Democracy or Dictatorship?

First thing this morning and it looks as if the Buckingham Palace story is rolling again in the papers. I must admit I find it a little disappointing that the GLA put out a national press release before they even had the decency and common courtesy to inform Richard. Moreover, in so publicly circulating the communication they have even had the cheek to ask Richard to "desist from any further publicity".

Letter from GLA Deputy Chief Executive to Richard BarnbrookThe following letter was sent to Richard Barnbrook AM earlier today from the Deputy Chief Executive of the Greater London Authority, Jeff Jacobs.

Dear Mr Barnbrook,

Buckingham Palace Garden Party Both the Mayor and the Chair of the Assembly have, as you know, recently expressed strong objection to your proposal to invite Mr Nick Griffin, Leader of the British National Party, to accompany you to the forthcoming Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and, most importantly, to the way in which they consider you have sought to use your, and his, attendance in the media for party political advantage. Copies of the relevant letters from the Mayor to the Chair and from the Chair to the Chief Executive are attached.

Attendance at Her Majesty’s Garden Parties is a privilege accorded in recognition of community service. While elected representatives may and do attend, the event is a social occasion hosted by Her Majesty and it is inappropriate to exploit this privilege for party political purposes. The concern expressed by the Mayor and Chair of the Assembly is that you appear to have chosen to exploit your nomination to these ends and, in so doing, have attracted significant adverse publicity both for Buckingham Palace and for the Greater London Authority.

Under current GLA procedures, as an elected Member you can be nominated to attend a Garden Party. However, in the light of the views expressed by the Mayor and Chair of the Assembly, reinforced at yesterday’s Assembly meeting, I am writing to say that the Authority may need to review its position in relation to your nomination unless you revisit the selection of your guest with a view to avoiding further controversy and desist from any further publicity.
I do hope this course of action by the Authority will not be necessary. Please let me have a response by Wednesday 27 May.

Yours sincerely Jeff Jacobs
Deputy Chief Executive

What, might I ask, gives them the right to ride roughshod over the democratic process and airbrush out nearly 200,000 Londoners who voted for Richard last May? Astonishing arrogance which of course has nothing to do with Richard "exploiting" his nomination but everything to do with the nauseating religion of political correctness practised by those wishing to ruthlessly stamp out any differing viewpoint from their liberal, multicultural, anti-British masters.

SIMON DARBY