JABBER JABBER

A poem for literary readers.

...with apologies to Lewis Caroll....

`Twas Ofsted and the slithy Gove
Did whine and bluster in the House.
The Tories all feigned love
For him, but thought he was a louse.

"Beware the Milliband", said Dave.
"That nasal twang, those stary eyes!
The Coalition is unsafe;
Lib Dems seek your demise."

Gove took his Parker pen in hand
(A present from his Aunty Maud.)
Long time his policies he planned,
Though he was really bored.

He came up with a scheme so vague
That no one could make sense of it.
He ran it past his mate, Will Hague,
Who thought it total sh.. rubbish.

"The system`s simple" he averred:
"Grammar, Comprehensive, Free...."
His colleagues thought it quite absurd -
"State and Academy..."

"Voluntary Aided or Controlled
Sponsored and Foundation."
His master plan he did unfold
To a bewildered nation.

So, Govey waffled on and on
(He suffered from delusion.)
He thought his arguement was won,
But all was mere confusion.

He said the Independent Schools
Could help those who has less,
But even a half-witted fool
Foresaw an Eton mess!

`Twas Ofsted and the slithy Gove
Did whine and bluster in the House.
For him the Commons have no love;
All think he is a louse.

Ken Kaylor, Arnesby

We're all off to Daventry!

Only 7 days ago we sat at the branch meeting and wondered, what's the most bizarre outcome for us in the Boundary Review? Joining Harborough, Hinckley - even Rugby? No - we're all off to Daventry in 2015. The good news, the branch has no need to change - Misterton and that well-known suburb of Daventry, Broughton Astley, are in the new constituency. And there is still a Braunston, it's just not that Braunstone.

Full jaw-dropping details are best enjoyed in the preliminary report itself. Clicking on the post title should take you there.

Fabians Autumn Events

In response to the interest shown at last night's branch meeting, David F has kindly circulated details of the upcoming events from Warwickshire Fabians.

September 22 is their AGM followed by a discussion group. Thursday October 20 is 'Blue Labour' theorist, Lord Maurice Glasman, and Friday November 18 is our own Willy Bach on Access to Justice. All meetings start at 7.30.

The Fabians are always very welcoming to guests and have a splendid, easily accessible venue at the Friends Meeting House, 28 Regent Place, Rugby.

Confusing service with profit

Late last week the County Council went public with news that it can't turn a profit from its parking enforcement service.  Worse, it forecasts a loss for the current year of £280,000. 

That's a very expensive unloved service of which we see precious little sign out here in the sticks. 

How did this catastrophe come about?  Well, it started with consultants who, to be fair, predicted the service would make a loss during the bedding-in period but assured elected members it would be turning a useful surplus by now.  The recession has obviously been a factor.  But how can parking enforcement in a county with as few car parks as we have, none of which charge a huge amount, possibly cost anything remotely like a quarter-of-a-million?

And why is the County looking to make a profit from the misbehaviour of a small number of residents and visitors?  Break-even should be the target, a small surplus an unlooked-for bonus.

It's all very well bringing the disciplines of private sector business to bear on the activities of public sector organisations.  But the 'business' of councils is service, not profit.  Confuse the two and you're not going to satisfy either your auditors or your electors.