1 September - Reform UK has combined two branches to form a single Bexley Branch
Friday’s blog got me into a little bit of trouble,
totally unjustified in my opinion. I had received copies of
messages which appeared to come from an Old Bexley and Sidcup Reform source or I
suppose from someone who has suitable contacts with them. I personally do not
know anyone who is a member of OB&S Reform unless perhaps supporter James Hunt
has joined after telling me several months ago that he hadn’t.
The Bexleyheath and Crayford Branch, that is a couple of their members, has
asked me a few questions about Bexley’s history but my contacts with them are
few. That said, the OB&S messages were to and from names that I recognised and
one was very unhappy about the merger. Reasons were given but to state them here might be
enough to identify my source to those in the know.
Very soon after posting the blog I received an X Direct Message from a Reform
supporter to say he had seen the same or similar email to mine and confirmed the OB&S
Chairman who he names was not a Happy Bunny having been displaced by Tom Bright from the Crayford branch.
Until that point in 16 years of blogging I have only once been accused of making
things up, by Daniel Francis MP as it happens but nothing on BiB is ever an
invention. The point may be missed occasionally, finance is a problem for me, but everything is firmly based on truth.
For that reason I was not at all pleased to have Tom Bright,
erstwhile Chairman of
Bexleyheath and Crayford Reform UK, tell me I was talking “nonsense” and claimed
to know my source. He said that Bexleyheath and Crayford members are “very
pleased with the amalgamation”. He goes on to say that as a blogger I should
“more thoroughly check your information before posting in future, Malcolm. I
would say it is very much in your interest to do so.”
Is that some sort of threat?
Who does this intemperate upstart think he is to think he can dictate how BiB
operates? I repeat, I had seen the messages that came out of OB&S Reform which
gave a whole load of reasons why the Tom Bright takeover is a bad idea. I am not alone in having access to those messages.
However if the end result is that the Old Bexley Chairman has been sidelined It is a very
good idea to appoint Tom Bright and it is to be expected that Bexleyheath and
Crayford members will be pleased. Rather an impertinent young upstart as
Chairman than someone with a quite appalling record of dubious dealing. I remain
a bit of a Reform UK sceptic, but where else can a lifelong Conservative go
right now?