The first fully virtual Medway Council meeting took place last night, with councillors all contributing remotely to proceedings. Somehow this managed to make the meeting even longer than usual, clocking in at over seven hours, but also saw some of the most unseemly debates ever held at a Medway Council meeting. If you weren’t able to watch the whole thing live, we’ve got your back with our Twitter coverage from last night. Strap in, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
It's the first full virtual Medway Council meeting tonight!
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
How many councillors will successfully manage to turn their computers on?
Join us from 7pm to find out!
Agenda and link to watch the live stream here: https://t.co/GtDbr2ivjr pic.twitter.com/mDVCi1trbb
A Wagamama cookbook? Typical champagne socialists. https://t.co/BGpofTPKqB
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Good evening local politics pals! For those joining us for full #MedwayCouncil tonight wanting to watch along at home, the link to watch the meeting via MS Teams can be found here along with the agenda: https://t.co/GtDbr2ivjr pic.twitter.com/K26EljvRvS
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Sitting in front of that door like that feels like a health and safety nightmare waiting to happen. #MedwayCouncil https://t.co/TZKeL6sOHX
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Look at that resolution! #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/3AzeMpEOk2
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Introduction to first virtual meeting from Mayor @HabibTejan. Says roughly half of councillors taking place as part of an agreement between @MedwayTories and @MedwayLabour, but no clarity on who is here and who isn't. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Bloody hell, we don’t even escape the prayer even on this virtual thing. We drop half the elected councillors but still keep this thing at a public meeting in 2020? #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/NCqv9tSQgL
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Bold move from @MedwayLabour, largely choosing to bring their more competent councillors to this meeting. #MedwayCouncil https://t.co/lzGJDocaHD
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
That @MedwayTories starting lineup in full. No word on how many subs each team is allowed. https://t.co/8tQWEkYRKS
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Chief Exec is now explaining process of how members can speak and vote. Sounds like it's going to be a bit of a debacle but not really much alternative in the current situation. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Evening starts with a gin and tonic and the live streaming of a Medway council meeting… cos that’s how I roll pic.twitter.com/P504Ab6P7I
— Stuart Bourne (@stueybourne) July 16, 2020
DRINK! Cllr @sijuwadeade becomes the first councillor to forget to unmute her microphone. She then proceeds to declare an interest in the wrong item. Not a great start. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Hubbard declares an interest in another item and says he will "go and stand on my landing" while it is being discussed. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Weird position from @MedwayLabour planning committee members, who have decided to take themselves out of a discussion on buying council housing stock. Legal officer says that isn't required but leaves it up to councillors to decide. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Petitions being submitted now. Cllr @sijuwadeade submits one calling for renaming of John Hawkins car park, Cllr @ClivJoh submits a local road one, and there was one from Cllr @cllrtrisosborne too. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Public questions starting now with this double header on recognising historical figures. Cllr Doe responds that a blue plaque will be placed in honour of William Cuffay. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/G1sqaFBfAB
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Two (slightly suspicious) public questions on the renaming of things and the removal of statues, pushing for public engagement on these issues going forwards. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/SJ0DfkuzB9
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Doe would apparently be happy to talk to this guy about this pretty mad proposal, which is in stark contrast to previous attempts to get the council to engage with cultural issues. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/Hdf3MnPkwU
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Shout out to Cllr Chitty who is the first councillor other than the Mayor and the Leader who has gone to Gun Wharf to take part in this fully remote meeting. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Doe responds to this question by saying that 93% of accommodation secured by #MedwayCouncil is located in Medway, but that the authority only moves residents to another area if they are agreeable. pic.twitter.com/7U1NqW37lw
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Doe says 60 rough sleepers have been housed during the coronavirus crisis, with 30 of them having moved on to permanent accommodation. 25 are still being supported with an aim to find them permanent accommodation too. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/YCrw04wums
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Jarrett is now delivering his Leader's Report, primarily based around the support #MedwayCouncil has provided during the coronavirus crisis, saying the authority has gone "above and beyond" in response.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Has Cllr Jarrett seen the light? He's now twice referred to Cllr J Iles without calling her 'Cllr Mrs Iles'. Have we turned a page on this bullshit? #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Jarrett concludes his report to highlight that a new Ofsted inspection has been delayed following the damning report into children's services, but expects a much better report when it happens soon. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Is Cllr Brake okay? Surely no one should be this pink? #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/juuBxphNsU
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Sounding the alarm, @CllrAndyStamp raises a £43m shortfall in the finances of #MedwayCouncil. That sounds.. not good.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Hold on. This graphic appeared before @CllrAndyStamp actually said these words. Surely councillors don't plan out their contributions to discussions in advance? Surely not?! #MedwayCouncil https://t.co/VwfghRsRrX
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
It’s hard to tell from the weird blurring, but does @cllrtrisosborne have a giant classic EU passport on his wall behind him? #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/wypTBEnNdn
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Disappointing. #MedwayCouncil https://t.co/fLKlFPZXyr
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
'the closure of Debenhams
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
the bingo hall
go outdoors'
Top haiku skills from @cllrtrisosborne there. #MedwayCouncil https://t.co/I0rbllbu9c
Cllr Jarrett gets in his obligatory accusation that @MedwayLabour councillors are "talking down Medway", primarily by daring to ask questions about what #MedwayCouncil is doing.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
We're now onto Item 9- Overview and Scrutiny Activity. You can read the paper here https://t.co/PAFCSIWjYj
— Medway Council #stayalertsavelives (@medway_council) July 16, 2020
DRINK! Cllr Murray becomes the next councillor to forget to unmute her microphone. She is also very pink. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/o25m5k52oK
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Murray and Cllr Jarrett seem to be speaking with one voice despite their separate parties when it comes to their analysis of the role of the CCG and its treatment of Medway
— Caroline Williams (@C_WilliamsNews) July 16, 2020
Cllr Etheridge is very angry that @cllrtrisosborne dared to suggest that flytipping is caused by the #MedwayCouncil bulky waste charge. Very angry indeed. pic.twitter.com/zvzrSYvaF0
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Now onto councillor questions, starting with this from independent Cllr @SteveIles. Cllr R Chambers responds that funding is not currently available for any redevelopment, but if there was, it would have to go through #MedwayCouncil planning process. pic.twitter.com/itmij08qMO
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Usually councillors say "as written" rather than reading out long questions to help speed things along. Cllr Hubbard plays by his own rules though, who is not only dictating this question in full, he's also adding extra bits to it. We're going to be here a while. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/sj6aJbswx1
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Chitty says "you can't have a sustainable market with only two stallholders". Kind of hard to argue with that. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Is #MedwayCouncil going to go bankrupt in weeks, asks @cllrtrisosborne. Cllr Jarrett says the "jury is out" on whether or not gov has properly supported councils during current crisis. Says reserves stand at over £22m. pic.twitter.com/Hh3VFdSWZy
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr @naushabah_khan pushing the boundaries of what can be defined as 'a question' here with this remarkable submission that seems to include no less than 11 questions in one. Cllr Doe says a "reply is being worked on". #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/zYnRpgZxXL
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
"We are not yet at the draft local plan stage", responds Cllr Chitty to this. Which is quite a remarkable admission given how many years late #MedwayCouncil already is in delivering said plan. pic.twitter.com/J5SaviuG4j
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Time has now run out for councillor questions, meaning five councillors won't get their questions answered tonight. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Shout out to Cllr Kemp for having the best camera position of the evening. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/C2Bsm7O7E6
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
We're now onto Item 11 – the annual conference report for Medway Youth Council. The theme of the conference this year was climate change and the report details the actions the council are seeking to take following the conference. https://t.co/xqZfRPKbPh
— Medway Council #stayalertsavelives (@medway_council) July 16, 2020
Labour has added an amendment(s) to the motion on the community safety plan. Cllr Vince Maple says shame on anyone who doesn’t support the amendment. He says it it’s in line with what KCC is doing. pic.twitter.com/mGUiOook94
— Caroline Williams (@C_WilliamsNews) July 16, 2020
#MedwayCouncil meeting has descended into a bit of a mess after Labour circulated an amendment and various councillors said they couldn't see it. Hopefully they've all seen it now but who can tell?
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Councillors from @MedwayTories are lining up to say they won't support the amendment on the Community Safety Partnership. Cllr Jarrett calls the amendment "a Labour stunt". #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
We're now voting on the @MedwayLabour amendment, leading to a weird situation where Cllr @sijuwadeade abstains on her own party amendment. Not exactly clear why when all other @MedwayLabour councillors support. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Amendment is lost. Vote is now on the main Community Safety Partner proposal. @MedwayTories voting in favour, @MedwayLabour abstaining. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Oh god, Mayor @HabibTejan just introduced Cllr J Iles as "Cllr Mrs Josie Iles". Stop it. Stop. It. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/N0P3LVFeDs
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
We're now onto this which we're sure is very worthy but seems like a great time for a tea break. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/6z9PamoxYE
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Crikey, Cllr @MartinMPotter accuses @MedwayLabour of being controlled by "their union paymasters" in arguing against schools reopening. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
By our estimates there's just about two to three hours left of this #MedwayCouncil meeting.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Etheridge decides to give another speech during his vote, only for Cllr Doe – who has once again left his microphone on – being heard to mutter "oh come on, just say for". Never agreed with Cllr Doe more. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Well this is new. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/lr6s1W1J6n
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
We're back and about to discuss this plan for #MedwayCouncil to add £10m to the capital programme to allow the authority to purchase more housing sites. pic.twitter.com/EbIEyHD214
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr @naushabah_khan responds to the plan to say that the @MedwayLabour will support the plan. Cllr @vincemaple says "it is a good start but we need to do more". #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
DRINK! Cllr Doe – after leaving his mic on when he shouldn't – forgets to unmute himself when he needs to speak. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
The housing plan is agreed, and now we're onto Splashes having £5m spent on it to bring it up to modern standards. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/wB32kzhqL8
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Sands asks when there will be some money for the pool in Hoo, which sounds like it's in a bit of a state from what he described. Most councillors supporting plans for Splashes. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
£5m for Splashes is approved, with all councillors voting in favour, other than Cllrs Sands/Pendergast, who abstain. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Next up: approval to spend £135k to refurbish play areas. Cllr Doe says it's essential to help #MedwayCouncil aspiration of being a "child friendly city". pic.twitter.com/NHzSbnZTrB
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Pendergast says he'll support the extra money for play areas, but is "disappointed" that the peninsula has been forgotten again as no money is earmarked for play areas there. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
£135k for play areas has been unanimously agreed in a rare moment of full #MedwayCouncil unity.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
We're now discussing membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/pbToIhUqFz
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
"We should never be afraid to get our elbows out for Medway", argues Cllr @MartinMPotter. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/UROLZatvGb
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Now discussing Cllr Jarrett's use of urgency powers during the coronavirus crisis. Cllr Doe supports and wants all of Medway to recognise the outstanding decisions that Cllr Jarrett has made. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/24X3ytxhom
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Now debating this report, that will allow councillors to be absent from meetings due to coronavirus related reasons up until May 2021. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/VKxWX6pzTA
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
ngl this is the first time we've covered full #MedwayCouncil in our pyjamas. pic.twitter.com/QqXQJn25Sk
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
We've finally made it to motions. Alas there are five of them. First one is this from Cllr Jarrett, proposing a cross party working group to review monuments, memorials, and historic markers in Medway. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/5HUlMkWbWg
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Jarrett says we've seen in other places "terrible examples of lawless and antisocial behaviour" and "criminal acts" "all in the name of Black Lives Matter". Stresses not in Medway, but that's still quite a claim. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Jarrett argues for a cross party group to discuss this issue instead of Labour's idea of a community task group so this can be argued in a calm and dispassionate manner. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Jarrett says he will ask for two further amendments to be withdrawn as they will be redundant if this motion passes. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple is proposing the following amendment to Cllr Jarrett’s motion. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/4SQnnMBF4b
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
We aren't going to win City of Culture with "vote for Medway, we have a racist car park", argues Cllr @vincemaple. Says changing car park name should be a straightforward idea. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Labour going in hard on the John Hawkins car park. Cllr @Harinder__Singh argues that the name shouldn't be on the car park for a minute longer than it takes to debate this motion. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
No @MedwayTories councillor offers any comment on the @MedwayLabour amendment. Unusual given they are usually more than happy to explain exactly why they won't vote for things. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Jarrett says he fears @MedwayLabour will "turn this into a circus". #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Fair play to Cllr Jarrett who just referred to Cllr Murray as "Cllr Mrs Murray" but then immediately corrected himself. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/BijSngupuz
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Jarrett says we have seen "a lynch mob mentality" in other parts of the country and it's hard to think of a more inappropriate analogy in this context. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Voting on @MedwayLabour amendment: @MedwayTories, Ind @SteveIles, Pendergast all vote to keep a car park named after a slave trader. @MedwayLabour councillors and Ind Cllr Sands vote to change the name. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple urges Cllr Jarrett to withdraw his "lynch mob" comment. Cllr Jarrett asks if it's okay to defile memorials to Churchill etc, which doesn't really seem like the point. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
"I certainly will not withdraw it. I thought long and hard before I used the term", says Cllr Jarrett, defending his use of the term "lynch mob" to refer to Black Lives Matter protestors. Utterly incredible, deeply offensive. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Absolutely hard to believe that anyone can think it's appropriate to use the term "lynch mob" in this context. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Holy shit. Cllr Etheridge now going into the history of the term "lynch mob" to seemingly argue that they don't have racist connotations. What the actual fuck? #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr @MartinMPotter now giving a dictionary definition of "lynch mob", calling the debate about this "virtue signalling nonsense". This is beyond grim. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Jarrett finally relents – "if it helps and it's offended people I'll withdraw the comment". #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Brake asks "would it be democracy?" if #MedwayCouncil had voted tonight to change the new of John Hawkins car park, seemingly not realising he's an elected councillor and how local authorities work.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Now voting on Cllr Jarrett's original motion.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
In favour: @MedwayTories, Ind @SteveIles, Pendergast
Abstain: @MedwayLabour and Ind Cllr Sands
Against: Cllr Etheridge, for some reason.
Next motion is this from Cllr Etheridge, which is slightly odd given @MedwayTories voted down a motion on modern slavery last year, but here we are. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/xVyXRg2c24
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Monster amendment proposed by @CllrAndyStamp to Cllr Etheridge's modern slavery motion. It is based on the previous motion that @MedwayTories voted to amend in January 2019. #MedwayCouncil https://t.co/CmoYiwCsbm
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
"More people were transported to the Muslim countries", argues Cllr Etheridge, which he apparently thinks is helpful in this discussion. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Such a bitter atmosphere in this meeting now, which is a pretty remarkable achievement given it's all being held remotely. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Gulvin – in a rare moment of clarity – says that this manner of discussion is not presenting #MedwayCouncil in a good light. No shit.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Murray accuses Cllr Etheridge of only putting forward his motion as a diversion and that he should withdraw his motion. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr @TurpinRupert is now speaking on this, and there is absolutely no way that can make this situation worse. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Cllr Jarrett says both parties are entrenched on this and suggests we should go to the vote. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
"It was never my intention to cause offence to anybody", says Cllr Etheridge, minutes after causing offence to lots of people. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
We're now voting on @CllrAndyStamp's amendment.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
For: @MedwayLabour
Against: @MedwayTories, Ind Cllrs @SteveIles, Sands
Abstain: Ind Cllr Pendergast
Amendment fails. Really surprising outcome there. #MedwayCouncil
Now voting on Cllr Etheridge's original motion.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
For: @MedwayTories, Ind Cllrs @SteveIles, Pendergast
Against: @MedwayLabour
Abstain: Ind Cllr Sands
Motion passes. Three more motions to go. #MedwayCouncil
Next motion is this bullshit from Ind Cllr Pendergast. We wouldn't bet on its chances. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/k5o5IwVG4y
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 16, 2020
Remarkably, Cllr Sands agrees to second the motion. So we're going to be here even longer as we have to properly discuss it now. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
Oh dear god, @cllrtrisosborne is submitting an amendment for fuck knows why. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
Don't know even know what @MedwayLabour are doing at this point but here's that @cllrtrisosborne amendment. Can't remotely fathom why this is needed but okay. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/QvHsBPO8Rc
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
Cllr Jarrett says he recommends that @MedwayTories support the amendment – "hopefully without much further debate". Everyone wants this to be over. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
Cllr Pendergast says he accepts the amendment. Still wants car park changed, but says Vera Lynn was just his idea and this plan works too. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
What a day for @cllrtrisosborne! #MedwayCouncil https://t.co/2tdbvvYNiZ
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
Amendment from @cllrtrisosborne unanimously accepted, despite the best interests of councillors leaving their mics on to ruin things. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
Fact: everytime there is a discussion on race at @medway_council the irony of a bunch of white Conservatives men telling BAME communities how they should behave, feel and respond is not lost. Tonight’s meeting has been an incredibly difficult one. #exhausted
— Naushabah Khan (@naushabah_khan) July 17, 2020
Next motion is this from Cllr @sijuwadeade. Some of this already covered by previous motions. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/pXaSIULDDL
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
It's nearly 1.30am and we've have been sitting in this meeting for almost six and a half hours now. On a weeknight. This system is not sustainable or good democracy. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
Holy shit. Cllr Kemp immediately launches into a tirade about people "feeling superior" and rabbles trampling statues. Seems to be trying to make some batshit point that we need a car park named after a slave trader to remind us that slavery is bad or something. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
"The answer will come from better education and not civil unrest." We've skimmed over Cllr @sijuwadeade's speech and we can't really see where she's called for some kind of violent uprising. Did we miss it in her speech? #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
We've been covering these meetings for seven years now, and this is absolutely the one with the worst level of racist, offensive, and wilful shithousery we have ever covered. Truly horrible stuff. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
I can't begin to explain the anger. I've tried to remain calm and not allow myself to get goaded into a reaction. People just waiting to call me 'emotional' or not 'dispassionate' enough. As if the right thing to do with slavery is not be passionately against it. Absolute shower. https://t.co/bumqgQUwe5
— Harinder Singh (@Harinder__Singh) July 17, 2020
Going to buy DoesMedwayStillHaveACarParkNamedAfterASlaveTrader dot com tomorrow. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
Now voting on Cllr @sijuwadeade's motion.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
For: @MedwayLabour, Ind Cllr Sands
Against: @MedwayTories, Ind Cllr Pendergast
Abstain: Ind Cllr @SteveIles
Motion fails. All very predictable. #MedwayCouncil
This is the crest of John Hawkins – England’s first slave trader.
— Vince Maple #VoteVince4NEC (@vincemaple) July 17, 2020
It is a black man tied in ropes.@MedwayLabour proposed that a Council car park has Hawkins name removed & the community involved in what is the alternative.
The Tories on Medway Council twice voted against it pic.twitter.com/209tLOr476
We've made it to the final motion of the evening! This from Cllr @naushabah_khan talks about Medway residents being placed in locations outside of Medway, following recently highlighted cases of residents being moved to Bradford. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/XiY2r8LhOf
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
Cllr Doe says he supports the thrust of motion, but says people are not forced to relocate and he would not be happy if he discovered #MedwayCouncil had.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
Cllr Doe now complaining about "dumping", which feels like a bad way to describe people being moved into the Medway area, however problematic the idea may be. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
It's the final vote! Voting on Cllr @naushabah_khan's motion, which is unanimously supported. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
..and with that, the worst #MedwayCouncil meeting we've ever covered comes to an end after a mere 7 hours and 2 minutes. pic.twitter.com/y5DXCuW6VH
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020
We'll try and pull it all together into something coherent and readable on the website tomorrow, and as always, if you'd like to buy us a coffee for doing this to ourselves, it would be very much appreciated. Goodnight folks. https://t.co/KN2KURXKvO
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) July 17, 2020