009 list of Directors and shareholders is most revealing...

The Company Secretary is VIVIAN COBURN (Cllr Alan Taylor's partner). The register of members is lodged at the Coburn/Taylor family home.

The first director listed is BRIAN ASHWORTH (former councillor and President of Rochdale Lib Dems) Brian is current the Chairman of LINK4LIFE trust- Rochdale Council's controversial leisure and culture qualgo, registered as the Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust.

The other 3 listed directors are:

ALAN TAYLOR
NORMAN SMITH and...
CYRIL SMITH.

So the directors or "contolling mind" of RRRL are all senior Rochdale Lib Dems.

But who owns RRRL, who are the shareholders and recipients of any profits, from, say, lucrative rental agreements paid for from Paul Rowen's Parliamentary expenses?

Remember, Paul Rowen's explanation was that his constituency office was "part owned" by "the Lib Dems"

According to the 2009 records, Rochdale Reform Building Shareholders on 31/10/2008 were as follows:

The largest single holding by an individual is CYRIL SMITH with a 183 Ordinary shares in the company.

The TRUSTEE OF ROCHDALE LIBERAL CLUB holds 108 shares.

The largest holding was of shares is with the TRUSTEES OF ROCHDALE REFORM ASSOCIATION with 1445 shares.

Cllr ALAN TAYLOR holds 25 shares, partner and Compaby Secretary VIVIAN COBURN holds 5. Sarah Taylor holds 10 shares.

So the vast majority of ths shareholding looks very Liberal Democrat in pursuasion. Is Paul Rowen's phrase "part owned" by the Lib Dems starting to look rather suspect?

The other shareholders listed on the public register are:

Edgar Todd, 10 shares
Donald Woolfenden, 24 shares
Alan Whitehead, 24 shares
Annie Bulcock (exec of Law Bulcockannie), 24 shares
Executors of Alfred Berry, 24 shares
M Kendal, 10 shares
Alan Mills, 24 shares
Executors of James Quinlan, 24 shares
Stuart Dunbar, 24 shares
Leonard Holt, 35 shares,
Walter Ridgeway, 24 shares
F. Howarth, 24 shares
T. Fletcher (executors), 25 shares
W.Holt (executors), 25 shares
Kathleen Wilson, 24 shares
Rodney Stott, 8 shares
Charles Hudson, 24 shares
Gladys Crossley, 24 shares
Anne Ewing Crossley 24 shares
Keith Hibbert Crossley 24 shares.

Hang on a minute, didn't Paul Rowen say that his parliamentary expense claim for his constiuency office was based on a "fair market rent" determined by an "independent surveyor"

Who was the "independent surveyor" who set the "fair market rent"?

In May 2009 Paul Rowen said it was "local estate agent Andrew Crossley"

Crossley's Estate Agents are a well known, and respected, local firm. They are a well known, and respected, local family.

Was Paul Rowen specifically refering to Andrew Crossley in person, as the surveyor who independently set the fair market rent? This is dancing on a pinhead but important.

Their website is clear:

"Crossley's are the leading family firm of independent Rochdale Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors"...

"The company has been trading since 1926 and looks forward to the challenges of the new century. Crossley's has a wealth of experience within the Rochdale housing market and is almost a 'family-friend' of some local folk!"

The company now registered as G. Crossley & Son Ltd was incorporated in 2006. Andrew Crossley holds the single share issued for the company. There was an earlier G. Crossley Limited but that was dissolved in 1995. All this said, as their website rightly says, the Crossleys are a very respected family whose business connections as estate agents and surveyors in Rochdale are well established.

Their website gives specific detail to the family business relationships:

"Andrew's father, Keith Crossley, is still employed by the company as a consultant Chartered Surveyor. Andrew's mother, Anne Crossley, retired in 1996 after over 20 years as "general factotum" and Company Secretary!"

Has Paul Rowen landed himself in an awkward situation with the wording of the apology he made the Rochdale Observer publish?

Along with Cyril Smith and other prominent Lib Dems, Keith and Anne Crossley are shareholders of Rochdale Reform Buildings Limited.

The website of the Crossley family company, trading as Crossley Estates, describes Keith Crossley as still employed by the company as a Chartered Surveyor.

Paul Rowen said a "fair rent" determined by an "independent surveyor" is paid to a company that is "part owned" by the Lib Dems.

Some of the cash in the trail comes full circle when viewing Rochdale Lib Dem's Register of Donations with the Electoral Commission:
In October 2005 Rochdale Reform Buildings Ltd donated £1793 to Rochdale Lib Dems.

All these claims must be investigated.
The public have a right to know where THEIR money has gone.
The Rochdale Observer were forced to publish an apology that does not appear to be supported by the facts.

If rules have been broken or there is any question of wrong-doing then Paul Rowen, Rochdale Lib Dems and Rochdale Reform Buildings Ltd must account for this and pay back public money.

If a correction is needed, there must be a full explanation to the Rochdale Observer AND the readers of the Rochdale Observer in the same manner the "apology" was published -
ON THE FRONT PAGE.

Legally and morally, Rochdale tax payers and voters must know the the full facts about Paul Rowen's constituency office expense claims and ALL sources of money to Rochdale Lib Dems.

Paul Rowen - the MP with an office that doesn't exist?

2010-02-04T00:09:00.000-08:00

The Rowengate expenses scandal won't go away.
Public money should always be accountable.

There are strict rules about the distinction between an MP's constituency office (paid for out of parliamentary expenses) and a local office of a political party. If there wasn't then public money could be used to fund party shenanigans, staff and outgoings. That would be against the strict parliamentary rules.

That is why there is now a clear distinction the postal addresses displayed on:

1. Paul Rowen MP's website (currently paid for by the Communications Allowance - supposedly for strictly non-political information)

2. The website of Rochdale Lib Dems.

The websites even go further - to make absolutely sure there is no mistaking the exclusive roles and seperate addresses of the current MP and this Rochdale Lib Dem party offices. Check the wording that clearly states "all at"...

Rochdale Lib Dems' website - "Published and Promoted by Adam Power on behalf of Rochdale Liberal Democrats, all at 144, Drake Street, Rochdale, OL16 1PS"

Paul Rowen MP's website - "Published by Adam Power on behalf of Paul Rowen, all at 142a, Drake Street, Rochdale, OL16 1PS"

So Adam Power is
"all at" 142a Drake Street

and "all at" 144 Drake Street.

At this building, there is a front door and a side door. If there was a back door would that be 142b Drake Street? We could never condone such back door shenanigans if public money is involved.

Paul Rowen is extremely sensitive on questions and comments about party funding and the use of his (our) Parliamentary expenses. He threatened the Rochdale Observer with libel last year.

We said back then his threats were "bollocks".

As a matter of public impotance, Paul Rowen must explain why his office doesn't seem to exist.

Land Registry property searches can be done online. All you need is a postcode- eg "OL16 1PS".

The Registered Land Title list is clear. There is a 144 Drake Street but no 142 or 142a.

How does that work?
Why is 142a Drake Street not listed?
Isn't there a seperate lease for the MP constituency office? Seperate council tax? Seperate accounts?

Or is there an internal back door of the Lib Dem office 144 Drake Street that Adam uses to enter Paul's office - known as "142a" ?

How very odd.

Accounts for the Rochdale Lib Dem accounting unit are patchy. Only 2 years of accounts have been lodged with the Electoral Commission for the last 5 years.

The Rochdale Lib Dem accounts ending the period 31/12/2005 give details of office rental and funding arrangements.

The accounts show the Treasurer as Cllr Dale Mulgrew and the Chair as Cllr Peter Clegg.

The wording is clear:

INCOME

Income in the year increased as a result of part of our headquarters now being rented as an office suite to the new MP.

EXPENDITURE

Expenditure in the year increased due to the new leasing circumstances introduced as an outcome of the general election victory. The party now pays rent that previously had been donated as a gift in kind from the company that owns the building.

As Rochdale's MP, Paul Rowen has claimed his office expenses from his Staffing Allowance/Incidental Expenses Allowance. The claim forms clearly document regular paid invoices of almost £2000 every 3 months for "Rochdale Reform Buildings".

Rochdale Reform Buildings Ltd - Is this the "landlord" that Dale Mulgrew's 2005 accounts state that "the party" now pays rent to? A rent that was previously a "gift in kind"? A reason Dale Mulgrew confirmed why party income had increased as a result of the party's HQ now renting a suite of offices to the MP?

"142a Drake Street" - an address that isn't listed with the Land Registry?

Is public cash paying for Paul Rowen's MP office that pays rent to a company that then donates the money back to the Rochdale Lib Dems?

IS THAT CORRECT?
IS THAT APPROPRIATE?
IS THAT LEGAL?

As Dale's dad, Jimmidy Cricket might say... "there's more"...

The 2005 that Dale prepared as Treasurer mention Rochdale Lib Dem staffing costs, income and expenditure...

8. SALARIES

There were no salaries to be included because the local MP through his parliamentary allowance now covers all such overheads.

ALL SUCH OVERHEADS?
Staff for both 142a AND 144 Drake Street?

IS THAT CORRECT?
IS THAT APPROPRIATE?
IS THAT LEGAL?

Greg Couzens - Rochdale's "Finance Boss" who can't add up?

2010-02-01T06:13:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday's BBC North West Tonight reported on Rochdale Town Centre.

Questions were raised about our town's regeneration.
So who spoke on behalf of Rochdale Council?

Chief Executive, Top of the Regeneration Game - £140,000 a year Roger Ellis?
NO
Leader of Rochdale Council - Cllr Irene Davidson?
NO
Elusive portfolio holder for Regeneration - Cllr Mohammad Sharif?
NO

Instead, we were treated to 'ambitious' Gregory Couzens- self styled "Finance Boss" of Rochdale Council.

Greg was emphatic in his dismissal of a crisis on our High Streets.

The usual shameless nonsense about jam tomorrow and "exciting regeneration" was dished out.

But there was mention of only 14 empty shops.

only 14 empty shops?

Does our town have a "Finance Boss" who can't count?

Or does he just cross his fingers when talking to the camera from a script prepared by Paul Rowen and Roger Ellis?

Greg, what planet are you on? - pictures can tell a thousands words.

Below are some photographs of the empty shops and businesses in Rochdale Town Centre.

Start from 142a/144 Drake Street- the Rochdale Lib Dem HQ with mysterious funding arrangements.

Move down Drake Street past the rubble where MFI and Focus DIY used to be... Take a walk around sometime Greg. Let's see if you can count. Turning a blind eye to this won't help our town. These are some of the EMPTY businesses . Far more than "only 14" empty businesses next to the phone, pound and charity shops. How can Greg have missed these?

Rochdale deserves much better than expensive spin and brainless propaganda from RMBC and the RDA.

Greg - next time you want to be 'economical' - please don't do it with the facts about our town.
The only way to sort this mess out is recognise there is a problem.
We are not being 'negative' about the town we love - just realistic.
The rot must stop NOW.

Have Rochdale Lib Dems "airbrushed out" their most prominent BME muslim politician?

2010-01-30T12:13:00.001-08:00

Has anyone seen this man recently?

Mohammad Sharif seems to have disappeared from public view. It probably isn't anything sinister. Fear not dear reader, this isn't a manhunt. It's not as if we are suggesting the police want Cllr Sharif to help them with enquires or anything like that.

Mohammad Sharif is the political figurehead of Rochdale's regeneration. An important job and prominent role given there is talk of hundreds of millions of pounds of "exciting regeneration" promised for our town.

Or is that "exiting" regeneration? Rochdale Lib Dems keep losing their councillors and little helpers. Sacked, de-selected, "retired" or jumped ship to become independent.

Cllr Sharif's "Regeneration Cabinet portfolio" position seems to be a poisoned chalice. Is that why he is rarely seen in public to explain what has gone so wrong?

The wheels have clearly fallen off Rochdale's regeneration.

Following this week's front page news in the Rochdale Observer, today the BBC started to investigate the facts about Rochdale town centre.
What is Rochdale Council going to do RIGHT NOW about saving independent businesses in our town?

We don't need patronising promises of "jam tommorrow"

BBC News came to Rochdale to investigate. So where was Cllr Mohammad Sharif- Portfolio holder for Regeneration?

Why has Mohammad been "airbrushed" out of the media spotlight?

Instead of Cllr Sharif, we were treated to the wisdom of "millionaire" hairdresser - Cllr Gregory Couzens.

Why?

RAW might have the answer.
Have we discovered secret footage of disturbing media coaching techniques?
Is that really Roger Ellis in a curly white wig?
Is that diddy DJ Dave Hennigan on the decks?
Is this how Greg is 'briefed' on how to gush about Rochdale's future promise of "exciting regeneration"?

Why Rochdale's "Flat Earth News" is bad for democracy and journalism

2010-01-28T23:15:00.000-08:00

The Rochdale & Heywood Independent newspaper has just been launched.

We are big enough to say that our earlier post has been proven WRONG.

Sort of Daily Mail WRONG - (think Zinoviev Letter or "Hurrah for the Blackshirts" type editorial wrongness). In a much smaller way, could the R&HI's own first front page headline create local infamy?

"BOROUGH'S ON THE UP AND UP" ( (c) Roger Ellis 2010 ?)
The R&H "Independent" proudly exclaims that they will only publish good, "positive" news about Rochdale. That may be OK for a newsletter from a religious cult but such patronising drivel can rarely be objective journalism. Rochdale readers do not need to be shielded from the truth. Bad things will not go away if we close our eyes and click our heels.

So big deal, a new advertising sheet is launched that will only print light Pollyanna articles. Why is this an affront to democracy?

Because WE are paying for it.

A cursory inspection of the R&HI confirms that a considerable amount of advertising and content is paid for by the public purse. Block, banner and column adverts and "news" content from Rochdale Council and other associated public organisations.

Nick Davies in "Flat Earth News" - his bestselling investigation into the demise of British journalism, coined the term "churnalism". This is when professional press releases are 'cut and pasted' directly into newspapers. This incidous process has been increasing as overheads and staffing levels are streamlined.

The Office of Fair Trading are investigating the use of public money for the production of in-house local authority newspapers. Did Rochdale Council abandon its own propaganda sheet "Local Matters" just in time?

We were critical of Rochdale Council's "Local Matters" but could we now be witnessing a new and and more sinister media business model?
An out-sourcing of council propaganda, paid for by secret contracts and generous advertising guarantees with content heavily influenced by publicly funded media units and consultants?

Much of the first edition content of the R&HI newspaper wasn't new. Over a dozen old press releases from Rochdale Council and the RDA were used, practically verbatim. Critics have already started calling this new venture the "Pennine Pravda" and a "Frankenstein" blend of Rochdale Council's "Local Matters" and a Lib Dem Focus leaflet. The saccharine tone of "Triumph over Adverstity" is an insult to local readers and taxpayers.

If the critics are correct then there must be a full inspection of how public money is being spent.

Let's make things quite clear: We love our town. Rochdale has its problems but the only way to lance the boil of mismanagement, ineptitude and corruption is to investigate - not cover up.

Critics suggest that the tone and content of the RH&I reminds them of the bad old days of the Rochdale Observer when certain politicians and businessmen were given an easy ride. Rochdale has been crippled by the Mafia of the Mediocre. Rochdale deserves the truth about those in power, who are paid such huge amounts of public money, yet have failed our town so miserably.

Hard working Rochdale taxpayers and businesses don't need a commerical, council propaganda rag. Public money should not fund a "newspaper" that lavishes nothing but positve spin and praise on their paymasters yet could be a tad economical with the actualite.

Rochdale deserves much better than this.

If the first edition of the "Rochdale and Heywood Independent" is anything to go by then this is a sad day for journalism and democracy.

Axed henchman hints at Night of Long Knives?

2010-01-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

A former Rochdale Lib Dem spin doctor is keeping his hand in.

Dave Hennigan has been loyal since his unceremonial dumping by Paul Rowen. But are there now hints of things getting ugly? Is the cock crowing three times?

"I have no doubt that Dale [Mulgrew] will be an MP in the near future, probably in Rochdale".

Fancy that. Is Dave imagining a future, a near future, where Paul Rowen is not Rochdale's MP?
Dave was close to Greg Stone in Sedgefield- the North East blogger who described Paul Rowen as the "dullest MP in the house".

But are Dave's latest comments just another unfunny joke from the Jimmidy Cricket stable?
First, Alan Taylor is given the boot (after Dale and others spent months briefing against him).
Then Greg Couzens fails in taking the leadership.
Dale ends up becoming deputy leader then abandons his "pastime" of standing as an MP in Rossendale.

Now Dave Hennigan gives Cyril Smith's godson the thumbs-up by suggesting he could probably be Rochdale's MP in the "near future".

Dave could of course mean somewhere else in or near Rochdale where Lib Dems are standing. Could Elwyn Watkins be for the chop in Oldham or Wera Hobhouse pulled from Heywood and Middleton?

Or is cheeky Dave hinting at the rumours about the strange going-ons with Paul Rowen's parliamentary expenses, the Rochdale Reform Buildings and local party donations?

Even though unemployment is finally going down again in Rochdale, could Paul soon be heading for the Job Centre Plus in Fleece Street? Or could he be going somewhere else, all paid for by Her Majesty?

A week is a long time in politics. Ask Cllr Denis Whittle.

Lurid allegations were made last year about him showing pornography to a young female police officer. Denis says it was a bum rap but his denials didn't stop leaked reports of him getting a right rogering from Mr Ellis the council's Chief Executive. Now Denis has been de-selected. With all these goings-on, does the right hand know what the left is doing?

Angie Coric has been de-selected too. But there are moves afoot to have the meeting that did this dirty deed deemed dud. Does this spat have anything to do with Cllr Mohammad Sharif losing his deputyship?

Paul Rowen was seen consoling Angela over a bowl of beetroot soup last week. Perhaps her seat is safe after all?

Meanwhile, the Rochdale Lib Dem meltdown continues after Vince Cable failed to show up for his dinner.

Paul seems to have the golden touch for Rochdale Lib Dems...

Dave Hennigan - gone from Drake Street
Alex Webster - gone from Westminster
Alan Taylor - gone as Leader
Mohammad Sharif - gone as Deputy Leader
Greg Couzens - having a well-earned rest
Denis Whittle - deselected
Anglea Coric- deselected
Dale Mulgrew - resigned as PPC for Rossendale.

As Dale's dad might say... there's more!

Rochdale Council's "Spin" to be contracted out?

2010-01-20T03:36:00.000-08:00

Rumours abound the offices of Rochdale Council that Roger Ellis' propaganda organ "Local Matters" is no more. Good. The one-sided drivel it often published was an expensive disgrace to council taxpayers.

Accounts of Roger's anger at anyone criticising his actions, or those of his executive officers, are legendary.

At last tally, Rochdale Council's Communication Unit costs almost £2,000,000 a year.

Is this money to be saved? How will The Thoughts of Chariman Roger and the good news of increased civic tractor production be transmitted to the happy burghers of Rochdale?

Is there a cunning plan afoot that takes the costly council spin off the balance sheet?

Consultants and outsourcing?

But who could promote the good news about Rochdale Council and the Lib Dem (mal)administration an uncritical way?
Like the good old days when the Rochdale Observer knew its place?

Is there any connection with the demise of "Local Matters" and the birth of the "Rochdale and Heywood Independent"?

In all fairness, any new venture deserves a chance. Those starting this newspaper were made redundant by the Guardian Media Group so they could have fire in their belly. If it is truly independent then that can only be a good thing for Rochdale.

However, the cynics have already started. They worry about a business plan that his highly dependent on advertising revenue and may rely on "churnalism" from professional press releases.

Now where could such press releases and advertising cash come from? Shurley not Rochdale Council now that "Local Matters" has been scrapped?

It is common knowledge that Richard Catlow when boss man at the Rochdale Observer was very friendly with Rochdale Lib Dems and the high ups in the council. Now Richard heads PIP Media the vehicle that will drive our new local newspaper. There is also a family connection with Catlow Communications - a "public relations and marketing company" also based in Rossendale. Does PR, marketing and good old fashioned journalism make difficult bed fellows?

However, to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, we say good luck to the venture. We hope the critics are proven wrong and that the newspaper is what it says on the banner - Independent. Not some outsourced propaganda rag that glosses over what could be incompetance, corruption and maladministration within our town.

Vince Cable - not a sellout?

2010-01-14T23:30:00.000-08:00

An evening with Vince Cable organised by Rochdale Liberal Democrats has been cancelled.

Billed as a party fundraiser, some saw this as an opportunity for the glow of Saint Vince to enlighten the murkier corners of Rochdale Lib Demmery.

With the ongoing thaw, it seems odd that the event was apparently cancelled because of the weather.

Rochdale Council's gritting efforts cannot be criticised.
Not because Impact Partnership and the subcontractors haven't been piss poor. The Roger Ellis dictat was more in the Ugandan sense that if there was to be open critcism of Council Services then those traitors could face an icy Idi Amin/Cyril Smith-like grip of their nether regions.

It is a good job Vince didn't make his visit yesterday to Lib Dem run Rochdale.
The electricity had failed in Rochdale Town Centre plunging shops and offices in darkness.

Imagine the scene if Vince has arrived at Rochdale train station late in the afternoon:

Met by an arctic Mad Max post apocalyptic nightmare. In the dim gloom, Vince is greeted by "agent" Adam Power holding a candle in a jam jar. They dodge the ice, crime scenes, potholes, drug dealers and sex workers as they travel down Drake Street - a near abandoned wasteland, much of it owned by a secret Lib Dem benefactor.

Lib Dem Rochdale: Empty shops, closed offices, abandoned factories but lots of "exciting" regeneration planned in the faded propaganda posters.

Such a senario could be funny if it wasn't so real and serious.
Rochdale deserves better than this disasterous, corrupt and immoral mismanagement.

Is that the real reason why Vince didn't turn up?

Or was it just that, despite a massive mailshot to promote the event, too few bothered to reply?
Poor Adam, taking over Dave's job isn't that easy after all.

Et tu Mulgrew...come here, there's more...

2010-01-09T00:04:00.000-08:00

Jimmidy Cricket's comedy politician son Dale Mulgrew has just been made Rochdale's "vice Caesar".

A direct consequence of giving poor Alan Taylor the boot?

What a funny old world.

As reported by RAW here, here ,here, here and here.
Dale instigated the Rochdale Lib Dem leadership crisis with Cllr Greg Couzens. For months they briefed against Alan Taylor and openly criticised his leadership. Dale instigated the backroom vote of no confidence. He left the pearl handled revolver on Alan's desk so that he could "do the right thing".

In December, Dale's buddy Greg failed miserably in the leadership election.

And now the three horse race for deputy chair confirms that "ambitious" Greg Couzens is as popular as a turd in a swimming pool.

So, (by default?) Rossendale's prospective parliamentary candidate is now also the deputy leader of Rochdale Council. Responding to a question about conflicting loyalties, Dale was profound: "I would have to think about it".

A double filling of those golden wellies? Make sure you don't mix left and right Dale!

Godfather Cyril Smith will be pleased as punch. Someone who can be "guided" near to the top.

Who would dare ask about historic sexual abuse to someone closely connected to a national comedy legend? Also, with Dale as vice leader and still in charge of Health and Social Care in the borough, can there be a cover up as to why Cyril Smith has been able to stay in Rochdale infirmary since August 2009? Wouldn't ordinary mortals have gone into a care home?

There will be the positive spin and froth spewing from Rochdale Lib Dems about the "exciting" times from the "new leadership" but RAW detects some profound cover-up, fiddling and avoidance happening.

What has happened to the third man in the deputy leadership election?

What has happened to the old Deputy Leader and portfolio holder for regeneration - Councillor Mohammad Sharif?
Why is he so busy bullying Angie Coric out of her seat?
Does Mohammad Sharif's demise have anything to do with Rochdale's failed regeneration game?

Nick Clegg and "corrupt politics"

2010-01-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

According to the Guardian Nick Clegg has used his strongest language yet to attack both the Conservatives and Labour, saying a vote for either of them is a vote for "corrupt politics".

Has Nick had a bang on the head since his short visit to Rochdale in December?

Is Nick Clegg suggesting that his Lib Dems in Rochdale are not corrupt?

When Nick came to Rochdale did he not see:

The Cyril Smith Special Branch files relating to Cambridge House sex abuse?

The mysterious Cyril Smith Friends of Rochdale Liberal Democrats "Fighting fund" double entry book keeping- cash from property speculators that has not been declared?

Yet more mysterious cash donations to the "Cobden Bright Trust" not available for public scrutiny.

The significant amounts of cash collected from Rochdale Lib Dem tithes from councillor allowances (10-20%). This must run into tens of thousands of pounds yet nothing has been declared to the Electoral Commission for years.

Parliamentary cash donated from Paul Rowen's allowances and expenses paid to the regional and national party for "consultancy".

The envelope stuffing machine that was part paid for with a maximum claim of £6000 of Paul Rowen's allowances.

Parliamentary cash claimed by Paul Rowen for "advertising" in "Rochdale News" - a political leaflet printed in Derby.

Did Nick Clegg have a guided tour of the development sites that have benefitted from the special brand of Rochdale Lib Dem planning magic? Sites that officers had recommended refusal but mysteriously ended up going to committee and then voted through?

Which sites? Which developers? Any connection with gifts and donations? What role did Paul Rowen personally play in some of these planning consents? Did he lobby Lib Dem members of Rochdale Council planning committee? Which councillors are involved?

We predict that Nick Clegg's smug comments about corruption will come back to haunt him. Soon.

RMBC to put brewery services out to tender?

2010-01-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

Are we seeing the last days of Rome in snowy Rochdale?

Is Nero fiddling?

There is a lack of grit to keep our roads open but Rochdale Council's £2,000,000+ media unit remain slippery with spin.

Local businesses feel the chill because simple council tasks can't be done. But fear not - "exciting times" are promised with Kingsway Business Park, a new £65 million PFI council office and Metrolink coming to town.

Shattered dreams, wasted opportunities, corrupt (moral and financial) and unaccountable decisions are failing Rochdale.

The wheels of private investment have fallen off the Rochdale Town Centre "regeneration".

Adult care services are being dismantled. A letter delivered on Christmas Eve informed an old folks' home that they have lost their warden...

As Cllr Mulgrew's dad Jimmidy Cricket might say... "there's more!".

The voluntary Wheels on Meals service is now threatened.

The rumours from the Town Hall are rife...
...is Rochdale Council going to put brewery services out to tender?

After all, it seems they don't have the organisational skills required.

Is helpful Roger Ellis drafting Irene Davidson's response for her ?

Nick Clegg receives book on Rochdale Foul Deeds...

2010-01-03T13:42:00.000-08:00

Truth is often stranger than fiction.

Poor Adam Power hasn't got the hang of press releases yet.
Or is he cryptically drafting his own resignation note/"get out of jail" card?

In an attempt to make a news article from the recent lacklustre appearance of Nick Clegg at Rochdale Town Hall, a crass story has just been published about him receiving a book on past Rochdale criminality and "foul deeds"

Oh the irony.

Rochdale foul deeds? That is a tag line that will haunt Rochdale Lib Dems throughout 2010.

Will Paul Rowen be now choking on his banana daiquiri on some sun kissed beach holiday with Terry Mason? Has Master Power made a Freudian slip with reference to a book about Rochdale criminality?

...Property developers, dodgy land deals, crooked planning permissions, unaccounted for cash, thuggary, skullduggary, backstabbing, abuse and shenanigans?

Looks like Nick Clegg may have received some spankingly interesting bedtime reading about Rochdale from Paul Rowen.

With any Lancashire tales of ghosts from the past and skeletons in cupboards, let's hope Nick doesn't have too many nightmares.

Rochdale Council's new leader announced...

2009-12-22T16:16:00.000-08:00

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose, as they say in that there France.

There has been a change of Lib Dem Leader who is also Leader of the Council.

Well done Cllr Irene Davidson. The best person did win and in fairness, as Deputy she has been doing Alan's job for over a year but without the increase in allowance. This didn't stop Phantom of the Opera Dave Hennigan posting a back handed compliment to Irene hoping that she can now dedicate more time to the job. What a cheeky buggar he is!!!

The interesting thing is that Irene's day job is working at a prison. If all the rumours are true about certain polititians in Rochdale are true, could Irene be seeing more of her colleagues than they expect? Only time will tell...

Meanwhile, a sad sight up Willbuts Lane - the wheely bin at Chez Couzens has a discarded "congratulations" banner in it. Ambition can get very ugly- even for the bootiful people.

But despite all the Lib Dem backstabbing, sackings and appointments - who really runs Rochdale?
Even though Irene is now the boss lady, Rochdale is still being Rogered

Paul Rowen - dullest MP in da House?

2009-12-21T00:14:00.000-08:00

How very dare The Telegraph from that there London ridicule Paul Rowen.

That is our job, but it is fair to say it is like shooting fish in a barrel.

The latest farce comes from a mystery blogger who has called Paul Rowen "the dullest MP in the House". Has this unkind chap seen Paul drinking on his own in the Strangers Bar or has he fallen asleep to Paul's flat monotonous tones sprouting an occasional shallow soundbite on Today in Parliament?

In the Westminster media circle, pisspoor Paul isn't on any speed dial list for journalists wanting fresh and cogent comment. Back in Rochdale Paul is usually seen with Dave Hennigan or Greg Couzens who help out with the longer words.

The blogger "Inamicus" has been outed. He is a Lib Demmer from the North East- land of T.Dan Smith. Paul's Friend In The North is Greg Stone - Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Newcastle East.

A politician called "Greg" stabbing Paul Rowen in the back? Unthinkable!

RAW must shout this from the rooftops - Paul Rowen is NOT dull.

Let us explain...

How can you call someone "dull" who has been involved or allowed the systematic cover up of:

criminality, sexual abuse, corruption (financial,planning, party fund raising), political bullying and intrigue (in and out of his party), creative accountancy regarding allowances and expenses, interesting foreign travel and mysterious little helpers?

Have patience Dear Reader. 2010 will reveal many of the answers.

It will be anything but dull.

Cllr Alan Taylor - now out in the cold

2009-12-15T13:58:00.000-08:00

Frequently a hairy bone of contention, RAW's crystal ball has been rubbed often this year and the predictions have proven to be bang on. Here, here, and here.

Cllr Alan Taylor has resigned as Leader of the Council. Although he denied being a sick man to the Ob recently, the Ob was quick to point that out to add mystery to his resignation. Not a retirement from council - just from leadership. The critics are already out with odd suggestions about him now being help the courts with evidence in fraud trials and the like.

If this resignation was made into a musical, would it be based on Carousel? Could a hairy man in a tight pair of trunks sing "you'll never walk alone"? Or would it be based the songs of 70's swingers' favourites Abba? "money, money money"? Has Alan met his Waterloo?

Local Lib Dems are eager to say Alan wasn't pushed. Oh no, he gladly surrendered his fat wad of extra council allowance to take the pearl handled revolver left on his desk.

The praise for Caesar was swift. Paul Rowen and Pat Flynn both used the word "fantastic" to describe their council leader who had just been stabbed in the back.

Alan was humble in his statement: "I am known as a workaholic". Indeed Alan, for those who can remember you in your fruit shop back in the halcyon days when a bunch of bananas could be had for a shilling, you were well known to be hard at it with your staff. A proper little menage a trois with all manner of plum polishing and melon fettling going on. Where did he get the energy to be Cyril Smith's parliamentary agent as well? All those skeletons in that cupboard won't look after themselves.

Like greedy rellies at a will reading, is there now an undignified Rush to grab Power by the balls?

Alan leaves mystery over his political legacy as Leader of the council.

The statement distributed by Adam Power has already raised a few wry smiles with his fellow Lib Dem councillors. Alan - with friends like that, who needs enemies?

"When I became leader of the council I had a clear set of priorities for our borough, which I feel we have achieved successfully".

Success?

Muddy fields at Kingway Business Park? A proposed tram that has demolished old folk's homes and set to make some property speculators very rich? A failed town centre tendering process. Directorship of Rochdale Reform Buildings Ltd - landlord to Paul Rowen's constituency office claimed for out of Parlimentary expenses and an "independent" rent valuation by fellow RRB shareholder Keith Crossley. Undisclosed cash donations from local businessmen that have done rather well from the disposal of council assets and planning applications?

Has RAW done what Cyril's mum was famous for and had a rummage through the Town Hall bins? Have we found a scrumpled up peice a paper?

Are the doodles and scribbles some sort of code? A crudely drawn cock and hairy balls? The words "creativity" "management" "success" "change" and something that remembles a knock off Gucci symbol?

Whatever could it all mean?

Rochdale Town Centre regeneration – a dodgy house of cards?

2009-12-14T00:44:00.000-08:00

Hundreds of millions to be spent on a new council office, transport interchange and a third shopping mall?

But who really benefits?

This week Rochdale Township planning committee will meet. It will pass a planning application for a new “Transport Interchange” for Rochdale Town Centre. Chances are it will go through without a hitch. The officers recommend it. Have some politicians been banking on this as an important part of a much dodgier project? Why spend £15 million to move a bus station a mere 15 metres over the road?

In these difficult economic times, is public money being abused for political purposes?

Will Rochdale suffer the financial consequences for decades to come?

RAW has some facts and questions for the record:

The regeneration of Rochdale town centre has been made party political. For the past few years official Rochdale Lib Dem regeneration policy seems to have been drafted by executive officers of Rochdale Council. In return, the councillors expect to bask in the glory of the billion pounds of development projects. Does this mean unelected officers decide Rochdale's future while our elected representatives obediently rubber stamp the plans?

But have the wheels fallen off many of these projects? Kingsway Business Park - the field of dreams that was built because the business model said jobs would come. But it remains a muddy field with a few tin sheds built. Are some rather questionable deals goings on now to get tenants on site?

Back to Rochdale Town Centre and the fragile, and grossly expensive, house of cards:

There is already a glut of available office space. Newgate House opposite the Town Hall is almost empty. With decentralisation of our diverse borough services and the easy connection of staff via the internet, why is there a scheme being steamrollered through to build a new central civic office?

Who benefits?

Who is project managing? Impact Partnership- a procurement and facilitation private company that provides services for Rochdale Council? Who is Impact Partnership?

How does Impact Partnership charge for its services? How much does it charge for its services? Is it value for money?

Why do executive officers in Rochdale like huge planning projects?

Do they use these plans of “jam tomorrow” to justify their budget busting salaries?

Which vulnerable services suffer as a result of vain, hubristic projects that the public don't want and can't do anything about because they are decided years before the Planning Committee meets?

Take the “Transport Interchange”.

The Art Deco Electric House was demolished years ago.

How many other properties have been acquired and demolished in Rochdale Town Centre for a project that has had little public consultation, approval or scrutiny?

How much public money has Rochdale Council already used to guarantee this project?

What secret land deals have been done using public money?

What private businessmen have benefited from these land deals?

Have any of these businessmen donated cash to political parties? If so, How much? When?

How shaky is this “house of cards”?

The transport interchange is needed to free up the land of the current bus station.

If nearby council owned land is vacated then a large plot is created. The mother of all plots.

It requires the demolition of the Municipal Offices (Black Box) and Telegraph House. Perfectly serviceable offices that are owned outright by Rochdale Council that will be demolished for the planned move to a new municipal service centre “Yelloway House”. How much will this cost? £50 million, £65 million? Is this a Public Finance Initiative (PFI) deal? What additional costs have not been disclosed? For how many decades will Rochdalians be paying for this grossly expensive new office block? Who will actually own it?

So if the transport interchange goes ahead and the new council offices go ahead what happens to the empty land of our existing and perfectly serviceable bus station and council offices?

Retail!

In a town with the third highest rate of empty shops, the geniuses planning our town centre “renaissance” are planning even more retail space. A kilometre from the inside market, hundreds of metres from the Exchange Centre (with about 25% retail voids), away from a blighted Yorkshire Street, and beside the Wheatsheaf shopping Centre that also has many retail voids in it.

When the Wheatsheaf centre was built, wasn't there a “planning gain” of the top floor housing our central library? Why then are library services due to be moved to the new £65,000,000 Yelloway House?

Who is playing a multi-million pound musical chairs with our council services and buildings?

Where is the competition? How can there be proper competitive process if there is only one bidder for the town centre regeneration process? How much has been wasted on enticing other developers? Who pays?

Which council offices and assets throughout the borough are to be sold off?

Who will benefit from this sell off of our civic silver? Have property speculators already benefited?

Could they profit from future council asset sales or compulsory purchases? Have these businessmen donated cash as political party donations? Has this cash been declared?

Have any Rochdale Councillors been involved in business relationships regarding property in Rochdale that hasn't been declared?

Why was there such frantic lobbying to ensure “Big Bang” Metrolink made it to Rochdale Town Centre?

Rochdalians are very luke warm about trams to the centre of Rochdale. The promised shuttle buses haven't happen yet. Is demand expected to be poor?

So why use tens of millions of public money to run a tram from the train station down Drake Street?

Is that why the “transport interchange” had to move 15 metre across the river (because the trams were too heavy for the old covered bridge)?

Who benefits from land deals done in this part of town?

Could Rochdale have an alternative?

Could Rochdale save itself well over a hundred million pounds?

Refurbish the existing bus station. With the money saved, make the existing car parking free? Use free shuttle buses to the train station?

Refurbish the exiting council offices. Obtain extra space from existing offices that are available at very favourable terms. Safeguard council services and jobs with the savings.

Concentrate on existing town retail businesses. Refurbish the “Georgian Quarter” of Yorkshire Street. Fill the hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail space. Concentrate on simple things like a good food and fish market.

Have a thorough audit of senior, executive Rochdale Council officers, the Rochdale Development Agency and Impact Partnership on project delivery and value for money. Also audit the millions spent each year in civic communication. How much of our money has been wasted on spin, propaganda and misinformation?

Have a thorough investigation of how party political funding operates in Rochdale. Who has received cash? Who has not declared business and property transactions? Who has benefited from any of these deals? If there has been wrongdoing then make sure those accused are charged and given a fair trial and, if found guilty, are punished accordingly.

There are rumours and speculation about corruption in Rochdale. Be that moral, financial or civic- our town deserves better than this. Our civic administration must be open and accountable. There must be no room for backroom deals and any suggestion of money changing hands in ways that can been questioned.

Those providing services for Rochdale must be value for money. Is this happening now given that the projects that these executive officers, partners and agencies are involved with have promised to deliver glory for some local politicians?

For months, “ambitious” Councillor Greg Couzens has been openly criticising current leader of the council Alan Taylor about civic failures. Cllr Couzens hopes to deliver an exciting panacea of “exciting” Rochdale town centre regeneration.

Could hundreds of millions be wasted for the sake of political vanity?

Only time will tell.

It starts this week with a planning committee voting on a transport interchange that was decided years ago.

Paul Rowen - who ate all the pies (and gravy)?

2009-12-09T23:47:00.000-08:00

Although growing in girth, Paul Rowen is no Cyril Smith.

There are certainly no serious sex abuse allegations hanging over Rochdale's current MP like there are regarding the "Strange Case of Smith the Man"

But we have been worried about Paul. The Audit Commission's new OnePlace website gives Rochdale a red flag for obesity.

Over 2008 and 2009 has Paul been flying the obesity Red Flag with his own lifestyle paid for by the taxpayer? Paul's paunch has been expanding. Some cruel critics suggested he was living off the fat of the land.

The latest allowances for Paul Rowen have just been released.

Has Paul been Greedy with our money?

The 2008/09 ACA receipts have the answer- food glorious food. Over £2500 claimed by Paul Rowen for food without the need for receipts.

So we will never know just what type of food Paul used our money to claim for. Porkie pies? Fudge? Swiss (bank) roll? Chocolate fool? Banana surprise? Pig's ear in thick gravy?

Last year Paul Rowen threatened the Guardian Media Group with libel over reporting of his expenses. GMG folded rather than fight a legal battle but RAW is adamant that the Rochdale Observer and Manchester Evening News were right to question Paul Rowen on the dodgy claims he has made. Especially for his office rent, communications, advertising, staff and envelope stuffing.

So today, the truth is now out for 2008/09 - Greedy Paul claimed over £2500 in food.

Paul also claimed over £600 for bathroom repairs: “Seal joints on cistern and pan”

Did the ever expanding Paul Rowen break his toilet?

Those Rochdale Lib Dems leaks can be expensive- trouble is, the taxpayer foots the bill.

The taxpayer also spent over £200 on Paul Rowen's home insurance. This included legal expenses cover of £22.05. Has Paul informed his insurer, Tesco, that he has made repeated legal threats this year? If he hasn't could his insurance be void?

Would that be more of our hard-earned money down the pan?

Time for a diet Paul- paid for out of your own pocket.

We suggest a large helping of... Humble Pie.

Et tu Couzens & Mulgrew: comedy, perfidy and infamy

2009-12-05T15:29:00.000-08:00

Poor Cllr Alan Taylor. Lib Dem Leader of Rochdale Council.

"infamy, infamy, they all have it in for me"

There are two very ambitious Rochdale Lib Dem councillors who have been plotting for over a year.

Cllr Dale "there's more" Mulgrew and Cllr Greg "kissing" Couzens.

As Rochdale council's finances falter, our roads' potholes deepen and the adult care service abandons the most vulnerable citizens of Rochdale, what are these two councillors up to?

Back stabbing and undermining Alan Taylor for sure. Greg and Dale have been very indiscrete. Like two crowing cocks, they will disown Alan Taylor by Tuesday.

The simple Lib Dem plan is the worst kept secret in Rochdale.

On Tuesday, Dale Mulgrew is going to fill his dad's wellies and call for a vote of no confidence in Councillor Taylor. For whatever reason, Mo Sharif could be for the chop too.

If the shenanigans all go to plan, then a bashful and coy Greg Couzens will reluctantly grasp power for himself.

There will be kind words of thanks from the self-made "millionaire" hairdresser for the past "great work" of senior Rochdale Lib Dems. But these shallow rehearsed sentiments will leave a sour taste in many mouths of those in the room on Tuesday.

Especially for those who have heard the poisonous whispers that Greg Couzens and his savage cutting crew have been encouraging for over a year.

If trust and loyalty cannot be shown between this bunch then what chance do the people of Rochdale have? Personal, politicial ambition and a desire for power does not demonstrate selfless civic service. Rochdalians have been sold down the river for too long whilst this in-fighting has raged.

Dark days for Rochdale- a town that deserves much better.

The last days of Rome? Burning while Nero fiddles?

Paul Rowen - Gravy train lobbyist of the year?

2009-12-04T05:02:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Paul Rowen - "Parliamentary Campaigner of the year". Apparently.

A Googlewhack.
(Thankfully an internet term and nothing to do with Cyril Smith's past deviant activity).

Until RAW's exposee today, type the words "Paul Rowen" and "Parliamentary Campaigner of the year" in the Google search engine and... only one entry appeared! His own website (paid for by us taxpayers).

A Googlewhack is a rare thing.

It is not like PR Paul to hide his light under a bushel?

So how did Rochdale's current MP get such a presigious award that nobody else in the world seems to know about?

"For services to light rail".

As many an angry local communter is now thankful for Paul's services to light rail - lets dig a little further.

The Metrolink extention to Rochdale is causing havoc and will do for another 3 years.
Ask people in Rochdale if they wanted it and the answer is a resounding NO.

Apparently Northern Rail could have renewed the entire Oldham Loop with new track and stations for TENS OF MILLIONS of pounds LESS than Metrolink and without the same chaos of a total loss of line service.

But Metrolink was never a transport project- it is a "regeneration aspiration" and whenever these "visions" appear you can bet there are property speculators aplenty ready to make huge profits.

Are property speculators going to benefit from Metrolink in Rochdale?

Only time will tell?

PR Paul has been on several 'light rail' gravy trains- he was an ideal chair of the parliamentary Light Rail group. Apparently he is also "regular columnist" on moving matters, such as industry backed magazine Tranways and Urban Transit. Paul is so regular that the magazine's website doesn't mention him as a contributor.

Shurely Paul doesn't have his contributions on transport issues ghostwritten?

PR Paul also featured on another mystery publication "Transport Matters" whose classy tagline was "if it moves, it matters". The semi-derelict website seems to have moved away from transport into the heady realms of public relations.

"Let us write your success story!" ...the website gushes... "Looking to increase your presence in the public eye?"..."our experienced team of communications professionals is dedicated to strengthening your company's brand. We provide creative solutions to your advertising and marketing challenges, increasing your company's presence in the public eye".

The weblink to their client list is a mystery:

"Over the years, TransportMatters.co.uk has had the privilege of working with a wide range of successful clients. Here is the complete list:

Client 1
Client 2
Client 3
and many more"

So who is "Transport matters"? Is it a publication that is pally with Paul Rowen and his tireless work "campaigning" for overhyped transport projects, dinners and trips abroad researching train-trams? What about PR Paul's possible involvement with property speculators?

Media website How Do has the answer.

Step forward Alan Salter - former transport correspondent to the Manchester Evening News. Based in Littleborough, a town within PR Paul's constituency.

How Do mentions Mr Salter's agency's other activities...

"now secured further project work from the GMPTE...and property developer In Partnership".

Fancy that?!

Typical Shameless Family promotion?

2009-11-24T08:25:00.000-08:00

Project "Secret Santa" has begun.

A ruthless pursuit of power by the ambitious and shameless?

Unfortunately our town suffers as a result of such political self-promotion.

But what is project "Secret Santa"?

Rest assured Dear Reader, it isn't a hideous Paul Rowen Santa Toby Jug giveaway.

Yo ho NO.

Are the worthy aims of the "Shop local" campaign about to be hijacked for petty politiking?

In the run up to Christmas the Lib Dem friendly Rochdale Observer will run a feature and competition to promote local shopping for the "typical" Rochdale family.

"typical"?

Could it be...

The Manson Family?

The Addams Family?

The Smith Family?

No. No. No.

But there is a clue as to who this "typical" family will be.
There will be lots of happy photos and product placement.

The "typical" family will be:

Mum - Jayne (age 40s)
Dad - Greg (age 40s)
Daughter – Bianca (age 21)
Son – Sebastian (age 18)
Daughter – Georgia (age 12)
Daughter – Amber (Age 6)
Grandma (age 70s)
Granddad (age 70s)

Obviously this is a fake, made-up family?
No-one would stoop so low as to use their private family for petty public politics?

Greg (age 40s)?

Shurley not Cllr Gregory Couzens?

Could this mean lots of photos of grinning Greg in the Ob acting as Father Christmas?

Bulging sacks, full of loverly gifts for charidee?

Our Greg - just the sort of "typical family" man that should be Leader of Rochdale Council instead of that "exposed" Alan Taylor?

Is that the sinister side to Greg's shameless self promotion?

Alan, beware of "ambitious", "typical family" men bearing gifts in bulging sacks.

Rochdale Lib Dem politics is a dirty, shameless business- even when "Secret Santa" is involved.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.

2009-11-19T13:18:00.001-08:00

Poor Dave Hennigan.

Although callously removed from Paul Rowen's lucrative parliamentary payroll, he remains outwardly loyal. Dave warns he is back in Heywood and will make sure Cllr Rush retains his seat. That is Peter Rush, the landlord, who lets Dave stay in one of his abodes.

Mysterious Dave has also been making some coy threats - on a late night forum posting he threatens that he will teach the Labour party "one last lesson".

So what stroke of genius is Dave planning?

Not something to top Spanker Cyril's 80th birthday bash?

A charidee pardee for a party that lacks charity?

175 years of Liberalism - putting Rochdale on the map?

That could explain the odd press releases about John Bright's statute and some unsubtle similarities with press releases from Rochdale & Littleborough peace group.

175 years of Liberalism?

That leaky vessel that is the Rochdale Lib Dem and their secret comrades aren't too happy with what is planned. They worry it could put them in the spotlight and allow some very awkward questions to be asked.

What have been some of the highlights in the past 175 years?

Freemasonry, gangsterism and Rochdale Reform Buildings?

"Lifelong liberal" Cyril Smith doing the hokey cokey with his party membership over the years?

Serious unresolved allegations of sex abuse - Cambridge House and Knowl View School to name just two.

David Steel's infamous quote published in Private Eye defending Cyril Smith ""All we are talking about are a few spanked bottoms"

Long standing planning corruption- no word of a Lye?

a backstabbing, bullying cult of personality?

Chief Whip Cyril Smith briefing the press about his then leader Jeremy Thorpe (and dead dog Rinka).

"loyal" Liberal Cyril Smith undermining David Steel with attempts to form and lead a new "democractic" party in the early 1980's. Did this help the Tories and cause bitter divisions in the nacent alliance between the SDP and Liberals?

What about Liberalism from many years ago?

Lloyd George? Insider share dealing shenanigans with the Marconi wireless companies? Corrupt sale of peerages? A Prime Minister during the bloodiest war in human history? Enforced conscription in Ireland 1917? Disgusting opinions in 1934 about the right for the air force to "bomb n*ggers" in British colonies? Adolf Hitler, described by Lloyd George in 1936 as "the greatest living German"?

Poor Dave is having a spot of bother getting key note speakers to attend the shameless Rochdale bash to promote local Lib Dems in the run up to the election.

No wonder. Do they really want to be associated with Cyril Smith and Paul Rowen?

With all those who "unfortunately can't find room in their diary", what sort of party is Dave going to have?

Cheese and Onion Pie followed by Cyril Smith, Paul Rowen and Jimmy Cricket as a comedy trio?

Or could Mark Oaten give a reading from his new book "Screwing Up"?

Perhaps "shocked" Charles Edward Lord would come to chew over the fat about the old days?

...and a whip round from "businessmen" supporters with cash to go to that shadowy unincorporated association, linked to 175 years of liberalism - the "Cobden Bright Trust"?

Paul Rowen refutes claims of "airbrushing"

2009-11-18T10:09:00.000-08:00

Rochdale's current MP is very touchy on the issue of airbrushing.

Kevin Maguire's column in the Mirror today raised it.

Paul Rowen got value for money from his Communications Allowance by a Full Power assault via Rochdale Online. It was a very ugly scene.

Paul set the record straight: "I'm a Northern lad. What you see is what you get".

So, did Paul fall for the anti-airbrushing PR via cheeky boy Lembit Opik and the Dove soap's commercial Campaign For Real Beauty...?

Is Paul Rowen 'Adamant' that there is no cover up or airbrushing of history in Rochdale...???

Cambridge House was never visited by Alderman Cyril Smith?

Sex abuse in Rochdale never occurred?

Property developers have never given cash to the Lib Dems then mysteriously got planning permission?

Everything is hunky dory with regeneration in Rochdale. All above board. No funny money?

Greg Couzens is doing well revitalising Rochdale town centre and he certainly doesn't want Alan Taylor's job (and never wants to be MP)?

All of Paul's Council and Parliamentary expenses and allowances were properly claimed and used appropriately?

Dave Hennigan just decided to move on and Paul wishes him well?

That's OK then.

It's just the problem with digital manipulation is that folk can get caught out.
A few years of a champagne lifestyle can cause things with 'northern lads' to get very ugly.

Unemployment- "million pound" Paul's champagne solutions?

2009-11-16T07:09:00.000-08:00

Two people lost their jobs with Paul Rowen MP last week.

One was Westminster researcher Alex Webster.
Did she leave a hidden message on Paul Rowen's website? (the one WE pay for from HIS Communications Allowance).

Under the ironic news title "unemployment soars" is a photo of bespectacled Paul with a glass of champagne in front of him. The photo, attributed to Ms Webster, has the heading "solutions" above it.

What is all this? Is it a Photoshop job? A cruel airbrushing?

Is this a wicked suggestion that Rochdale's current MP looks for "solutions" to the problems of the day with a glass of champers?

As Private Eye have revealed this week, Paul Rowen will have received about a million pounds in Parliamentary salary, expenses and allowances for his time as an MP.
Including that 40p banana.

But not content with just the one job, as Cllr Mulgrew's dad might say..."There's more!"

"two hat" Paul has paid Ugandan discussions for the east African arm of Rochdale property company Corinya.

Paul was also getting "double bubble" expenses as a Rochdale councillor in addition to his MP dosh. Six months after his late night internet confessions about the extra council cash, Paul still hasn't delivered on his promise to come clean on which charidees he supposedly gave the money to.

Then there are other mystery cash streams... Cyril Smith's fundraising and the shadowy Cobden Bright Trust. Add to that, the rent for his Constituency office (paid for via Parliamentary expenses) that goes to Rochdale Reform Buildings Ltd... then back to the Lib Dems?

Plus the Parliamentary cash used for a very expensive stuffing machine for envelopes.

Now that his office "complex" 142a/144 Drake Street has a bar, it can be trebles all round for those seeking "solutions".

Dirty Lib Dem ambitious backstabbing?

2009-11-13T23:51:00.000-08:00

Beware the Ides of November.

The runes cast at Drake Street are ominous. Dark clouds are gathering and the porkie swords are out.

Dirty tricks and dirty Lib Dem infighting and backstabbing.

In difficult economic times, "Million Pound" Paul Rowen has let 2 of his staff go. Alex Webster in Westminster and Diddy Dave Hennigan in Rochdale.

PR Paul's press releases have already suffered. Dave's demise remains shrouded in mystery. Although the spin paramedic had been drinking in the Last Chance Saloon for a while, Paul Rowen's method of dispatch was particulaly callous. Dave Hennighan had sacrificed a great deal to promote the public face of pisspoor Paul. Dave left family and friends in South Manchester to rough it in a Heywood Councillor's bedsit and damp Drake St HQ. With every fibby press release and shallow smear, was a little bit of his soul lost?

Adam Power has quickly moved into his post, salary and altar of the Dark Arts.
Dirty, evil backstabber???

But apprentice Adam has form - was he the One who hacked into Rochdale DLP's webpage to replace a photo of Gordon Brown with a Milliband?

He was the idiot caught out lying about MP Tony Lloyd's stance on Cyril Smith and asbestos. The Sergeant at Arms was not impressed.

Adam was also spotted (in cunning woolly hat disguise) photographing grafitti outside Rochdale Labour Party HQ while the paint was still wet.Then the photo mysteriously appeared on a political news blog.

Was Adam's digital pawprints linked to the URL and IP pathways that created a "fake" RAW webpage smearing Rochdale's Labour PCC with anti Zionist. Inciting religious hatred?

What is Paul Rowen getting himself involved in with his new "Agent"?

Has Adam's emailing been spotted outside official Lib Dem circles - encouraging libellous smears, tactics and attacks that Paul Rowen might benefit from but could never put his name to?

But the backstabbing doesn't stop with the knives in Dave Hennighan's back.

Leader of the Council Alan Taylor is dangerously exposed.

"Ambitious" politicians are openly briefing against him and angling for the top job.

Who wants to be the next Leader of the Rochdale Lib Dems before Christmas?
After a few false starts and cock-ups, one of Rochdale's "bootiful people" - "millionaire" Cllr Greg Couzens is still an eager beaver - trimming away on the thick fringe.

But whose noses are being pushed out? Irene Davision? Mo Sharif? The Hothouses?

The knives are out between the various factions witin Rochdale Lib Dems. It is all rather distasteful given the state of Rochdale and the bloody sacrifices being made by some of citizens.

Who is using the bloodbath of Afghanistan to look good? Who suggested Paul Rowen wrap himself in the Union Jack to support the lynch mob against Asda?

Who is allowing former servicemen such as Cllr Bailey and Cllr Clegg to wear their medals with pride whilst furtively communicating outside the party with "Peace Groups" for co-ordinated smears and politiking whilst service personnel are butchered?

Even though Dave has gone, the Sultans of Spin remain at Drake Street with huge wages taken from Parliamentary expenses.

Rochdale is poorer for it.

Paul Rowen MP to be “castrated”?

2009-11-06T23:21:00.000-08:00

Before your mind races away dear reader, the castration in mind is not the chemical cocktail linked to scurrilous rumours about Cyril Smith post-Cambridge House allegations and police investigations. Goodness knows what had to be taken to cool such spanking ardour. To control a 30 stone bully, the drugs would have had to floor an elephant. It brings a whole new meaning to “vetting” by Special Branch?

We digress.

Back to Paul Rowen's “castration”, a la Austin Mitchell MP, following the recommendations of Sir Christopher Kelly regarding Parliamentary expenses.

Paul certainly has some balls to go with his bare faced cheek. When the MP expenses scandal broke, Rochdale's current MP said it had “had one of the worst weeks of his political career”. Legal threats were made against the Rochdale Observer. They buckled and printed an apology for an earlier article into Paul Rowen's parliamentary expenses.

"The Rochdale Observer would like to make it clear it has no information that Paul Rowen MP was using parliamentary expenses to fund Liberal Democrat political activities and apologises if any reader got that impression."

A convenient official silence ensued that stiffled facts about Paul Rowen's allowances and expenses. No mention in print of the £4000 donations from Paul's allowances to the North West Lib Dem group for "consultation". No mention of paid adverts going to "Rochdale News" -not a newspaper but a political leaflet printed by the shadowy unincorporated organisation - the Rochdale Liberal Democrat Printing Society. Based at... you guessed it... the Lib Dem HQ and MP office at Drake St.

With the Rochdale Observer gagged, RAW has continued to question the spin and corrupt arguments spun by “Million Pound Paul” and his Drake Street bunch.

By the end of this term Paul Rowen now admits he will receive over a million pounds in Parliamentary salary, allowances and expenses.

He has filled his boots on claiming Communications allowance, second home mortgage interest payments and household items.

All three areas of MP cash that Sir Christopher Kelly was critical of and has recommended scrapping.

No more claims for - Communication Allowance, DVD players and vacuums, mortgage payments for the London apartment.

Following Mitchell's analogy is it fair to suggest that such "savage cuts" could amount to a castration for Paul Rowen?

But, as Jimmy Cricket might say...there's more...

Paul Rowen has failed to account for huge financial black holes in the Rochdale Lib Dem accounts:

How have “agents” and “caseworkers” David Hennigan, Adam Power and John Swarbrick been paid? What do they do for the money? Who is responsible for the “work” they do?

One very late night in May, Paul Rowen posted on the internet that he will reveal where all his Rochdale Council expenses were donated for the time in 2005 when he was both an MP and borough councillor. “Mostly catholic” charities apparently, after tax had been paid apparently. Rochdale's current MP promised to come clean “by the weekend”. 6 months on (25 weekends later) nothing has been disclosed.

Who paid cash to Cyril Smith “Friends of Liberal Democrats” c/o 14 Emma Street? The consolidated ("laundered"?) cash donation was welcomed by Paul Rowen prior to the 2005 general election but he seems rather coy about Cyril's "nod nod, wink wink" letter to 1000 local businessmen asking for Lib Dem donations.

What is the “Cobden – Bright Trust” c/o Drake Street Rochdale? Who are trustees? Who has donated to it?

Is it appropriate to describe the the rent setting exercise for Paul Rowen's constituency office as “independent”. Previously, the office was “gifted” for free (in the 2004 accounts this was an estimated gift of "£600 p.a"). Then the 2005 accounts claimed that it was now paid for by parliamentary allowances. The landlord is Rochdale Reform Buildings Ltd (shareholders include Leader of the Council retired “retail fruiterier”Cllr Alan Taylor and estate agent consultant Keith Crossley). So who was the “independent surveyor” that set the new, huge, MP office rent? ….Mr Keith Crossley.

Paul Rowen certainly has some gonads to shamelessly bully the town's newspaper with legal threats relating to his mysterious streams of income.

Is it time someone had Ugandan discussions about his moonlighting for property company Corinya?

Paul's paid involvement related to East Africa. There is talk of childrens homes and charidees over there. But Corinya has a UK division that rents houses out locally. For RAW the most mysterious investment is Corinya's letting of office space to Rochdale Council.

Was this Corinya deal done when Paul Rowen was Leader of Rochdale Council?

These are stony issues, a touch hairy in places. Perhaps even a tough nut to crack. But given Cyril's firm grip on Rochdale is faltering, will the truth finally come out?

Rochdale "rebrand" - sneek preview?

2009-11-02T08:59:00.000-08:00

Tommorrow is a big day in the history of our town.

Blue sky thinking outside the box from the Dear Leader Roger Ellis will answer all our woes.

Rochdale will be re-branded (what? a burning hot poker on the arse? -Ed)

Our Glorious "Year Zero" will begin with the "exciting" launch of our town's "visual identity".

All for initially less than £100,000 (plus of course the other regeneration and media budgeting plus costs of all the senior executive buffet munching).

Has RAW been able to get a spy shot of tommorrow's powerpoint presentation?

Here is a bad quality photo that could be a hint of how well our money has been spent.
A bold imaginative, yet honest, glimpse of Exciting Things To Come?

Cyril Smith to be hung at Rochdale Town Hall

2009-10-16T23:33:00.000-07:00

If there is ever an example of why capital punishment is wrong, then consider the curious case of Cyril Smith.

A non-story is currently being touted about an oil painting of Cyril that is to have the honour of being hung at Rochdale Town Hall.

As Liberal MP in the 1970's Cyril was a curious, rabid "hang em and flogger". All very illiberal - as if he was in the wrong party.

One of the greatest miscarriages of British justice was that of Rochdale man Stefan Kiszko. Jailed 16 years for a crime he didn't - and couldn't- commit.

As Stefan's MP, Cyril Smith was adamant in the 1970's- the man should hang. The problem with the death sentence is that there can be no successful appeal for the innocent. A short drop can kill the truth - sometimes an inconvenient truth.

Hindsight now shows serious failings of the 1970's police investigation of the murder of Lesley Molseed. Poor Stefan was a scapegoat. Was he fitted-up? Did people who knew better kept quiet?

Those who knew little exploited public fear and outrage for their own benefit.

Cyril probably didn't much thought into his hanging comments about his consitiuent. He had past form for simplistic gut feelings, shallow political opportunism and aggressive sniping.

That is the political legacy of Cyril Smith in Rochdale. Bluff, bullshit and bullying well mixed with cover up, murky deals and secret societies benefitting from the mess.

The allegations about Cyril Smith are clear. A hostel, Cambridge House, was founded in the early 1960's by prominent Rochdale Rotarians. At the time, Cllr Cyril Smith was heavily involved in local politics and youth issues. For some bizarre reason Cyril attended and participated in medical examinations of the young hostel inmates (lads aged 15-17). Cyril Smith has no medical qulaifications but it is alledged he squeezed the young lads' testicles in the guiding presence of the Rochdale police doctor Ian McKichan.

All the shocking allegations of Cyril Smith's sexual abuse were published by Rochdale's Alternative Paper (RAP) and Private Eye in 1979. Cyril Smith NEVER sued.

Imagine you were a young lad in Cambridge House back in the early 1960's. You are an engineering apprentice hundreds of miles from home. A grossly fat politician is known for visiting the hostel late at nights administering his own form of corporal punishment- using his massive frame to drag lads over his knee, pulling their trousers down and spanking their bare bottoms. Then the further humilation of the fat bullying councillor creeping back into your room, as you are crying in the dark, to wipe your enflamed butocks with a wet sponge.
What are you to do? Who do you tell? Who will protect you from sexual abuse?

Who can you trust or turn to for protection and justice? The hostel was founded by local Rotarians- the apparent great and good of the town- influential businessmen and politicians with links to Freemasonry. One founder was Probation Officer Bill Harding. Hard, influencial men ran the hostel. These men were feared by confused young lads who did not know what they had done wrong to deserve this sickening abuse.

How can a young lad, hundreds of miles from home, turn to the police when the influential politician abusing you walks in with the town's police doctor and engages in testicle squeezing? Even a young naive lad could understand the message- this grotesque man, Cyril Smith, can enter freely this hostel and sexually abuse you with impunity. If he can walk in with the police doctor and engage in unqualified medical examinations then he really has you by the balls.

All these years later, justice has not been done. Cyril Smith is heralded by some as a grand benefactor and godfather of our town. He founded the youth charity Rochdale Childer. Local Rotarians have been involved in the commissioning and purchase of oil paintings of Cyril. The NSPCC have benefitted from charity money from their sale.

Although not a pleasant oil painting, the portrait of Cyril, bought for the NSPCC by "silent auction", is to hang in Rochdale town hall?

Is it not a sick, sick world that such perverse historic injustices can be covered up this way?

Rowengate: "Wank bullets" and expenses - Time to come clean Paul?

2009-10-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

Who says RAW isn't "down with the kidz"?

We have discovered a new phrase that is sure to become general parlance soon. The rude reference has resonance with many of the murky shenanighans associated with Paul Rowen and his bunch.

"Wank bullet" was a phrase coined in Peep Show (the Channel 4 comedy NOT the £9.99 "entertainment" expense listed in a hotel bill claimed by Paul Rowen).

A "wank bullet" may be used to descibe the selfless act of covering up someone's indisrection with a ludicrous excuse that causes so much disgust or shock that the original issue gets covered up (or wiped away).

Paul Rowen has just published a "private and confidential" letter addressed to him from Sir Thomas Legg. Over the Additional Expenses Allowances, PR Paul was cock-a-hoop. His press release stated that Rochdale's current MP had a "clean bill of health".

Has Paul Rowen dodged the need for a "wank bullet"? Or is there more to that fat wad of expense claims that suggests a tissue of lies? Could things get very messy for Paul and his gang?

The current expenses fist fight is only over ACA- Additional Costs Allowance. There is no mention of other allowances that Paul has been creaming off - Incidental Expenses Provision/Staff Allowance and his Communcication Allowance.

So who in Team Rowen could still be about to take a "wank bullet" for Paul and his sticky situation?

Cllr Cricket Jnr- Dale Mulgrew? He signed off the 2005 Rochdale Lib Dem accounts with information that suggests Paul has recently been economical with the truth to the Guardian Media Group.

Did Dale get his wellies mixed up or did his 2005 accounts show the Rochdale Lib Dems filling their boots with Parliamentary expenses cash for -printing, staff wages and "independently" set office rent?

Boy oh boy - as Cllr Cricket's dad might say: "there's more"...

Are the 3 amigos- Dave Hennigan, Adam Power and John Swarbrick- actually 3 arguidos in the search for mystery money? How much public cash do they get paid? When it comes to websites, photos and emails are these naughty boys not tired of excessive digital manipulation?

Then there is the 40p banana claimed under Parliamentary expenses ? A mystery intern took both barrels for that indiscretion.
Then there are Paul Rowen's late night internet confessions. All very murky. On Rochdale Online at 1.40am one Saturday this May, the MP promised to come clean about the "mostly Catholic" charidees who mysteriously received his "double bubble" Councillor expenses for 2 years. All would be revealed by the "end of the weekend".

5 months on and no confession, although a Heywood Catholic Priest has been suffering a tirade of abuse and intimidation .

Does Paul Rowen seem to be struggling to come clean about his Ugandan dealings working for a property company called Corinya? Does his cup overflow? Will the Jungmyars keep quiet?

Or will older Rochdale Lib Dem members be forces to "take one for the team"?

Keeper of the keys to the skeleton closet- Alan Taylor?

Or Cyril Smith?

The man alleged by Rochdale Alternative Press to be a sadistic abuser of vulnerable young lads (aged 15-17) at Cambridge House hostel in the early 1960's? Although not medically qualified, Cyril apparently "helped" the Rochdale Police doctor Ian McKichan with medical examinations. Testicle squeezing - what sort of sick pervert gets off on doing that to vulnerable lads a long way from home? Bottom spanking? What sort of politician - at the time heavily involved in "youth services" abuses his position to administer "punishment" and abuse young lads late at night?

Rumours persist that Cyril Smith was later treated with medication to control his urges.

Even if Cyril Smith later "fired blanks" - do all these shenaighans and revelations help Paul Rowen dodge the current line of fire over MP's expenses?

The RAW facts - the alternative 2009 RDA conference presentation

2009-10-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

Today was the RDA's annual conference- held under the auspices of the ironically named "MIDAS"

But no golden touch (apart from top executive salaries). 2009- another year and another £2,000,000 of Rochdale Development (sic) budget spent with little change to show for it.

Today's presentation at the Tesco-funded Link4Life Middleton Arena lasted a whole 2 hours. Short and sweet - unlike the lukewarm coffee served with the nibbles. Perhaps the RDA bigwigs knew that RAW were in da house. Some of the comments made by Messers Hudson and Ellis hinted that they were a tad RAW at "negative" comments about Rochdale's "exciting" regeneration plans.

During difficult economic times when council workers face savage job and wage cuts, it was comforting to know that the RDA had invested wisely in a glossy show presented by a BBC "celebrity" - politics correspondent Jim Hancock.

The climax of today's conference was "exciting" jobs news for the muddy, empty fields of Kingsway business park. For weeks the RDA spin machine had been in overdrive with rumours of "excellent" news. Talk of "international" investment of scores of "quality careers".

When finally announced there was a feeling of embarressed underwhelm, like getting socks for a Christmas present. When the details were quickly analysed, was a giggle heard at the back of the room? One hack had calculated the full extent of the RDA jobs coup- a small site employing 50 was to close in Castleton and move to Kingsway. A projected 16 future jobs are in the pipeline.

16 jobs for a £350,000,000 "field of dreams" that was supposed to create up to 10,000 high quality careers? At this rate, the gilded tarmac on the £10,000,000 kilometre long road to nowhere will never wear out.

The promises and hype of earlier RDA annual conferences now sound very hollow. Shattered dreams and broken promises.

Rochdale deserves more than deluded vain spin mismanaged by grossly overpaid, yet woefully underperforming, senior executive officers.

Away from the glossy brochures and smooth corporate patter, there is a bitter reality that local people know only too well - the RDA has failed our town. The Rochdale Development Agency is not fit for purpose, but don't take our opinion for it, take a gander at the RAW slideshow of Rochdale projects that have been touched by RDA "magic":

Lets take a whistlestop magic carpet ride around Rochdale... perhaps Mr Hancock could investigate this ongoing scandal as part of his day job?

Away from Middleton town centre, sold down the river for a Link4Life leisure complex deal to obtain a smaller swimming baths in return for a "Tescopoly" that could damage independent traders. Civic silver disposed off. Has it been value for money?

Over to Castleton. The closed gates of the 100 year old Whipp and Bourne factory- now rubble.
Were hundreds of quality engineering jobs destroyed in a botched planning deal? Weren't the manufacturing jobs supposed to be secured with RDA helping to "facilitate" the Babcock Group factory move to new Kingway presmises? In return for the old site getting lucrative planning permission for an "exciting" mixed use urban village? What happened? The jobs left town and we are left with a pile of rubble where a powerhouse of our industrial economy once was.

Then just down the road in Castleton village to the massive Woolworths offices and distribution centre.

Now empty. Critics say that the RDA took its eye off the ball by putting all its eggs into the Kingsway vanity project. Now all we have to show for over £30,000,000 of "seedcorn" investment is little more than a bad, eggy smell. Rochdale is full of empty retail, office and warehouse space. We need more, expensive tin sheds just off Junction 21a like a second arsehole.

Don't we pay far over the odds for the archoles we already have?

a random assortment of highly paid senior executives

Whilst the RDA and the c.£2,000,000 Rochdale Council media unit spin defensive soundbites for Cllr Sharif (Regeneration portfolio holder), take a look at Kingsway for yourself.
Kingsway- a new landscape for business- indeed - empty muddy fields.An abandoned construction yard where the luxury hotel was supposed to be?
About 100 jobs delivered in the first 10 years- 9900 to go?

To experience the multi-million pound tarmac muppetdom, navigate the crazy new road junctions- Sudden, Townhead and Queensway. Enjoy the "exciting" prospect of added danger and time to your journey.
Over in Littleborough is the former Akzo chemical site. Apparently "no major contamination" according to the RDA? Did they tell a local councillor that all Akzo ever made there was "just a bit of washing up liquid"? Past frothy RDA "Renaissance Masterplans" earmarked this site for an "urban village" with a promised hotel and swimming pool. The only swimmers now are ducks on the nearby canal - next to where the mystery chemical drums were buried and forgotten about in the 1960's.
Today's RDA "Masterplan" reality is a rubble-strewn wasteland.

Following that theme is Rochdale's former main hospital site- Birch Hill.
Sold off to propertydevelopers for another "urban village". The future of our town's hospital provision was transfered to landlocked Rochdale Infirmary. Sheer genius - as there were no real chances of expansion. Was the downgraded fate of Rochdale's A&E, Maternity and expanded hospital provision destroyed by RDA meddling?

On the topic of doomed housing projects touched by the RDA magic, lets pass the Halifax Rd bungalows of very old and vulnerble Rochdalians threatened with the demolition ball. Those plans are currently in limbo- or are they?

Tangible destruction can be seen nearby- the poppy fields and bombsites of Wardleworth were perfectly serviceable houses stood just a few months ago.
Under "Pathfinder", has Rochdale demolished more homes that it has actually built in their place?

How about the cash black hole that is Dale Mill? Another rubble strewn joke that Roger Ellsi and John Hudson weres desperate to keep quiet. Is it to have more millions thrown at it?

Kirkholt - Solid post war council houses demolished? Recently refurbished flats torn down?

Take the muddy rubble that once was home to the very old and vulnerable folk of the Guinness Trust homes off Milnrow Road.
Was this destruction planned to allow speculation of "executive apartments" next to the proposed new Metrolink line? The £200,000,000 tram line that will destroy a rail route? Celebrated by a grinning Paul Rowen MP (who also happens to be Chairman of the Parliamentary Light Rail Group?)

Then there is the rubble opposite Paul Rowen's offices at 142a/144 Drake Street - a flattened retail park...

Then the c.£2,000,000 spent by Rochdale Council for "speculative" office development at Lock 50? Empty for months so finally occupied by the RDA themselves?
Or the empty shops, offices and "bombsites" down Drake Street and throughout Rochdale Town centre?

Rubble prepared for a £15,000,000 "Transport Interchange" to move the bus station a mere 15 yards?
But there is of course the "exciting" £200-500,000,000 regeneration plans for a small area of the town centre (currently mostly owned by RMBC and GMPTE?). Plans so exciting that only ONE developer is in the running? A competition of just one? Secret plans to change the regeneration process so that the Impact Partnership £60,000,000 PFI civic office project can still go ahead? Is this a case of "jobs for the boys" whilst hundreds of vulnerable, mostly female, council workers face the boot?

So there we have it. Facts and photos about areas "touched" by the magic of the Rochdale Development (sic) Agency.

We love our town. We hate how its soul has been ripped apart. We hate how vain mismanagement and failure is destroying Rochdale. We detest the spin, the lies, the threats and the corporate bullying that allows property speculators to flourish and senior, unelected executives profit from obscene salaries and pension perks.

How much more will the citizens of Rochdale stand?

Rochdale deserves much better than this.

Rochdale's billion pound one-legged arse kicking contest?

2009-10-02T01:35:00.000-07:00

Let's return to an ongoing theme for RAW:

Spin, Corruption, Cover-up, Mismanagement and Failed regeneration projects.

"Rochdale is booming" announce the faded signs next to many Rochdale "bombsites".

Failed regeneration, compulsary purchase, demolition and wildflower planting aplenty. Most of our town's promised "billion pound bonanza" remains with the Rochdale cowboys who "aspire" and "facilitate" the "exciting" future for our town. But as Nero seems to fiddle, Rochdale burns.

The Mafia of the Mediocre use our money to crow about their "dreams" and vain, 'white elephant' projects. Senior officers from Rochdale Council and its partner "agencies" such as the RDA, Impact Partnership and Link4Life hoover up obscene amounts of salary and pension provision as "savage cuts" are made elsewhere.

The public servant senior executive roll of dishonour is lengthy. It includes Messers Ellis, Hudson, Zuntz, Ewbank, McAteer and Lavery. These men have huge salaries and pension provision (well in excess of £100,000 per year EACH). Yet look around Rochdale and ask if YOU have received value for YOUR money.

About £2,000,000 a year is also spent on 'positive media messaging'. Other regimes would come clean and call it good old fashioned propaganda. We pay dearly for this drivel. First in the wallet and secondly as a result of deluded decision making by these senior unelected officers and the 'puppet' politicians that are appointed to their boards and willingly do their bidding.

An example of how this sorry scheme operates is the board of the Rochdale Development (sic) Agency. Leader of the Council Alan Taylor is a member. His business credentials are given as part of the RDA speel. But does this hirsuite retired "retail fruiterer" know one end of a banana from the other? He should know a lot about past town centre redevelopment disasters given he was Cyril Smith MP's agent during the "wonderland years". Alan was also around during the time of Cyril Smith's "plum squeezing" allegations.

Take the farcical Rochdale Town Centre redevelopment. £200 million, £250 million, £500 million are all figures that have been quoted for more retail and office space in an area with thousands of empty square footage and under-utilised space already. If the contractural fees for future decades of planned PFI "partner services", plus compounded interest charges are added, the final bill for a series of bland, identikit, tin and glass sheds, with a 30 year planned life, will pass the one billion pound mark. Of OUR money.

The latest (£20,000+) edition of Rochdale Council's glossy brochure "Local Matters" gushes about the frantic commercial competion to bid for the redevelopment of Rochdale Town Centre.

But does it appear the only thing Rochdale Council and the RDA have been economical with - is the truth?...

It has now transired that ONLY ONE developer has currently made the grade- "Genr8".

Rude local commentators are clear about this unhealthy lack of competition.

After years of fanfare and spin to have only ONE developer willing to gamble on Rochdale's regenaration has been likened to a one-legged arse kicking contest.

As for uniped-based punishment, there are too many highly paid 'executives' that need their arses kicking in our town!

Rochdale deserves much better than this.

Rochdale's £10,000,000 road to nowhere...

2009-09-23T12:58:00.000-07:00

Rochdale's roads are not only full of potholes- some are apparently paved with solid gold bricks laid by the Rochdale Development (sic) Agency.

The new 'golden road' is at Kingsway Business Park - "A new landscape for business" - hundreds of acres of empty muddy fields and tumbleweed.

Yet there has been even more spin from the multi-million pound turd polishers .

They are gushing about the 8th Wonder of the World- a one kilometre road in an empty muddy field that has, according to the RDA's own press release, cost TEN MILLION POUNDS. That's a lot of money down the pan.

Ten thousand pounds per running metre? £10,000?! Solid gold bricks would have been cheaper.

Why the media fanfare? The road has been built but closed off for over a year. Apart from the odd traveller caravan the empty gilded tarmac has little chance of wearing out for a while.

Rochdale's current MP Paul Rowen loves to take credit for the "exciting" regeneration of Rochdale. In happier days he posed for photos on another Kingsway yellow brick road.

Now the wheels seem to have fallen off the vain and grossly expensive scheme. Is Paul clicking his heels and wishing he was in Kansas?

"Always the bridesmaid but never the bride" was the picture painted of Rochdale by the regeneration press. Kingsway Business Park was pitched as our town's hope of happiness. There have been a few small suitors who have been offered sizeable dowries but time and time again, the £350,000,000 Kingsway project has been jilted rather than taken up the aisle.

The expensive excuses are starting to wear very thin and the spin is leaving people dizzy.

Back in Dodge, the Rochdale Observer have reported that the muddy field of dreams has to go back to the drawing board with a renewal of the planning permission for another 10 years.

According to its last accounts, Rochdale Development (sic) Agency spent over £1,600,000 justifying its own existence last year. Its senior officers are on very high salaries (obviously not performance related).

Rochdale Development Agencies little offshoot Pennine Land has been busy helping "facilitate" the £60,000,000 PFI "Yelloway House" office block.

At a time when savage budget cuts threaten Rochdale Council's Adult Care Service, the weakest and most vulnerable citizens of our town face an uncertain future.

Whereas the future looks bright for the gold-plated salaries and pension plans of Rochdale's failing but gold-plated turd polishers.

Rochdale deserves better than this.

Rochdale Town Centre Con-sultation...

2009-09-21T00:44:00.000-07:00

The multi-million pound snake oil spin machine from the Mafia of the Mediocre is at it again.

Is the troika of:

senior (very well paid) Rochdale Council officers,

The (very well paid) Rochdale Development Agency (sic) , and

"ambitious" but deluded local politicians

trying to pull the wool over townsfolk's eyes yet again?

Dill, Doe and Fancy Dan?

By hook or by crook, it appears that Rochdale Town Centre will be "regenerated" the Troika's way - irrespective of what ordinary local people think.

The consultation seems to consist of a donkey dragging a steamroller with dodgy plans that were drafted months ago. Will these senior executives and "ambitious" politicians ever learn?

The mutli-million pound media unit began spinning last week.

A "Masterplan" of green open spaces, water features, perfomance areas and lots of "jam tommorrow" was mooted.

Then, this weekend, a very short "town centre consultation" happened. A couple of days in the library and some leaflets in Asda's?

But what was really on offer?

Was the so-called consultation a done deal?. It was only for discussing minor details about one white elephant in the farcial zoo that could be Rochdale Town Centre's "decade of woe" (2010-2020).

Do Rochdale people really want the wholesale clearance of exisiting council offices to make way for a Brave New World of £60,000,000 PFI civic office development?

They have no choice- the decision has already been made for "Yelloway / Partnership House". Has the gravy train already left the planned Transport Interchange, filled with "jobs for the for boys".

A recent cunning plan to smear a serviceable office building went ahead. It was revealed in the national press that Rochdale council workers received extra shift allowances for slow lifts in the "Black Box". A double bubble smear- the chance to help demolish a building with another 30 servicable years in it AND damage the reputations of council workers to boot. That will teach them to challenge the Pay and Grade review!

It appears the need to demolish perfectly serviceable council offices has more sinister undertones and could explain why a £60,000,000 new PFI civic centre is already a done deal before any proper public consultation.

There is a planned demolition and sale of the RMBC Telegraph House and "Black Box" Municipal office sites. The Art Deco "Electric House" was demolished years ago to be replaced with "Its Happening" and "Rochdale is Booming" signs, rubble, litter and tumleweed.

Who will be reponsible for a firesale of Rochdale Council's civic silver during a property recession? What other assets and local offices are threatened?

Who benefits from such shady property deals?

The "greenwashing" spin machine describes "exciting" "sustainable" regeneration for Rochdale town centre. A few solar panels and renewable air conditioning will not hide the hot air that is leaking from this very expensive and troubled plan.

Rochdale deserves much better than this.

Flogging and Spanking? Fake RAW blog shenanighans?

2009-09-15T15:23:00.000-07:00

It is said that imitation is the highest form of flattery.

Fake blogs are often known as "flogs" (no hidden references to the corporal punishment sexual abuse delivered by Cyril Smith to young lads at Cambridge House in the early 1960's - exposed by RAP and Private Eye in 1979).

Now RAW has been "flogged". We only found out after conducting research into scurroulous claims doing the rounds on the interweb at the moment. Some of these claims can be found on the January 2009 entry of a near identical but FAKE blog.

We began on 6th November 2008. The fake RAW blog was spawned on January 15th 2009.

Are there clues as to who is behind to flogging shenanighans?

CAPITAL LETTERS and exclamation marks!!! ?
Postings by "Ian Brown". Was this in fact posted by a mystery diddy 90's North Manchester DJ ?

What was the real RAW doing in January? Is there a clue why persons unknown would create a fake website to divert attention?

26th January: Paul Rowen's Gaza Euro cock and bull story?

So why would "floggers" need to create a fake Rochdale Alternative Website and conduct shenanighans that seem to distract on the issues about corruption, historic sex abuse and failings over Gaza?

Had we hit a RAW nerve?

Who was furiously emailing prominent asian community leaders in the second week of January? Dave Hennighan defending his boss Paul Rowen? Was Adam Power a busy little mystery helper on the phones?

Is there any past form for such flogging shenanighans?

A modus operandi of: unfounded smears, alcohol riddled racism and community division, fake web entries followed by comments and frenzied press contact by Paul Rowen's office?

A media 'coup' bragged about by Dave Hennighan when the open source Rochdale DLP website was interefered with. It made a full column inch in the Express.

Grafitti sprayed at Rochdale Labour Party office quickly snapped by Adam Power and a scruffy old man that mysteriously yet quickly appeared on Dave Ottewell's blog?

Adam Power telling lies about to the media Tony Lloyd, an MP from a nearby constituency?

Orchestrated emails. Smears and fudge. The offices of 142a and 144 Drake Street have clear form.

But who pays their wages?

We all do, through direct and indirect Parliamentary allowances and expenses to Paul Rowen.

Rochdale deserves much better than diversionary dirty tricks and shenanighans.

Back in Cyril's day there would have been a good flogging.

Rochdale Council demolish homes to plant poppy fields...

2009-09-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

In some parts of the world, poppy fields are destroyed in an attempt to destroy the heroin trade.

Someone must be on some pretty strong drugs here in Rochdale as the reverse is happening.

Homes have been flattened and the resulting wasteground has now been planted with wildflowers. But fear not, this time Rochdale Council hasn't gone to pot. Instead, have they gone straight for the Class A's? Opium Poppies?

The story has come out as a result of some pretty far-out spin...even by Rochdale Council/RDA standards.

Despite millions of pounds being pumped into Rochdale through the government Pathfinder scheme for new homes, word on the (bombed out) streets of Central Ward is that the scheme has spectactularly gone to seed.

It seems that in a work of sheer genius, the Rochdale Development (sic) Agency and their buddies have actually demolished more houses that have been built.

In the past few years, confident billboards where put up around the demolition sites bragging that "Rochdale is Booming". Today those embarressing reminders of civic waste and mismanagement have been quietly taken down. Rochdale is officially not booming - yet the huge salary cheques to the architects of Rochdale's failed regeneration are still being cashed. Obviously not performance related pay.

Dill ? Doe ?

About £250,000 a year covers the salaries of RDA boss John Hudson and RMBC Chief Exec Roger Ellis. Put together the two form a full wit. But the joke is on Rochdale.

"Much needed homes" is the cry whenever politicians and regeneration consultants want their friendly MP to pursuade the local planning committee to approve profitable development schemes. Rochdale has had its fair share of dodgy planning approvals but even the straightforward ones have led to civic mismanagement that is now being covered up with expensive media spin and waffle.

The recent poppy fields press release is gushing:

"...Comments such as 'beautiful', 'stunning', ''it lifted me' and 'why can't we have that in our area' have been used to describe a formerly unused piece of land in Entwisle Road..."

Eh? Formerly unused land? Until recently people lived there in perfectly serviceable homes.

As the wheels continue to fall off regeneration in Rochdale, local communities are being badly let down.

But at least they get a bunch of flowers for their trouble.

Banana Republic: Rochdale Council's Costly Comic Capers

2009-09-07T00:14:00.000-07:00

Oppressive regimes try to gag independent media.

Cheeky, oppressive regimes use their citizens' own hard-earned cash to waste on PR consultants and fancy dan positive media messaging.

Today's exciting "tractor and potato production increases" for the Banana Republic of Rochdale are published in a glossy brochure posted to every household in the borough.

It is a cunning but expensive way to avoid the blue pencil of an objective press editor. A Regime can push its "exciting" and "positive" messages free of journalistic balance.

Expensive glossy paper is excellent for polishing turds. Unfortunately the high sheen can cause slip ups. Shite has a tendancy to smear itself when pushed around. [that's enough poo references, thank you- Ed)

What Mafia of the Mediocre is responsible for the exciting messages costing Rochdale ratepayers about £2,000,000 a year? Is it the Troika of senior council executives, political portfolio holders and the Rochdale Development (sic) Agency?

The clue is in the 28 pages of drivel posted through Rochdale doors in this month's "Local Matters" (plus 10 minute podcast):
There is a prominent "welcome" by a grinning Chief Executive Roger Ellis on page 2.
More "thumbs up" Rogering can be seen on lucky page 13 with another photo of the unelected c.£140,000 p.a. mandarin gushing about school lunchboxes. Not a banana in sight.

The main theme of the publication is about education in Rochdale. Roger and his bunch like to teach Rochdale expensive lessons. There are many fauwning adverts promoting the Rogering Regime-mostly from local authority funded schools and departments.

Compost and recycling plays an important part of the positive messages together with dodgy descriptions of regeneration and patronising credit cruch recipes.

Anyone for fudge and humbug wrapped in a plain brown envelope?

How much of our cash is being used to pay for this garbage?

Local blogger Matt Simms has tried to get the true figure. Conservative estimates suggest £20,000 per edition for a publication that is at best biased and economical with the truth.

Injury is added to insult when public money is wasted on propaganda. Public access for a free press to report and investigate facts allows for some filter of editorial objectivity and balance to present a fairer image. Even in Rochdale, with the past 'strong grip' of Cyril Smith, that was always a tall order and one of the reasons why RAP flourished in the 1970's.

But something quite sinister could now be happening in Rochdale. Word on the street has it that there are threats against the livelihoods of the Rochdale Observer and associated media. The threat is clear- Anymore 'negative' stories about Rochdale could result in a withdrawl of advertising revenue.

Gagging the free press with threats of cutting civic cash?

Is that legal?

Who is making such threats?

Could this be a Misuse of Public Office?

Has the republic of Rochdale gone bananas?

Christmas comes early in Rochdale

2009-09-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

No, not the silly season diversionary fluff about Rochdale Council putting Christmas lights up in August.

MP's expenses, allowances aside...

...it seems Christmas has come early in Rochdale... for certain property speculators.

RAW is still investigating but we feel we must share some clear concerns immediately.

Some very odd property deals have been going on in Rochdale. Eyebrows have been raised but orders have come from on high for people to keep quiet and their heads down.

Who are the Usual Suspects?

Does spin and mismanagement come in threes?

Is there a troika of dodgy bullshit, incompetance and skullduggery (a freemason reference?) from:

-Senior Executives of Rochdale Council/Impact Partnership
-Rochdale Council Lib Dems/Paul Rowen MP/142a-144 Drake Street
-Rochdale Development Agency

Is there a symbiotic relationship between the three?

What deals have been done, or promised, with local property developers and civil engineering companies?

The amounts of cash involved could be huge.

Has Christmas come early for a lucky few, whilst others are expected to tighten their belts?

In a recent gift of a comment, Rochdale Lib Dem "caseworker" John Swarbrick expressed a few "Home Thoughts" on Rochdale Online's forum about a recent blockage with Rochdale Council planning applications. In hubris that could be regretted soon, Mr Swarbrick warns his political opponents could face the charge of Misuse in Public Office.

Pictured: A scruffy John Swarbrick next to mystery boy in wooly hat?

Oh dear, that is a threat that could haunt a few in Rochdale soon.

Misuse of Public Office by blatant abuse of public money for political purposes, personal or party gain?

Who has profitted from recent property deals in Rochdale? Who has been involved? Are large amounts of public money involved?

Whilst hard working local businesses and lowly council employees battle for their livelihoods and job, who has been "larging it" in Rochdale?

Have patience, like Christmas in Rochdale, you won't have long to wait for some shocking revelations about where our money is going.

Rowengate: Banana slip-ups and splits?

2009-08-26T01:37:00.000-07:00

Paul Rowen's parliamentary claim for a 40p banana is making Rochdale's current MP famous.
Like a polished turd in a swimming pool, the banana won't go away. The bent yellow floater is causing no end of stink and embarressment.

Daily Mirror readers all over Britain can read about Paul Rowen's bananas libel threat in Kevin Maguire's Points of Disorder.

Word on the street is that the strange fruit is one of the reasons for dissent and backstabbing apparently going on behind the scenes within Rochdale Lib Dems.

Poor Cllr Alan Taylor faces a revolt. He could soon be out in the cold following a vicious little coup d'etat in his Banana Republic of Rochdale.

"Ambitious" 80's throwback, "Millionaire hairdresser" Cllr Greg Couzens is on a charm offensive with a cunning little plan to become Leader of the Council then perhaps to unseat Paul Rowen as MP.

"Project Affleck" has begun.

Cllr Couzens is Going Back to the Future by wanting to copy the 1980's alternative Madchester hippy type stalls once housed in a dingy old building off Tibb Street called Affleck's Palace.
Fair play. It is "thinking outside the box" But is all this just self-promoting horseshit?

Rochdale is full of empty bombed out dingy boarded-up shops. Thank millions of pounds and over a decade of mismanangement by the Rochdale Development (sic) Agency for that.

But Cllr Couzens has "a dream" for an "emporium of eclecticism". With him prepared, as a "successful entrepreneur" to take a "leading role" as a dragon choosing the den. Perhaps hubris allowed a wee Freudian slip: While writing about Project Affleck, again and again, in the Rochdale Observer letters page new boy Cllr Greg suggests that the successful seats "won't be first come first served". Instead it could be judged by "local entrepreneurs" . Such as who? Rochdale Lib Dem "benefactors" and supporters Terry Mason and Chris Greaves?

Cynics say they can see right through his rhetoric and suggest it is all hot air to get his name publicly associated with Obama style "change", "positive approaches" yet "commercial prudence and competance".

Greg is a politician after all.

But allowing the publication, in Lib Dem leaflets, of a photoshopped image, as a smart Freemason type, holding the Chancellor of the Exchequer's briefcase does make him look a bit of a tit.

But political ambition can be shameless.

All the back stabbing must be bad for Lib Dem morale. Whispers about the failure of past administrations (Paul Rowen, Alan Taylor and Cyril Smith mentioned by name). The knife in the back of the Hothouses and the patronising dismissal of the "wimmin and the ethnic contingency" appear to sideline the work of Cllrs Irene Davidson, Mohammad Sharif and Deputy Mayor Zulf Ali.

No wonder journalists from that there London see Paul Rowen and his 'bunch' as a laughing stock.

With all the monkey business going on, the 'split' will soon be apparent.

Will Paul Rowen MP sue Tesco over TV banana taunt?

2009-08-24T02:28:00.000-07:00

At the height of the Parliamentary expenses scandal, Paul Rowen described the ongoing public row as the hardest week of his political life.
Paul Rowen's expenses included a claim for a 40p banana. This from a politician whose combined Parliamentary salary, expenses and allowances since 2005 are probably over £1,000,000.

And that doesn't include "double bouble" additional claims such as the overlap when Paul Rowen remained a Rochdale councillor for 2 years. Or his Parliamentary Light Rail Group trips or Council of Europe visits abroad. Or his second wage working for a Ugandan property company with close links to Rochdale and tenancies via or with Rochdale Council.

Yet still there was a claim for a 40p banana. And 15p knob of butter and 5p carrier bag.
Some scurrillous grafitti wananbees have had the bareface cheek to express their painted opinions in the form of a rat holding a banana under the tag "Spanksy"

Rochdale's current MP "Million Pound Paul" has come out fighting with bully boy legal tactics. Libel action is threatened against mention of bananas.

Political commentators such as Hugh Muir have dismissed such nonsense with mirthful scorn. The Guardian even went to the trouble of publishing an unflattering cartoon caricature of Paul Rowen grasping a banana...

According to Hugh Muir's column, Paul Rowen's lawyers suggest that reference to bananas equates to their client being 'insane', 'unbelievable' or 'ridiculous'.

In what could be seen as an insensitive taunt against Rochdale's current MP, Tescos have just begun a nationwide advertising campaign. Double Clubcard points. Then, as if to rub salt into the wounds of the troubled Rochdale MP, Britain's biggest retailer illustrates the "double bubble" Clubcard bonanza with... bananas!

Is the writ already winging its way to Cheshunt, Herts?

After publicly complaining the indignity of eating baked beans on a camp stove, and the neverending references to the 40p banana claimed on parliamentary expenses, Paul Rowen's "worst week" could be turning into an 'Annus Horibilus'.

But at least the next purchases of bananas and knobs of butter can attract double Clubcard points from Tesco.

Every little helps!

(Even if it is the hardpressed taxpayer that ultimately foots the bill).

Camp Leader Paul Rowen - "has beens" and "toast"?

2009-08-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

The comedy crew at Rochdale Lib Dems Drake Street HQ have made the news again with another ridiculous press release of Paul Rowen "demanding action".

Struck by a power cut, Team Rowen were forced to "Carry On...Camping".

Today's Manchester Evening News carries the full sorry tale.

swiftly followed, across the office floor, by the Rochdale Observer

and national infamy for their half baked bean exploits in The Independent.

So what is Paul Rowen publicly "demanding action" about?

Apparently, The Sultans of Spin "our office is open from 9am-5pm" were about to sneak off early at 2.30pm but the power cut meant the shutters couldn't go down on both 144 and 142a Drake Street (Landlords, and recipient of taxpayers' cash, to "both" office(s) is the Rochdale Reform Buildings Ltd).

Messers Swarbrick, Power, Hennigan and Rowen didn't appear happy campers. They had to wait 6 hours. No amount of Parliamentary expenses and allowances could make things better. The cupboard was bare of 40p taxpayers' bananas. They had to rough it round a camp stove, forced to eat a slap up meal... of beans on toast.

If those in the know at Drake Street spill the beans about certain scandals... there would be a huge stink. And that is not hot air!

Recent coverage of Paul Rowen has an increasing air of comedy about it.

The apt photo used by MEN is from a recent banana protest. Camp leader Paul Rowen's woggle looks a bit skewiff.

What else could possibly go wrong for the Drake Street Dream Team?

How to get a job with Paul Rowen MP. 'banana' intern and "Casework Ass"?

2009-08-10T00:39:00.000-07:00

In the old TV series The Dukes of Hazard a fat politician called Boss Hogg ran a town with the help of his moronic family and friends.

Obviously the TV show was fiction. The very idea of overweight, bullying politicians throwing their weight around with the help of "local" born and inbred "good 'ol boys" who treat "coloured folk" and outsiders in a certain way would be an insult to democracy.

In the ficticious, moonshine drinking, Hazard County it was "who you knew" that helped get a job in politics.

Are there any similarities to TV's Hazard County in Paul Rowen MP's Rochdale?

Reading between the lines of his latest "Letter from Parliament" is most illuminating.

Firstly, there is no mention that Paul's letter isn't from Parliament.

Paul is in Keen-ya. Apparently sunning himself whilst doing charidee work at children's homes.

Does anyone picture portly Paul Rowen in a pith helmet whilst on a colonial verandah, G&T in hand? The Happy Valley of Kenya has a reputation for "fun and games". Were table tennis paddles packed in Paul's trunk? Or will Rochdale's current MP be too busy having slap up meals at various african Rotary clubs?

Will he be planning a trip to the bush? Is he popping over to Uganda to conduct some business in his second paid job working for a property company called Corinya?

At least if in east africa,
Paul Rowen isn't currently sipping his G&T
on a Rochdale Gravy Train.

But the biggest gaffe in Paul latest "Letter from Parliament" is the astonishing revelation of his admission policy for his Westminster interns. Just like Hazard County or Royston Vasey, it appears to be a very "local" matter:

BANANA INTERN

Paul is a bit tender on the intern issue after the revelation that his Parliamentary expenses included 40p for a banana. An 'unpaid intern' was immediately blamed for the fruity claim that was "within the rules".

So how do young Rochdale people become Parliamentary interns for Paul Rowen. Unlike Hazard County, surely this is not a "job for the boys"?

Paul explains:

"I've been very lucky over the last few months to have had a number of young people from Rochdale working as interns in both my London office and in Rochdale. These have included Natassa Malik whose father is a good friend of Sir Cyril Smith, Adam Barber who is the son of my GP and Tom Barlow who is studying A Levels at Oldham Six Form College".

So, it seems to help if daddy is a "good friend" of Cyril Smith or daddy holds Paul Rowen's confidential medical records?

"CASEWORK ASS"

But what about a paid job with Paul Rowen? A job that uses public money? A job that is even advertised for with public money?

Paul Rowen's Parliamentary Incidental Expenses Provision claims for 2008 show an invoice to MEN Media Ltd for £196.81. These were for taxpayer funded adverts in the Rochdale Observer (Saturday and Wednesday), Heywood Advertiser, Rochdale Express and Jobs North West.

(pages 1-3 0f 234 in the 2007/8 IEP pdf file)

The ad's catchline states"Paul Rowen MP Requires a Part Time Secretary/Casework Ass"

We presume the "Ass" is short for assistant rather than Rochdale's current MP being cheeky with public money to advertise for a part time american arse.

We will give that one the benefit of the doubt.

So there we have it. All above board and within the expense rules. Paul Rowen claims money to advertise for a "Casework Ass". MEN Media get the cash, interviews ensue and the best man wins?

So just who got the job as a Paul Rowen MP "Casework Ass" ?

Surely it wasn't John Swarbrick- the "scruffy old man" seen with "agent" Adam Power photographing grafitti recently ?

John Swarbrick had been working for "mystery sheik" right-hand-man Cllr Elwyn Watkins.
Dubbed the 'Scartlet Pimple' because his Healey Ward residents seek him here, there and everywhere but Elwyn is often missing "in Saudi". It is rumoured that John Swarbrick fell out with Elwyn so he stopped working for the busy fella who is also Lib Dem PPC for Oldham.

Then John Swarbrick pops up in the Drake Street Rochdale Lib Dem HQ/Paul Rowen's constituency office, and as "Home Truths" on the Rochdale Online forum.

Is John Swarbrick a Paul Rowen part time "Caseworker Ass" ?

Were the £196.81 for MEN job adverts a waste of time?

Is this an example of "jobs for the boys" in Hazard County?

At last ! - some interest in Kingsway Business Park !!!

2009-07-28T15:22:00.000-07:00

Kingsway Business Park.
The £350 million "field of dreams" that has become a failed muddy field of nightmares.

They built it, but no-one has really turned up. Until last week when about 60 travellers wanted to pitch their caravans on the cavernous white elephant part funded by European Regional Aid cash and shedloads of grant money trousered by the Rochdale Development (sic) Agency.

Tens of millions of cash spent on levelling hundreds of acres accessed by empty roads.

Take a visit to see where your money has gone. You will feel like you are on the film set of '28 Days Later' or 'Omega Man'. If you are lucky, you might even see an overpaid suited RDA zombie or PR Agent staggering around chanting about "exciting times".

..."This is where the hotel was going to be before they pulled out", "JD Sports are very interested -if the price is right (and the jobs can be moved from Heywood)"...

With tumbleweed blowing past the "Marketing Suite" it is no wonder Travelling Folk had a go at camping on the massive empty site. It is a lovely, very quiet site, just off the motorway.

In today's Rochdale Observer, poor PR Paul Rowen as current "Liberal" MP came out with a raft of kneejerk soundbites bordering on the racist about the "traveller invasion".

Hats off to the Ob for their private joke. Beside the article is a huge photo of a ruddy faced Rowen with the words:

" 'Disgrace' : Paul Rowen MP".

A disgrace indeed. Several months on, "Banana Boy" still hasn't explained where his double bubble Councillor expenses went to. And there remains a huge black hole in Rochdale Lib Dem Party income and expenditure.

The current Rochdale MP's soundbites are another example of a split personality desperate for votes: Devout and Pro-Palestine yet beer swilling "In-ger-land" stout pub defender. An apparent generous donor (with public council expenses) to "Catholic charities yet behind the scenes someone who is trying to get a local Parish Priest "moved on".

PR Paul really does try to bat for both sides.

Local "Born and Bred" politicians love a bit of Gypsy bashing.

Given his own celtic roots and his employment, at huge public expense, of Dave Hennigan, one would think Paul Rowen would be more understanding of itinerant folk, of Irish descent, with no accountable means of support and varied abode?

Leader of the council Alan Taylor braved the chilly weather to join Paul Rowen in "slamming" the "disgraceful" travellers and doing "everything possible to ensure they move on".

The travellers were seen on a number of empty "bombsites" in Rochdale.
There are now quite a few in the borough.

Rumour is the travellers have a copy of the glossy brouchure from gold plated turd polishers - the Rochdale Development Agency. The impressive tome is called the "Renaissance Masterplan". Although full of "exciting regeneration aspirations" the sites that the RDA have got involved in usually turn into expensive muddy fields.

It seems everything this hugely expensive qualgo touches turns to shite. Perhaps John Hudson and the other grossly overpaid executives who waste public money could do with is some lucky heather.

Or do we all need some clothes pegs? Because the waste and mismanagement of Rochdale Council strategic planners and the RDA is starting to stink.

So, if the Travellers know about the other failed projects that have been 'touched' by the RDA 'magic', watch out for caravans in: Rochdale Town Centre, the old Akzo Chimical Works, old Birch Hill hospital, the failed Artisan/Barrett social housing project on the old Dale Mill site off Albert Royds street, the old Whipp and Bourne site in Castleton...

Those who love our town are sick of hearing lame soundbites from dodgy politicians that dare not scrutinise or challenge the real damage done to Rochdale by the inept, unaccountable, vain and grossly costly failure of town planning and "regeneration" .

The last word about the failure of the RDA and Rochdale Council should go to an unnamed spokesman for the Travelling Community:

"Wherever they go they leave a mess.

It is the taxpayer who has to foot the bill for the shite they leave everywhere.

They cost this town a fortune.

There are supposed to be laws to control this lot.

Can't they just bugger off and do their criminal shenanighans in another local authority ?

Half-finished building projects before disappearing with huge wads of cash?

They are just leaches on society -and have you seen the vehicles they drive?!"

Rochdale - libel threats, sex scandals and brown envelopes...

2009-07-23T23:37:00.000-07:00

Lessons from history...

On this day in 1987 Jeffery Archer won a libel case.

Several years later, Lord Archole went to jail for perjury relating to said libel victory.

What is the Rochdale connection and what can be learnt from this sorry tale?

The hubris of Jeffery, the litigious politician, regarded a "brown envelope" stuffed with cash paid to a prostitute from Rochdale called Monica Coglan.

The sum of £2000 now has the moniker of an "Archer".

(perhaps 40p will henceforth be known as a "Rowen" - in homage to overpriced Parliamentary soft fruit paid for by the taxpayer?)

Anyway,back to the 1980's. A time of bad hair and dodgy suits...

(Greg Couzens- NB still a tit but NOT linked to this sex scandal)

Sorry, we digress. Back to the future and 1980's sex scandals involving Rochdale folk...

Pedantic Archer thought he was on firm ground. He knew he hadn't had sex with Monica Coglan. There was a lot of talk of an intermediary, Michael Stacpoole, as being the chap handing the cash over in Mayfair's Shepherd Market on that fateful day. However the real story is more complicated- scurrullous rumour has it that Archer himself was the intermediary for, a then, very high ranking cabinet minister. The ambitious author-cum-politician must be congratulated for his loyalty, silence and vigour in "getting on his bike" to defend this mystery recipient of Ms Coglan's services.

The lesson from the Archer perjury case is clear. Being smart with pedantry regarding libel doesn't cut it with the courts. Anyone who threatens libel and wins a pyrrhic victory must be spotless in character regarding the issues litigated on.

That is probably why Cyril Smith NEVER sued Rochdale Alternative Press or Private Eye over the publication of sexual abuse allegations in 1979. The best defence against libel is the truth. The truth hurts, and can be expensive.

Cyril Smith had to eat his words several times in the 1970's after threats to sue R.A.P. for libel.

Can Rochdale's current MP Paul Rowen be so confident regarding his recent pyrrhic victory over the Guardian Media Group's easy capituation over the Rochdale Observer's article on his controversial Parliamentary expenses?

Has litigious Paul Rowen ever signed a statement of truth or made an oath regarding his libel threats? If conflicting facts emerge about his Parliamentary expenses and Rochdale Liberal Democrat party funding then are those who have had to pay out and "apologise" going to have their day in court?

Journalists and news editors who have been threatened and silenced have long memories.

Some say that Paul Rowen has bingo-ing bananas. Has he made a gamble too far?

Is he drinking, alone, in the last chance saloon?

Rowengate: Art imitates life

2009-07-20T05:25:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought a 40p banana claimed by Paul Rowen MP could have caused so much trouble?

It seems, as they used to say on Dad's Army- "they don't like it up em".

The 40p banana was one of the reasons Rochdale's current MP threatened the Guardian Media Group with legal action over the Rochdale Observer's reporting of his claimed Parliamentary expenses. Who bankrolls Mr Rowen's lame legal threats? Is it ultimately the taxpayer? It is if the cash came from his Parliamentary salary, allowances, expesnses or petty cash?

Or would the cash for Paul Rowen to threaten libel actions come from his second job working for a Ugandan property company- Corinya- A company with very close links to a Rochdale based UK company that rents houses and offices in Rochdale Borough - including an office let to Rochdale Council. Was this sweet little property deal done when Paul Rowen was Leader of Rochdale Council? Top banana.

Chris Paul has some excellent photographs of a protest by young constituents who thought "million pound Paul" and his bunch were bananas.
Rather than see the funny side and engage with his electorate, the stout defender of free speech and liberalism wasted police time by demanding an escort from the Broadfield Hotel Chamber of Commerce "breakfast" meeting.

Food for throught indeed. The banana is mightier that the sword.

For years, Paul Rowen has jumped on bandwagons with protests and campaigns. He swears he wants Parliamentary transparency and open governance. Yet he has a shadowy crew that have groomed many on the internet with lies, smears and innuendo. And it seems much of this crew are paid for out of taxpayer's cash. Parliamentary and Rochdale Council income - salaries, allowances and expenses? Cash into a slush fund paid in by certain local grateful or expectant "businessmen"?

Now the worm has turned. People are starting to question Rochdale Lib Dem tactics and actions. Constituents want Paul Rowen to come clean on his expenses, secondary wages and all the sources of his local party's income.

How does Mr Rowen react? With silence on the key questions. Or threats, spin and smears.

Rochdale Lib Dems love art. When Cyril Smith was in a spot of bother last year and calls were made in Parliament for him to be stripped of his knighthood, a 6 month old news story about a "new portrait" of Cyril was re-hashed to put the former Rochdale MP in a good light.

Cyril Smith is no oil painting and the unresolved issues about his time as a councillor and MP will not go away.

New street art might not be to the old spanker or his successor MP's taste but it makes a point.

A rat, with portcullis bling, grasping a 40p banana - done in the name of "Spanksy".

A homage to Banksy with a name that reflects the unresolved sexual abuse allegations about Cyril Smith and vulnerable young lads in a hostel?

(The serious claims published by RAP and Private Eye - who were never sued for libel?)

Portcullis bling? Has Paul Rowen used a Parliamentary design (with Crown) on the front of his (sic) Drake Street office in an inappropriate way?

Is the rat grasping the 40p banana on behalf of an unpaid intern?

Does the rat have a tear in his eye? Is is remorse or anger?

Do rats leave sinking ships?

Street banana art. Food for thought indeed.

Rowengate: Parliamentary expenses- the plot thickens...

2009-07-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

On June 26th the Rochdale Observer ran a front page retraction and apology to Paul Rowen MP.

Although vague on the precise reasons why the Guardian Media Group did not stand by their original report on the current Rochdale MP's Parliamentary expenses, the Rochdale Observer front page and website on June 26th began:

"PAUL ROWEN has blasted ‘unsubstantiated and false’ accusations he used taxpayers’ money to fund party-political activity".

The rebuttal ended with a powerful statement in bold:

"THE Rochdale Observer would like to make it clear it has no information that Paul Rowen MP was using Parliamentary expenses to fund Liberal Democrat political activities and apologises if any reader got that impression."

Rochdale Liberal Democrat accounts are hard to come by. There is only one set available on the Electoral Commission website. This set of accounts related to the year ending 2005, the first year of Paul Rowen MP's tenure.

Signed off by local party Treasurer Cllr Mulgrew, Jimmy Cricket's son, they stop at 2005- there isn't any more.

The accounts speak for themself.

Click here for the the link to the published PDF on the Electoral Commission website.

Have any of Paul Rowen MP's Parliamentary expenses been used to fund Liberal Democrat political activities?

Rent- previously freely gifted but since 2005 claimed from Parliamentary expenses?

Printing- such as so-called "externally printed party newspapers". referred to in the June 26th rebuttal. But the Parliamentary expenses that have been published clearly show that the "Externally printed" Lib Dem party newspapers that Paul Rowen MP placed expensive adverts with were invoiced to an unincorporated organisation called the "Rochdale Liberal Democrat Printing Society"- based at...Rochdale Lib Dem HQ at Drake Street. Click here to see the invoice (at pages 12-14 of 34)

Salaries- the Rochdale Liberal Democrat 2005 accounts are crystal clear:

"...the local MP through his Parliamentary allowance now covers all such overheads."

Rowengate: MP and boy attack neighbouring parish priest

2009-07-12T23:41:00.000-07:00

Recent gaffs and heavy-handed shenanigans show that the wheels are falling off Team Rowen.

40p bananas,

paid second job Ugandan shenanighans with links to Rochdale property speculators,

daft legal threats against the Rochdale Observer,

stampless "yoof" junk mail and Facebook mithering,

Feel Good Festival political hijacking,

all demonstrate the sort of weird goings-on from Rochdale's current MP that previously didn't get reported.

The nagging issues that dog Rochdale are very serious. They will not go away. The truth will emerge. One day.

Concerns over:

Spin

Corruption

Cover-up

Mismanagement

Failed regeneration projects

and.... threats.

A few months ago, RAW reported on a late night attack of words Paul Rowen made against a Heywood Parish Priest. Writing on Rochdale Online's Forum at 2.06am, "devout"Roman Catholic Paul Rowen defended his "double bubble" expenses claiming when he was both an MP and Councillor.

QUOTE:

PaulRowen
Bronze Member

United Kingdom
138 Posts Posted - 23/05/2009 : 02:06:27

What I used my Councillors Allowances On

I've read with some interest the thread on MPs Allowances. Given what has been happening in Parliament in the last few weeks and the need for fundamental reform I'm disappointed at some of the comments.
in particular:

(a) Ian Duckworth - I appreciate that losing your Council seat to the Liberal Democrats TWICE is a personal disappointment and has nothing to do with the topic in this thread. If you cannot contribute positively to this discussion please shut up!

(b) HeywoodPP - as a Catholic Priest I am disappointed that you cast doubts on my honesty. I was a Councillor for twelve months when first elected an MP. I continued to Chair the committee that set up the IMPACT partnership. I played a full part in the running of the Council and attended Council meetings.

Crikey- so Paul Rowen is to blame for the seeting up of the Impact Partnership?! A "for-profit" organisation that has been screwing RMBC and Rochdale Council Tax payers to the tune of millions. (much more on that soon).

Back to the MP and boy attacking a parish priest...

Mr Rowen suggested that he was only doing both jobs for a year- until it was pointed out to him that he claimed the civic allowance for TWO years.

An extraordinary claim was then made by Rochdale's current MP at 2.06am Saturday morning . Late night internet typing that he seems to be now regretting:

QUOTE:

I made a voluntary decision to donate my allowance after tax to charities. I did not have to do this and my decision has nothing to do with council tax payers.

The bulk of these were Catholic based charities hence my disappointment at your carping critism. If you spent as much time ministering to souls as you should be doing I would have more respect for you.

However, in the interests of total transparency I will post up a full list of those charities over the weekend.

That was the last weekend in MAY. Almost a dozen weekends have come and gone yet Paul Rowen has posting nothing, zip, nada, about his "charidee" donations of the cash he received as a councillor whilst also claiming a salary, allowance and expenses as an MP (and a paid "consultant" to IDEA)...oh and a paid employee of the Ugandan arm of property company Corinya.

As fellow devout Rochdale Lib Dem Catholic family, the Mullgrew-Crickets might say..."there's more"...

It appears a boy (who definately doesn't work for Paul Rowen MP?) has been also interfering with the Man of the Cloth

Has Adam "The Machine" Power been using the t'internet at 142A/144 Drake Strett (sic) in botched attempt to get the parish preist of a neigbouring constituency "moved on"?

Paul Daly "Heywood Parish Priest" has alluded to the threats and political interference eminating from Drake Strett (sic). The sort of dirty shenanignas one would expect from a Banana Republic:

One such example, sent from a Rochdale Lib Dem email address, contained the lines:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have also been informed by two councillors that you have phoned them personally enquiring about my work.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

which is either an untruth by the two Lib Dem councillors, if they exist, or by the author of the email.

And

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
your behaviour is a disgrace to the Catholic Church and in my opinion you should seriously consider moving on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

or the following text message sent by someone employed by Paul Rowen and paid for by the taxpayer:

quote:

One of the more abusive text messages I have received from local Lib Dems working out of Drake Street stated:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have kept a file on your behaviour over the last few years and will be sending it to your superiors as an example of breaking canon law and recommending that for the sake of your ever dwindling parish you make a fresh start.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The same Drake Street employee went on to say that I am an:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
unchristian attention seeking man with issues
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whilst "not working for Paul Rowen", Adam has form for using emails to interfer with the work of MP's in other constituencies. Its a good job he doesn't work for Rochdale's current MP - or else this would be a matter of parliamentary discipline.

So who does Adam Power work for and where does his wage come from?

Surely there is no cash from Rochdale Council allowances etc being used to pay this naughty boy's wage?

It is fair to say that the funding of Rochdale Lib Dems is a huge black hole.
Is that why Paul Rowen was so touchy with the Rochdale Observer on the matter?

The arrangements regarding:

local, unaccountable cash donations- especially those "organised" via Cyril Smith,

the rent arrangement between Paul Rowen's Constituency office and the local party,

the inner workings of Rochdale Reform Buildings, Rochdale Liberal Democrat Printing Society and other shadowy unincorporated set-ups,

the wages and employment arrangements of Dave Hennigan and Adam Power,

the second (third+) wages and employment arangements of (Cllr) Paul Rowen MP,

Paul Rowen's "charidee" involvement and payments.

all remain shrouded in mystery.

Perhaps a Priest should be called to exorcise the demons?

Paul Rowen MP- "Cheeky bugger" stealing thunder and raining on parade

2009-07-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

The bare-faced cheek of Team Rowen knows no bounds.

The Parliamentary banana claimer and stamp free "yoof" junk mailer has been at it again via a Dave Hennigan exclamation mark strewn press release regarding Rochdale's "Feel Good" Festival.

Local people have started to see through these cheap media tactics with some constituents calling the current MP (in innocent old fashioned Lancashire parlance) a "cheeky bugger".

Paul Rowen claims that he launched "the biggest ever survey of Town Centre businesses". Those Feeling Good in Rochdale over the weekend did indeed see young eager surveyors handing out "I Love Rochdale" shopping bags. BUT- these youngsters were working for Rochdale Town Centre Management NOT the current MP.

The bare faced cheek of it!

Such shameless showboating is nothing new from the cheeky buggers from 142A and 144 Drake Strett (sic).

But bare faced cheek in Rochdale is a two way street. Sometimes it is hard to see the dividing line between the spin of politicians end and the unelected senior executive officers and associated companies and agencies.

Paul Rowen claims "developers are vying to build a brand new Rochdale Town Centre".
He forgets to mention the millions that have already been wasted on failed Town Centre tendering, a utter lack of proper public consulatation and some very dodgy property deals that have gone in a completely unaccountable way but using Rochdale taxpayers' cash.

As RAW has already stated, Rochdale is a town being Rogered. Rochdale Council Chief Executive Roger Ellis has never faced a ballot box yet loves to see his face in the press and council propaganda pushing the "exciting" regeneration of Rochdale.

As the wheels fall off the promised regeneration, the leaking unhappy seive that is Rochdale Council is full of rumours about the anger and paranoia of the Chief Exec and senior officers and managers at Impact Partnership and the Rochdale Development Agency to cover up the mistakes and failures with ever more eager "positive" press releases about "exciting times" promised for Rochdale.

"Jam Tommorrow"- paid for with about £2,000,000 media budget from RMBC, Impact Partnership, RDA and others.

Meanwhile, the people of Rochdale are being well and truly Rogered.

Existing shops are closing. The current shopping centres presently have over 25% retail voids. Drake Street looks like a bombsite. The outskirts of the town are surrounded by derelict sites and empty cleared land that already has existing planning permissions for office and retail development. Huge amounts of retail space, less than 20 years old and within sight of the Lib Dem HQ, has just been bulldozed.

The faded signs promoting our town by the ironicly named Rochdale Development Agency have the cheek to suggest the "Rochdale is Booming".

Rochdale has been failed by inept, failed, mismanagement. A moronic mafia of the mediocre that has cost us a bomb.

The bare faced cheek of Paul Rowen knows no bounds.

The "Feel Good" festival was an excellent idea.

It was originally planned as over 10 days of fun promoting Rochdale in a positive light. But there was an internal Rochdale Lib Dem fight that threatened the whole event. Rochdale Lib Dem husband and wife team Pat and Ted Flynns plus "Millionare" Hairdresser Cllr Greg Couzens wanted to scrap the entire Feel Good Festival. In the end, after civic shenanighans, the 10 day town centre event was cut down to a mere stump of a weekend.

a tit reckoning to be HM Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Many of those contributing to the weekend festival were unpaid volunteers that face the chop because of petty town hall shenanighans and the "exciting" Town Centre regeneration.

Excellent youth organisations including the Back Door Music Project and Skylight Circus are threatened by funding cuts and eviction at the whim of Rochdale Council and their buddies.

For years, Rochdale has been promised a Performing Arts Centre. (Dave Hennighan even had the bare faced cheek to promise to resign if it didn't happen). It hasn't be delivered but the overpaid "agent" remains.

And to add insult to injury, the hard work of volunters and lowly local staff members who worked on making Rochdale "Feel Good" gets hijacked by the same politicians and senior officers who have threatened and failed our town so much.

Rowengate: very naughty envelope stuffer...

2009-07-10T02:15:00.000-07:00

Recently, Paul Rowen went bananas about published articles detailing his Parliamentary claims for a 15p knob of butter and strange fruit.

There is also a huge sum of Parliamentary cash claimed to part pay for an envelope stuffing machine.

£6000 pays for a lot of stuffing.

Despite his legal threats and gagging, mystery still surrounds the current Rochdale MP's office and staff expenses.

There are vague mentions of caseworkers but no names are given. Young Master Adam Power remains a Rochdale Lib Dem mystery- Paul Rowen is adamant he doesn't employ the young whippersnapper but that is probably because of the trouble Adam landed himself in when caught out briefing against Tony Lloyd MP.

But apparent strangers Paul and Adam are dogged by a photo showing them together in a compromising situation with a Lib Dem "Yoof Survey".

Adam had told his MySpace chums that he worked for an MP. His name is on the bottom of the Rochdale Lib Dem website as a promoter of the "Drake Strett" (sic) office. But Paul left the young man in the lurch .

So, if not funded by vague Parliamentary expenses, is young Adam paid from a slush fund of local mystery donations and contributons from Rochdale Counillors allowances?

This conundrum has come to a head with an article that has just been printed in today's Manchester Evening News.

In addition to a 15p knob of butter and 40p banana, it seems Team Rowen also won't pay for stamps for junk mail to young constituents.

The very naughty envelope stuffer ommited paying postage for a "yoof survey" letter.

As a result, a local young constituent, waiting for answers to job enquiries, received a Royal Mail notice that a letter was waiting for him at the local depot but would only be handed over if £1.27 in costs were paid.

Imaging the joy in the unemployed lad's heart to pay cash to receive junk drivel from the current MP?

But, as Cllr Mulgrew's dad might say..."there's more"...

Adam Power is a naughty boy. A few months ago he was been spotted, in a cunning disguise, with a scruffy older man, photographing fresh graffiti on the front wall of Rochdale Labour Party HQ, just before photos of said grafitti mysteriously appreared on Dave Ottewell's MEN blog.

Adam's shenanighans in trying to spike Tony Lloyd's comments on unrepentant spanker Cyril Smith got Paul Rowen into hot water with the Sergeant At Arms.

And there was also the mystery of the hacking of the open source Rochdale DLP website. In boyish high jinks, a photo of Gordon Brown was removed and a replaced by a Milliband. Within hours Dave Hennigan and young Adam were boasting of a upcoming scoop in the Daily Express.

But, surely expensive but moronic envelope stuffing has nothing to do with mystery web comments and shenanigans?

Perhaps?

Given the swift yet similar themed comments that have been posted on the MEN news webpage.

"Steve Cooke,Mark,Radcliffe., J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock, King of Peasmouldia, Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead, and Al Capone of Atherton" all taking a keen interest in an apparent non-story. Doth someone protest a wee too much?

Has someone had a cunning plan? Use a couple of computers and a few bogus accounts (with a few profile name changes thrown in) to spike the news article with criticisms about it being old/boring/un-newsworthy.

Have the spunky young Cadets got a MySpace or 2Facebook accounts?

Surely none of those IP addresses would never be associated in any way with 144 or 142A Drake Street?

Surely such daytime shenanigans would never be paid for out of Parliamentary MP or Rochdale Councillor expenses or allowances?

Could Paul Rowen and Adam Power or "J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock, King of Peasmouldia" put an answers on a postcard?

But please remember a stamp.

Rowengate: Batting for both sides?

2009-07-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

Dave Hennigan has been hard at the booze again - with a new angle.

Not the horizontal angle he has found himself in,

or a cocky 45 degree angle some would find rude...

but rather a cheeky "Fat Les, In-ger-land, full pint, defend our white homelands" kinda angle.

As unpaid reporter for Rochdale Online, Dave has written Paul Rowen's defence of the English pub.

As overpaid "Parliamentary Agent" Dave has posted on the RO created personal website of Paul Rowen, the same English pub story.

It includes a lovely photo of Paul, with his thumb up, with John Kay- Rochdale Online director, lawyer, Rotarian (shurely not Freemason?) and Rochdale Chamber of Commerce big wig.

So the MP who only discovered Palestine in late 2008
and portrays himself as a devout, sober, godfearing soul to his Muslim constituents also panders to the baser, perhaps illiberal, elements who see booze and the pub as a mainstay of English and Western civilisation?

No wonder there is growing discontent within certain prominent members of his local party.

In fairness, "batting for both sides" is probably the sort of shallow politicking that many politicians with diverse communities have to do. It is just that Dave Hennigan and Paul Rowen do it with more bare faced cheek than others. Or is that because of the pile of cash a bulging Parliamentary Communications Allowance provides. A license to print money?

But, as Jimmy Cricket would say..."there's more"...

As the sort of straight upstanding chap that goes bananas over Rochdale Observer publication of his expenses claim for a 15p knob of butter and comedy fruit, one would think that Paul Rowen would go the extra mile to be "whiter than white"- especially when wrapping himself in a beer-soaked St George's flag?

When Paul Rowen spoke in Parliament to defend the English pub, he did not declare an interest in the Corinya Group of companies. He is paid by Corinya in Uganda. The British arm of Corinya - a seperate company - but one that shares directors and website, owns several local pubs.

Paul Rowen, the MP who has just discovered Palestine but defender of the full pint and English pub, paid by a Ugandan company that has close links to a UK company with the same name and website...that owns pubs.

Trebles all round! (and don't forget the receipt)

Paul Rowen MP- "Putting Uganda First" ?

2009-07-07T01:29:00.000-07:00

As part of the Rochdale Obsever's front page "apology" to Paul Rowen has the headline

" I have always striven to put Rochdale first".

Oh, the irony of such drivel. Within days, the Daily Telegraph published details of Paul Rowen's second paid job. Cash and employment that was reported by RAW last month.

The Telegraph is clear about Paul Rowen's second job Ugandan shenahighans:

Paul Rowen

Lib Dem, Rochdale

Paid £1,500 last year as a director of a Corinya, a company investing in property in Uganda. He attends meetings in the east African country at least once a year.

£1500? Tax Free? Property company? Links with Property development in Rochdale and Rochdale Council contracts? Attending Ugandan meetings at least once a year?

As the wheels fall off the regeneration of Rochdale, with manufacturing industry and retail leaving our town in droves, Rochdale's current MP is "striving to put Rochdale first" by being paid by property developers, with strong links to Rochdale, to attend Ugandan meetings and Kampalan Rotary Club dinners with his second job income?

Unlike Cyril Smith, RAW doesn't beleive in corporal punishment. A naughty Paul Rowen must be punished by writing out 100 lines:

"I must strive for Rochdale harder"

Rowengate- Rochdale's current MP wins minor battle but forfeits war?

2009-07-07T00:54:00.001-07:00

What an interesting few days.

Paul Rowen wasted one of his last Get Out of Jail Cards by paying lawyers Pannones to threaten the Rochdale Observer with libel. The Guardian Media Grope blinked and hung its new Rochdale Obscurer Editor and young reporter out to dry.

One of Paul Rowen's finest tactical hours? Or a crassly stupid move by a desperate politician who is damaged goods?

This hubris could take the heat off Team Rowen for the next few weeks regarding expenses, but a die has been cast. Those with influence in the media who have been threatened have very long memories.

Having the pyrrhic victory published in the Press Gazzette - this makes any further delving into Paul Rowen's activities a tad more newsworthy.

Rowen's comedic 15p knob of butter and 40p banana were claimed and repeated in the Obby's vague "apology". The question of office, printing and communication expenses and allowances have NOT been resolved - despite the clumsy gagging order .

The muttering within the Liberal Democrats in Rochdale and the Federal Party is growing. Yet the real scandals that will dog Paul Rowen haven't really seen light of day yet.

The real test will be how the Guardian Media Group handles future newsworthy scandals about Paul Rowen and the Rochdale Lib Dems - especially if they confirm that Rowen's libel threats were hollow.

Sleeze, incompetance, fiddling, corruption, criminality, sex abuse?

Will those with the power to investigate and publish now be scared off by cheap threats?

Or will they be even more resolved to get to the truth?

Only time will tell.

Rowengate- Rochdale's current MP spits dummy out at Rochdale Observer

2009-06-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

In a bizarre turn of events, Paul Rowen has made it known to Rochdale Online that he is "planning to launch legal proceedings" against the Rochdale Observer over their recent coverage of his Parliamentary expenses.

Absolute bollocks - this will never see a court. But the rationale behind this shoddy peice of spin is most illuminating.

Knob of butter - 15p

RAW has seen Paul Rowen's redacted Parliamentary expenses forms (and a few Westminster shocking documents that haven't public seen light of day yet). Quite simply the ruddy bloater is damaged goods. If anything, the Rochdale Observer let him off quite lightly.

Paul Rowen (plus his "Agent" and spin doctor Dave Hennighan) have bitten off far more than they can chew taking if they are to take the Rochdale Observer to court. And that takes some doing, after being caught stuffing themselves on 40p bananas. Or was that some mystery intern?

Paul Rowen seems to have a short memory. He says in his 25 years as a councillor and MP (2 of those years as both- with double bubble allowances and expenses to boot) he suggests he had never had to resort to any form of legal threats with the Rochdale Obscurer.

Bollocks.

The leaky vessel which is Guardian Media Group's regional titles has many, former or current, pissed-off hacks ready to come clean about the antics of the Rochdale Lib Dems. Some conversations have included the words "corrupt" and "sex offenders" within the sentence structures.

For years, Cyril Smith has bullied and threatened the local rag with his dodgy letters and angry phone calls. Dave Hennigan has bombarded the switchboard with chaff, lame excuses and promises of exclusives. But now, the wheels are falling off the Dream Team Brains Trust that is Rochdale Lib Dems.

It wasn't that long ago that a red-faced Paul Rowen and hursuite Alan Taylor turned up at the Ob heavy handed for a meeting during the old Editor Clare Mooney's tenure. Even though the blinds were turned down on the office partition, all and sundry at the Drake Street Ob office heard some of the threats being levelled at the weary boss lady and her deputies. Hennighan was cock-a-hoop after that meeting and bragged that the local newspaper was eating out of his hand. The weak, bland and perhaps Lib Dem biased reportage of Ms Mooney's regime could be seen as testament to past Lib Dem threats and influence being effective.

So why the legal threat from Paul Rowen now?

Firstly it is a standard diversionary and damage limitation tactic after a bad news day. Suggest the facts are actually lies and throw in the magic, but meaningless, phrase "launch of legal proceedings". Hey presto, sometimes things disappear in a puff of smoke.

It has worked for Cyril for decades. Ever read about Cambridge House and the allegations of serious sexual abuse in the Rochdale Observer?

Secondly and most importantly, this is a test of the GMG's metal. The Rochdale Observer has a new editor. Given the impending reorganisation of the regional titles to Manchester, are GMG going to back new Ob editor Gerry Sammon against dodgy legal threats from a man who claimed for a 15p knob of butter? Or will they leave the new boy out to dry with a small some being donated to Springhill Hospice- Rochdale Rotary and Freemason's popular local charity recipient?

The Fees Office will give Mr Rowen short shrift about funding such desperate legal threats. Given what many know about several prominent members of Rochdale Lib Dem members, is Paul Rowen really ready to waste one of his last Get Out Of Jail Cards?

Rowengate: Parliamentary Passes- BOGOFF offer?

2009-05-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

How many people are paid by the £88,468 Parliamentary staffing allowances claimed by current Rochdale MP Paul Rowen?

"BOGOFF" seems to be the reply when constituents ask politely.

The Public Whip also suggests Paul is "ambiguous" on the whole issue of transparency of expenses. Very slow in his motions with multiple no-shows to vote the Bill through - but a canny jump on the bandwagon when the MP's expenses “sheet heet da fan” last month.

Paul Rowen appears confused about how many people work for him.

Curiously, an article that made references to staffing numbers on Rochdale Online, published on April Fool's Day, has now disappeared. Instead is a new article published this month.

And Paul Rowen's website (paid for by taxpayer's) now appears to have airbrushed out past descriptions of his staff and bulging casework mailsacks.

However, the Rochdale Observer doesn't seem to meddle as much with its internet content.
On 4th April Paul Rowen gave an account of his staffing levels:

"My expenses have risen because I have taken on two extra part-time workers to cope with demand. I employ a researcher in London and three full-time and two part-time staff at my office in Drake Street."

So there we have it. Clear as mud.

RAW asked about Paul Rowen's staffing levels late last year.

We now know that the new Mayoress, Sue Etchells, has been described by Paul as his "PA".

Dave Hennigan describes himself as Paul's "Agent" and that Rochdale Lib Dem councillors refused to pay him any longer out of their contributions of taxpayer funded council "allowances".

So those are two full-timers at Drake Steet that can be accounted for. Just how much more money Dave gets than Sue isn't certain. It is rumoured that the amount Paul [sic] pays (we pay) for Dave is "off the scale".

So who is, according to Paul Rowen, the third full-timer at Drake Street?

Surely not Adam Power? The International Lib Dem man of mystery? Paul catagorically denied that he employed Adam. He had to given that the Sergeant at Arms threatened to give him a right roasting because of Adam's cunning plan to tell the media that Tony Lloyd allegedly denied a quote attributed in the Mirror criticising Cyril Smith.

The cunning plan backfired. Former asbestos worker Tony Lloyd MP DID openly criticise Cyril Smith. The Mirror got a BOGOFF with not one, but two national articles exposing Cyril Smith's unrepentant and shameful attitude toward dying asbestos cancer victims.

Adam Power was given a special mention by Kevin Maguire. Like a true leader, Paul Rowen denied any involvement with "Adam Who"? Despite poor Adam telling his MySpace chums that he was an "intern for an MP".

Adam's writing skills haven't improved much despite a chunky Parliamentary communications allowance (£10,324 this year) being claimed by "Million Pound Paul". The Rochdale LibDems website "published and promoted" by Adam Power still describes the office as being on "Drake Strett". A current political poll aimed at criticising the Labour PPC isn't going well for Paul -despite Adam's cute spelling mistakes:

[quote] "Do you agree with the Labour Parliamentary Candidate's view that we should holt our much needed town centre redevelopment plans?

("Halt" not "Holt" Adam- that's 6 'stingers' and a wet sponge for you young man!)

Paul Rowen also received £6000 of taxpayers cash for a £15,000 envelope stuffing machine for his Drake Strett office. Is that any way to describe poor Master Power?

So, who are the pair of Rochdale part-timers?

Former "conviction" politician John Hayworth?

John Swarbrick? The "scruffy old man" seen loitering with a cunningly disguised Adam Power taking photographs of mysterious grafitti at Rochdale Labour Party HQ?

The same photos that mysteriously appeared on Dave Ottewell's blog? Is this a good use of taxpayer's money from Parliamentary staffing allowances?

Similar shenanighans with "persons unknown" hacking into to Rochdale DLP's open door website and changing the photo of Gordon Browen with one of the Milliband's during the 2008 Labour Conference? Dave Hennighan then boasting of the triumph of a coloumn inch in the Daily Express about it? Is this yet another example of taxpayer's money being spent wisely on Mr Rowen's Rochdale constituency office?

So Paul Rowen's Rochdale staff remain named, even though we are paying for them.

However, something very curious is going on in Westminster.

Paul suggested to the Observer that he had ONE "researcher" at Westminster.

One, Uno, Une, Eine, 1.

But, according to the Parliament Publications, Paul Rowen has TWO employed by him in Westminster.

BOGOFF?!

How can Paul Rowen be that forgetful? Is that why recent statements about his staffing levels have curiously BOGOFFed from parts of the internet?

To remind forgetful Paul - his TWO Westminster "research" staff are named:

Alex Webster and... "Edward Lord"

Is that Charles Edward Lord?

Paul Rowen's "good friend" ?

Yet Paul Rowen told the Obby he had only ONE Westminster researcher?

But have TWO staff Parliamentary passes been issued? Double bouble!

If we delve further, will we be told to "BOGOFF"?

Rowengate: Ugandan shenanighans?

2009-05-27T23:39:00.000-07:00

Paul Rowen MP, champion of the full pint, protecting pubs, housebuilders and property developers, has had a very easy ride in the ongoing MP expenses scandal.

Last week, selected journalists were invited to Paul Rowen MP's Drake Street constituency office to view selected expenses.

Word on the street is that "Agent" Dave Hennighan was very strict in the remit. The chosen few were to have 1 hour. Guardian Media had a quick grope at the receipts. Rochdale Online took a little longer but the Rochdale Obscurer was a no-show. Was there a cat stuck up a tree being rescued by a boy scout, so the Obby's photographer was tied up and the lead journalist was on his way to Emma Street for a quote from Cyril?

1 hour to inspect over a million pounds of Paul Rown MP's salary, expenses and allowances?

And this is after the delay in an invite to view the documents. Rumour is that for the previous week the Lib Dem Drake Street office was like the last days of Saigon. Were the shredders going a full tilt? Was "Agent" Adam "the Power" sent to Staples to buy different sorts of pens to use on blank sheets of paper?

Apparently coffee and fag ash can be used to give that aged look to documents.

But we digress.

Last week's 60 minute pantomine was a distraction. Smoke and mirrors.

Some of the real questions were missed by Rochdale Online and Manchester Evening News.

Here is one question:

Where else has Paul Rowen MP derived an income?

Look no further than "They Work for You". The entry has JUST been updated (20/5/09). The old payments as a "consulatant" to other local authorities has gone but his Ugandan connection remains.

Paul is no shrinking violet when it comes to "charidee". But he remains rather coy about his Ugandan job.

Paul Rowen declares renumeration as a director of a Ugandan property company called Corinya. The amount he has received from this is not disclosed or whether he pays UK income tax on this pay. Why could this be relevant for Rochdale and the scrutiny of a British MP?

A quick shuftie on the Corinya website starts the intrigue. Although there is only one "Corinya Holdings" website, there are two distinct companies- one based in the UK, the other in Africa.

The website descibes itself thus-

"Corinya Holdings invests in and develops property in both the UK and Uganda".

To be absolutely accurate, it appears that Paul Rowen MP is a paid director of the Ugandan company and not the UK company. But the description of company activities is far from open and transparent. Are there clear "Chinese Walls" seperating day to day British and Ugandan activities?

The Ugandan Corinya does have a charidee element (a laudable children's home- following Cyril Smith's example of supporting the charity Rochdale Childer with its Moorland Home?).

On the Corinya Holdings' UK webite, click on the Uganda flag and follow the money.

Paul Rowen MP has his own Ugandan Page

The biog suggests Paul Rowen is expert in things Ugandan, as well as being an active Rochdale Rotarian. Paul's fellow Ugandan director Michael Muriithi is another active Rotarian in Kampala.

But which directors and shareholder link Corinya in Uganda with the UK?

Meet the Jungmayrs:

Hermann- Rotarian, former local authority planning officer, former Peel Holdings main board director and now Chairman of his own property investoment company. Keeping it in the family is Herman's wife Helen.

Then there is Hans Peter. Described in the biog as single, caring for his elderly mother who lives with him. The Corinya website also describes Hans Peter as a former Scout Leader. A fine upstanding Austrian citizen. He is also described as:

"residential estate manager for Corinya Holdings Limited and manages about 85 tenancies being responsible for all aspects of estate management and maintenance.

This includes Jung Bros Limited a company where he is a Director and jointly owns with Corinya Holdings".

So what has this to do with Paul Rowen and his Ugandan business activities?

First, the Coriya website suggests a very close connection with the work and activities of the Jungmaryrs' property development and investment in both the UK and Uganda.

Have any Uganda Rotary club dinners, journeys to the airport, or other such jolly opportunities to chew the fat with Paul Rowen MP, ever crossed the line between Uganda affairs to the interests of Coryina in the UK?

Paul Rowen before 2005 Cllr Paul Rowen was Leader of Rochdale Council and a Director of Rochdale Development Agency. When he became an MP, Paul Rowen kept his Rochdale Council seat (and allowances) for not one, but two, years.

In a recent 2am rant, Paul Rowen explained how he was instrumental in forming the new PFI/arms length "Impact Partnership" where a private consortium, for a tidy profit, now runs many Rochdale Council services (including planning and regeneration).

At the same time, Corinya was developing a considerble UK property portfolio during the market boom. This included a deal where Rochdale Council rents its Middleton Housing Office from Corinya.

Corinya also rents houses out in Rochdale borough .Hans Peter Jungmayr proudly declares his "management style has been accredited by the Probation Service and Rochdale Bond Board"

Is there any connection to Corinya and Paul Rowen MP's stout defense of the full pint and "seven days to save British Pubs"?

Corinya owns several northern pubs.

Well fancy that? "Million Pound Paul", Ugandan property investment, Roatarians and the Jungmayrs. Corinya's UK property portfolio that includes Rochdale Council offices and pubs.

Trebles all round!!!

Cyril Smith sex abuse allegations – lessons from Ireland?

2009-05-25T03:23:00.000-07:00

How does this week's publication of the Ryan Commission Report in Ireland have relevance for Rochdale and its former MP Cyril Smith?

30 years ago, many years before the internet and blogging, Rochdale's Alternative Paper (RAP) published “The Strange Case of Smith the Man”.

Serious allegations were published of Cyril Smith sexually abusing vulnerable young lads (15-17yrs) at Cambridge House hostel in the early 1960's.

Although the Rochdale Observer did not print any mention whatsoever of these extremely serious claims of local sex abuse, the allegations were repeated nationally in May 1979's Private Eye magazine. Libel lawyers acting for both RAP and Private Eye were consulted. The advice was clear- if the claims are true and can be substantiated- then publish and be damned.

Cyril Smith NEVER sued.

The local Establishment shamefully swept the whole episode under the carpet. In the same way the original criminal investigation and questioning of Cyril Smith in the late 1960's was 'handled discreetly' to avoid much attention.

Are the files relating to Cyril Smith, supposedly taken by Special Branch in the early 1970's, still safe and sound somewhere in that there London?

With this week's publication of the Ryan Commission Report, the Irish Republic has been rocked by terrible accounts of sexual abuse of vulnerable young people by the Christian Brothers, Sisters of Mercy and other associated institutions.

Paul Rowen MP together with his political agent Dave Hennigan and other local Lib Demmers, such as Jimmy Cricket's son Cllr Dale Mulgrew, all play heavily in their political careers on their strong Irish heritage. They will know about the terrible news and shocking accounts coming from Ireland.

Any right-thinking person would feel disgust at the cruel and abusive treatment alleged by many Irish victims. Anyone with a conscience would want to ensure past abuse is never forgotten or repeated.

Yet why does there remain a shameful conspiracy of silence in Rochdale over the shocking allegations about Cyril Smith sexually abusing vulnerable young lads?

There are a number of lessons from Ireland that are relevant for Rochdale:

Despite shameful attempts at cover-up, deals and collusion, Establishment figures eventually have to account for themselves.

Victims do not forget and often demand justice.

The public and media also demand justice.

Decades do not fade the cruel damage caused by abuse.

Paul Rowen MP attacks priest - very late at night.

2009-05-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

Not a case of bishop bashing... (as with fellow Rochdale Lib Dem Mohammed Shafiq)

Bishop Ali, previously bashed by Mohammed Shafiq- who claims to be an adviser to Nick Clegg's on diversity issues.

For troubled MP Paul Rowen, this is more a case of priest poking. At 2.06 am Saturday morning.

In his desperate defence of his Parliamentary salary, expenses and allowances, Paul Rowen (and frantic “agent” Dave Hennighan) has been pushing an urban myth of 80-100 hour working weeks.

Rather than working himself thin, portly Paul looks as though he has been living off the fat of the land.

Does sleepless Paul consider his trolling about on local internet messageboards as “work”?

In a week when the BNP have attacked the clergy for getting involved in politics, why has Paul Rowen (and associated local Lib Demmers) jumped on the bandwagon of publicly dressing down men of the cloth?

The answer is intriguing. The “Heywood Parish Priest” -Paul Daly- has asked some simple questions about Paul Rowen's income, including a time after 2005 when Paul Rowen MP remained a Rochdale Councillor (claiming civic cash).

Here is what the MP typed at 2.06am:

PaulRowen
Bronze Member

United Kingdom
138 Posts

Posted - 23/05/2009 : 02:06:27

What I used my Councillors Allowances On

I made a voluntary decision to donate my allowance after tax to charities. I did not have to do this and my decision has nothing to do with council tax payers.

However, in the interests of total transparency I will post up a full list of those charities over the weekend.

After which I will expect a full public apology from you.

The ugly nocturnal gnashing by current Rochdale MP Paul Rowen is very telling. He has never been backward in coming forward as a good catholic boy. Lots of lame press releases from Dave Hennighan about associated Roman Catholic and 'Oirish' issues.

Was this designed for Paul Rowen to hoover up sectarian votes? Attending "Catholic brotherhood" dinners, wrapping himself in flags, and apparently giving his claimed council cash to charidee.

So taxpayers' money was claimed by the MP who refused to step down as a town councillor. Paul insists he gave OUR money to several, unnamed charidees. Which worthy causes have benefited from Paul's largesse (of our money)? Palestine perhaps? (no, he only discovered Palestine in late 2008). Abused, vulnerable young people? Drug and alcohol abuse treatment? Paul has promised to name the charidees and demands an apology from the Parish Priest for his nerve in asking where taxpayers' cash has gone.

In a nasty side swipe at the Catholic padre, Paul suggests much of the money went to... Catholic charidees?

Well fancy that.

Al Capone was known to be a generous businessman with other peoples' money. The Chicago gangster's downfall came from an unexpected source. Discrepancies in his tax records.

Here is a simple question.

What are the tax implications for Cllr Paul Rowen MP claiming civic cash in 2005-2006 but then giving it "after tax" to charidee? By giving this cash away, were there any knock-on tax benefits for other elements of Paul Rowen's income?

On that note, where else has Paul Rowen derived other income and benefits in kind from?

How much has Paul Rowen received in other jollies? "Fact-finding" trips to overseas tram factories and award dinners?

What about other expenses and allowances that might not fall under the Westminster remit? Council of Europe travel, lodging and food? There looks to be a large Paul Rowen shaped hole in those decalrations. We guestimated that it cost £6.66 a word for Paul's trip to Strasbourg earlier this year. Have these receipts been dusted down yet?

On overseas trips paid for by various sources, do UK taxes get paid?

Rochdale - a town still being "Rogered"?

2009-05-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

In our last post we got it wrong...for now.
The Ides of May did not happen this weekend.

There was a toga party and a reshuffle, but the conspirators blinked so Cllr Alan Taylor retained his leadership and comfy couch at Rochdale Council.

Alan's bulging civic salary, expenses and allowances still mounted up whilst Irene was deputising. But Dave Hennighan made sure that Alan was occasionally still seen, Kim Il-Sung style, at the odd flag raising outside the Town Hall.

Meanwhile, poor "millionaire" Cllr Couzens will have more time to spend sharpening his hairdressing scissors or impersonating a Chancellor of the Exchequer by allowing photoshopped images of himself with the real Gladstone bag to be used in his council leaflets.

Tit.

With the Hothouses gone there has been a reshuffle of the "cabinet" (the one where the skeletons are kept?). In true Rochdale co-operative style, there has been a divvying out of the lucrative posts in what hardly could be described as a local Government Of All the Talents.

Word on the street is that the new RMBC portfolio holder for Education can bearly read or write.

Just the sort of dynamic sort to drive through hundreds of millions of pounds of PFI school building contracts without needing to worry about the small print?

So if Rochdale isn't made up of GOATs then who really runs Rochdale?

Rumours abound that Chief Executive Roger Ellis was the driving force keeping Alan Taylor in power.

Why?

And how come an unelected, unaccountable and overpaid mandarin holds so much power in Rochdale?

A town being 'Rogered'?

Crooning swinger gets cut short at charidee event

2009-05-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

Paul Rowen has an expensive way with words. But that comes with claiming a very high Parliamentary communications expense.

In his [sic] latest missive on Rochdale Online there is a sorry tale that could be mistaken for a slur on local cuisine.

After yet another mysterious plug for local businessman Terry Mason, Paul (or is it Dave/Adam?) goes on to describe future Mayor, swinging Keith Swift's shortened stint crooning at the India Lounge. (Both still available for parties/coroporate entertainment at short notice)

No explanation about how poor Keith bacame ill. Just a quick plug for the charidee event then a description of the Rochdale Online "business development executive" being rushed to infirmary.

Is that a way to curry favour with local businesses that host local Lib Dem bashes?

Get well soon Keith.

It looks as though being an ambitious local Lib Dem is a hazardous activity. Especially after the heated competition to fill poor Cllr Alan Taylor's trunks as leader of Rochdale Council.

With the Hothouses now out of the frame, the competition for Alan's civic crown jewels is becoming nasty. Had the Lib Dem "Rat Pack" soprano been munching on a spiked onion bhajee meant for someone else? Was he about to sing like a canary about party shenanighans?

Poor Alan. Is he about to be "retired" this weekend?

Who will wake up next to a horses head this Sunday morning?

The hairdresser or the "acting" leader?

Rochdale's multi-million pound turd polishing

2009-04-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

First, let's get something straight- We love Rochdale.

But we hate the fact that our town is turning into a shithole, because of (in no particular order):

Spin

Corruption

Cover-up

Mismanagement

Failed regeneration projects

All the above are connected, as are those who are most to blame for our town's failings. Just follow the pay grades. Those £100K salaries (plus benefits) are certainly not performance related.

Rochdale is not run by those who are elected.

The politicians are usually mere mouthpeices used to embellish press releases. They appear in photos cutting ribbons at the opening of white elephant schemes and “initiatives”.

Hard-hitting official political criticism might amount to the odd bit of pothole pointing.

By the next general election we will know just how much in excess of £1,000,000 Paul Rowen will have received in salary and expenses. Will he be judged on his performance?

But who really pulls his strings?

Rochdale is widely known to be an “officer run” town. The officers include the senior executives from Rochdale Council plus “partners” such as the Rochdale Development Agency, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and Impact Partnership. The connections with paid advisers, consultants, “businessmen” plus the slippery lobbyists and public relations executives means the trough has had to become bigger in the past few years. Just how much this Mafia of the Mediocre are paid is sickening.

Millions of pounds have been wasted in spin, mismanagement and cover-up. You will never read about much of it in the 'local' newspaper, the Rochdale Obscurer. Ask yourself why?

Don't worry, RAW will investigate and publish the truth about what is going on. Perhaps, now that the Guardian Media Grope is leaving town, we should print a paper version of this website and call it ROP- Rochdale's Only Paper.

Our themes will be simple - to investigate the scandal of official Rochdale:

Spin, Corruption, Cover-up, Mismanagement, Failed regeneration projects.

Lets start with... SPIN

An “undisclosed amount” is currently being spent on council spin for a “marketing strategy” and “rebranding exercise”

Deputy Mayor Keith Swift Regeneration “portfolio” holder, Rochdale Online "business development" executive and Frank Sinatra impersonator (you couldn't make this shit up) is quoted saying:

“We have acres of green space and we could attract businesses and jobs, it is just about getting that message across”

Green fields? What about £350,000,000 muddy fields that were once green fields?

Not Kingsway Business Park- there are far too many people in the photo.

Kingsway Business Park is an example of a gold plated, highly polished turd that has failed Rochdale.

As many council employees are having their salaries slashed through pay and grading,Rochdale is just about to get a “Director of Transformation” - for the mere snip of £120,000 p.a.

Ms Smith, new £120k turd polisher

Rochdale Council has just announced its new internal promotion of

"Executive Director for Transformation".

Oldhamer Pat Smith (no relation to Cyril or T.Dan?) will:

“help to boost the town's image and tackle some of the negative perceptions following 12 months of bad publicity as Rochdale repeatedly hit the headlines”.

Smoke and mirrors. Useless form over substance. Tackling "perceptions"
and boosting the town's "image" is paper-based turd polishing.
It is not the systemic, root and branch reform Rochdale desperately needs.

Rochdale Council already spends almost £2,000,000
on media management every year.
The Chief Exec likes to have “positive messaging” for Rochdale.
Add to this the bloated salaries and expenses of the high fliers in all the public bodies serving (themselves in) Rochdale. Are all these senior officers fully accountable?

Roger Ellis - worth every penny?

The Rochdale Observer suggests RMBC Chief Executive Roger (the dodger) Ellis is the officer that costs our town the most to employ. Is this true? Are there any others that have been missed from the Taxpayers' Alliance's Rich List?

What scale should senior Rochdale Officers be judged on?

On a literary topic akin to that what Stephen Fry refers to as "Complete loose-stool-water. Arse-gravy of the very worst kind".... RMBC is very coy accounting for all the costs of its glossy, full colour, propaganda newspaper “Local matters”.

Freedom of Information requests by local blogger Matt Simms should uncover this - but only time will tell.

We repeat, here are the local scandals that RAW will be investigating- FOR FREE:

SPIN, CORRUPTION, COVER-UP, MISMANAGEMENT, FAILED REGENERATION PROJECTS.

Pardon our potty mouths, but it is time to flush out the turds rather than polishing them at great expense.

Rochdale deserves much better.

" Cyril Smith arrested for historic sexual abuse "...

2009-04-01T09:26:00.001-07:00

...is not the sort of headline appropriate for an April Fool's jape.

The arrest hasn't happened - but should have.

The claims of sexual abuse on vulnerable young lads by Cyril Smith, late at night, in the Cambridge House hostel, has been subject to a conspiracy of silence by Rochdale's Establishment for years.

It is a serious scandal that will, one day, be fully investigated.

Cyril Smith remains the 'elephant in the room' in polite society.

Cyril never sued Rochdale Alternative Press or Private Eye when the details of his abusive spanking and non-consensual testicle squeezing were published in 1979.

For years, hacks and editors at the Rochdale Observer have known about the claims of Cyril's sexual abuse at Cambridge House- and elsewhere - but the Powers That Be in that great Liberal Institution have helped keep things quiet.

The founder of Scott Trust (that owns Guardian Media titles) - CP Scott - must be turning in his grave.

In today's All Fools' Edition of the Rochdale Obscurer, the grubby spanker Cyril Smith spits venom at the closure of the local Rochdale Observer offices as part of the GMG regional titles centralisation to Manchester

In testicle-squeezing fury, Cyril proclaims the Drake Street closure as:

"A tragedy, a disgrace and a real blow to Rochdale and destruction of part of its history over the last century".

How very telling.

Cyril Smith- The very man who has bullied Rochdale Observer journalists and editors with abusive phone calls and threats to get them sacked - many times over the past 50 years.

Cyril Smith- The very man who is well known in Drake Street for orchestrating bizarre letters for the Readers' Page.

Cyril Smith- The very man who has greased the cogs of the local Establishment- Rotarians, Freemasons, asbestos company directors and others for his own advantage and petty vanity. At the expense of the lives of his victims and those who blindly trusted him.

Cyril Smith- The very man who has helped ensure the Rochdale Observer never reported one word of the serious allegations of sexual abuse and financial impropriety that has dogged his political career.

No wonder Cyril Smith laments the departure of his local Rochdale Observer office.

This could mean he is losing his strong and infamous grip on Rochdale.

Cyril's letter in the Rochdale Observer on April 1st 2009 could also go down in infamy for another reason.

The Mother of All Freudian Slips !

On the loss of the Ob office he writes:

"Norman Scott must be turning in his grave".

NORMAN SCOTT ?!

Is this the same Norman Scott horribly satirized by Peter Cook as "a self-confessed player of the pink oboe"?

Norman Scott?
The male model who in the 1970's accused Jeremy Thorpe, his alleged former lover and Leader of the Liberal Party, of attempted murder. Poor Great Dane Rinka took a bullet for Norman Scott in a scandal that ripped the Liberal Party apart and ended Jeremy Thorpe's career.

A young David Steel then took control of the keys to the skeleton closet.
(The little chap that who defended Cyril Smith for "merely smacking a few bare bottoms").

Cyril was central to the Norman Scott/Jeremy Thorpe scandal. The Rochdale MP was Chief Liberal Whip (no pun intended) at the time.

In old Fleet Street circles Cyril Smith was known, back then, as a prolific leaker.
30 stones of grossly obese moving and shaking.

A friend at the Daily Mirror ghost wrote his autobiography "Big Cyril" and he protected his huge hide by keeping on the right side of the Daily Mail, Express and tabloids with a combination of his "cheeky chappie from Lancashire" persona plus illiberal "hanging and flogging" soundbites and the canny, shameless, liberal leaking of documents and confidences.

Recently released government archives confirm it was Cyril Smith who made the first approaches on behalf of the Liberal Party to help form the Lib Lab pact. He was the ideal choice given that he owed a huge favour to Home Secretary Jim Callaghan following the dropping of the investigation against Cyril of the Cambridge House sex abuse allegations.

Apparently Special Branch personally picked up the Cyril Smith "paedo" files from Lancashire Police HQ at Preston and sent them to that there London for safe keeping.

The Scott/Thorpe affair was manna from heaven for a troubled Wilson administration. There is much intrigue about the political shenanighans at the time- it is fair to say that Cyril Smith was very much out of his depth: MI5, "Operation Clockwork Orange" Very British Coups, Heath's little Helpers and a Paranoid Wilson in the mix was too much for the Northern bully used to being a big fish in a small pond.

However, in the early day's of his Parliamentary carrer Chief Whip Cyril Smith was a modest man who thought himself eminently suitable to be the next Liberal Party leader.
As Chief Whip of a minority party in a not very well hung parliament, Cyril was in a key position as whip-cracking kingmaker. Just what documents were leaked and by and to whom is still shrouded in mystery. Is that why arrogant and unrepentant Cyril Smith remains so confident to this day that he is "protected"? Even Minister of Justice Jack Straw remains somewhat coy.

At the time the Liberal Party Leader desperately needed help from his Chief Whip, Cyril Smith admitted himself to Birch Hill hospital with a dickie tummy. Two weeks of non-specific illness kept him out of the limelight.

Those with long memories recall that, although lying low, the public telephone was wheeled to Cyril's NHS bedside and kept there permanently. A huge stack of 2 pence peices were used by the fat Machiavelli as his party crumbled.

Anyone with an interest in the Scott/Thorpe affair can find lots of books and infomation to quench their curiosity.
This was certainly not Cyril Smith's finest hour.

Sexual abuser, bully, informant, sneak, disloyal, dishonest, criminal?
Such phrases shouldn't be for the Court of Public Opinion to decide. For far too long, the doors to that Court were blocked locally by the likes of the Rochdale Observer.

Natural justice must prevail. Cyril Smith should be held accountable for his past (mis)deeds.

CP Scott must be turning in his grave.

"a newspaper is much more than a business as it reflects the influences and life of a whole community"

Do those fine word include sexually abused young apprentices and asbestos cancer sufferers?

We wish the Rochdale Observer well in its new Manchester offices - well away from Cyril Smith's sweaty grasp.

But please - start exercising those Scott family values - for Rochdale.