Owing to the untimely passing of Police & Crime Commissioner Bob Jones, the By-Election for his replacement until 2016, will take place on Thursday 21st August 2014 from 7am – 10pm.

The confirmed candidates for this top job with a salary of £100,000 per annum are:

David Jamieson   Labour

Les Jones           Conservative

Ayoub Khan        Liberal Democrat

Keith Rowe          UKIP

Just a small amount of background:

David Jamieson is a former Government Minister and in his later years a Solihull Councillor until May 2014.

Les Jones is the former Leader of Dudley Council.

Ayoub Khan is a Birmingham Barrister and for Birmingham Councillor and previous Candidate.

Keith Rowe is a Birmingham Businessman and Birmingham spokesman for UKIP.

This is what we have four men representing what is considered as the four main parties in the forthcoming elections.

Many may say that the barrier for people to stand for this important and powerful post is substantially higher, as there is a need for a deposit of £5000.00 for a nomination.

The elections take place on Thursday 21st August and it is vital that people do turn out and vote even should you be on holiday you can arrange a postal or proxy vote.

Here are some key dates for your diary:

 1.        Applications to be included in the register of electors must reach the relevant Electoral Registration Officer by Tuesday 5 August 2014, if they are to be effective for the election.

2.         Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes must reach the relevant Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday 6 August 2014.

3.         Applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the relevant Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday 13 August 2014.

4.         All applications to vote by proxy on relevant emergency grounds (disability occurring after 5pm on Wednesday 13 August 2014; grounds relating to applicant’s occupation, service or employment where the applicant became aware of those grounds after 5pm on Wednesday 13 August 2014; or detention under civil powers as a mental health patient) must reach the relevant Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Thursday 21 August 2014, if they are to be effective for the election.

Please remember there are seven election offices and you must approach your local one in the following areas:

Please click on the area in which you live for further information:

Birmingham        


Coventry                        

Dudley                    

Sandwell                                               

Solihull                      

Walsall                          

Wolverhampton             

You are also welcomed to attend our Public Hustings on Friday 15th August 2014 at The Drum Potters Lane Aston Birmingham B6 4UU Doors open 6.00pm – 9.00pm.

All candidates have been invited and it’s your opportunity to meet them and raise those all important issues that you will be seeking them to address. Also use it as an opportunity to see which Candidate may represent your interest effectively, in order for you to make that all important informed decision on 21st August.

The Electoral System being use will be the Supplementary Vote System  whereby you can vote for two candidates, making your first and second choices, for more information click here  

To secure your seat please book on eventbrite click here

 
Desmond Jaddoo
Founder & Organisor
Birmingham Empowerment Forum

Below are two emails sent to the Leader of Birmingham City Council Sir Albert Bore, which he has failed to respond to at present.


These are of the utmost interest to the people of Birmingham especially the poor and vulnerable that are currently relying on Foodbanks and also those being affected and placed into debt as the Bedroom tax begins to bite into the pockets of the poor, hence increasing their poverty.


I am disappointed as we have a Leader that claims he believes in transparency and accountability, but, apparently by ignoring my previous emails he is not demonstrating this.


In this one the reasons that many people do not go out to vote although they are registered, yet alone those that are not registered.


There is no excuse for these emails not to have been responded to by the City's Leadership and may I take this opportunity of reminding them that there are elections in 2014 for which they will be seeking the support of the public; oh I forgot they do need public support in order to secure office.


Its time to start holding Sir Albert and his non reflective Cabinet to account and he has a responsibility to respond to enquiries from the people of this City. All Politicians are accountable to the public and they must demonstrate this.


I believe that this type of behaviour is why we have low turnouts at especially local elections and why disaffection is so high.


Time for all Communities to Unite for Change and if Politicians feel that they are above the electorate then we must demonstrate to them that they are not by Electing new people from Our Communities that we can connect with. 


TIME FOR CHANGE TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT.


From: desjaddoo@hotmail.co.uk
To: albert.bore@birmingham.gov.uk
Subject: FW: Birmingham Housing & Local Welfare Provision
Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 10:19:47 +0100

Dear Sir Albert

Below is an email inquiry I sent to you on 15th May 2013.

I am disappointed not to have received a response as yet. This is an important issue with the increase of poverty and the reliance of Foodbanks in this City. 

Furthermore, there needs to be a strategy to deal with the increasing housing crisis and the pressure's faced by people in Social Hosuing.

I would welcome an early response.

Regards

Desmond Jaddoo
Organisor
Birmingham Empowerment Forum

From: desjaddoo@hotmail.co.uk
To: albert.bore@birmingham.gov.uk
Subject: Birmingham Housing & Local Welfare Provision
Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 09:33:11 +0100

15th May 2013

Sir Albert Bore

Leader Birmingham City Council

The Council House

Birmingham B1 1BB                                     By Email

Dear Sir Albert

Housing Issue & Local Welfare Provision

 

As you are aware this City has been facing a major housing crisis and this is now being compounded by the bedroom tax.

I have noted that you have not reinstated the Housing portfolio in the Cabinet as a stand alone function, taking onto consideration that the Housing Revenue Account is ring fenced. As a former Housing Officer I believe that a dedicated and strategic approach is needed in this area and I would urge you to reinstate this post into your Cabinet as it is urgently needed.

The Housing Crisis in this City will only worsen and the reliance on the private sector will increase and place greater financial burden on benefits as the rents are substantially higher and some property conditions leave a lot to be desired. We must also remember the human factor in Housing taking into consideration the recent suicide in Solihull.

I would urge your consideration on this matter.

Furthermore, can you please update me as to where the City is in terms of the Local Welfare Provision and the expanding of arrangements with other outlets part from Asda.

The City needs to deal with this matter as there are various cultures and religions in this city and Asda does not cater for all of them. Furthermore, there is still the question of value for money and accessibility.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Desmond Jaddoo

Organisor

Birmingham Empowerment Forum

Is the FA Committed to Tackling Racism in Football?

In November 2013 there was anti-Semitic gestures and mocking from West Ham fans toward Tottenham fans during a game at White Hart Lane.

Another incident occurred that was filmed by sky sports showing Millwall fans racially abusing El-Hadji Diouf of Leeds United.

Both Clubs gave assurances that they would act swiftly and impose life bans on fans showing this type of bigoted behaviour.

Unfortunately the FA once they were made aware and following an investigation; no further action would be taken against both Clubs.                                                                    

They issued a statement that said: “No charges are to be issued to either club in relation to these isolated incidents.”

However they also added: “The FA advises that consideration will be given to taking disciplinary action against both West Ham United and Millwall if further reports of spectator misconduct are received.”

Is this really showing a commitment to tackling this type of behaviour?

The FA must appreciate that many football stadiums are located in highly populated BME communities, which will impact upon the local residents also.

Following the FIFA announcement last week one would have thought that the FA would have at least closed a stand at each ground or even order a game to be played behind closed doors, bearing in mind that these incidences are regularising themselves.

It would appear that Racism is not an important part of the agenda and would beg the point, as to why there are promotional shirts and various campaigns, demonstrates mere window dressing and no real substance towards tackling this issue which is not just with football but also sport and society, in my opinion.

There are independent groups such as Race for Sport that are willing to work with the FA in order to develop solutions to this alarming issue, by way of not only punishment but also dialogue and re-education as appropriate.

I believe this was an opportunity for the FA to make a clear statement by its actions. In this case ‘Do Nothing’.

Desmond Jaddoo

Organisor

Birmingham Empowerment Forum