Despite the Prime Minister, David Cameron saying that the Government would ‘look favourably at any bids from the area for a Local Enterprise Zone’ during his visit to Stoke-on-Trent in April, this morning Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire woke to the news that it has missed on being granted a Local Enterprise Zone.
After the announcement of 11 Enterprise Zones in March it was announced that a second ‘competitive’ wave would be held in July. The 11 successful locations chosen from 29 applications for this second wave of Local Enterprise Zones announced this morning are
- Alconbury Airfield in Cambridgeshire
- Daresbury Science Campus in Runcorn
- Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent & Enterprise West Essex in Harlow
- Great Yarmouth in Norfolk & Lowestoft in Suffolk
- Humber Estuary Renewable Energy Super Cluster
- MIRA Technology Park in Hinckley Leicestershire
- Newquay AeroHub in Cornwall
- Northampton Waterside
- Rotherwas Enterprise Zone in Hereford
- Science Vale UK in Oxfordshire
- The Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus Airfield in Gosport
We are determined to do everything we can to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business.Enterprise Zones are a major step towards delivering this; cutting business taxes, easing planning restrictions and giving business the tools they need to invest and expand.
These new Enterprise Zones will be trailblazers for growth, jobs and prosperity throughout the country.
Too many of our towns and cities have been left behind, but the answer has never been to impose ineffective sprawling regional structures. It is local business and commerce that drive the private sector growth, jobs and wealth this country needs. This Government’s job is to foster local enterprise and create the conditions for businesses to thrive in. That is why low tax, low regulation Enterprise Zones are being planted across the country and will give businesses all the incentives they need to grow their local economy and create thousands of new local jobs.
The Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire Enterprise Zone was to be based at Etruria Valley, with specialised sites at Keele University Science Park and the Hadleigh Business Park at Blythe Bridge.
It was hoped that the LEZ would have delivered up to 115 hectares of prime development land ready to go for business, with capacity to create up to 10,000 jobs by 2015.
The first wave of Enterprise Zones saw
- Leeds
- Sheffield
- Liverpool
- Greater Manchester
- West of England
- Tees Valley
- North East
- The Black Country
- Derbyshire
- Nottinghamshire
- London
being given Local Enterprise Zone status.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Stoke-on-Trent in April this year,
You are not missing out on an enterprise zone. There will be an enterprise zone within the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP area, and we will be advised by the LEP as to where it will go.
Reaction
The Government Enterprise Zones will be a ‘shot in the arm for the British economy’
We have lost out and have to go it alone regardless of Cameron promising there would be one for this area.North Staffordshire needs jobs and investment. I supported the LEZ bid as did many others- from the Chamber of Commerce to the voluntary sector and lobbied all government ministers on this.
It had full cross party support including all MPs and Staffs County council all backing the Local Enterprise Partnership’s bid.
This government has abolished the regional development agencies but put nothing adequate in their place. It has gone back on its word for Stoke on Trent.
Eric Pickles says previous Enterprise Zones “set up a load of retail parks” – something which will not be seen with current set.
We are extremely disappointed at this news.Stoke-on-Trent needs jobs and private investments as we made that clear in our application to Government and our recently announced Mandate for Change. We will endeavour with or without Government help to make Stoke-on-Trent a ‘great working city’ to shout the message on the regional, national and global market we are very much open for business.
Of course this is a huge blow for us but we are determined to succeed.
We will be urgently asking for more details and feedback on this decision and exploring if there are any further opportunities for future Enterprize Zones or any other similar Government initiatives.
However the Enterprize Zone on its own was never going to be the solution. We need investment and expansion from the private sector and we are working hard to make this happen.
So Cameron lied. We’ll just have to work harder 2 bring new business to Nth Staffs despite no EZ. SoT has great assets to promote
Everyone in North Staffordshire will be disappointed and somewhat astonished this morning to find that the promises of the Prime Minister just before the local elections have been abandoned; we are not getting the promised Enterprise Zone. It is all the more frustrating that this announcement has been made while Parliament is in recess and so I must wait a couple more weeks before I can try to question the Prime Minister on his reasons for this u-turn. Given his usual form, I don’t expect any sort of proper answer from Cameron.While this is indeed a setback I know that our city and North Staffs have so much to offer businesses, from land and building availability to a fantastic workforce, with excellent road, rail, and air links into the bargain. I will continue to work with the City Council to approach potential businesses and of course support the Local Enterprise Partnership and North Staffs Chamber of Commerce in all our efforts to promote Stoke-on-Trent as the best place to come to set up businesses.
I am writing to the Business Secretary to see what other support government will make available but I think the message is a clear one – we must stand and fight alone, without the Tory-led government’s help. That means we must all now focus our efforts on singing the praises of Stoke-on-Trent and not allow anyone to talk down the area and those working to promote it.
We have a fight ahead but working together we can win and see North Staffordshire prosper.
Rob Flello MP
It is of course a huge disappointment that the government has let down Stoke on Trent. Despite the promises of manufacturing-led regeneration, David Cameron has decided to turn his back on one of the great industrial centres of Britain.I was sceptical of the LEP going for a three site bid when the application would have been better focussed simply on the Etruria site.
This round looked like a party political fix, rather than a clear enterprise zone priority.
That said, when parliament reconvenes, together with the other Stoke-on-Trent MPs, I will be seeking an urgent meeting with Vince Cable to understand their decision making process.
It really is beyond ridiculous to prioritise Oxfordshire and Hampshire above Stoke-on-Trent. But Stoke-on-Trent is bigger than this: we must create our own enterprise zone in the Etruria valley.
Great to see the North/ South balance corrected with the majority of the second awards being south of Birmingham (adds sarcastic curious smiley thing).
This government is clearly looking after it’s own.
Wow. A whole new article 12 days after the last one.
Yeah go me…
Council spokesman cant even spell enterprise !! Says it all.
[quote=Andi]Council spokesman cant even spell enterprise !! Says it all.[/quote]
Yep that was a direct C&P from the E-mail..
Warren thinks none of it is spelt correctly.
guess we shouldnt hold much hope for the regional griwth fund bids either then
The only enterprise zone in Stoke is the bookies.
Wednesday/York/3.40
Await the Dawn
Thursday/York/3.40
Blue Bunting.
Friday/York/3.40
Hoof It.
What is it with this area and expecting inward investment? A man named John Caudwell created several thousand jobs with locally generated businesses. I bet most of the jobs in the South-East are locally generated, not imported. Too busy expecting others to sort our problems out for us.
A lot of decisions were made in the South East which destroyed our local industries – is it really too much to expect replenishment from that area, i.e, London?
The elephant in the room is we’ll get nowt because we don’t vote Traitor or Tory.
Do we have any reason for the city’s non inclusion?
Anything to do with our Council’s reputation? (or lack of!)
OR what else was to be expected with a labour council and 3 labour MPs (note all new zones are tory/lib)
Thanks to Mps who worked hard to get it for us.
I don’t know the comments on the other two posts look like they’ve kept everyone busy. I would be nice to get such user interaction eh Mike
?
Oh come on Tonyjohnt you are being disingenuous, we were promised jobs would flood back when the BNP councillors were ousted.
You have to be patient and wait now.
Is disingenuous your new word for the day Terry? You do know that, at our age, for every new one you learn you forget one?
Nobody has dragged the British Nazi Party into this except you – reason being, they’re an irrelevance ’round here.
Get back to putting hamsters in a blender or whatever else it is you do for relaxation. Don’t pick on me, I’m always up for it!
I emailed Mike an article and Gary said he has sent one too.
Cut him some slack.
Like us all, he probably has a life outside PnP. We’re not all hanging on every word from you and the Great Elsby. Push the guy too far and we may just lose this site.
What then? The un-usable Sentinel and nazi lot!
Which decisions were these?
I agree with James, the area should be trying to generate it’s own wealth instead of expecting outside intervention all the time. There are local entrepreneurs but they seem few and far between (and tend, with exceptions, to be Asian).
Before terry jumps on me for dragging race into it I was “statin’ the bleedin’ obvious” as he likes to put it!!
Afternoon Dave…
“out-sourcing” (selling our jobs abroad to workers prepared to take a fraction of the pay and work under hazardous conditions).
Destroying “dirty” coal and relying on “clean” nuclear to settle a long standing score.
Just two examples, but they wrecked North Staffordshire.
[quote=tonyjohnt]Afternoon Dave…[/quote]
I’m going to have to put my foot down on this one, it’s David, or Mr Perry if you like.
[quote=tonyjohnt]“out-sourcing” (selling our jobs abroad to workers prepared to take a fraction of the pay and work under hazardous conditions).[/quote
Sound business decisions to increase profitability. Are you one of these deluded who believe businesses and public organisations exist to give people jobs? Were these decisions made in London? Or the boardrooms here, locally? Look at the old staple industries in this area, pottery, mining, steel, were any of these pleasant to work in? No. Look around you at all the industrial "diseases" round here caused by working in these places.
[quote=tonyjohnt]Destroying “dirty” coal and relying on “clean” nuclear to settle a long standing score.[/quote]
Nothing to do with coal being unprofitable at the time? Settling a long standing score? Isn’t that what Scargill was essentially doing? All he had to do was call a strike ballot and he’d have probably won. But no, he behaved in a dictatorial manner causing miners in some areas to say “f you Arthur, we staying at work”. Relying on nuclear? How many nuclear power stations are there in this country? The majority are still coal/ oil.
[quote=tonyjohnt]Just two examples, but they wrecked North Staffordshire.[/quote]
Nothing to do with not moving with the times?
usual non-constructive comment by ex councillor barnes
dont suppose we should expect anything really ?
Such negativity is what Stoke needs to overcome. do yourself and everyone else a favour and go rest your sorry head somewhere else ?
Wrong Mr.Perry by a million miles.
If the mining sector had the same financial subsidy that we gave to the nuclear industry in 1984, it would have allowed the entire workforce of the mining industry to stay at home on full pay plus overtime and the minining industry would have still made a massive profit.
Fact.
Love you Mr Perry…
“Moving with the times”? State Opening of Parliament, Black Rod and such nonsense? Un-elected Head of State… judges that still dress like Santa… hereditary Peers???
Oh no, it’s just the sheep who have to adapt or die.
Where was this heavy handed justice when the Elsby’s were caught with their rat claws in the till?
We need an effing Revolution!!!
You can stop talking sense for a start!
How are we gonna remain adversaries when you talk like that?
FYI
18 operational reactors
4 planned/on order
9 proposed
0 currently under construction
And FYI:
In a country this size and so densely populated only ONE has to go Pete Tonge to put us all in Soapy Bubble… you Plaster & Brick!
If you dont like it why dont you leave ?
FIRST: I can’t afford.
SECOND: Why should I? What makes you more British than me you arrogant sh!t?
Everything was wrong 2 years ago. Riots not withstanding… we’re a ‘Nation at peace with itself”?
Dream on Tory Boy. You can’t transport me yet! (But watch this space). Who’d have guessed these cnuts would come gunning for the internet?
I only gave a little info in answer to a question DP posed in his comment. Your reaction of abusive suggests you need go lie down in darkened room!
LOL.
Yes I’m sure he does, it sounds like you think I was criticising Mike Rawlins but I was only replying to Mike Barnes.
I sent in an articcle to help out and on a topical issue.
I can send many more but will they see the light of day?
If Tonyjohnt lets go of his bottle, he’ll rip his hair out.
Oh, the quiet “not me gov’ – you’ve over reacted” defence? You suggested I leave the land of my fathers and children because I dare to criticise it… it’s gonna take much more than that to get rid of me you Tebbit w@nk!
Nimrod. It’s come down to my drinking habits and hair?
Fool.
Not only would I never vote for such a tool, I’ll lend my services to defeating the fool where-ever/when-ever he raises his stupid head again!
ALL APOLOGIES!
There’s some difference between OUR Mike and THAT Mike!
Doesn’t take away the fact that we still predominantly generate electricity via fossil fuel and nuclear only accounts for 15-20% of our capacity. Look at a list of power stations aroun the UK an the vast majority are coal or gas. We’re not quite France who generate over 3/4 of theirs via nuclear.
So you got abusive with Andi because…? Grow up you amoebic little fecktard.
[quote=tonyjohnt]Love you Mr Perry…[/quote]
Thanks but I’m a more of a lumpy jumper, hairy fish pie kinda guy!!
[quote=tonyjohnt]“Moving with the times”? State Opening of Parliament, Black Rod and such nonsense? Un-elected Head of State… judges that still dress like Santa… hereditary Peers???[/quote]
What’s wrong with ritual and ceremony? I think you’ll find that many countries still have what you’d consider outmoded practices. If you look at orderly societies like Japan and Korea (as opposed to the free-for-all that has become the UK) you’ll find they are steeped in ritual and ceremony.
An unelected head of state who performs a primarily ceremonial role? Cameron, Brown, Blair, Thatcher, would you really want them as an elected head of state? Do you really want a US style president, or an idiot like Sarkozy as H-o-S? Does everything have to be elected?
I find politically I get the most sense out of the life peers, you know the ones with ‘real world’ experience like Lord Guthrie or Stevens, the ones who don’t feel the need to spout s&ite for a popularity contest.
What relevence is how judges dress in relation to performing their task? Again, it’s part of ritual and ceremony, if it doesn’t need to change for the function to be performed why change it?
The vast majority of hereditary peers are now excluded courtesy of the House of Lords Act 1999, you really must keep up with the times!!
[quote=tonyjohnt]Oh no, it’s just the sheep who have to adapt or die.[/quote]
If that’s how you view yourself…
[quote=tonyjohnt]We need an effing Revolution!!![/quote]
Yeah right, like you’re going to freeze your nads off and get wet dodging bullets!!
Nope, we were told that having BNP councillors was just one thing putting investors off. There are other factors so getting rid of the BNP from the council chambers merely meant one less box to tick for not relocating to the area. Once none of the boxes are being ticked….
19 operational @ 9 different locations.
Abusive and fecktard used in the same post.
Andi told me to leave the land of my fathers! Dunno about you Mr Perry, but that’s fighting talk where I come from!
[quote=Gary Elsby]Wrong Mr.Perry by a million miles.[/quote]
In what way? That most of our electricity generation is still coal/ gas? That the mines were considered unprofitable? That Scargill called a strike without consulting his members behaving like a dictator? That businesses exist to make money and public bodies to perform a function, not simply to give work to people?
The trouble with you lefties (and far-righties in Terry and co’s case – actually they’re just lefties who worship a piece of cloth and hate black people) is you don’t live in the real world and expect everything to be handed to you on a plate. The world isn’t like that, if you want it, you have to get it yourself, maybe even fight for it. Just like as an area, what’s stopping Stoke generating it’s own wealth, creating it’s own jobs, instead of this constant moaning about lack of investment and lobbying by local politicians.
[quote=Gary Elsby]If the mining sector had the same financial subsidy that we gave to the nuclear industry in 1984, it would have allowed the entire workforce of the mining industry to stay at home on full pay plus overtime and the minining industry would have still made a massive profit.
Fact.[/quote]
Relevence? Where’s this even come from? At no point did I support nuclear. Nuclear still only accounts for less than a fifth of our generating capacity. The mines were closed because at the time they were unprofitable.
However, even if the nuclear industry was subsidised, if mining had been treated the same way the country would so far in debt China would own the pants we wear given the comparative sizes of the industries at the time.
However, if someone had done something wholly un-British and thought ahead they’d merely have been mothballed rather than filled in. The cheap imported coal stopped being cheap when the supplies started running out, in the same way quite a number of the mines closed over the years because the seem was exhausted.
It doesn’t take a geologist to work out that a coal seem (just like a gas/ oil field) is finite and will one day run out. Therefore an alternative energy source is needed in the long run. Hence why France is overwhelmingly nuclear (until a cleaner, renewable energy source like nuclear fusion becomes available).
Just playing you at your game.
Those who bang on about fighting and fighting talk invariably just talk about it. Just ask Mr Pond.
I’m an Abbey Lad… no semantics with the likes of you about fighting!
As I recall, this thread began with Andi and you claiming we must adapt or die? What BS.
This regime don’t want us to adapt! They want us to do as we’re told. How are “the Party of Enterprise” helping us?
But we are sitting on an almighty lump of coal Mr Perry.
Don’t even try to tell me our 2% of global economic output should give a toss about the environment.
How have I ended up on the same side as the Turbonater and Great Elsby?
[quote=tonyjohnt]I’m an Abbey Lad… no semantics with the likes of you about fighting![/quote]
Yawn, talking about it again. So you’re a member of a boxing gym? Dojo?
[quote=Tonyjohnt]As I recall, this thread began with Andi and you claiming we must adapt or die? What BS.[/quote]
So it’s not possible for those from humble origins to become movers and shakers by moving with the times? Lord Sugar, John Caudwell, Duncan Bannatyne and others don’t exist?
[quote=Tonyjohnt]This regime don’t want us to adapt! They want us to do as we’re told. How are “the Party of Enterprise” helping us?[/quote]
See above. Those mentioned adapte and are now very comfortable thank you very much. What exactly do you, Terry, Pondo, Gary etc… have to show for “fighting the system”?
I’m so glad some of you are comfortable… I really am!
Sod everyone else eh?
My word… you work hard!
No arguing tho’ is there Mr Perry?… you know it all you clever sod!
[quote=tonyjohnt]But we are sitting on an almighty lump of coal Mr Perry.[/quote]
How do propose we get it out? Last time I checked most of the local mines were built over. What’s built over Hem Heath? Nationally quite a number of mines closed down post-1945 simply because the seem was exhausted, for example Tower Colliery in Hirwaun, Wales in 2008.
[quote=tonyjohnt]Don’t even try to tell me our 2% of global economic output should give a toss about the environment.[/quote]
So the environment, and essentially our habitat and food supply don’t mean diddly? If generate ‘wealth’ but destroy our living space and food sources is it worth it?
Is this 2% our share of world coal reserves? Not even close. In 2007 we were the 22nd largest producer in the world with 0.3% of the world’s output. However, our reserves are less than 0.1% of the estimated for the whole world. The US, China, Russia and India between them have 2/3rds of the world’s coal reserves. They’ve hardly even tapped into what they’ve found. It’s a supply and deman thing, if they’ve got huge supplies then their prices are going to be comparatively lower.
[quote=tonyjohnt]How have I ended up on the same side as the Turbonater and Great Elsby?[/quote]
So you’ll be quoting Enoch Powell and whinging about East European workers in the near future!!
In other words you can’t think of a response?
No, just those who refuse to help themselves and wallow in self pity. Believe me if it was sod everyone else I wouldn’t have done half the things I’ve done.
Or can’t be arsed?
What about those who can’t help themselves Mr Perry?
Sod them? Leave them to it? Devil take ‘em? Do you have a clue what ‘society’ means? I know you do.
Google is your friend Mr Perry.
Rest assured, I will remain the crack-pot of the Left. You just sound worryingly like a Tory sometimes.
The 2% was our economic activity. Coal has nowt to do with it.
Keep up Davey Boy!!!!
Dan 1 Shukokai. Why have we gone incredibly thin? Martiini…anytiime…any place… any where…
LMAO!
Not even YOU can get away with “lumpy jumper”… girls – have him!!!
[quote] So the environment, and essentially our habitat and food supply don’t mean diddly? If generate ‘wealth’ but destroy our living space and food sources is it worth it?[/quote]there is also the same risks from growing bio fuels. and solar farms.where soon closed down by lowering the feed tarrif.
the energy suppliers are also fightin to remain with chaper coal .stations
and if gov does force them down nuclear route the cost will be afded to billscwhich we cant afford as it is.
just saying not offering solution no idea we cant even affird to re nationlise
FFS! Ian rescues me… who’d have put money on that?
Should be Turbanhater?
…’cause the other columns take up the rest of the screen and there are multiply nested replies…
So either it’s an incredibly interesting debate or you’ve resorted to hurling abuse at each other – the latter I think.
“Last time I checked most of the local mines were built over. What’s built over Hem Heath?” Yes new housing obviously and in the midst of that estate a great big vent to let the gases out of the mine.
I don’t buy the argument there’s not much down there.
What’s going on in that house in Allerton Road that the coal people have closed off?
What does that mean?
Laugh Out Loud?
All’s you and Pondlife talk about is hate – not too many smiles.
Come over to the light side… never too late Terry…
Anyone can find the info, some simply choose to, to back their argument instead of making sweeping comments without evidence.
I always thought David Perry WAS a Tory? Read some of the arguments he had with Shaun several months ago and he was making comments about it being bad enough them letting “oiks” into the party but having one as local Deputy Chairman was a step too far, or words to that effect.
Tony, the Tory party covers a broad spectrum from the One Nation on the left, to the Monday Club types on the extreme right. Likewise, you find quite a number of Lib-Dems who concur with some of the Tory economic policies.
[quote=Ian Norris][quote] So the environment, and essentially our habitat and food supply don’t mean diddly? If generate ‘wealth’ but destroy our living space and food sources is it worth it?[/quote]
there is also the same risks from growing bio fuels. and solar farms.where soon closed down by lowering the feed tarrif.[/quote]
Ian, he never said there wasn’t. You’re inadvertently backing his argument over environmental issues. Read the part of David’s post you’ve quoted again and you’ll see what I mean.
[quote=Ian Norris]the energy suppliers are also fightin to remain with chaper coal .stations[/quote]
He never said they weren’t.
[quote=Ian Norris]and if gov does force them down nuclear route the cost will be afded to billscwhich we cant afford as it is.[/quote]
Which is relevent, how?
[quote=Ian Norris]just saying not offering solution no idea we cant even affird to re nationlise[/quote]
If this was intended to counter Mr Perry it falls way short and actually backs his environmental comments up.
David Perry makes a sensational case out of a poorly researched answer.
1. Arthur Scargill did not call a strike. Miners went on strike regardless of Scargill and other areas came out in sympathy.
2. We sit on 300+ years of coal here in Stoke-on-Trent, of all places,and we have a massive generational eterprise consisting of hi-tech careers awaiting us to tap into it.
No need for a car plant to be delivered.
3. The knock on effect of a mine is a hundred fold from back office staff to highly skilled mining engineers. The supply chain throughout any industry you care to name if literally phenominal.
4. Th newer modern ‘clean coal technology’ raises the prospect of a electricity power plant being built on top of that 300 years supply of coal (here in S-o-T)creating yet another industry that we have never had here.
5. Isn’t it fun creating thousands of jobs here in Stoke-on-Trent for all of our unemployed youth smashing up our streets and making it a cost positive case for two independent industries that this Country cannot afford not to have.
“here in Stoke-on-Trent for all of our unemployed youth smashing up our streets” – Gary
No the Labour council of Stoke had a riot and called it regeneration !
[quote=Gary Elsby]David Perry makes a sensational case out of a poorly researched answer.
1. Arthur Scargill did not call a strike. Miners went on strike regardless of Scargill and other areas came out in sympathy.[/quote]
Some in Yorkshire did on 5 March 1984, no more than 6,000. However, 12 March, Arthur Scargill, declared that the strikes in the various coal fields were to be a national strike and called for strike action from NUM members in all coal fields. Others walked out in sympathy, many others carried on working. Where was the ballot for all out industrial action? Where was the consultation of union members? You know the same lack of consultation by management that workforces moan about? Maybe if they’d had a ballot for all out industrial action Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and S Derbyshire might have come out instead of working and then forming a breakaway union? Like I said before, for the sake of a ballot the miners could have probably won.
[quote=Gary Elsby]2. We sit on 300+ years of coal here in Stoke-on-Trent, of all places,and we have a massive generational eterprise consisting of hi-tech careers awaiting us to tap into it.
No need for a car plant to be delivered.[/quote]
Surely that would depend on rate of extraction? Says who?
[quote=Gary Elsby]3. The knock on effect of a mine is a hundred fold from back office staff to highly skilled mining engineers. The supply chain throughout any industry you care to name if literally phenominal.[/quote]
Never said otherwise. Again, someone else who makes counter points to a point that wasn’t there in the first place.
[quote=Gary Elsby]4. Th newer modern ‘clean coal technology’ raises the prospect of a electricity power plant being built on top of that 300 years supply of coal (here in S-o-T)creating yet another industry that we have never had here.[/quote]
Another counter point to a point that wasn’t there in the first place. Fine in theory, wait till the nimbys come out the woodwork.
[quote=Gary Elsby]5. Isn’t it fun creating thousands of jobs here in Stoke-on-Trent for all of our unemployed youth smashing up our streets and making it a cost positive case for two independent industries that this Country cannot afford not to have.[/quote]
Can’t argue with that. So why isn’t it happening? Who’s going to make it happen? Where’s the startup coming from? Are you relying on public money? Didn’t John Caudwell do just that and everyone vilified him for it? Sorry, he was a success story wasn’t he, can’t have people doing that?
Love it!!
True true, so very true.
According to Mark Meredith, we have thousands of new jobs here, thousands of new jobs there and it is fantastic that a wharehouse is built 40 miles away.
He also continues to never apologise for Millions of pounds not being spent regenerating the City centre.
Have pity on the average Labour paper Councillor who knows no different or no alternatives to the nonsense that comes out of this Cabinet full of ex- Mayors.
But the Great Elsby is talking sense.
Give people REAL ( not Pets at Home ) jobs if want an end to Little Britain.
it wasnt counter arguement no.
only quoted. as both coal n alternative are risks to land usage
how is cost not relevant to decisions. gov may be willing to alliw it to be past on but will energy suppluets simply move to cou methodsntries that offer chesper methids
Don’t argue about the miner’s strike… he knows his sh!t!!!
Hello DAVE – you’re my wife now!
I think you’ll find that miners of 1984 did not accept that Tories had the best interests of the miners at heart and refused to pander to balloting on one anothers jobs. This is why some mines immediately went on strike. it’s not perfect but that is how it happened.
The Nottingham coalfields were historically notorious for strike breaking and as it turns out, they were a pawn in Thatcher’s plans for the demise of the Industry even though they were promised preferential treatement by the Tories.
They lied.
If I am not mistaken, the coalfields of North Staffordshire hold the record for an annual extraction in the UK, so the proof of delivery exists to this day.
Sure, the nimbys would come out, as they come out if a chip shop wants to open up the street, but we are talking of thousands upo thousands of hich-tech, high paid jobs being created.
No contest by the masses.
The reliance of public money funding a clean burn power plant exists in theory due to the ‘mix’ of energy generation that this Country has as its policy of new and renewable energy generation.
Stoke-on-Trent has all the aces in its hand and no other area can surely have the edge over us.
Could the reason why the Govt have ignored SoT is that they know we’d just f**k it up?
Stand back Ian – I’ll take this tosser on.
Environmental damage? You might not see it, smell it or taste it but it’s lethal for 10,000 years!
I’d hate to come ’round your house and look under the carpet.
Such faith in our old town. Just guessing Mr Harvey – but not much luck with the ladies?
Thought not…
He doesn’t seem to realise you can go sideways, zig-zag and do all kinds of sh!t to get at coal.
Still… dirty coal! What would the trees and blue whales think if Staffordshire started mining again?
It’s not a vent, it’s a 2MW electricity generating power plant.
One thing, with a face like mine it pays to be realistic…
You don’t make the best of a bad job though, do you bud?
Can you make your mind up. Are you bothered by the environmental damage, yes or no? Each one of your responses gives a different answer.
God, I love you woman!
Meanwhile, back to the original story, Stoke has missed out on a Local Enterprise Zone. In the same way it wasn’t on the list of potential locations for relocating Civil Service jobs out of London (re: Lyons report 2007, link posted on story about e-petition). A lot of things seem to bypass this area and go elsewhere despite endless lobbying. Answers on a postcard…
Like the smoking ban? The one area of the country that couldn’t even implement something that simple correctly. And they wonder why the M6 is a dirty great bypass…
I think we should stop beating ourselves up. China and India kind of make us irrelevant. Go for it full throttle I say… something has got to pay for pensions.
Did you know Shetlanders refused to let the middle-class London kids from Green Peace in? They didn’t want all that detergent – knowing full well the rough seas would do the job. Even went to extremes like parking tractors on runways.
Look after your own health and environment… stay well away from me and mine… I know you probably mean well…
Is it the Tonyjohnt effect ?
You’re probably all for the smoking ban aren’t you our Health Fascist of repute?
Nevermind if it’s destroyed a once thriving industry… at least they’re not coughing in the dole office. Lend us more of your wisdom Mr Perry – we just can’t get enough. If you would lower yourself to be council leader, I just know we’d be safe as houses. (No fat people for a start).
Don’t even try mate.
Good to see you smile !
If Rob Flello’s seat had fell to James Rushton of the Conservative Party, we would have won funding.
A Labour Government is proven not to reward 100% loyalty in Parliament or the Council.
Let’s be honest, if you were Cameron in a fledgling Government hanging by a three year thread, would you send scarce resources to a Labour strong-hold or would you shore up defences elsewhere?
Our failure is in-built and there is no other simpler way to explain it.
If you quit now, I’ll forget it
I said as much in an earlier post Mr Elsby…
But what do you suggest? We sell our souls for whatever crumbs these w@nkers drop from the table? I will die fighting these cnuts.
Look mate, if you think I’m ugly, just come out and say it. Stop pussyfooting around.
DAMN! YOU’RE UGLY!!!
Sorry George, but judging by that photo, someone threw an ugly grenade at you and it went off in your face!
It’s like your face was on fire and somebody tried to put it out with a cricket bat!
How can anyone be so ugly and only have one head?
Hope I haven’t given you a complex or anything.
I was OK about it until someone with beer goggles like lighthouse lenses told me I was ugly, then it did begin to bother me a bit…
Guess I’ll just go find a bucket to put me head in.
Put your feet in and your head under the handle… then I can hit you with a plastic bat until you say “Please Daddy, no more!”.
Sh!t… I’ve just given loads away… haven’t I?
So by that logic you’re opposed to peace because it would mean the end of the arms industry and put service personnel out of a job? Or criminality because it would mean we didn’t need police and prison staff?
If people like him and terry are indicative of the average Stokie, then yes!!
Is that what people like Duncan Bannatyne, John Caudwell, Lord Sugar et al said when they were growing up on the not so leafy areas they grew up in? I’m pretty sure some of government politicians like David Davis also grew up in less leafy surroundings. Or do you persist in this rubbish that everyone who is wealthy was born with a silver spoon in their mouth?
I have no probs with anyone being wealthy – just so long as everyone has enough. I think it’s called ‘old school’. And stop tarring me with the same brush (irony) as Terry… there ARE limits!
Anyone who hero worships Caudwell and Sugar is suspect. They’re the pattern we should all be following?
Andi did!!!
Well, you’re showing your true colours buddy. You might hate the racist scum as much as me, but if you’re Tory SCUM… go fcuk yourself. It ain’t a game to me!
Keep up Tony I posted this yesterday
Fighting for Peace is like screwing for virginity?
Your empty arguments don’t impress me Mr Perry. I’m sure the wife and kids are bowled over.
Knob…
I swear you’re making it up as you go along… what day are we on Andi?
Think before you answer. Keep sucking Mr Perry’s d!ck… me, the Turbanhater and Great Elsby are just thick!
If we followed your route, we’d all have loads of money but wouldn’t afford any of our fellow human beings any respect.
Never could’ve guessed you are Tories.
Is it being a Labour supporter that makes you so bitter that you have to constantly resort to abuse ?
[quote=tonyjohnt]Anyone who hero worships Caudwell and Sugar is suspect. They’re the pattern we should all be following?[/quote]
Surely that’s called aspiration?
[quote=tonyjohnt]Fighting for Peace is like screwing for virginity?[/quote]
Where did that even come from? Also think that piece of leftie thinking through, it’s flawed. You get peace once the fighting has stopped, however once virginity has gone, it’s gone.
If we’d had people like you around in the 40s we’d all be speaking German (or Russian) and our Jews/ gypsies/ political undesirables/ homosexuals would have been marching to the gas chambers and ovens, just like the rest of Europe. There’s only so far you can turn the other cheek. As Demosthenes said “Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a new master”.
On the other hand it doesn’t mean we go looking for it like with Iraq and Libya.
[quote=tonyjohnt]Your empty arguments don’t impress me Mr Perry. [/quote]
Let’s rewind shall we:[quote=tonyjohnt]You’re probably all for the smoking ban aren’t you our Health Fascist of repute?
Nevermind if it’s destroyed a once thriving industry… at least they’re not coughing in the dole office[/quote]
So your argument was that if we all became healthy and stopped smoking, it would destroy a “once thriving industry”. So my response was:
[quote=me]So by that logic you’re opposed to peace because it would mean the end of the arms industry and put service personnel out of a job? Or criminality because it would mean we didn’t need police and prison staff?[/quote]
So I logically gave two further examples where unhealthy behaviour creates industry and jobs and challenged you to support them as well as the tobacco industry!! Quite where the “fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity” fits into all this I’m not quite sure. However, I’m sure some of your broken cogs might be able to figure it out!!
[quote=tonyjohnt]Knob…[/quote]
Resorting to insults now. I’ll just have to treat you like Terry from now on. Shaun’s definitely gone up several pegs compared to you pair.
Tony, do yourself a favour, like so many others in this area need to do, lose the chip off your shoulder. Blaming everyone else for what’s wrong, and trying to bring people down won’t make your life any better.
For your information, as far as party politics goes, I’ve become apolitical, Camoron is at least one step too far. Particularly the way he’s treated our protectors, the forces and the police.
The great “chip on your shoulder” argument? Love it!
Apolitical… another one scoundrels use – why am I feeling like that w@nker who narrates Come Dine With Me?
Knob.
We don’t have to be clever all the time sweetheart xxx.
That’s what you might choose to call it…
So, in your world we’ve all got shed-loads of money but talk to each other like we’re sh!t?
You’re fired!
An insult and coming out the closet all in one, I’m impressed!!
[quote=tonyjohnt]That’s what you might choose to call it…[/quote]
What would you call it? I’m sorry, but is there actually something wrong with building a business from scratch and turning into it a £bn enterprise?
[quote=tonyjohnt]So, in your world we’ve all got shed-loads of money but talk to each other like we’re sh!t?[/quote]
How do the two even tie together? Are you really trying to tell me that the financially better off you are the ruder you become? Christ, I’d hate to be around if Pondo won the lottery on your planet!!!
[quote=tonyjohnt]You’re fired![/quote]
Er, it’s a TV show and that’s a catchphrase!!
I suspect if there is ever a Pits N Pots meet up the organisers would be sent to jail for 4 years for inciting a riot
It’s not even funny! 4 years for talking sh!t on a website? None of us are safe! The Turbos have truly overtaken the asylum. Modern Britain is Ace!
God bless you Mr Cameron!
They dusted Tebbit off the other day… why isn’t that w@nker dead?
Half an hour slagging off single parents and the ‘client state’ not once did he mention low pay.
The fight-back is coming you Tory whores!
No, it was 4 years for genuinely trying to get a riot started. By that logic Pondo is merely “‘avin’ a larf and a joke” when, for all intents and purposes, he suggests attacking Labour activists on his blog – not inciting violence. Please, can we stop the double standards!!
Once you’ve dragged yourself away from the bottle?
The quoting everyone to throw it back in their face ruse is wearing thin DAAAAVE!!!
You invoke these capitalist w@nkers then shun them? I agree Mr Perry – it’s just a TV show!
My sexuality is my business… for the record I’m straight and if I wasn’t… I’d say!
Hardly a ruse, merely pulling the cr&p you spout apart with a fine toothcomb. Let’s be honest, it’s not hard.
Invoking then shunning? Invoking maybe, shunning, how? Please enlighten me as to how your booze addled brain comes to these ridiculous conclusions? Capitalist w@nkers? So much for their charity work then? Or are you going to be cynical and say that it’s all business publicity? In that case, why did Caudwell sell up and devote his entire time to his charity?
But you did say you were, by calling me calling me sweetheart!!
“What time is it”? Asked the judge to Joey, when they met…
Five to ten says Joey – the judge says that’s exactly what you get…
Maybe because he’s ten times richer than God?
You really don’t get this money thing do you? If my bank account was earning £2million a week, I’d be a big one for charity you cock!
But they’re our heroes… surely you won’t argue with that?
Logic over emotion? I sh!t you not!
I predict a riot… gonna lock me up now you right wing cretin?
For too long (already) you tossers have been the bosses!