How Westminster City Council handle criticism
It looks like as a direct result of Westminster’s Tory Councillor Danny Chalkley harassment letters the No To Bike Parking Fees forum was taken off line last week. Westminster City Council’s legal department had no problem with the forum continuing after coming to what was thought to be a mutual agreement with the No To Bike Parking Fees committee. But Councillor Danny Chalkley back tracked on Peter Large (Head of Westminster’s Legal Services) and his desire to see an end to the matter, and fired off his own threatening letters to the No To Bike Parking Fees committee.
Within hours of the No To Bike Parking Fees forum being taken off line, at least one other independent and unofficial forum had sprung up at www.torytax.com to offer the freedom to debate opposition to the unfair bike parking tax.
It seems that Councillor Danny Chalkley’s bungled attempt to stifle free speech has backfired yet again. His attempts to crush lawful and peaceful democratic protest has only persuaded others to speak out against this unfair tax of the ordinary hard pressed members of the voting public. Thanks to Councillor Chalkley anyone who wants to shop in Westminster on a scooter or motorcycle has been forced to dig deep into their pockets to pay Chalkley’s stealth tax. As the recession bites harder those on two wheels are choosing to spend their money in more enlightened council boroughs. So far Councillor Danny Chalkley’s tax has diverted over £2.2 million pounds from hard pressed Westminster retailers and in to the councils coffers.
Councillor Danny Chalkley’s letters have only served to anger and recruit more members of the voting public to oppose his Tory Stealth Tax. Long established and respected campaign group the BMF have condemned Chalkley’s outbusts, “This is serious defamation against the good character of the BMF” said BMF Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder.
How does Councillor Danny Chalkley still remain in office? We would be surprised if Councillor Barrow has not already called Danny Chalkley into the headmasters office, otherwise who knows what this loose cannon will say next to further damage Westminster City Council and promote the cause of the No To Bike Parking Fees protesters.
No To Bike Parking Fees main website
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Poor Danny. He’s caught between the accountants who want the extra millions to try and make up the money lost in Iceland, and a bunch of angry bikers who won’t shut up and go away. And he’s in the middle trying to save a career in the middle of a recession.
To paraphrase the request in his letter:-
“I strongly urge WCC to desist from actions which damage the West End economy. Your recent parking charge trial for motorcycles hinders hard pressed retailers and causes delay and inconvenience for many. These are not the actions of a responsible group. I call on you to cancel your trial before 31st March, which would inevitably help Londoners seeking to go about their business within the borough. I welcome you coming to listen to objections at the Built Environment Policy & Scrutiny Meeting, but even this is unnecessary and excessive. The meeting does not promote your arguments, and continuing the scheme will disrupt many Londoners with no part to play in the process.”
I am really angry to have been treated by Chalkley as a rogue. I have done nothing wrong and this man dares to call me a rogue! But who is he? How on earth has he got the right to insult motorcyclists? And he wants the 31st March demonstration to be called off? You are joking Mr Chalkley, NO WAY, you hear me, NO WAY!!
He may think he has blocked our way to getting rid of this evil tax but a 1000+ drops of fule will certainly destroy any objections he puts in the way.
If Chakly wont see he is beaten and let us park free then perhaps he will see 1000+ bikes as we park up for free outside Westminster Council office on 31st March.
[...] any coverage of the No To Bike Parking Taxes campaign. They first made legal threats against the campaigns forum resulting in it being taken down. Then they blocked their own staff from viewing the campaigns [...]