Comments on Tory Bear - right-wing political gossip: Updated - DEFRA Statement

Game set match with this effort TB. Good work.

2009-12-19T01:37:49.184Z

Game set match with this effort TB.

Good work.

She didn't get a First and Dave did. Must be b...

2009-12-01T15:31:16.623Z

She didn't get a First and Dave did. Must be bugging her a lot.

People on the left come to Oxford with the idea that they're there for their wits and intelligence, while everyone else is there because daddy bought them a place first at Eton/Winchester, then at Oxford. So when they, after spending most of their time there hacking for OULC (in the better case) or SoWo (in the worse) and living the charmed life of the champagne socialist pseudointelligentsia, come away with a 2.i, they're massively bitter. In more severe cases, they might turn into Tanya Gold.

"You are again assuming that an employer paying you for 40 hours a week gains the right to dictate what you do with the other 128. They don't, except in very particular circumstances."

Brush up on employment law. If I have an employment contract that includes restrictive covenants, they will be binding on me even if I work for you an hour every month. Were you familiar with actual employment contracts in e.g. R&D, you'd know that such restrictions are plenty.

Gus Baker, If you insist on reading profiles pleas...

2009-12-01T14:53:44.862Z

Gus Baker,
If you insist on reading profiles please do it correctly, you will see the word “Ex” appears. A person’s previous political affiliations have no bearing on the subject matter; what is being allowed is wrong, if you feel differently about that then please come up with a reasonable argument and don’t use my politics to excuse yours.

I really think TB is pushing this a bit too far......

2009-12-01T09:30:38.429Z

I really think TB is pushing this a bit too far...

I used to work in the Civil Service and was activiely campaigning to be a PPC - Civil servants should have every right to be political - There are plenty who can't wait to see the back of this lot. And it was definitely not for Labour of course.

In fact, I think they should be entitled to post a comment about a government policy - though probably not on a work computer, that would be foolish.

Stick with it. Clealy a breach of the rules. What...

2009-12-01T05:22:25.345Z

Stick with it.

Clealy a breach of the rules. What's more I don't see how one can be polliically active to this extent and be an agent of the state at the same time.

So who did you get this news from Tory Bear?

2009-12-01T03:41:08.497Z

So who did you get this news from Tory Bear?

John Oddy who just posted here is a BNP councillor...

2009-12-01T02:31:06.030Z

John Oddy who just posted here is a BNP councillor. Who needs enemies with friends like that TB?

Leave her alone. If the civil service say that s...

2009-11-30T22:26:50.887Z

Leave her alone.

If the civil service say that she is in a politically-unrestricted role, then surely that is the end of it?

The Code is actually rather loose when it applies to politically-unrestricted staff. The blog using the name of the civil service to talk about party politics was definately a no-no, which is why it has gone, but there is nothing stopping her from being head of London Young Labour.

Stop trying to muck around with people's jobs and livelihoods.

*A politically restricted member of the civil service, who gave up active campaigning in the Lib Dems to take the job. Happy to provide name and number via email if you think that makes me one of the "faceless anonymous commenters, with a limited number of IP addresses".*

TB, Refreshing to know that there are others that ...

2009-11-30T19:12:34.702Z

TB,
Refreshing to know that there are others that seek the truth. Keep up the good work and do not always believe what you are led to.

stick with it TB. I have got accustomed to ignor...

2009-11-30T18:00:50.105Z

stick with it TB.

I have got accustomed to ignoring weasel words such as "DEFRA is confident that..." They are not actually saying that impartiality has not been compromised.

So take it from an oldie, do not trust what people imply or hint or seem to say or assure. You cannot trust a statement unless it is absolutely clear and unambiguous.

You've chased the issue up. She's not in a...

2009-11-30T16:56:39.729Z

You've chased the issue up. She's not in a restricted role. The department are happy with her political involvement.
Perhaps it's time you just gave it a rest, since you're clearly trying to make a mountain out of a molehill?
Something you've quite frankly been doing a lot of recently.

Well...her blog has gone.

2009-11-30T16:28:57.264Z

Well...her blog has gone.

"Great. I can now tell all my tory friends wh...

2009-11-30T16:26:57.126Z

"Great. I can now tell all my tory friends who work for the civil service that they can come canvassing and delivering after all."

They always could. If they're using it as an excuse they're either very senior, or they just don't want to canvass for you!

"my tory friends who work for the civil servi...

2009-11-30T16:25:59.069Z

"my tory friends who work for the civil service"

Bloody hell! I thought I was the only one!

"The civil servant in question is not in a po...

2009-11-30T16:21:56.591Z

"The civil servant in question is not in a politically restricted role"

Who rules are these? Defra's or your own partisan ones?

Great. I can now tell all my tory friends who work...

2009-11-30T16:20:35.458Z

Great. I can now tell all my tory friends who work for the civil service that they can come canvassing and delivering after all.

And if their bosses give them any grief they can just reply, "Christine Quigley"!

You are again assuming that an employer paying you...

2009-11-30T16:20:35.457Z

You are again assuming that an employer paying you for 40 hours a week gains the right to dictate what you do with the other 128. They don't, except in very particular circumstances.

This is no better than the schools threatening to discipline teachers who get drunk at the weekend. What a world we'll be heading for, prisoners allowed to engage in politics, but government employees banned...

"The civil servant in question is not in a po...

2009-11-30T16:20:35.456Z

"The civil servant in question is not in a politically restricted role"

PLEASE READ

said anonymous. it's called following up an f...

2009-11-30T16:19:05.934Z

said anonymous.

it's called following up an flagrant abuse of the rules

"We can confirm that the civil servant in que...

2009-11-30T16:18:01.207Z

"We can confirm that the civil servant in question is not in a politically restricted role. The Civil Service code sets out the duties and responsibilities of all civil servants, whatever their jobs. Defra takes the impartiality of its employees seriously and is confident that impartiality has not been compromised in this case."

"What is her job?" Well surely thats's none of your business.

You've had your fun and you've got your answer. Defra and to quote again (because it looks as if you missed it):

"Defra... is confident that impartiality has not been compromised in this case"

Time to end this.

This is starting to look like harassment TB.

2009-11-30T16:18:01.206Z

This is starting to look like harassment TB.

TB: All departmental civil servants were banned ...

2009-11-30T16:14:07.444Z

TB:

All departmental civil servants were banned from attending party conferences this year after a specific directive from the Cabinet Secretary. Including those who are not politically restricted.

I remember people grumbling about it at the time; some of the in-house public affairs types at the non-ministerial departments wanted to go.