Star date: 25th April 2019

WEASTE COUNCILLOR WHO IS STANDING IN ELECTION TOLD TO HAND IN I.T. EQUIPMENT AND GIVEN RETIREMENT GIFTS

Weaste Councillor Paul Wilson, who resigned from the Labour Party in February citing 'moral corruption', and has since represented constituents as an Independent, was "angry and disappointed" when he was handed a 'retirement' certificate and gift, despite standing for re-election at next week's local council election.

He was also told to hand back his Council IPad, used for residents' casework, yet other Labour and Conservative councillors standing for re-election don't have to hand anything back and do not receive retirement gifts... "It's crazy" says Councillor Wilson.

Full details here...

"It doesn't show equality. It's just arrogance..." Councillor Paul Wilson

Last February, Weaste and Seedley Councillor Paul Wilson resigned very publicly from the Salford Labour Party, citing 'moral corruption' and 'bullying', and has since sat as an Independent councillor. Indeed, Councillor Wilson is hoping to get re-elected at next week's local council election, standing for the Independents Alliance.*

However, Salford City Council has jumped the gun slightly, telling him to hand in his Council IPad, used to communicate with residents, and presenting him with some rather nice cut glass glasses and a retirement certificate thanking him for six years service...

"I came home from work one day and there was a certificate thanking me for my service and a pair of brandy glasses" Councillor Wilson recalls "I had made my intentions clear to the Council that I wasn't retiring; I was standing again and I've registered as a candidate.

"The Council has also taken my I.T. equipment off me as I had a Council IPad to answer emails" he explains "Fortunately I had my own personal equipment so I am still able to contact residents. I asked whether other councillors have had to hand back their equipment and was told they hadn't because they are standing again under the same party. But they could still lose the election in the same way that I could."

Councillor Wilson's official term of office, according to the Salford Council website, doesn't conclude until 2nd June this year.

"I was angry and disappointed that the Council was showing, I believe, allegiance to one particular party" he adds "If you're standing for a party that's fine, if you're standing as an Independent you're classed as retiring; it's crazy."

When Councillor Wilson stood for re-election as a Labour Party candidate last time, he didn't have to hand anything back, nor did he get a certificate and gift...

"It should be all or none, equal across the board" he argues "Whether you're standing for a party or not, you should be able to have resources to deal with casework up until the election results are announced. Not everybody will be in a position to have their own equipment to use and that in itself is disrespectful, it doesn't show equality. It's just arrogance."

Councillor Wilson is standing in the Weaste and Seedley ward for the Independents Alliance, vowing to hold Salford City Council and Salford Labour Party to account...

"I want more transparency, less deals behind closed doors and I'll be asking the questions that the public want to know, like where their council tax money is going" he says "I'm also standing on protecting green space.

"If re-elected I will be handing the glasses back" Councillor Wilson concludes, sardonically...

The full List of Candidates for Weaste and Seedley…

Barrie Fallows – UKIP, Javaid Hussain – Conservative; Andy Markham – LibDem; Guy Otten – Green; Madeline Wade – Labour; Paul Wilson - Independents Alliance

The Salford Star is fiercely independent and does not endorse any candidate.

The poll for Salford Local Election takes place on Thursday 2nd May 7am-10pm

For more background see also previous Salford Star article on candidates – click here

*See previous Salford Star article – Salford Labour Councillor Resigns From 'Morally Corrupt' Party During Explosive Council meeting – click here