Perkins Pre-Election Political Posture Pure Pomp & Puffery

The allegation of bad conduct by the former leader of the Labour Group in Swindon has been dropped by Councillor Perkins, the Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council.

The allegation related to the release of a document about the Mechanics' Institute, for which basis was paper-thin at best. Since the document with the details which some deemed confidential, was discussed at a council meeting that members of the public attended and the document was available for them, the situation took on a farcical theme.

A further enhancement to the sitcom-like premise, was the threat to the Swindon Advertiser not to run the story, which they were tipped-off about by the ruling Conservative Group itself.

Swindon Centric Says ; The cherry on top of this act is the quote the Swindon Advertiser have from Councillor Perkins, "No hard feelings - that's politics." A rather groundless allegation, mixed with double-talk and topped off with a non-sensical decoration.

The unexpected scene after the long roll of the credits in this story is... Swindon will have full local council elections next year, with every single council seat up for grabs.

But that's just politics, isn't it?

Rotten Borough Tories Sit On Own Bomb... Then Blame Plunger Manufacturer

In the most naff move seen since someone paired Mick Fleetwood and Sam Fox to host an awards show, the Conservatives in Swindon have begun to eat themselves, it's official!

The Adver have been informed that the Swindon Tories are to lodge a formal complaint about Labour Group leader Derique Montaut, as the embarrassing report on English Heritage's assessment of the Council's urgent works on the Mechanics' Institute was leaked to them by him, while at the same time threatening to make a complaint about the Adver covering this new development in the story.

This is despite the Adver learning of this latest twist from the Conservative group itself!!

WTF!?

Swindon Centric Says ; Take out the trash stories tomorrow include : 'Tories Start To Eat Young, Digital City Wi-Fi bought by Lex Luthor and 'Enslaving Population To Build Vanity Canal Deemed Legal by Council Leader'

PS - Dave King and all on the Hill, you have Swindon Centric's support on this bizzare and stupid turn of events, take them on, go on!

Mechanics' To Become Swindon Borough Council's Defining Moment?

The roof of the Mechanic's Institute is weak enough to be in danger of collapse and Friday's press release from Swindon Borough Council details the removal of the roof before that happens.

After much politicking in recent years, the announcement that the Council were to carry out the emergency repair work on the Mechanics had the feel of a sudden redemptive move by a drunk waking up the morning after. There was much throwing up of specially made banners and hoardings and portacabins and then... little visible work appeared to happen.

The fact the roof was about to fall on Swindon Commercial Services workers explains that.

In the intervening days and weeks between SCS moving in and today the full-extent of the works needed to be taken has become starkly clear to all involved. There seemed to be an attempt to soften the blow when the building's condition was given an interim assessment in this press release. No simple quick fix, photo-op and glory taking by councillors seems possible and thank goodness.

Swindon Centric Says ; The fate of this building represents perfectly the fate of Swindon Borough Council and it's ruling Conservative party. What outwardly seemed solid-enough clearly, after investigation, is dangerously in need of work before it collapses in on itself and showers everyone, councillors, council workers and locals with debris.

If this weekend's announcement of careful, painstaking dismantling and repair of the northern roof is followed through, this could just mark a brave (a word never used in politics, for it represents a true decision that can lead to political suicide for the people concerned) move that Swindon Borough Council's ruling executive needed to make.

Does today mark the day our Council finally chose to be a council?

Only the fate of the roof in Emlyn Square can be the marker for that (appropriately, it's currently covered in Conservative-blue plastic sheeting).

Council Steps Up & Confirms Mechanics Work

Repair work on making the Mechanics' Institute safe has been confirmed by Swindon Borough Council.

Chances are you may have missed this news, but it's in the latest issue of Swindon News that Swindon Centric posted about yesterday (Scroll down on the link and you'll find it on the sixth page).

The work has been ordered by the council to make the building safe and money (in the form of a grant of £200,000 from English Heritage) spent will be claimed back from the owner.

Swindon Centric Says ; Will the work be carried out by Swindon Commercial Services or will the council bring in another contractor?

P.S. Swindon Centric spotted the current owner of the Mechanics' Institute, standing on the corner of Emlyn Square and London Street a few days ago, pensively listening on his phone. Seems that the time for talking is over.