WHY THE LEVESON INQUIRY IS IMPORTANT AND SO IS YOUR VOTE

http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/
http://www.gentlemenranters.com/#jd222


The great and the not so good are currently appearing before the Levison Inquiry at the High Court in London, it is an Inquiry into the media, phone hacking, and modern day journalistic standards generally.  You can follow the Inquiry link above and then go to 'evidence' to read what Hugh Grant and others have been saying. Then for light relief look at this posting by John Dale on http://www.gentlemenranters.com/#jd222

Having been elected a life member of the National Union of Journalists earlier this year (recognises 40 years membership - yes I did join at the age of 5!)  and briefly did a stint during the early days of Fortress Wapping - the home of the News of the World - I was asked by the Jeremy Sallis hosted BBC Cambridgeshire Breakfast Show to broadcast live on the Cambridge feed and give my thoughts on what has been happening.

During the interlude before the live transmission I wondered what would happen if the Localism Bill was fully applied to Peterborough City Council, and we could have a live streaming video of council meetings? (the whole lot including hardware could be set up for less than £20k per annum) I suspect council business would be speeded up, there would be no problems with the audio feed, everyone ( except Cllr Turnip, who after 8 months has yet to utter a word in full council ) would speak slowly and clearly.

The real business of council would be viewed by a wider public who would then begin to understand how the whole system works..... it will never happen of course unless you demand it at the coming elections but then you won't be able to vote unless you are properly registered and the time is running out .

Call the Town Hall fill in the forms for everyone in your household and get yourself  on the electoral register.... only 30% bother to vote, but if you don't vote then don't complain if the wrong person is elected and spends your community leader fund on sending Teddy Bears to China; or ever worse £1,800 on raised vegetable beds for infants!


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