Brian Coleman (aka Mr Toad) has got to go!

BREAKING: Barnet forces 'capture Col. Coleman'

2011-10-20T12:53:00.001+01:00

Brian Coleman on the canapaign trail in Camden

2011-10-10T15:45:00.003+01:00

Brian Coleman gets it 100 per cent right

2011-03-29T16:37:00.004+01:00

The excllent, Camden-based journalist: Richard Osley, recently quoted Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman's latest outburst:

"Surely nobody on a public demonstration needs to wear a mask"

Well, unaccustomed as I am to agreeing with the green-skinnned member for Barnet and Camden, I have to say that on this occasion I think he's hit the nail squarely on the head. Let's make it a criminal offence as soon as possible and let them feel the full force of the law. And let's start by making an example of these louts who started the trend:

Toad Rams Rams

2011-02-22T11:58:00.004Z

I read today in the Barnet Times, that Robert 'scourge-of-the-arts' Rams has launched a petition to get the 384 bus route expanded.

May I take this opportunity to remind him of his dear, close colleague: Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman's comments on such a tactic:

"On the general subject of petitions Politicians of all Parties will tell you they usually ignore petitions, as it is not unusual to have people sign petitions for and against a particular proposal!"

Oh.

Olympic snub to Barnet. But why?

2011-02-15T14:47:00.009Z

The Barnet Times reports today about the distress of poor Councillor Robert 'scourge of history and the arts' Rams, who cannot for the life of him understand why the Olympic cycle race would not want to pass through the soon-to-be cultural desert of Barnet. "I find it hard to believe that the organising committee could not find an alternative route which would allow Barnet residents to be involved."

Hmmm, you don't suppose that the organising committe remember this charming anti-Olympic rant by your close colleague, Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman do you? Click here for bigger and readable.

I suppose its safe to assume then, that Mr Toad will not be competing in the high jump. Shame. If there was a freeloading contest on the other hand....

Tip of the hat to the Boriswatch blog for scanning and uploading the full article.

No lollipops at Brian Coleman's banquet

2011-02-07T11:49:00.005Z

The ever-excellent Adam Bienkov has unearthed the detail about Brian Coleman's "completely excessive" £2,338.00 lunch - paid from Fire Brigade budgets.

Keen toad-watchers will already be aware that the full-bellied, green-skinned councillor plans to axe lollipop crossing patrols for Barnet's children.

So this got me reaching for my righteous calculator of justice and my back-of-a-fag-packet of truth. Hypothetically speaking, just how many school crossing patrols could be paid for with the money Coleman squandered on personal face-stuffing?*

If we assume that Barnet's lollipop-bearers are on the minimum wage of £5.93 per hour (this is 'EasyCouncil' Barnet we're talking about remember), and if we assume that they work for 1.5 hours a day, we can calculate that they cost a total of £8.90 each day. If we then divide the cost of Coleman's 'free' lunch by the daily cost of a lollipop patrol person we can see that Coleman's lunch excesses would pay for 262 days of lollipoop patrol. Given that they only work in term time, say 200 days per year - that's more than an entire annual post - which Coleman intends to axe - in the name of austerity of course.

*I am aware that the different budget lines makes this an impossibility

A loyal Tory writes about Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman

2010-12-02T11:45:00.003Z

"I have recently witnessed Mr Toad's bad behaviour at a meeting. He was reading other unrelated paperwork and playing with his mobiles. Then he chirped up with comments totally unrelated to the topic.

When I commented to a council official that he was very badly behaved ...they said that that is how he aways behaves.

I am a loyal Tory but this man is an embarrassment."

This was a comment left yesterday on the 'Brian Coleman (aka Mr Toad) has got to go' Facebook group page.

Brian Coleman describes the FBU.....

2010-11-25T12:02:00.004Z

"A thoroughly unpleasant and nasty lot...Most are thick, can’t string a sentence together and frankly are incoherent."

These are Brian Coleman's sweet words of conciliation according to Evening Standard journalist: Ross Lydall, who has done some great reporting on the fire dispute in London.

To keep up to date with his reports, please see his blog and his Twitter feed.

Brian Coleman Hampered

2010-11-16T10:38:00.004Z

Ross Lydall has a very interesting article in the Evening Standard today about the fortchcoming Fire Authority meeting on Thursday. I recommend you go and read it, but here are a couple of nuggets of information from it.

Outside, there'll be a protest to reinstate the suspended union activist and Queen's Fire Service Medal owner Sian Griffiths.

Inside, Councillor Navin Shah will be asking Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman:

"The recent press coverage concerning the hospitality outlined below which was received by you from Asset Co prior to the award of a contract:
· Lunch to a value of £25 on 30 October 2007
· Dinner to a value of £50 on 23 July 2008
· A Harvey Nichols hamper to a value of £350 on 24 December 2008
· Dinner to a value of £40 on 19 January 2009
has been highly critical. Do you now accept that these actions reflect poor judgement and a lack of sensitivity on your part and will you now assure Londoners that such damaging conduct will not be repeated in the future?"

A good question - but I wouldn't hold your breath for a good answer from slippery Mr Toad.

Brian Coleman - Fanning the flames

2010-11-08T16:05:00.004Z

As the increasingly bitter dispute within the London Fire Brigade rumbles on, fire chief Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman has proposed cutting 16 per cent of London's fire engines.

What hope of any kind of resolution with this pig-headed fool at the helm?

As ever, Adam Bienkov has the scoop.

Toads Roads Undisclosed

2010-10-11T14:35:00.005+01:00

Keen readers will remember that back in May, when Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman was chosen as Cabinet Member for the Environment he croaked:
"My priorities are roads, roads, roads and roads."

The Barnet Press report that further to this, Mr Toad also boasted that all of Barnet's pothole repairs would be completed by the end of October. And moreover, it seems that this very same green-skinned councillor has vetoed the release of pothole repair figures to the press. Even worse, he's 'unavailable' to explain his reasons.

The Barnet Press is therefore more than a little cross with the amphibious councillor whom they savage marvellously in their latest editorial:

Jokes still allowed at Barnet Council

2010-09-27T11:36:00.003+01:00

With the news today that Barnet council have banned mother-in-law jokes, I feel I should point that Barnet is far from being some sort of humourless place as it is often portrayed in some sections of the media.

Indeed, some jokes are positively encouraged at Barnet.

Take the recent leadership contest. Without doubt they were just fooling around in staging a leadership contest where some young upstart nearly takes the crown from such an established councillor. We were never really going to believe that of course - but it shows that humour is alive and well at Barnet. And what about the deep irony implicit in the massive pay ~~hike~~ joke voted through by Coleman's Conservatives. As if anyone could really be that greedy? How we split our sides. And of course there's the long-running and much-loved comedy partnership of Brian Coleman playing the straight man to Robert Rams' buffoonery that keeps us laughing all the way to the polling booths.

So now, in tribute to Barnet Council's comedy genius, and in line with the new policy of the outlawing of mother-in-law jokes, I'd like to present to you a selection of Brian Coleman jokes that I ~~stole~~ adapted from the Sun newspaper's joke page. NB - that link is NSFW if you work for Barnet council - but these, on the other hand, are perfectly acceptable:

LAST week my wife and I went to buy a car and the salesman asked if I wanted an airbag. I said: “No thanks. I already have a Brian Coleman.”

WHAT’S the difference between Brian Coleman and a vulture?
The vulture waits until you’re dead before it eats your heart out.

I TOOK Brian Coleman to Madame Tussaud’s chamber of horrors and one of the attendants said: “Keep her moving sir, we’re stocktaking.”

DID you hear about the man who threw Brian Coleman into the lion’s den at the zoo?
He’s being sued by the RSPCA for cruelty to animals.

WHY did Brian Coleman cross the road?
I don’t know, but it was an ugly sight.

WHAT are the two worst things about Brian Coleman?
His faces.

I HAVEN’T spoken to Brian Coleman for 18 months ? I don’t like to interrupt him.

I ALWAYS know when it’s Brian Coleman knocking at the door ? the mice throw themselves in the traps.

Brian Coleman and I were happy for 20 years.
Then we met

Brian Coleman's Freudian projection

2010-09-24T14:27:00.004+01:00

Hot on the heels of the enormous fiasco over the Tories voting themselves a massive pay-rise (a proposal viciously whipped through by Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman), and the consequent embarrassment caused by the resulting leadership challenge - Coleman's Tories have yet another embarrassment.

According to The Guardian, a report to the Audit Committee has just ordered Barnet to come up (finally) with a business case for the savage cuts they are planning to inflict on our services - including selling our libraries and sacking the wardens in our sheltered housing.

But hang on a minute, you may be thinking. This is Coleman and Co's flagship policy. Have they really failed to even get a business case for it?

I'm afraid so.

In the interests of fairness however, I should point out that although they may not have a business case of any kind, they are in possession of bags and bags of Thatcherite dogma. Will that do?

Understandably, the unions and Barnet's residents are more than a little furious about having their services cut simply to satisfy Coleman's Thatcherite urges. They had a successful meeting last night of around 200 angry people determined to mount a campaign against Coleman's monstrous foolishness (Click the link and scroll down for information about the next of these meeting).

And yet, in the Barnet Times, Brian 'no business case' Coleman has called them: "a complete shambles" and "a group of no hopers".

So what has all this got to do with Sigmund Freud and his theory of Freudian projection? Well, Wikipedia helpfully explains that an example of Freudian projection might be "...blaming another for self failure. The mind may avoid the discomfort of consciously admitting personal faults by keeping those feelings unconscious, and redirect their libidinal satisfaction by attaching, or "projecting," those same faults onto another."

Far be it from me to suggest that Fruedian projection is at the root of Coleman's behaviour of course. Its not as if he's going around accusing other people of being odious toads or anything.

Oh, hang on a minute...

"Boris dislikes Brian intently"

2010-09-08T16:15:00.003+01:00

Who would have thought I'd have so much in common with Boris?

Pippa Crerar has the scoop at the Evening Standard.

The wisdom of Brian Coleman. An open letter to councillors.

2010-09-07T10:53:00.002+01:00

With Barnet's Tories to vote on the leadership contest tonight, here is an open letter, published in full, from their former Chairman:

_______________
Dear Councillors

Many years ago, when I was Chairman of Chipping Barnet Conservative Association, I dared to criticise Brian Coleman who was supporting the first of Lynne Hillan’s failed attempts to become leader of the council.

Cllr Coleman saw me walking in the street and stopped his car for a quiet chat (this was in the days before his driving ban when taxpayers subsequently had to provide him with taxis). Speaking in the understated manner that we have all come to know and love, and with only the very slightest finger gesticulation, our Brian told me clearly and unequivocally: “In order to rebuild, you must first destroy”.

Like Hovis, the words of Brian Coleman are as good for you today as they have always been.

As you embark on yet another leadership election, ask yourself this. Are you happy that, save for one notable exception, you have brought the Conservative Party into disrepute? Do you think loyal party members will be impressed that you have reduced Barnet Council to a laughing stock?

It is no good blaming inexperience or alleged bullying tactics employed by certain individuals. You are grown adults, not children, and you are all quite capable of thinking for yourself. You know the difference between right and wrong and even if you had only been a councillor for five minutes, you knew that the decision to hike allowances for Lynne Hillan and her cronies was morally wrong and indefensible, yet you voted for it anyway.

You have let down the public who elected you to office, as well as all the hard working volunteer members of your associations who gave their time and money freely to support your campaign.

Unless you want to see the Conservatives wiped out in 2014 along with your own political ambitions, you have to do what Brian Coleman said all those years ago. Destroy the old and rebuild.

Yours sincerely

David Miller
______________

Brian Coleman's expenses mistake?

2010-09-02T11:24:00.008+01:00

No doubt, when you have as many expense accounts as Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman, it can be tricky to keep track of them all. Doubly so I'm sure, when you're in receipt of as many freebies as he is.

I suspect therefore, that the apparent double-dipping I have been alerted to by a public spirited contibutor is simply a genuine mistake - caused by the genuine difficulties inherent in keeping track of so much freely available cash and so much free feasting.

First there's this, from the LFEPA register of gifts and hospitality: Then, there's this, from Brian Coleman's expenses at LFEPA:

I feel sure that Mr Toad will wish to explain himself at the earliest opportunity. No doubt, if it is a simple mistake, he will croak a heartfelt apology. Perhaps, if that happens, we shall even witness a really extraordinary event - Mr Toad opening his wallet to pay the money back!

Big Society Brian

2010-08-05T11:18:00.003+01:00

I see from my latest copy of Norwood Now magazine that c. £130,000.00pa Brian 'because-I'm-worth-it' Coleman has been presenting certificates to lucky charity shop volunteers.

Next week, I hear he'll be at the Beat Bullying charity, presenting awards to those who have had to overcome bullies time and again and again and again and again.

And then in the Autumn it seems he's due to give out the 'Conciliation Trophy' at Acas.

Top Barnet Tory: Coleman and Co are “immoral, disgusting and vile”

2010-07-29T10:48:00.007+01:00

“immoral, disgusting and vile” - That's the view taken by no less a dignaitary than the Chairman of the Hendon and West Hendon Conservative groups, Adrian Murray-Leonard - who has bravely stuck his head above the parapet on the issue of Coleman and Co's naked greed.

In a Barnet Times article this morning he continues:

“Most of them are in it for themselves. They are living under an illusion of grandeur. Most of the people who are getting whipped to make the decision should stand up against it.”

Mr Murray-Leonard - hats off to you sir. There are loads of decent Conservatives like you around. But, as you rightly point out, Coleman and his cronies are "greedy vultures" with whom you do not want to be associated. Its no wonder that Chief Toad Coleman is such an embarrassment to the Conservative Party.

Sign the Barnet Times' Reject the Rise petition at: http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/reject_the_rise/

Brian Coleman - because he's worth it.

2010-07-23T10:48:00.008+01:00

Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman has justified the fact that the mega pay rise he voted through for himself and his cronies is even bigger than his infamous free lunches, on the basis that he believes he is 'worth it'. As he told the Daily Telegraph:
"I don't have to justify what I earn. Councillors are worth every penny they earn."
Yes Mr Toad. Of course you are.

Coleman Balls

2010-07-22T10:08:00.002+01:00

I see Mr Toad is in Private Eye. Again.

PM launches 'The Big Pariah'

2010-07-20T11:00:00.008+01:00

The Prime Minister: David Cameron was in Barnet yesterday - responding to the antics of long-time embarrassment to the Conservative Party: Brian Coleman - by launching his concept of the 'Big Pariah'. Here is his speech in full:

It’s great to be here in Barnet.

Before I get into the details, let me briefly explain who the Big Pariah is and why it is such a powerful idea.

You can call him Brian. You can call him Coleman. You can call him the king of bling. You can call him Mr Toad. I call him the Big Pariah.

The Big Pariah is about a huge freeloading councillor…

…where people, in their everyday lives, in their homes, in their neighbourhoods, in their workplace…

…don’t bother turning to officials, Barnet Council or the London Assembly for answers to the problems they face …

…but instead feel the pain of repeatedly paying out enough for Coleman and his fellow councilllors to help themselves.

It’s about people paying for his massive hikes in pay. Londoners forking out for his endless taxis. Constituents coughing up for yet more hikes in pay.

It’s about amphibious liberation –the biggest, most dramatic redistribution of power from the man and woman on the street to the Toad in the council chamber.

It’s time for something different, something bold - something that just pours money down the green-skinned throat of the ward councillor for Totteridge.

The Big Pariah is that something different and bold.

It’s about saying if we want Brian Coleman for the long-term, we need people to come together and hand over the cash together – because we’re all in this together.

Daily Express lays into 'Fat Cat' Coleman

2010-07-19T10:47:00.007+01:00

The comment piece in the Daily Express today blasts 'fat cat' Coleman and his nose-in-the-trough behaviour. Here are some extracts:

"LIKE many people I’ve never been quite sure what David Cameron means by the “Big Society” but I am pretty sure it is not encapsulated by the figure of Conservative councillor Brian Coleman.

He is no volunteer giving up his time to serve his community.

It was revealed yesterday that Mr Coleman is pocketing £114,322 a year in allowances – more than the salaries earned by junior ministers in the coalition government. He receives £34,000 for sitting on Barnet council, plus £53,439 for sitting in the London Assembly and another £26,883 for being chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.

While MPs have quite rightly been lambasted over the past year for their greed and excessive expensive claims, local councillors have been quietly feathering their own nests – and getting away with it. In fact, the worst of them are beginning to make MPs look models of self-restraint."

"Barnet, which this year increased allowances for its councillors from £17,454 to £27,580 and that of its leader from £40,893 to £47,027, was revealed earlier this year to be one of the lousiest councils in the country for carrying out adaptations so as to allow disabled residents to continue living in their homes – with residents waiting more than five years.

The council has also done away with full-time wardens at old people’s homes, instigating instead a system of roving wardens who cover the whole borough. Councillors defended the scheme by promoting it as pioneering and an efficient use of money.

But now it seems some of the money saved will simply be disappearing into councillors’ pockets instead. It is extraordinary that at a time of severe financial constraint a council which promotes itself as a super-efficient flagship authority can be awarding itself pay increases.

Far from nearly doubling councillors’ allowances a council which truly cared about giving taxpayers value for money would be abolishing them altogether."
"Anyone who genuinely cares about how their local community is run does not need to be paid for attending a couple of meetings a month and making decisions."

" It is disgusting that public service has been debased by a generation of councillors merely out to line their own pockets."

Brian Coleman Ejected From Club

2010-07-16T09:51:00.006+01:00

Dear readers I hate to tell you this but I'm afraid its true. Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman has been ejected from and rejected by The Tufty Club.

He's brought this shame upon himself by deliberately and repeatedly ignoring good sense on road safety issues in Barnet - in favour of keeping the traffic moving at all costs. One presumes its because he's usually in a taxpayer-funded taxi somewhere on his way to yet another free feed.

But seems the final straw for Tufty and his chums came at the council meeting on Tuesday when Cllr Jack Cohen raised the suggestion of 20mph zones in Barnet. Tufty of course, is very much in favour of these because, as the BBC reported last year:

"..they have cut road injuries by over 40% in London, a study claims. In particular the number of children killed or seriously injured has been halved over the past 15 years, the British Medical Journal reported."

According to the Barnet Times, Coleman's reaction was “not in this borough”.

And Tufty's reaction to that?: "Not in my club!"

Quite right too.

Brian Mammon

2010-07-14T10:29:00.012+01:00

Chief Toad: Brian Mammon forced through massive pay rises for himself and his fellow Tory Toads last night.

One Conservative, Brian Salinger was absent through illness. His wife Councillor Kate Salinger abstained from every vote. At the end of the meeting there was an unexpected item as Chief Toad Mammon indulged his bullying nature by publicly humiliating Ms Salinger for daring to abstain. She was vindictively and publicly removed, with immediate effect, from every chair, vice chair, committee membership and any other official role that she held in the Borough of Barnet.

After the meeting, a visibly delighted Mammon enjoyed bragging to the press about how strong, immediate discipline had been imposed on those who depart from the party line.

Bare-Faced Greed of Coleman's Conservatives

2010-07-13T10:13:00.005+01:00

The 'Not The Barnet Times' blog reports this morning that Brian Coleman's Conservatives in Barnet are trying to force through proposals tonight that will see Coleman's already-inflated allowances rise to an austerity-busting £130,000.00+

Will it be enough to match his inflated ego?

Disgusting!

King of Bling Ker-ching!!!!!

2010-07-06T12:25:00.007+01:00

£113,735.00

Crap Cycle Superhighways - Coleman's fault?

2010-06-30T12:14:00.005+01:00

So Boris' big idea of London cycle superhighways kick-starting a bicycle revolution has degenerated into a crap, bus-filled, lick of blue paint on the roads. A gimmick. But hang on a minute, Boris is a really keen cyclist is he not? I'm not his number one fan by any means, but on this I believe he really did have an ambitious vision. So why has it turned out so crap? Here's some conjecture for you:

One of the favourite obsessions of Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman - a convicted speeder - is keeping the flow of cars moving at all costs. In fact, its this similarity with Kenneth Grahame's Mr Toad that probably earned him his nickname. For example:

Against the wisdom of RoSPA, he's had road-humps systematically removed from Barnet's streets.
Against the street's residents, he's re-opened the rat-run: Partingdale Lane.
Against the best interests of cyclists, he enthusiastically supported the reckless and failed policy to introduce motorbikes to London's bus lanes.
Against the best interests of the primary school children in New Barnet, he's had a road (Coleman's Bottom) built right over their school playing field.
Against all reason, he's been appointed Barnet's Cabinet Member for the Environment saying (depressingly, predictably) "My priorities are roads, roads, roads and roads."

Now consider this. Boris Johnson's Conservatives hold just 11 of the 25 seats on the London Assembly so one assumes that Boris will want to keep those 11 as sweet as possible. Indeed, if one were to look at Boris' recent manipulation of the fire authority, one might think that Boris is keen to go to some lengths to keep Coleman sweet - and with his nose too busily planted in the trough to cause him any further trouble.

But would Boris "I'm-not-kidding-when-I-say-that-I'm-militant-about-cycling" Johnson be prepared to dramatically water down his pro-cycling aspirations - just to satisfy Mr Toads obsession - and thereby keep better control the slippery reins of power?

Poop Poop!

PS - For more on Mr Toad's record on road safety, I recommend Mark Pack's analysis.

Coleman squares up to RMT over northern line

2010-06-25T10:21:00.005+01:00

Not content with burning his bridges with the Fire Brigades Union, Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman has been further indulging his second* favourite activity (union-bashing) by squaring up to the RMT over the northern line. The Ham and High reported recently that:

He has sent a memorandum to London Mayor Boris Johnson calling for drivers to be scrapped permanently, a move which he believes, would break the power of Britain's largest transport union RMT.
What a pants motive!

Mr Toad - you may be interested to discover that the northern line actually runs from High Barnet (my flimsy excuse for the pictoral pun above) - through Totteridge and Whetstone - on its way to London Bridge station. From London Bridge station its just a short walk to City Hall.

However, rather than joining the 28.3 per cent of your constituents who already use the tube to get to work, you choose to squander the money we fork out each and every year for the all-zones travelcard that you fail to use - and add insult to injury by racking up thousands upon thousands of pounds worth of taxi bills that we also have to fork out for. No wonder you're such an embarrassment to the Conservative Party in these time of austerity.

"All in this together"? Not quite all Mr Osborne.

So here's a suggestion Mr Toad. How about you start actually using the tube before you start banging on about how it should operate?

Fool.

*Toad's favourite activity

Firefighters vuvuzela protest against Coleman today

2010-06-24T14:29:00.005+01:00

See the London-SE1 website for the first pictures - and an audio clip and a video clip too!

The odious Toad of City Hall

2010-06-23T11:04:00.003+01:00

Its a long way from his self-proposed new title of "Chairman and Leader" of course, but "The Odious Toad of City Hall" may well be the one that sticks. As the Tory Troll blog reported yesterday, Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman is proposing changes aimed at silencing the Fire Brigade Union if he
"considers the trade union’s presentation to be unreasonable and/or contrary to the good conduct of the business of the meeting."
This, of course is on top of Coleman's attempts to force through bitterly opposed changes to firefighters conditions of service. Indeed, the London Fire Brigade Union (FBU) are calling a demonstration tomorrow, saying:

“It’s time to tell Brian Coleman that enough is enough. We are sick and tired of him and his fire authority colleagues attempting to smash our hard-won conditions of service............Time and again we have proved that the argument that increases in productivity can best be secured by moving to 12-hour shifts are fatally flawed. That suggests the brigade’s proposals are politically-motivated, rather than being based around any kind of rationale or sensible research.
"If Brian Coleman thinks that 12-hour shifts are inevitable, he’d better think again. We just won’t accept them, and we will fight him in the courts and on the picket lines if he doesn’t back off.
“I urge members to get to the lobby and make their voices heard. It’s time to start increasing the pressure. It’s time to unite and fight.”

Brian Coleman politically motivated? Well I never.

If the last FBU protest is anything to go by, it promises to be vocal!

Coleman rides the gravy taxi

2010-06-22T16:32:00.007+01:00

As George Osborne delivered the toughest budget in years today, news broke of yet another Coleman-caused embarrassment to the Conservative Party.

Proposals for a self-awarded 9 per cent pay rise would you believe, and a new title: 'Supreme Chief Toad and Eternal Croak Leader' (or some such).

Adam Bienkov has the scoop at the Tory Troll blog.

Does the new title come with any bling Adam?

Has anyone told Brian Coleman?

2010-06-16T14:30:00.004+01:00

A kind contributor has pointed me towards the letters page of yesterday's Daily Telegraph, in which Richard Tracey: Transport Spokesman for the London Assembly Conservative Group, offers these words of wisdom:

SIR – The Olympic Delivery Authority’s promise to minimise disruption to London’s transport is a step in the right direction. We must hold it to this pledge. After all, it proposed Olympic lanes through the Blackwall Tunnel, only to retract the idea later.
To keep London moving during the Olympics, we must encourage the thousands of international visitors and sports officials to use the Tube, the buses and river transport. There is simply no space for their chauffeur-driven limousines.

Commenting from his passenger seat this morning, Coleman sing-songed, "La-la-la-la-la-I-can't-hear-you-la-la-la-la-la", before blowing a raspberry and directing his driver to take him to another free dinner somewhere.

"Self-serving, money-grabbing parasite"

2010-05-20T12:02:00.008+01:00

Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman is celebrating.

David Miller of the excellent 'Not the Barnet Times' blog - one of Coleman's fiercest critics - has posted what he claims is his last post. He explains:

I have come to the inescapable conclusion that the political system in this country is rotten to the core. The choice, therefore, is either to spend the rest of my life fighting it, or simply ignoring it as best as possible. I have chosen the latter.

As for Barnet Council and our beloved councillors, there is nothing more that I can add that has not already been said about the self-serving, money-grabbing parasites who run the Town Hall and I shall waste no more time on them save than to say that I fear it will take the death or serious injury to an elderly resident in sheltered accommodation before voters realise the consequence of re-electing the Tories to office.

David - I understand your reasons and respect your decision - but I very much hope you will have a change of heart.

Toad's Roads

2010-05-18T14:49:00.003+01:00

Barnet have appointed Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman as Cabinet Member for the Environment.

This is the same Mr Toad of course, whose environmental policies so far have included:

True to form, Coleman croaked:
"My priorities are roads, roads, roads and roads." *

One can only assume that this is part of Barnet's EasyCouncil approach - so if we want someone in charge of the environment who gives two hoots about it, we must pay extra.

In separate moves, Barnet have made Ronnie Biggs responsible for safeguarding the money, left the cats to mind the mice and put the lunatics in charge of the asylum.

* He really did say this!

Coleman is Barnet's new chief toad

2010-05-12T10:58:00.003+01:00

Following the resignation of Barnet Conservatives chief whip: Councillor Robert Rams - Brian Coleman has been appointed Chief Toad.

It was believed widely within the local party that someone with a thicker, greener skin, and a proven record for 'getting things done' was exactly the kind of amphibian needed to keep people in line.

And Mr Toad certainly has a record - as he has proven time, and again, and again, and again, and again, and (famously) again.

"My track record speaks for itself" croaked Coleman.

Brian Coleman: that acceptance speech in full

2010-05-11T10:21:00.006+01:00

I see that the good people of Totteridge have seen fit to elect Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman once again.

The Barnet Times reports that he has used the opportunity to magnanimously kick his political opponents while they're down.

Here then, is his acceptance speech in full:

You may recall that Mr Toad was investigated by the police after intimidating one of those political opponents. He croaked that she would:

"suffer after the election” because of her candidacy and added it is “now open season for everyone to have a knock at you and [your charity] The Larches will suffer...

You can prove Coleman wrong, by supporting the very good work of the Larches Trust at:
http://www.larchestrust.org.uk/

Why vote for the Residents' Association of Barnet?

2010-05-05T11:04:00.007+01:00

The Barnet rumour mill has it that Mr Toad recently made an irate phone call (his speciality of course) to the editor of the Barnet Times. The rumour goes that he was incandescent with rage over the amount of (entirely justified) coverage given to the newly-formed Residents' Association of Barnet party (RAB) - which is fielding independent candidates for local election across the borough. Clearly, he is a nervous man.

Keen watchers of Barnet politics will remember that during the last London elections, the Labour candidate for Barnet and Camden never once made it to Barnet (or was there a single, pathetic visit to Brent Cross?). Either way, its indicative of Labours lack of appetite for a fight in what they view as a safe, Conservative seat. Its no wonder that independent opposition is springing up. The RAB candidates seem to have largely been involved in local campaigns on behalf of the communities they live in - working for their communites on some of Barnet's most contentious planning decisions, notably Brent Cross and New Barnet. They know first hand the massive dissatisfaction with what must be the UK's most complacent Conservative council. Suddenly, the incumbents are up against locally-connected, well-organised people who are up for the fight.

Here then, in full, is RAB's most recent blog:

________________________________________

Many Barnet residents were, and remain, deeply unhappy about the way in which Barnet Council is run. Amongst many of the concerns expressed is the character and integrity of those who were elected to represent residents in the one organisation that effects all our daily lives; and is paid for from our taxes

Set out below are the seven key principles that should apply to all aspects of public life as set down by the Committee for Standards in Public Life.

Now when reading them please consider and think very carefully. Do you believe that the Barnet Councillors seeking re-election have lived up to these standards in both the letter and the spirit of the principles over the past four years?

If you do, then vote with a clear conscience that your selection will, at the very least, be qualified for continuing public life.

If not; then surely you must vote for the people who will not only live up to these standards but embrace them wholeheartedly and unequivocally. The independent candidates supported by The Residents' Association of Barnet candidates, are these people.

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC LIFE

SELFLESSNESS - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.

INTEGRITY - Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

OBJECTIVITY - In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

ACCOUNTABILITY - Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

OPENNESS -Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

HONESTY - Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

LEADERSHIP - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

________________________________________

I look forward to my irate phone call :-)

Coleman makes Barnet a laughing stock (again)

2010-04-29T09:57:00.006+01:00

Here's the latest from the 'Rotten Boroughs' column of Private Eye:

People of Totteridge ward - surely this is not what you really want. The Liberal Democrats beat Labour into third place in Totteridge last time around. If you also believe that Coleman has got to go, then its probably your best bet to vote for them. What's more, turnout was only 42.51%. A bigger turnout and a swing to the Lib Dems is probably the best hope of unseating this man, rather generously described by Private Eye as a charmless oaf.

Come on people of Totteridge! Mr Toad has GOT to go!

Disclaimer - I know nothing whatsoever about any of the candidates in Totteridge except Coleman - about whom I know far too much.

Coleman's Window Dressing Dressing Down

2010-03-25T12:30:00.012Z

I don't know. You turn your back for a week and there's even more reasons why Mr Toad must go - like his appalling behaviour at the LFEPA meeting and the further evidence of his tirades at members of staff. What's more, there's a happy case of him actually going - sacked as chair of the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services. There's even a helpful suggestion for a method of exit for him :-).

In this post though, I'm going to focus on the public spat going on between Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman and David Howard - the chairman of the Federation of Residents' Associations in Barnet (FORAB).

I recently reported just how badly the residents of New Barnet and East Barnet were being served by Brian Coleman and the Conservatives, not least over the terrible loss of power that so many households suffered over the bitingly cold Christmas and new year period.

David Howard gave evidence at the first meeting, chaired by Coleman, intended supposedly to scrutinise the events and hold those responsible to account.

This is the damning verdict he gave to the Barnet Times: “It was window dressing with an election in mind. It was a good opportunity to blame somebody else and be seen to be doing something when most of the problems are resolved."

Mr Toad hit back, accusing Mr Howard of having: "a political agenda" - rather than by defending his own (in)actions mark you. This, as one of the commenters on the Barnet Times website pointed out: "is despicable. The usual bull-headed, pig-ignorant Colemanballs. No doubt he'll accuse Mr Howard of being anti-Semitic or homophobic in a moment, his usual stock playground response to criticism of him."

I see that David Howard has (nobly) resisted the temptation to attack Coleman personally, and defended his actions on behalf of the community and his political neutrality in today's Barnet Times (Letters, page 18).

What he details is the uttter shambles over which Coleman has presided, with, it would seem, the sole intention of gaining political capital - and all the while showing utter contempt for his long-suffering constituents, the people of New and East Barnet:

Its time to do something useful, and wanted by the community for once Coleman - GO!

Cabbies euphoric over Coleman news

2010-03-03T14:34:00.004Z

The news that Brian Coleman must relinquish Barnet's mayoral limousine was greeted with unprecedented scenes of wild jubilation amongst London's cab-driving community. Ecstatic cabbies hugged one another and danced in the streets outside City Hall, as they confidently anticipated another bumper payday.

What have Brian Coleman's Conservatives got against the people of East Barnet ward?

2010-03-02T11:24:00.006Z

Yesterday I reported on Coleman's reluctance to bring himself to the people of East Barnet for the committee which was supposed to be scrutinising their terrible loss of power over the Christmas and new year period, as the temperatures plummeted.

But it now turns out that's just the tip of his inaccessibility. Comments left on this blog by New Barnet blogger: Mr Reasonable desribe how Coleman
"will only take written evidence. Two public representatives have been chosen and that's it. He will also hear from ward councillors, council officers and the utilities. No public debate. So there you have it. Hold the meeting miles away from where the problem was, eliminate public debate and accept what they tell you. Not my idea of democracy."

Quite. A far cry then, from what Coleman said to the Barnet Times:
"I want to hear from as many residents as possible so we are fully equipped to speak with authority on lessons that need to be learned for the future."

What's more, it turns out that this committee was held at the very same time as the council's demonstration - right over on the other side of the borough - of the planning options it is considering to ~~replace the local town centre with soulless, high rise concrete and traffic pollution~~ revitalise the local economy.

So the good people of East Barnet had to choose whether to have their voice heard on the power outtages they suffered, or to see the (frankly dreadful) schemes of Barnet council that are certain to affect them in a big way. Coleman's choice.

Barnet is 'represented' at the London level by Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman. At the Barnet coucil level, East Barnet ward which comprises New Barnet and East Barnet has three councillors. All of them are Conservative cronies of Coleman. Not one of them, it seems, lives in the ward they are so happy to concrete over. Indeed, they've already started. No wonder a Save New Barnet campaign has sprung up in self-defence.

So, what have Brian Coleman's Conservatives got against the people of East Barnet ward? I do not know. But one thing I do know: - If East Barnet ward votes for more of the same, in the elections on May 6th, they will surely get it.

If you're not registered to vote yet, you can register here.

Coleman's cold comfort

2010-03-01T14:30:00.007Z

Do you remember those poor souls in East Barnet who had the most miserable Christmas, without power, and in Arctic conditions?

Well, hopes were raised recently when it was announced that Barnet council is setting up a scrutiny committee to ~~make sure someone else takes the blame~~ bring the culprits to account!

Then hopes were swiftly dashed, when it was reported that the committee will be chaired by Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman. Speaking to the Barnet Times, Mr Toad said:
"I want to hear from as many residents as possible so we are fully equipped to speak with authority on lessons that need to be learned for the future."

However, the excellent Vickim57 blog reports that Mr Toad:
"has snubbed calls to hold the meeting in or close to East Barnet, meaning many of the vulnerable people who were left high and dry by the communication breakdown will again be denied the chance to have their say."

The fool.

Residents who are able to make it to the meeting will be able to give their evidence to Mr Toad's committee, right over on the other side of the borough, at Hendon Town Hall, the Burroughs, NW4 4BG at 7pm on Thursday 4 March. Official papers available here.

Boris Johnson's secret plans for fire service cuts

2010-02-17T12:18:00.003Z

Leaked documents and secret plans.

As is so often the case, Adam Bienkov has the scoop over at the Tory Troll blog.

Toad of City Hall

2010-02-15T09:36:00.008Z

The FBU have absolutely nailed it here :-)

I would love to get a copy of this image I must say.

London firefighters protest against Brian Coleman

2010-02-12T10:10:00.008Z

These clips, from last night's news, clearly demonstrate the level of anger that London firefighters are feeling against Brian Coleman. For background information on the dispute, I recommend the excellent 'Tory Troll' blog here and here.

Anyone know where I can get one of those 'Coleman must go' t-shirts? :-))

Brian Coleman's diary

2010-02-11T10:16:00.004Z

The Barnet Times reports that long-time advocate of sustainable transport solutions: Mayor Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman, took the mayoral car down to Edgware Infant School yesterday, to congratulate the pupils over the efforts they've made to walk to school.

Tonight Mr Toad is due to attend a meeting of the Barnet Weight Watchers to share his insights regarding self-restraint in the face of food temptation.

Later this week he'll be demonstrating to the Trappists, his expertise in keeping his trap shut.

Etc, etc............

Ball gown Bertha and the ugly sisters

2010-02-10T12:27:00.005Z

The ugly sisters are having a laugh.

Brian Coleman's deputy at the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA), has been caught out buying ball gowns for herself with money that should have gone to charity. Yesterday, Bertha 'ball gown' Joseph lost an appeal against her six month suspension. Adam Bienkov at the Tory Troll has the scoop.

However, ball gown Bertha not only still gets to go to the LFEPA ball - she's guest of honour. As Labour Vice Chair of LFEPA Navin Shah pointed out:
"Boris Johnson the Mayor of London, Cllr Bob Blackman and Cllr Brian Coleman’s record has been lamentable on this matter. Cllr Coleman Chair of LFEPA and his Tory colleagues have not only supported the disgraceful conduct of their member, but they’ve rewarded Cllr Joseph by handing out additional £12,000 a year from public purse and elevating her to the position of a Deputy Chair of the Fire Authority."

The ugly sisters are having a laugh. At us.

We can't go on like this.

2010-02-02T17:02:00.003Z

Coleman's 'legacy of hope'

2010-01-25T11:56:00.004Z

The Barnet Times reports that Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman took both his faces to commemorate the Holocaust 'legacy of hope' Memorial Day in Hendon yesterday.

Mr Toad said:

"This year the theme of Holocaust Memorial Day is 'the legacy of hope'. Our legacy here in Barnet is a united community committed to educating the next generation against the prejudice of the last and determined to show we will stand up against those who advocate hate."

Coleman of course has something of a track record of standing up against those other Holocaust victims: Gypsies.

Legacy of hope? I despair.

Brian Coleman in a flap about internet freedom

2010-01-08T13:07:00.006Z

Here's Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman striking a blow for intenet freedom in his press release of July of 2008:

Cllr Brian Coleman, London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, has condemned the internet censorship that China is imposing on foreign journalists during the Beijing Olympics.
“I am appalled but not surprised at such authoritarian
behaviour by the Communist regime in China. They are clearly ashamed of the human rights abuses taking place just a few miles away from the Olympic Stadium, and are trying to hide this away from the rest of the world.

And here's Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman striking a blow against internet freedom in the Ham and High of October 2009:

"Just as we are regulating the net over child porn issues, I am afraid I have come to the conclusion that we need to regulate for the protection of public figures and private individuals who are targeted."

I have no doubt that the Communist regime in China agree with Mr Toad wholeheartedly.

I wonder which of his many failings he's ashamed of and trying to hide away from the rest of the world. It could be all the freeloading I suppose - or the bitter dispute he's in with the fire brigade. Perhaps its the embarrassment he continues to cause to the Conservative party. Or maybe its just his glaring Mr Bumble lookalikeyness that he wishes to cover up.

What do you think?

Christmas Caption Competition

2009-12-24T11:19:00.001Z

Brian Coleman - The Fast, Furious and Foolish

2009-12-11T11:31:00.005Z

A major piece of research has been published today in the British Medical Journal.

As the BBC reports:

The researchers compared data on road collisions, injuries and deaths in London between 1986 and 2006, with speed limits on roads.

After adjusting for a general reduction in road injuries in recent years, they found that the introduction of 20mph zones were associated with a 41.9% drop in casualties.

The greatest reduction was seen in children under the age of 11 years and in the numbers of all ages killed or seriously injured.

So its official - 20mph limits save lives.

I wonder what convicted speeder Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman has to say about plans to create such a life-saving 20mph limit on Camden High Street. Ah, here we are:

“Camden High Street is a major A-road route north and the idea that its speed is to be limited to only 20mph ignores the needs of motorist who need to move around and indeed drive out of London......I shall be calling on the Mayor to scrap this decision immediately.”

So Mr Toad, never mind that its a life saving measure - just make sure that nothing slows down your Mayoral limo on when you're on your way to yet another free feed eh.

Fool.

PS - More on Mr Toad's road safety record here.

Fire Brigade turn the hose on Brian Coleman and his sleazy crew

2009-12-09T14:55:00.006Z

The London Fire Brigade Union have launched a wonderfully scathing attack on Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman and his sleazy crew at the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) today in a press relase. This follows Coleman's political hijacking of the Authority which I recently reported on in this blog.

According to the Union: "LFEPA chairman Brian Coleman has rejected demands that Evans-Jacas be forced to stand down from the fire authority. Opponents argue that Coleman is undermining democracy by allowing his new ally to remain in place, pointing out that legislation demands the composition of the fire authority reflect the balance of the political parties across London, which it now does not."

Describing Coleman as a "notorious egocentric" the Union's press release goes on to suggest that we may be in for "a serious bout of industrial unrest in London’s fire service, the like of which has not been seen since the national pay strikes of 2002- 03."

Mr Toad, it might be advisable to give a wide berth to any of London's bravest you might come across who happen to be holding a hose. And to carry a towel.

A titter from Twitter

2009-12-03T11:35:00.010Z

I have just seen the above on Twitter regarding yesterday's 'planet-saving' in Ilford by Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman.

I have more and more respect for the London Fire Brigade with each passing day :-)

The two faces of Brian Coleman

2009-12-02T11:45:00.005Z

Oh look, here's Mayor Coleman posing with Mayor Johnson this morning at Ilford fire station. They were there today - not just to bask in the reflected glory of the brave lads of Green Watch - but also to bask in the reflected glory of the fire station's green makeover (solar panels, high efficiency boiler and so forth).

Now this is all very opportune, as Boris Johnson himself pointed out:
"As expectant eyes around the globe turn to Copenhagen to see whether world leaders will take action on climate change, here in London we are making a difference right now."

So there you have it - Brian Coleman's green credentials on very public display. Let the polluters tremble. Greenpeace may as well pack up and go home. Jenny Jones can stop complaining. The planet is in Coleman's safe, green hands at last. Phew!

Hang on a minute though.....surely this is not the same green Brian Coleman whose most recent London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) budget recommends removing the £60,000 Sustainability revolving fund for improvements in energy efficiency schemes.

Likewise, I'm sure it must be this latter Brian Coleman who promoted road-building on school fields, car-park building on parks and who opposed plans for a wind turbine at a Barnet school trying to implement a green programme.

Perhaps the valiant defender of the planet on parade at Ilford this morning has an evil twin.

Tip of the hat to Nick Carthew for the LFEPA budget example. Thank you.

Spontaneous street parties spread across Barnet

2009-12-01T11:03:00.003Z

Reports are coming in of spontaneous street parties spreading across Barnet today. It seems that these unprecedented scenes of wild celebration were prompted by this correction made in today's London Daily News:

Contrary to an earlier report Cllr Brian Coleman the serving Mayor of Barnet said:
"I do not intend to stand for leader of the council, either now or in the future".

One Totteridge-based reveller said:
"I am pleased as punch. Now Coleman, give the people of Barnet what they really want - go off and haunt someone else and stop rattling your [Mayoral] chains around here."

Anonymous Contributor Staggered by Brian Coleman

2009-11-26T10:33:00.005Z

This was posted as an anonymous comment on yesterdays blog concerning Brian Coleman's commemoration of the Holocaust and his hypocrisy. I thought it deserved greater prominence. I have taken the liberty of adding paragraph breaks but have otherwise left it unchanged:
___________________________________________
The extent of this man's hypocrisy and cynicism is staggering.

He has spent so many years wallowing in the gutter of confrontational politics, exploiting controversy for personal publicity, and now he dares to use the horror of the Holocaust to tell us about the importance of 'living together in harmony'?

Coleman, take a look at your own published remarks about gypsies, travellers, and sundry other groups and individuals, and ask yourself how you can possibly claim in anyway to have contributed to creating a more harmonious society?

Jewish children were murdered in the Holocaust in a racist act of genocide: gypsy children were murdered in death camps too - why? Because of mindless prejudice which is perpetuated today, even in the 21st century.

Antisemitism is now rightly seen as beyond contempt: prejudice against gypsies and travellers is present still in our society and encouraged by media stereotyping and comments by public figures such as yourself when engaging in debates about providing such people with stopping places or the most basic facilities for sustaining life. Take a trip to the Imperial War Museum, and the Holocaust exhibition, look at the Nazi 'catalogues' of Romany children and think a little more carefully about the vote winning posturing you like to indulge in.
___________________________________________

Coleman Cares

2009-11-25T10:13:00.003Z

Children from Whitings Hill Primary School will join the Worshipful the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman, AM, FRSA in planting snowdrop bulbs next Thursday (26 November), commemorating those children who perished during the Holocaust.

Barnet Council's Snowdrop Project was started with the aim of planting a snowdrop in memory of every one of the 1.5 million children who died during the Holocaust, whilst highlighting the horrific scale of the atrocity to younger members of the borough's community.

The Worshipful the Toad of Barnet said:
"Come Spring, the school grounds will be illuminated by a blanket of white snowdrops, a delicate and fitting tribute to the memory of those children who suffered under horrific circumstances.

The project brings home the scale of the Holocaust, whilst strengthening our belief in the importance of living together in harmony*."

* Just as long as we don't have to live with gypsies, naturally.

If I were a rich mayor

2009-11-19T16:59:00.006Z

Great fun here from the ever-excellent 'Not the Barnet Times' blog :-))

Coleman caption competition

2009-11-13T16:31:00.004Z

When a man's an empty kettle he should be on his mettle,
And yet I'm torn apart.
Just because I'm presumin' that I could be kind-a-human,
If I only had a heart.

Can you do better? The usual (virtual) prize is (virtually) on offer :-)

Brian Coleman's X-Factor X-it X-posed

2009-11-03T16:14:00.003Z

Following on from the story about Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman's sour grapes towards the X Factor, I've been leaked this astonishing audio clip and a still picture (no video unfortunately) from what appears to be a failed X Factor audition attempt by none other than Mr Toad himself.

I think it certainly helps to provide a fuller picture of the reasons for Coleman's antipathy towards the show.

I must say that I am totally made up about this unbelievable clip :-)

Brian Coleman's X Factor Xclusion

2009-11-02T14:51:00.005Z

Oh dear. Brian Coleman has got all sulky about the X Factor house. I thought something like this might happen.

Simon Cowell recently threw a lavish 50th birthday party for himself in Barnet you see. And as Marie-Claire magazine noted:
"The guest list...read like a who's-who of cool.
From Kate Moss to Cheryl Cole, via Kevin Spacey and Katie Price - not to mention Dannii Minogue, Alexandra Burke, Myleene Klass, Amanda Holden, Leona Lewis, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, David Hasselhoff and hundreds of others - anyone who was anyone was there".

But wait a minute. No invitation for Mayor Brian Coleman, Barnet's First Citizen? Some mistake surely? Especially when you consider that he's spent a lifetime dedicated to swigging champagne and munching canapes at other people's expense (indeed, that's pretty much his job nowadays). Here was Barnet's biggest ever freeloading opportunity, right on his patch, and it seems that Barnet's biggest ever freeloader simply didn't make the grade. And if, as Marie-Claire say - anyone who was anyone was there - what does that make Brian Coleman?

I had a bad feeling that Brian Coleman's revenge would be swift and terrible - and so it has proven to be - with Coleman choosing the Barnet borough location of the X Factor house as his sulky weapon of sour grapes. As he told the Barnet Times:
"I shall be writing to Simon Cowell this afternoon to say: if they can’t be good neighbours then they should move to a more secluded location where they are no bother to anyone else.”

Oooh! That'll certainly teach that Simon Cowell not to invite Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman to his parties!

'Not the Barnet Times' blog has more on this, like for example, that it seems the residents in the street in question are quite happy with the X Factor House, and that Mr Toad would do well to follow his own suggestion about moving to a location where he'll be no bother to anyone else in future. Quite. John and Edward would make a better Mayor.

London Fire Authority hijacked by Brian Coleman and his sleazy crew

2009-10-23T14:09:00.006+01:00

Its the news that firefighters have been dreading. Just as Adam Bienkov and Rog T predicted, Brian Coleman has seized political control of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.

Steve Reed reports what happened in his blog:
"London's Tories are using public money to fund cash hand-outs to defecting councillors. At today’s meeting of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Tory defectors Cllr Betty Evans-Jacas (Lambeth) and Cllr Bertha Joseph (Brent) were both given positions worth thousands of pounds in allowances. The defections give the Tories a majority on London’s Fire Authority for the first time."

James Powney has an equally damning write-up of the events:

"Brian Coleman, who is possibly even more revolting than Bertha Joseph, will use this majority to push through various controversial measures in defiance of workforce opposition. This includes changing shift patterns, removing beds in fire stations, removing diversity officers, and installing a new private entrance at the LFEPA headquarters at I don't know what expense."

Please follow the links for more detail.

Brian Coleman - "you odious toad"

2009-10-23T10:00:00.005+01:00

Here's Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman's latest outburst - at the London Assembly's Business Management and Administration Committee meeting yesterday. The jokes just write themselves.

Brian Coleman and the Great Ire of London

2009-10-22T12:06:00.008+01:00

Wednesday 22nd October 2009

Up and at the London Fire Brigade Headquarters all the morning, despite my having recently breached the members code of conduct, determining the reconstitution of committees and related matters. By and by my colleague on the Fire Authority Councillor Bertha Joseph comes in her beautiful ballgowne that she purchased with charity money. It got her suspended as a councillor but of course that doesn't stop her working with me. She goes resplendent to the window and tells me that she sees a great ire seen in the city. So I made myself ready presently, and got up upon one of the fire escapes (the one that I wish to have removed to provide for a private entrance for myself as befits my importance), and there I did see the fury of London's firefighters and an infinite great fury at that, on this and the other side of the bridge; but, it did not trouble me. So down, with my heart full of gladness, to my colleague on the Fire Authourity Cllr Tony Arbour, also recently suspended for breaching the members code of conduct - but of course that doesn't stop him working with me - who tells me that it begun with my plans for changes to Firefighter shift patterns and that it hath burned on because of my plans to remove all the beds from fire stations - as people sleeping on the job cannot be countenanced.

Having staid, and in an hour’s time seen the ire: rage every way, and nobody, to my sight, endeavouring to quench it, and having seen it get as far as my plans for the removal of diversitie officers, and the wind mighty high and driving it into my plans to remove support staff from opposition members; and every thing, after so long a drought, proving combustible, even my plans to remove my political opponents from committee chairmanships, an there burned unabated: I back to the meeting, and there did give them an account which dismayed them all, and word was carried in to Boris Johnson. At last met my Lord Mayor, like a man spent, with a handkercher about his neck. To my account he cried, like a fainting woman, “Lord! what can I do? I am spent: people will not obey me and the ire overtakes us". So I did tell Boris Johnson what I saw, and that unless I got my way, nothing could stop the ire. He seemed much troubled, and Boris Johnson commanded me to go from him, and to spare no firefighters, but to pull down each before the ire. And I gladly did as I was commanded.

So to the Haven restaurant in Whetstone, and there eat and drank and mighty merry; and so home singing, and, after a letter or two at the office, to bed.

Brian Coleman's hypocrisy of the day

2009-10-21T12:52:00.005+01:00

Estatesgazette.com reports today that Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman asked:
"How on earth in a recession with spending costs being cut across the board can you not justify re-examining the salary packages?"

Very good question Mr Toad. Shall we start with your own, officially excessive income, as recommended recently by The Senior Salaries Review Body.

I won't hold my breath.

Brian Coleman attacks the elderly

2009-10-20T12:08:00.005+01:00

Not the Barnet Times carries a great piece today about how Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman and his Conservative friends at Barnet Council are planning to scrap the essential warden service for those living in sheltered housing. Written in the first person, and from the heart, the piece describes how Coleman's cowardly and villainous plot is striking fear into the hearts of the elderly. You should read it - really. However, I can't resist giving you the paragraph devoted to Mr Toad:

"And to £103,000 a year Brian Coleman, who said of the warden cuts: “The sensible nature of Barnet's changes is becoming more evident every day”, I say go. Just pack up your gold chains and get out of this borough. We are all sick and tired of your big mouth. You are arrogant, pompous and hopelessly out of touch with reality. You are an embarrassment to real Conservatives."

Quite.

So now you've bravely attacked Gypsies and the elderly Mr Toad. Which marginalised group of people is next? The mentally ill? They should be an easy target. Or how about small children? They don't even get a vote so you can surely pick on them with impunity.

To campaign against Coleman's cuts - see the Barnet TUC website - with all the info on protests past, present and future.

Brian Coleman has no room for gypsies

2009-10-16T11:57:00.007+01:00

Bravely striking another blow for intolerance of ethnic minorities, Assembly Member Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman rails today, in the Ham and High, against Boris Johnson's London Plan - which requires the provision of sites for gypsies and travellers in London.

"The whole idea of top-down pitch targets is completely wrong. It should be communities telling the mayor how many pitches they can provide, not the other way around." blustered Brian of twisted knickers fame.

So the question is - how many sites would you come up with then Coleman?
The answer, according to The Barnet Times - not even “one single site”.

You really are multicultural tolerance personified aren't you Mr Toad?

UPDATE:

I just came across this image of Brian Coleman at Barnet Multicultural Day (May 2009). Their slogan was 'Health and Harmony in the Community'. Just as long as there's no gypsies eh Coleman?

Tories say - Knickers to Brian Coleman!

2009-10-14T12:48:00.009+01:00

Word has reached me that Brian Coleman flounced out of Mayors Question Time today, leading fellow Conservative, Deputy Mayor Richard Barnes to announce: "I regret that Brian has left to adjust his knickers."

This is the latest (and funniest) in a whole string of direct attacks on Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman from members of his own Party, making him an increasingly isolated figure both at the GLA and in the Conservative Party as a whole.

Paul Waugh notes recently in the Evening Standard for example, how Boris Johnson "couldn't resist referring to Coleman's own double income as a councillor and a Member of the Assembly".

And this of course follows Boris Johnson's well-publicised carpeting of Coleman over his all-advised, (and wildly out of step with public opinion), arrogant stance on expenses - leading to Coleman's subsequent, embarrassing climb down.

Then there's the blogs. Take, for example the staunchly Conservative blogger: 'Don't Call Me Dave', whose excellent 'Not The Barnet Times' blog has post after post detailing Coleman's general unsuitability for office. Then there's Iain Dale. Or if you want a really straight-to-the-point view, look no further than the Tory Bear blog, which pulls no punches at all in telling it like it is.

But its not just Billy-no-mates Coleman's colleagues at the GLA and the bloggers who've had enough of him. Just look at the comments from the rank and file of the Conservative Party when he blogs at the Conservative Home website here and here and here. And bear in mind that two of those blog posts were for the purposes of congratulating the emergency services. That is a LOT of flak to draw from ones own party, especially when deliberatately trying to be as uncontroversial as possible.

Why all the flak and open hostility Coleman?

Its because you've been found out. Your arrogance and buffoonery and troughing only serve to help the other political parties. Boris Johnson knows it, Richard Barnes knows it, the bloggers know it and the Party rank and file know it. You are an embarrassment to David Cameron and an embarrassment to the Conservative Party, just as you're an embarrassment to the people of Barnet and Camden.

How long before your bad behaviour also becomes intolerable for Barnet MP Theresa Villiers and a millstone around the neck of Barnet Council leader Mike Freer's political ambitions?

Time to do the right thing for once Coleman. Go!

Coleman: As we regulate child porn, so we should regulate the 'cancer' of blogs

2009-10-08T14:31:00.005+01:00

Here is Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman's latest, foolish outburst - as reported in the Ham and High today (click the picture for a bigger and readable version). For those without the time or the inclination to click - yes - he really does describe blogs as a 'cancer' which should be dealt with like child porn. This presumably does not include his own blogs in which he makes allegations about people like this one for example, or this one.

Mr Toad, in your own words - "if you can't take it, don't dish it out basically".

Of course you could always sue for libel if you find anything untrue in the blogs couldn't you?

I won't hold my breath.

World's biggest rodent spotted in Totteridge

2009-09-29T14:44:00.004+01:00

The Barnet Times reports today that:
"The largest living rodent in the world was spotted scampering across farmland in Totteridge last week............It looks similar to a giant guinea pig, with slightly webbed feet, no tail and a blunt muzzle."

The article continues:
"It was very distinctive, with a squat body and flat head and a very unusual hop. It seemed to be worried as it was running to the cover of the corn fields as quickly as possible."

Proof, if any were needed, that there are some very strange creatures in Totteridge.

Brian Coleman is Mr. Rude

2009-09-29T12:06:00.009+01:00

Has there ever been a ruder politician than Brian 'Mr Rude' Coleman?

As reported on this blog before - he has, it seems, made a career out of being absolutely vile to people - specialising in outright insults, and very dodgy, unsubstantiated insinuations of all kinds including homophobia and anti-semitism.

As a regular contributor to the Facebook group twinned with this blog pointed out (way more succinctly than I could) recently:

"There is nothing more vile than bigotry and prejudice, whether it be homophobia or antisemitism, or racism of any sort, be it targetting muslims, jews, catholics, asylum seekers or Irish travellers ... Very nearly as repugnant as racism are those who for their own purposes make use of false accusations of such behaviour: this devalues the real evil of mindless hatred and is nothing less than the politics of the gutter."

Quite. But Brian Coleman doesn't seem to mind a bit of repugnant behaviour. Indeed, he seems to positively embrace it.

Fresh from being found guilty of breaking the rules by describing blogger Rog T as a poisonous, obsessive, lying wanker he's been caught out again. This time by the Not The Barnet Times blog allegedly being rude about people's champion Yvonne Hossack. And now he's been caught out yet again. This time the Tory Troll blog reports him launching into an 'aggressive and rude tirade' reducing a poor lady on the catering staff at fire brigade HQ to tears.

Twice.

Tell me, why don't you pick on someone your own size Mr Rude?

A message to Brian Coleman from the people of Barnet

2009-09-24T10:26:00.008+01:00

A Barnet Times poll of almost 600 people has delivered this unequivocal verdict on you Councillor Coleman.

Go!

UPDATE:
The Barnet Times are letting the poll roll over - so you can still vote :-)

What on earth has Brian Coleman got against our athletes?

2009-09-23T11:34:00.007+01:00

What on earth has Brian Coleman got against our athletes?

Last year he said that the entire Olympic team was 'tainted'.
Just recently he said women's boxing was 'distasteful'.
Now he's saying that national treasure, Kriss Akabusi MBE is not worth the money.
For a politician like Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman to be so openly hostile towards athletes is always going to be a little uncomfortable for his Party. But when you consider that at the same time, Boris Johnson is doing his best to promote the London Olympics 2012, its a downright embarrassment.

As for Coleman's opinion on the value of Kriss Akabusi MBE, I must say that its pretty rich coming from such a renowned squanderer of public money. Even richer if you remember what he said a while back when trying to justify his outrageous wages and expenses claims - that if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.

You can't have it both ways Mr Toad.

Brian Coleman - an embarrassment to Boris Johnson of Olympian proportions

2009-09-22T12:08:00.006+01:00

As the 2012 Games draw ever-closer, Brian Coleman looks set provide an Olympic-sized embarrassment to Mayor Boris Johnson once again.

You may remember his outburst at the last Olymic Games:
"If you are looking for young heroes and role models, forget the highly paid athletes who leave their consciences at passport control.....While Britain's athletes may have won more medals than usual they must remember that they are tainted with the blood of Tibetans, Falun Gong practitioners, and Roman Catholic priests"

To redden Boris Johnson's face even further, he recently put an official question to Mayor:
"Does the Mayor not think that the inclusion of women's boxing in the London Olympics is somewhat distasteful?"

No Mr Toad, it is not distasteful. Its called equality. What's distasteful is your implicit sexism - and it's not the first time.

Perhaps you are just sore that heavyweight freeloading is not to be included as an Olympic event this time around. Whatever the reason, I suggest you sort it out, or you may have to answer to the likes of the somewhat-more-tasteful-than-you, three-time ABA champion: Amanda Coulson (pictured).

Brian Coleman, the good, the bad and the ugly

2009-09-18T11:19:00.005+01:00

It strikes me that the image of Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman that the Barnet Times often use, is reminiscent of a still from 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'.

I'll not ask the obvious question....

Brian Coleman IS liable to pay us back our £10,000.00

2009-09-18T10:28:00.005+01:00

As the ever-vigilant Barnet Times reports this week (click for bigger):

Regular readers will remember that it was the leader of Barnet Council, Mike Freer who lavished £10,000.00 of our money on his friend, Brian 'guilty-as-charged' Coleman's defence (despite the fact that there was legal representation already bought and paid for). Now it seems he has to pay it back - and I should jolly well think so too! He can certainly afford it.

Perhaps he's now regretting forking out for champagne in that somewhat peculiar 'celebration' of his guilt being established. Oh hang on a minute, perhaps it was free champers from the hamper. Now that would be more like the Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman we know.

Finally, I'd like to flag up a couple of excellent articles for your interest:

Dave Hill's: 'Blog wars: the citizen fights back'
- On Coleman - "He makes Edith Piaf look repentant."

Adam Bienkov's: Brian Coleman in bitter dispute with fire crews
- ""Do you know any other occupation where people are able to sleep on duty?"
Well I can think of at least one"

Great stuff!

Ok, that's if for now. Please don't forget to vote.
:-)

At last! Another opportunity to vote against Brian Coleman

2009-09-17T15:14:00.004+01:00

The Barnet Times is conducting a poll asking, in the wake of his guilty verdict:

Should Brian Coleman be allowed to stay on as Mayor of Barnet?

Please take a few seconds to vote.

Rog T is plain wrong.

2009-09-15T15:43:00.004+01:00

Well, the headline of his latest post is plain wrong anyway. In fact, I often disagree with what Rog T says in his excellent blog. But he wears his heart on his sleeve, says what he thinks and is passionate about the things that are important to him. What's more he's proven that he's not afraid to take on the powers that be. He's Barnet's own Dangermouse (no less) to Coleman's Baron Greenback. So I've been disappointed to read a few bits and bobs lately - from people who know little or nothing about politics in Barnet and its history - casting comment on Rog, his motivations and even on his wraparound shades.

Therefore, in an attempt to redress the balance a little here is Rog's comment on the whole Coleman vs. Tichborne case. That's the one that decided that Coleman is guilty as I'm sure you remember. Its a very interesting read (providing you ignore the headline of course) and I hope that it gets a little wider publicity by being copied here.

_________________________________

"Brian Coleman really isn't the problem in Barnet

There are many things wrong with the local political scene in Barnet. I've written hundreds of blogs on the subject. It may surprise you to know that the vast majority of these don't mention our beloved Mayor Brian Coleman. Whilst I may have rather strong views on him, I can honestly say that I don't think he's the problem, he's just a symptom.

Having reflected on the background of my standards complaint and having seen the standards process in action, I think it demonstrates all that is wrong with Barnet Council. Let me explain to you why I say this. I believe that the root cause of the problem is that senior Councillors and Council officers have lost sight of why they are there. They should be their to ensure that local services run as smoothly as possible and that the weak and vulnerable in Barnet are well looked after. They should try and make the environment in Barnet as pleasant as is possible for the residents. They should be respectful of the people who pay their wages (the taxpayer) and be prepared to engage and discuss issues with these people, no matter how difficult the individual may be.

Given that the catalyst that started the whole process was Council Leader Mike Freer, describing his critics as "nutters" and "one handed bloggers", it is clear straight away that the leader has no respect for anyone that disagrees with him. When I wrote a polite email to the ruling group of Councillors, a senior member, Mayor Coleman thought the appropriate response was to reply to all recipients in an offensive manner. Did the group think "This guy has just abused a member of the public, he's out of control". No they did not, they elected him as Mayor, despite being under no illusion whatsoever, that he thought abusing the public was fine and dandy. Surely a few of them must have realised that this was a clear breach of the Standards code. Both Lib Dem leader Jack Cohen and Labour leader Alison Moore realised this immediately. The next sorry step on the trail was when Mayor Coleman asked Council Leader Mike Freer for a £10,000 indemnity to fight the case. I've spoken to lawyers and trade Union officials about this. They've all told me that the sensible thing to do would be to have apologised and drawn a line under it. That would have been the end of the matter. Now Mike Freer had seen the email exchange. Did he think "This is directly related to me, I cannot make an objective and transparent decision here". As Mr Coleman rounded off his email to me by saying "The Leader is totally right" and as it is crystal clear that Freer saw this, he was compromised. If he believed that Mayor Coleman had a good case, why didn't he let Council CEO Nick Walkley make the decision? He approved the decision to give Coleman an indemnity using delegated powers, meaning it was totally up to him. Barnet Council had an insurance policy that covered standards complaints. Coleman could have used this at no cost to the taxpayer. He chose not to and thought the taxpayer should foot the bill.

At no time in Mayor Coleman's defence did he say that his email didn't breach the code. He knew it did. His defence was that he was provoked and that the fact that he couldn't tell me to bog off without being disrespectful was a breach of his human rights. From all the paperwork, he actually admitted the breach all along, just claimed mitigating circumstances.

So we have a case being fought for vanity. A leader who instigated the sorry matter. Whilst the council cut thousands of pounds in grants from hard working volunteers, the Leader happily sanctions the spending of £10,000 on a case that was doomed to fail from day one. Not only that, but one which could have been avoided by an apology. The cost could have been avoided by using the insurance policy. Why didn't Freer send Mayor Coleman down this route? Because Brian Coleman was actually defending Mike Freer, in the only way he knew how, when he got himself into trouble.

Finally this takes us on to the actual hearing. The way this works is there is an impartial investigator who prepares the report. They present their findings. The defendant's legal representative then gets their say. I asked for the right to address the committee, as I felt that there were points which needed to be brought to the committee's attention. I was denied this right. I was told that only the defence could speak to the committee. To me this goes against natural justice. In any normal hearing, there is a prosecution as well as a defence. Normally these standards hearings are held in private. It seems to me as if they are there to serve the purposes of councillors, far more than the public.

Which brings me to my perception of the problem in Barnet. Sheltered wardens are cut, whilst Councillors allowances go up. Parents of dead babies see funeral charges rise, whilst councillors and council officials go on jollies to the USA and Cannes for "conferences". We have a Council leader who holds the public in contempt, but no cost is too much for defending his political allies. In short, the council is being run for the benefit of the senior ruling councillors and the senior officials."
_________________________________
Rog - I hope you'll not mind me taking the liberty of pasting in your whole post.

Has Brian Coleman opened the floodgates?

2009-09-11T10:33:00.004+01:00

As reported before in this blog, Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman has been nasty to lots of people and groups over the years from political opponents, to local bloggers to the British Olympic team.

Now that he's been found guilty of breaking the code of conduct - are we about to witness a flood of complaints against Barnet's most infamously disrespectful mayor?

UPDATE: I just came across Brian Coleman's soundbite following Ken Livingstone being found guilty of disrespecting a reporter in 2006. He said:

"London deserves better. This is a humiliation for Ken Livingstone. He has let down every Londoner who has ever put their trust in him."

Well Mr Toad, if the cap fits...

Coleman is Guilty

2009-09-10T15:27:00.006+01:00

The Not The Barnet Times blog has its finger on the pulse as ever and reports as follows:

"The Standards Sub Committee unanimously decided that Brian Coleman breached the Members Code of Conduct."

UPDATE: Rog T has published his verdict on the verdict - as it were.

Cheer up Brian. You know what they say...

The "drip, drip, drip of poison"

2009-09-10T11:04:00.002+01:00

In advance of his hearing by Barnet's Standards Committee today, Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman complained to an investigating officer about what he describes as the "drip, drip, drip of poison" written about him in "dodgy blogs".

The "dodgy blog" in question in the case of this hearing is Rog T's dodgier-than-a-seven-pound-note Barnet Eye blog. In that blog, as the Evening Standard reported this week, Coleman has variously been described as “arrogant, lazy and useless”, “Barnet's favourite numpty”, and “addicted to cash and hospitality”. Regular readers will, I'm sure, fail to recognise Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman from these outrageous slurs.

Mr Toad, the poor victim of these shocking allegations, would never sink so low of course as to get personal with, and throw mud at his opponents.

Brian Coleman would never for example imply or outright accuse opponents of drunkenness - like the Fire Brigade, Sir Ian Blair, or Ken Livingstone.

Brian Coleman would never imply that his opponents were racist, or allege, in a fit of pique, that they are homophobic bigots.

Brian Coleman would never suggest that an opponent is an obsessive, posonous, lying, wanker.

Poor, poor, defenceless Brian. Its all just SO unfair.

Coleman's Clippings

2009-09-08T14:39:00.012+01:00

The Brian Coleman Standards Hearing story is generating a good amount of press - some of it national press no less . Coming, as it does, on top of the Ian Clement case, this must surely be a proud moment indeed for Boris Johnson and Coleman's other colleagues.

Here is some of the latest coverage:

The Evening Standard

The Guardian

The Barnet Times

Here is the Tory Troll blog where they first read about the story.

And here is the The Barnet Eye blog that brought about the Standards Hearing in the first place.

Incidentally, the clipping at the top of this post is from last night's London Lite - but is that picture supposed to be of Brian Coleman or Roger Tichborne I wonder...

Brian Coleman - 'underpaid' and "working all the hours God sends."

2009-09-04T08:56:00.003+01:00

The Barnet Times have today, picked up on the story I reported yesterday - the official report which pointed out the fact that Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman has his snout too deep in the trough.

They report that Coleman has responded by claiming to be 'underpaid' and by claiming that he's "working all the hours that God sends".

Of course you are Brian.

Still, nice work if you can get it eh?

OFFICIAL: Coleman's snout too deep in the trough

2009-09-03T09:10:00.004+01:00

The Standard reports today that "City Hall politicians should be banned from boosting their pay by doubling up as local councillors"

This, they say, is a recommendation from an independent review by The Senior Salaries Review Body. Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman's excesses are singled out for criticism in their report, as the Standard notes:
"The £25,613 allowance received by Brian Coleman as Tory fire authority chairman — he earns £88,997 in total — was about £6,300 too high andshould be frozen, the report added."

Well done indeed to the The Senior Salaries Review Body. However, I do recommend a closer inspection as you will find, I think, that Coleman's snout is way deeper in the trough than you realised.

Rog T unmasked

2009-09-02T10:58:00.008+01:00

Forget the 'Rumble in the Jungle'. Forget the 'Thriller in Manilla'. 'Cos on the 10th September, we have the 'Combat Zone in Whetstone' as blogger Rog T of The Barnet Eye blog goes head-to-head with Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman at Barnet Council's Standards Committee.

Rog T revealed yesterday on his from-the-heart blog, that he was the mystery individual who had filed the complaint against Mr Toad after (allegedly) being labelled as a "an obsessive, poisonous individual".

You may recall that Mr Toad's chum Mike Freer squandered £10,000 of public money to pay for his defence.

You may recall Mr Toad's comments on the case:
"This investigation has absolutely nothing to do with me, nothing whatsoever, and if you say otherwise you will be hearing from my solicitor." ~ Brian Coleman May 2009

I'll be checking Rog T's blog on 10th September for sure. Once again, I predict that Mr Toad will employ the Bart Simpson defence.

UPDATE:
Having looked at the Committee papers, it appears as though Brian Coleman will attempt to portray himself as the poor, defenceless, little victim of big, bad Rog T. Surely the girth of Mr Toad's chutzpah is equalled only by his appetite for a free feed!

UPDATE 2:
I note that the venue has changed from Whetstone, to Hendon Town Hall. I wish I had known this before. It took me ages to find just a very average rhyme for 'Whetstone'. Hendon would have been much easier I'm sure.

Three easyCheers for Barnet's No-Frills Approach

2009-08-28T10:43:00.011+01:00

Well done indeed Barnet!

The Guardian reports today that you are adopting an easyJet-style, no-frills approach to local government. This is fantastic trail-blazing stuff for sure, delivering the change that the people want, right at the heart of where it is needed.

No doubt you'll start by axing the bloated allowances and expenses of Barnet's frilliest councillor (and Mr Bumble look-a-like): Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman:

Absolutely brilliant stuff Barnet and I'm sure I speak for....eh, what's that? The no-frills approach is really all about changes like removing services from the elderly and vulnerable you say? So, not delivering the change that the people want and all that then?

Oh...

Mr Toad's Failure in Potters Fields

2009-08-27T14:50:00.006+01:00

Here's a happy update to an old story for you.

In 2006, Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman opposed the refurbishment of Potters Fields Park (one of London's few, precious, green spaces), saying:
"I think we could do with a multi-storey car park on the site for 1,000 cars...That's what Londoners need. Parks in central London we're not short of."

This, of course, is not Coleman's only 'sharp-as-a-mallet' contribution to the green debate. Regular readers will, I'm sure, recall Coleman's Bottom where the Amphibious Member for Barnet and Camden employed a similar approach to the conservation of green space in his own constituency.

Anyway, here's what Brian Coleman wanted on the Potters Fields site:

And here are the very happy results of his miserable failure:

More lovely pictures of Potters Fields can be found here.

Farenheit 451 and the 'gilded fool'.

2009-08-24T14:21:00.007+01:00

Echoing the fire chief in Ray Bradbury's 'Farenheit 451' - fire chiefs in London have ordered the destruction of a picture of a certain 'gilded fool'.

The poster, it seems, is a 'safety risk'.

The Tory Troll blog has the scoop - (as ever)

Click here for bigger.

PS - If you've read down this far then you may be interested to know that the 'gilded fool' reference is taken from a quotation from 'Farenheit 451':
"This age thinks better of a gilded fool than of a threadbare saint in wisdom's school!"

Its a little obscure I admit, but I couldn't resist it.

Commend-A-Copper's Come A Cropper

2009-08-06T16:42:00.008+01:00

Police throughout the land are breathing a collective sigh of relief tonight that they are no longer being 'helped' by Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman (after all, with friends like him....).

This is because, it rather looks as though his failed Facebook fiasco: the 'Commend A Copper' group has finally been removed.

As this blog reported, Mr Toad set up the group as a cheap and nasty gimmick, to divert political flak away from himself. It failed. Miserably.

In fact, Coleman's association with the group ensured that it only drew criticism of the police and of himself. He deleted almost all of those messages that were critical of himself and his ill-conceived, quick-and-dirty piece of PR. He also deleted the commendation of Sir Ian Blair that someone posted on that page - presumably because he disagreed with it.

What a miserable failure.

Brian Coleman on holiday

2009-08-03T12:01:00.017+01:00

I hear that Brian Coleman is on holiday.

Certainly, he could do with the break after the recent avalanche of negative press he's received. Just in the last month, he's been:

* Censured by the LFEPA for unlawfully making up the (un)democratic process as he goes along.
* Lambasted by the London Assembly Audit Panel over his abuses of the expenses system
* Found out by The Barnet Eye for apparently 'flipping' his expenses
* Caught out awarding a multi-million pound contract to a company which treated him to free food and a Harvey Nichols hamper
* Facing a misconduct hearing at Barnet Council (this blog awaits the results with interest).
* Shouted at by Boris Johnson who forced him, in an embarrassing climbdown, to reveal his 'ridiculous' expenses
* Publicly rebuked by members of his own party, notably here and here and here and (very pointedly) here.

Things have got so bad, that he's now refusing to answer the phone to journalists.

Yes, Mr Toad could certainly do with a break. And he's not the only one!

But the big question for Boris Johnson and the Conservatives has been this: Where can Coleman be sent where he's sufficiently remote to do little damage and, in these times of spin, where he can start to rebuild his political reputation?

It would need to be a place where there was another figure, more foolish, more prone to embarrassing gaffes and a bigger bully. It'll need to be somewhere with plenty of food of course.....

Ah! Got it!

Incidentally, I checked Addison Lee's website for a taxi quote between London N3 and sunny Torquay. Its £579.10 each way. So don't try it Coleman. We'll be watching!

What the Dickens!?!

2009-07-31T10:38:00.012+01:00

If Charles Dickens were still around, he would, I'm sure, have enjoyed writing about Brian Coleman. In fact, I have often wished for his genius at deft ridicule, particularly for the purposes of writing this blog. For if ever there were a modern day Dickensian figure then surely it is Councillor Coleman of Totteridge, Mayor of Barnet and self-styled 'King of Bling'.

Imagine then my delight at coming across this incontestible proof of his Dickensian-ness:

Mr Bumble the beadle................Mr Coleman the mayor

"Mr. Bumble had a great idea of his oratorical powers and his importance."

~Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

I rest my case.

UPDATE:
I should add here that Brian 'Mr Bumble' Coleman is in no way related to Barnet's other Mr Bumble. This latter Mr Bumble of course, being much-loved at Barnet Football Club...

Brian's bookshelf

2009-07-28T11:35:00.017+01:00

If, like me, you've ever wondered about Brian Coleman and, specifically, what on Earth might have made him so...so...well, you know, like he is - then this post is for you.

This blog has managed to get a sneaky glimpse of Brian's bookshelf and I think it provides a revealing insight into what has inspired Brian Coleman to be so...so...well anyway, here are the books we sneakily glimpsed:

Firstly, an object lesson, on why you must be careful about what books you give your easily-influenced children to read. Just look at Coleman's Bottom! NB - its not as scary as it sounds.

Secondly, a book that's clearly been a huge success for the comatose Councillor Coleman.

Here's some more advice that the Assembly Member for Barnet and Cabden has taken very much to heart.

Enough said!

And finally - Oh dear. It looks like the masticating Mayor has taken some bad advice when it comes to his pet hate: Blogs, and his pet love: Lunches.

Brian Coleman's Wind

2009-07-24T15:41:00.008+01:00

Archive Coleman-related shennannigans on a Friday is becoming something of a habit. Today's concerns Frith Manor Primary School.

Following the school tragically burning down, they decided to rebuild as an Eco-school, generating their own power, saving money and the environment, and educating and involving the kids into the bargain. A brilliantly imagined and realised project as this really nice clip demonstrates.

There was a single objector: Brian 'Mr Toad' Coleman (now on his holiday, one assumes he's not taking his vacation on the Isle of Wight to support the Vestas workers)

Here's the really nice clip:

Lazybones

2009-07-23T11:32:00.005+01:00

Perturbing the police

2009-07-21T12:02:00.009+01:00

Hold it right there Councillor Coleman!

You're under arrest for blatantly using the police as a political prop.

Now I understand sir, that you said something stupid about the woman who was backhanded twice by a police officer and then struck on the legs with a baton. You said sir, as I recall:

"Nicky Fisher turned up to this protest, which everyone said could be violent. She put herself in this situation – and lo, she was hit. It's like going gambling and then complaining that you've lost money".

As I recall, you took quite a bit of political flak for that, so tried to use cheap and nasty gimmick of your 'Commend A Copper' Facebook group to change the subject. And now that's all gone pear-shaped.

It seems that you are so despised that, to this day, that group has only succeeded in attracting to the police, the opprobrium that seems to follow you around like a bad smell. Your post about the group on the Conservative Home website drew a similar stink, even from your fellow Conservatives. If you don't mind me saying so sir, you put yourself in this situation - and lo, you was hit (speaking virtually of course). Furthermore sir, I see that some wag has now responded by setting up the 'Commend A Kipper' Facebook group, with reference to your fervour for free food.

On top of all that, I'm arresting you for crimes against copywriting, with your absolutely atrocious attempts at alliteration.

I've got you bang to rights Councillor Coleman, now I'll have to ask you to accompany me down to the station.

What's that? No sir, we will not be hailing a cab...

Herculean effort, and an attack from the archive

2009-07-17T15:50:00.024+01:00

Right now, (and doubtless for a time to come), Adam Bienkov of the Tory Troll blog is undergoing the Herculean task of going through Brian Coleman's expenses (pictured above). Good quality, primary source journalism. Its a blog that has broken the stories on a whole load of Coleman outrages. Keep a check on it for more revelations to come.

Apart from the good works of the Tory Troll, there's been so much other Coleman-related press and bloggery this week that I confess I've had some trouble keeping tabs on it all. Here for your interest though, are some recent highlights:

The Barnet Times reports that 'Coleman cab fares spark GLA expenses overhaul'

The Barnet Eye on Colemans 'flipping' expenses

Liberal Conspracy asks 'Is Brian Coleman AM finished?'

Barnet Council Watch says 'This is not just arrogance. This is Brian Coleman arrogance'.

And I finish with a clipping from the archive kindly sent to me on Facebook by a Barnet Football Club supporter. As he wrote:

"Coleman claimed to have been attacked by Barnet supporters, but had in fact barged into a group of Colindale residents opposed to building in Montrose Park. As one eye witness (a former councillor) put it: "Oh my God, he's attacking them!"

As my correspondent went on to point out:

"There's no love lost between Barnet supporters and Coleman, given his antics against the club relating to the ground issue, so imagine the shock when he turned up for the final match of last season (complimentary tickets and matchday hospitality of course!)."

Originally published in the Evening Standard on 9th March 2006, the piece was written by one of Coleman's many winers and diners: Ross Lydall. Click the thumbnail for bigger and readable:

Coleman's Bottom

2009-07-15T12:01:00.000+01:00

Histrory, they say, repeats itself.

So it is with the Asset Co scandal, in which Coleman awarded the company a multi million pound contract after being wined and dined by their chief executive.

This, after all, is not the first time that free food fan: Mr Toad has been supportive of a venture being promoted by someone who also happens to be one of his many winers and diners - detailed here and here.

Those with long memories may recall that Brian Coleman forced through a scheme that included a deeply unpopular new road to be built across a primary school playing field in New Barnet (Metropolitan Open Land adjoining the Green Belt). Rather than debate the environmental and planning merits of the scheme, he chose instead to use a straw man argument, effectively labelling local parents and environmental campaigners - his constituents mark you - as a bunch of racists, "idiots" and "the usual Nimby brigade".

Now why would Brian Coleman go to such lengths to abuse his own constituents? I merely note that he is regularly wined and dined by the president of the venture which wanted to build the road: Gerald Ronson - and I leave readers to draw their own conclusions.

Incidentally, I hear that the hated road is known locally as 'Coleman's Bottom'. Here's what it looked like before Coleman:

Here's what it looks like since Coleman added (landscape) injury to insult:

Tip of the hat to the Save New Barnet campaign for the pictures.

Brian Coleman 'hampered' - rather less smart than the average bear

2009-07-14T09:52:00.006+01:00

Another day, another Brian Coleman scandal (or two).

This time it appears that he's received a big, fat hamper from a contractor - to whom he's then gone on to award a multi-million pound contract (today's scandal number one).

What's more (today's scandal number two) he's been caught out making up the rules as he goes along. It seems that this is not only undemocratic, but also against the law.

The marvellous Tory Troll blog has the scoop on both stories.

How much scandal can this freeloader's political life endure? Not much more surely.

Fingers crossed eh :-)

The Bart Simpson defence

2009-07-13T15:54:00.009+01:00

The Barnet Times reports today that Mr Toad's preliminary misconduct hearing will be held this Thursday (behind closed doors - worse luck). This remember, is the hearing that the leader of Barnet council: Mike Freer gave Mr Toad ten thousand pounds of our money for, to spend on solicitors (even though he already had some solicitors paid for). Anyway, it seems that the councillors code of conduct requires him to "treat others with respect". It is alleged that his description of an opponent as "an obsessive, poisonous individual" is in breach of that code. Hmm.

Personally, I think he will employ the Bart Simpson defence (outlined in detail above) - however, I'd advise those responsible for reaching a verdict that Mr Toad can be a slippery fellow, as recent evidence shows.

On the misconduct investigation:
"This investigation has absolutely nothing to do with me, nothing whatsoever, and if you say otherwise you will be hearing from my solicitor." ~ Brian Coleman May 2009. Ahem.

On publishing his expenses:
"I won't do it voluntarily. It's none of the public's business." ~ Brian Coleman 7 July 2009. Ah!

On bloggers:
"The mad, bad and the sad, the bloggers on the internet" ~ Brian Coleman 7 July 2009. Oh dear!