COUNCILLOR CATCHES FLACK FOR TALKING SENSE ON KNIVES - citizenstuart

COUNCILLOR CATCHES FLACK FOR TALKING SENSE ON KNIVES

For the last few months on and off, I've been reading the blog of the recently elected Councillor for Pontefract Northt, Philip Thomas. Philip's a pretty sound guy, a libertarian in all but name, but for some reason he's a member of the Conservative Party (we all make mistakes).
Not long ago, Philip wrote a very sensible post on the subject of knives and knife crime (to summarise: knives aren't the problem, violent scumbags are, so let's find ways to deal with the scumbags). Anyone of good sense will agree with this - naturally the statist borderline illiterates at the Daily Mirror don't, and they have printed a typical tabloid smear piece slagging off Philip for his common sense post. The whole thing seems to have escalated, with the local press and radio getting involved and calls for Philip's resignation/sacking coming from Labourites and "Lib" Dems. On the other hand, quite a few real people seem to be supporting him, including Yours Truly. I hope Philip doesn't end up being pressurised into issuing some kind of apology - my impression of his character based on his writing is that he probably won't, although I'm sure he'll get some grief from some in his own party.
Personally I think we need more politicians like Philip - politicians who don't mind thinking outside the statist box and talking sense, and who regard the voters as responsible adults, not sheep to be herded about. If you feel the same way, why don't you pop along to Philip's blog and leave a message of support?
Hat tip to the Lib Dem Lib "geo-mutualist" blogger Jock Coats for bringing this one to my attention, by the way.

9.8.08 16:41

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Philip Thomas / Website (12.11.08 21:35)
Just did a search for myself on google and found this old article about little ol' me. Hope you are well. I tell you this thing just keeps on going. I wish I was only controversial in one aspect but unfortunately suggesting that people can do what they like as long as it doesn't hurt others is a recipe for outrage.

Ha ha.

Anyway, thanks for the support. I apologised to Lyn Costello for being a bit clumsy with my phrasing and I was happy to because I was. I pointed out in the apology that she does tend to go around insulting other people and that perhaps that was also inappropriate. Blogging is informal but everyone takes what politicians say sooooo seriously. It kills democracy dead, I swear. Cheerio, Phil.