Sunday 16 March 2014

IS BIG GRAVY JUMPING ON THE GRAVY TRAIN?

It's June 2002, and Hartlepool's Labour MP, Peter Mandelson goes bananas upon hearing the news that a candidate whose main election manifesto proposal is free quantities of the nutritious fruit for all primary age schoolchildren, the town's first (and only) directly elected mayor. His name is Stuart Drummond, and one of the key skills he brings to this important role is his ability to perform in public. That's as H'Angus, the monkey mascot for Hartlepool United Football Club!
More monkey business in Hartlepool

byHARRY BLACKWOOD

Go anywhere in the world and you can't fail to find someone who is familiar with the Hartlepool monkey hanging legend. From Barcelona to Buenos Aries folk have heard how the good people of the town hung the poor animal thinking it was a French spy.

But there's another bit of monkey business that Hartlepool has become associated with. It was
Stuart Drummond, Mayor of Hartlepool
in 2002.
an event that totally changed the way I view politics and people. A turning point in my life.

The day that Hartlepool United's football mascot won the poll and became one of the very first directly elected mayors in the country, taught me how the political system can be used by people for their own selfish agendas. It also led to my sacking but we'll put that part of it on the back burner.

When H'Angus the Monkey decided to throw his banana into the ring and stand for election to the £60,000 a year post, it was done as a joke. The Hartlepool United football club chairman paid his election deposit and supporters of the club and a local rugby club threw themselves behind his campaign.

Stuart Drummond, the man in the monkey suit, promised free bananas for all school kids in the town and submitted an interesting curriculum vitae to the local newspaper of which I was editor, boasting of a degree and proficiency in a number of languages. It did make us wonder why he was working in a call centre on a pittance but hey, did it matter, he was a joke.

As it turned out it did matter. He won.

Peter Mandelson, MP for Hartlepool in June, 2002. 
The story made television news and every national newspaper in the country. Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson was incandescent with rage as the vote was announced. He ordered that the television cameras be switched off as he turned his anger towards the Hartlepool Mail's deputy editor Neil Hunter. Such was Mandelson's perceived power and their lack of bottle that the cameras were switched off.

Mandelson's very close friend in Hartlepool, local businessman Leo Gillen was expected to win handsomely and Mandy had backed his Labour protégé to the hilt.

The following morning as I flipped between doing television and radio interviews and putting together the paper, I received a call from Brian Dinsdale, Hartlepool Council's chief executive. His voice was trembling on the phone. He wanted to know if it was possible for me to go over to see him.

Brian was a superb chief executive, a really nice bloke and we'd enjoyed a good working relationship. I could sense he was already in the midst of a damage limitation exercise.

I went over and Brian met me and led me to his office. He wanted a big favour. He wanted me to meet the new mayor and sow the seeds for a working relationship. I did as he asked but the working relationship bit was never going to work.

Brian led me into the huge Mayoral office and at one end was an ordinary looking youngish guy with crooked teeth and a stare like a rabbit in the headlights. The chief exec left us to it.

Stuart Drummond was one of the most ordinary and least inspirational blokes I'd ever met. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he was still in shock but he had little to say, had little personality and was just, well very, very dull.

I was asked by a couple of Sunday newspapers to write articles explaining how Drummond had won. It was easy to do. Drummond, the man in the monkey suit, hadn't won. A bloke called 'none of the above' had won. There was no question. The seemingly savvy voters of Hartlepool had rejected all of the politicians. They preferred a joke candidate promising free bananas to a politician. They'd have preferred a steaming dog turd on top of a cream cake to a politician.

Brian Dinsdale had shown shrewd judgement if the voters hadn't. The lifeboats had been prepared. In no time at all him, his deputy and the head of planning left the council. I won't call them rats because they were all great people. But they were certainly leaving a sinking ship.

The whole affair was dubbed Monkey Business and it all came flooding back to me this week as I did lots of digging as I'd been tipped off a plot was being hatched for more monkey business in Hartlepool. But this time it isn't a monkey man who is trying to go for the "none of the above vote" it's a bloke called Derek Bilton who is popularly known as Big Gravy. Don't ask me why he's called that. I have no idea.

The first thing that alerted me was on a Facebook group called Putting Hartlepool First. The administrator had decided to have a snap poll asking who people would vote for should there be an election called. There were three choices, the intensely disliked Labour MP Iain Wright, Derek 'big gravy' Bilton and me. To be honest I was really pissed off. I hadn't been asked, but as it was a bit of harmless fun I let it lie I. Spite of the fact that I've campaigned for more than ten years for people not to vote.

After a while there appeared a stream of fairly moronic shouts for Gravy! Big G etc. The obvious question sprang to my mind: who the fuck is Derek Bilton? I had no idea so I began asking about. I also sent a message to the site administrator and chairman of Putting Hartlepool First, David Riddle, simply asking WTF is Derek Bilton. The response was swift. "Just a lad from the town. Nice enough bloke. I just like him because he has about three thousand friends on Facebook".

It made no sense at all to me. More digging required. It didn't take me long to discover that
Mr Riddle and Derek Bilton go together like roast beef and big gravy. They are friends, they shared a house together when they were at university and had even been discussing Derek jumping on a real Big Gravy Train - the political one.

I was annoyed that young Mr Riddle was actually behaving like a politician and being, as political commentators call it, "economical with the truth". I confronted him and in fairness to this pleasant, though politically misguided young man, he came clean, admitted everything and apologised.

Time for more digging. Didn't take me long to discover that the Big Gravy Train would be making its first stop in the Owton Manor Ward with a plan being hatched for Bilton to stand  as an independent in the May council elections against the sitting Labour councillor Marjorie 'mad dog' Richardson.

The only obstacle to this cunning plan is a prickly one: the leaders of the Putting Hartlepool First Group and mad dog, one of their sitting councillors, know nothing about it. Indeed, the ones I spoke to about this week had never even heard of Derek Bilton, let alone knew about the political master plan.

But there's more. I'm reliably informed that there’s more under cover plotting going on to set up Bilton to run for MP.

So what does all this prove? Politics is a dirty business. Yeah, we knew that. Politicians and political wannabes don't tell the truth. Yep, we knew that as well. No, the real lesson in this is that wherever there is a political vacuum there will always be an opportunist or a chancer wanting to fill the void.


The people of Hartlepool are massively disgruntled with their Labour MP, and there is every chance at the next election he'll get the chop. Whether there'll be gravy with that chop remains to be seen. But the Drummond debacle should have taught those who want to see the back of Wright (myself included) a vital lesson: Be careful what you wish for.

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80 comments:

  1. Harry, as you already know, I actually quite like your blog but this article seriously misses the mark.

    For clarification to readers, the 'digging' harry refers to, is actually things I told him openly and honestly. I told him I went to university with Derek, I told him about the plan to potentially harness the power of Derek's popularity to hopefully unseat a local councillor... I, ME, DAVID RIDDLE, told him ALL of that. There was no digging.

    I also made him very aware that the snap poll he refers to was actually intended to demonstrate that the voting public in Hartlepool are STILL disenfranchised with the system, as they (seemingly) would rather vote for Derek than harry.

    However, I get up today and here we are with everything written above by a journalist in the blog which actually paints a very different picture of the events which occurred over facebook.

    Still, If I have learnt a lesson if I do intend to get more politically involved in Hartlepool it's this one.... be careful what you say to a journalist.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Harry, I'm not too sharp when it comes to local politics so I need some guidance. How old do you need to be before you can stand for a local election? Consider it careers guidance for a school leaver. You see, my daughter has FB. In only 2 years she doubled her FB friends from 250 to 500. At this rate she'll have 4000 by the time she's 16. This must qualify for a shot at the title? She can talk for Britain and lie like a snake. She has a knack for spending other people's money whilst preserving her own. Granted she knows fuck all about politics but that didn't stop that parasite Wrighty or the imbecile Drummond. Once she's in we can sort out any planning permission you need. Any help appreciated. L.M-Douglas.

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  3. it stinks,like week old fish heads in platic bags,not one person runs for council,for the right reasons.they all end up riding the gravy train,barring harry blackwood ,is shooting yourselves in the head,not foot,no one likes suffocation of truth,views.youve shot bambi,

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  4. harry, it looks to me like you've made the mistake of doing it again. In your diatribe above you seem to have conveniently forgotten the person you arguably played a bigger part than anyone in Stuart Drummond getting elected.

    That person was you.

    The bile you have spouted above has just drawn attention to this all the more. You created a monster back in 2002 when you gave him massive exposure in The Mail. you've just done the same with this fella.

    I would have though by now you'd have learnt your lesson.

    You've just stoked the engine on the Big Gravy Train... CCHHHOOOO CCCHHHOOO!!!!

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  5. Well loads of people have messaged me on FB and said harry sent them a barrage of abusing messages and hogged every single thread on the FB people are talking about. He deserved to me banned IMO.

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  6. Good article, Harry Blackwood. I have known for some time that Putting Hartlepool First have been 'economical with the truth' for several years. David Riddle is, without doubt, one of the sleaziest, naive and misguided operators in the 'political landscape' of Hartlepool at the moment and he is also small fry compared to what he thinks he is.
    He also pretends that he does not have links with that other 'independent' Councillor Jonathan Brash.
    This article reminds me of the usual saying, and it is true, 'Better the devil you know, than the one you don't'.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hide behind anonymity and slate me without even knowing me. thanks for that.

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    Replies
    1. Pleasures all mine. Hohoho.

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  8. I have lived and worked in Hartlepool all my life and have run a successful business since 1980 in the town. In the early years, I approached the council for work through the tendering system and although I knew I was the cheapest on numerous occassions, I only once won a tender, on my first delivery to a certain department, I was met by the site supervisor, who asked me where his 'brown envelope' was. I was then informed that if I wanted to keep the contract, I should look after him. I made the mistake of reporting this incident and guess what - no more tenders were won by my company! You only need to look at the business interests of some of our councillors and look at the contracts they have obtained from the council to realise it is 'jobs for the boys'. We have so called charities, working on the council estates funded by the council, headed up by people with no business accumen and we wonder why they lose money - if you want to see how much is wasted - ask to see the salaries of these so-called manager etc. I know I could not affor to pay any of my managers such salaries!
    I, like you Harry, met with Drummond in his office to discuss a problem I had and he said he agreed with me and would fully investigate it and assured me that it would have an outcome favourable to me - two weeks later I received a very short email saying - sorry can't change it!! He was just a puppet for the Labour cronies who once he was no longer needed they got rid of him and in his place put in Twit & Twat!!
    I applaud what you are trying to do Harry, but by not voting you are letting them win as it doesn't matter how small the vote is, providing they get the most votes they will win - just look at Crimea!
    We should all vote - but not for a red rosette but for the person who will do most good for the town and anyone with the word 'Labour' attached to them needs to be avoided like the plague!!

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  9. Aww David, all that brown nosing and he goes and does this to you. :(

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  10. Is this a joke? Derek bilton. don't know the bloke personally but know of him. I'm all for making hartlepool a better place, but him? I've seen him.around town drunk as a lord being arrogant and causing trouble. at one point last year he was waking around idols pub with his willy hanging out. just makes hartlepool even more laughable than when the monkey was elected.

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    Replies
    1. I was unsure who to vote for but this has defo swayed it for Big Gravy!

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  11. Big gravey for prime minister

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  12. Look at the mps over the years never mind walking around with his tadger out bernard carr was caught hanging out the shitty arse of a smack head in church street

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    Replies
    1. The porvort Bernard Carr, was never an MP though.

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    2. What position did mr carr hold im sure he was part of the council I do apologise for getting the mp part wrong but I do believe everything else in my statement is correct

      Delete
  13. Town of the past17 March 2014 at 19:32

    Whatever the plan is or isn't if getting a normal young man, who is just like a lot of other Hartlepool voters (not perfect, likes a drink, a good item with friends and has been in a few tights spots) people who don't get involved might think I can vote for this man or woman.

    I'm sick of elderly has beens, sure Drummond wasn't an inspirational choice but you have to appreciate anyone joke or not who can make the omnipotent Mandy angry.

    Stick a load of candidates who don't stand for anything in every ward and increase turn out while ripping into the established order of things. Then plant a few clever and motivated people into the Local Labour Party and allow them the time to rip it apart from the inside with the main targets being Carl Richardson & Christopher Ackers-Belcher.

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  14. Who the f#ck is big gravy??? All is to be revealed and in immense fashion that is sure to shock and shake the most hardened of politicians. All aboard.....

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  15. He's cleaned his Facebook page nicely, I wonder why. I suppose he thought telling everyone how he intends taking his lass up the arse may not be a wise political move and decided to remove it. Odd the things some people put on their FB wall!

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  16. I agree with the 4th post from the top. harry has totally played down the part the mail, which he was editor of at the time, played in helping to get Stuart Drummond elected. yes it was basically a NONE OF THE ABOVE campaign, but it was seriously aided by the publicity given to Drummond/hangus in the mail. I have no clue who this gravy fella is, but what I do know is practically everyone from Hartlepool on facebook is talking about him. nice one harry, you've done it again.

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  17. That is a bit below the belt commenting on mr Biltons anal adventures, isnt that what the current town leaders get up to anyway?

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  18. No doubt dirty 'call me Dave Riddle' has infiltrated this comments section for his (and his drunky mates) benefit. Please Mr Riddle, concentrate on your lies and spin machine. You liar.

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  19. Bilton sounds like a right charmer. Just the sort of lad this town needs in office. I mean - over 3000 FB “friends” - he must be really popular. So PHF’s thinking is “…er, it worked for Drummond, so it could work for us like…” This is really lazy and unimaginative. I previously thought Riddle talked some sense, and was curious why he had not put himself forward either as a candidate for councillor or MP candidate. Clearly he thinks what Hartlepool needs is yet another Doyle like this Bilton fool.

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  20. Anonymous, the one directly above this post. Let's actually stick to the FACTS and talk about what I actually did, and the bits harry has left out of the article above. What I did was a snap shot poll on facebook of who the people of Hartlepool would vote for as an MP, the choices were indeed the 3 harry referred to. However, what I was showing was that (a) there is still a lot of disenfranchised none voters out there who all of a sudden sprung into life when offered a wild card candidate. (b) not one single person responded by sawing they'd vote for iain wright. (c) several people actually voted for harry who I personally think WOULD be an interesting wild card choice. I also spoke about the poetic irony of harry potentially winning the seat in Hartlepool after the events of 2002.

    My point was nothing to do with PHF directly. Derek Bilton is not a member of PHF, is not endorsed by PHF to my knowledge has no intention whatsoever to run as our MP. There simply is NO undercover plot to try to get Bilton into Westminster.

    I do have a remit with PHF though and I accept that. Honesty and openness is important to me and to the voters. My remit is to engage with the 70% or so of people who have given up on voting in Hartlepool because they think labour will win no matter what.

    My job is also to raise the profile of PHF, get people to engage with us, read our website, join our cause and ultimately, MAKE OUR TOWN A BETTER PLACE.

    So, let's look at the situation. Currently, one of the most widely read bloggers in Hartlepool is talking about us. Log into facebook and you will find literally hundreds of people who previously felt they had literally nowhere to go politically finding out more about Putting Hartlepool First. Our website has had a record number of hits and we have had more new members in the last 4 days than we have had in the last 4 months.

    Personally, anyone is welcome to think whatever they want of me. The fact is there are LOTS of people unhappy, annoyed and completely disenfranchised politically in Hartlepool. In no way am I trying to fool anyone here. I am simply trying to illustrate to them that the situation is not a lost cause, people CAN make a difference. But to do that, they NEED to get out there and vote.

    and that is where Harry and I have different opinions. He says "don't vote" but I say "vote".

    Anyway, people can read PHFs website and decide for themselves.


    P.S regarding Derek Bilton I'm actually amazed at some of the snobbery at the very idea of him becoming involved politically. Yes he likes a drink, but if you follow local politics you'll already know he'd be far from unique in the respect if he were to end up in the civic centre. He DOES have a degree though from a Russell group University though, and a masters, and as far as I know he's always had a job, never claimed unemployment benefit and always managed to fend for himself financially.

    So in that respect, in terms of the ruling labour group he'd be VERY unique.

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    Replies
    1. I agree wholeheartedly that the political hierarchy of the town needs a serious kick up the arse. I do not need to reiterate what successive Labour politicians have not done for the town over the last 50 or so years – either when in government or not.

      Over the last year or so you have built up a very credible reputation for tirelessly bringing certain corrupt Hartlepool politicians to account – all with the town’s best interests at heart. Hence, why are you not gearing up to run for office? It seems an obvious route to continue what you are doing for the best for the town.

      When Drummond was elected, Mandelson and New Labour tried their hardest to dredge something up from Stuart’s past to damage his reputation. That will happen with whomever PHF put up against Wright. Just some very lazy reading around various social media sites and blogs brings up (whether true or not) aspects of Derek Bilton’s life that a Labour or Tory spin doctor would leap on with gleeful aplomb. So not a snobby based judgement of Bilton – just an objective view of how he would be set upon by different political party machines.

      There are many politicians (of different flavours) in Hartlepool who are genuinely perturbed and rattled by you and see you as the real challenge. You seem the logical candidate on a PHF/independent ticket.

      Delete
    2. reading this blog it seems that he (Bilton) already has been set upon by some, as have I. As I've said, my genuine understanding is that at this point there are no plans whatsoever to put up a PHF candidate in the general election.

      Delete
    3. PHF may be missing a trick on not running a candidate in the general election.

      My comments on Derek were objective observations; If he feels inclined to dip his toe into local politics then fair play to him. Politics is a dirty business so there are always going to be name calling, etc. as can be seen just from the replies above.

      Delete
  21. My my, this certainly takes me back. I read this drivel and nearly choked on my avocado dip.

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    Replies
    1. No need to choke too hard Peter. It is not as if Harry Blackwood is gearing up to run for office...

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  22. Could Harry enlighten us to the average hits he gets on a normal weekly blog, and then tell us the hits this blog has recieved.
    David Riddle has a point he's engaging the average person in politics and that can only be a good thing for this town. All aboard PHF.

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  23. hi.. Ms Akers -belcher.. wants to know where stuart drummond purchased those large banana,s ?

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  24. So, let me get this straight because a man likes to have a drink and has a social life he shouldn't speak up for this town? Maybe if the current politicians had a hold on what people want in Hartlepool they would see that we already have had more than enough of the fairy tale promises we have already been given!!! Someone with experience of living in the real world with a strong following is what we need in Hartlepool regardless of his social life.

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  25. Also, previously mentioned that Mr Bilton gets his willy out.... god forbid anyone has an actual sense of humour!!! Some people need to realise the cocks already running this town are worse behaved than a man who genuinely would put this towns interests first!!!

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  26. Hahaha. Just got back off shore and heard about this. am crying my eyes out laughing. Harry Blackwood you absolute clown. look at what you've started. You have a go at the big gravy man thinking he was thick. look at how its turned out. He was qualifications coming out of his ears and a professional qualification in journalism. You don't have one of those do you pal?

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1086175/For-time-35-years-Im-work-I-didnt-expect-sympathy-Jobcentre--just-well.html

    Kind of explains why you haven't had a job for about ten years and spend all you time giving people grief over you keyboard. Clown.

    Vote Big Gravy. WWWWWWOOOOOO-WWOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

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  27. Hahaha, this is topper. I'll tell you what, for a lad who some are calling one of the most "naïve and misguided operators in the 'political landscape' " this Riddle fella seems to have got the whole town talking about and willing to vote for a lad who's best known for break dancing with his knob out.... Riddle's the modern day Stromboli. Mandelson should sign him up as a spin doctor. Lol.

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  28. "this Riddle fella seems to have got the whole town talking about and willing to vote for a lad who's best known for break dancing with his knob out" The whole town? Really? Strange that as nobody I know or have spoken to has any idea about this nor do they know who the big gravy is. I'm guessing the only people talking are Riddles multiple personalities and gravys 3000 Facebook 'friends'.

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  29. Wow, did Harry win a courtcase that involved Peter Mandelson? No one in Hartlepool knew that. . . Harry should mention it more often. . .

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  30. David, you told us you'd only ever stand in the Burn Valley ward because it is where you live and you don't agree with councillors representing a ward they don't live in. Now I'm told you won't be fighting in our ward at all as you reckon you've a better chance in Hart this year.
    Yet another liar who'll dump us at the first opportunity at getting his hands on some expenses. Putting Hartlepool First my arse!

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    Replies
    1. David is like the Nigel Farage of PHF. I am looking forward to Harry Blackwood's follow up piece. See Hartlepool Post forum for more details....

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  31. You have no idea if hes standing, let alone where. the application packs arent even out yet.

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    Replies
    1. Plenty of PHF members are stating that David is standing and in Hart. If it was supposed to be a secret then it is one of the worst kept ones

      Delete
  32. Am hearing talk riddle has resigned from PHF

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  33. Just goes to show, you can't trust politicians of any banner. Especially ones that twist and turn at every opportunity. This has put PHF in a really bad light and it's all their fault.

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  34. It has if you're daft enough to believe this shite. Blackwoods clearly mental.

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    Replies
    1. David, its about time you stopped hiding and you need to apologise for all the rubbish that you have caused on your watch.
      The title of this website has in it "Exposing the truth however uncomfortable". And Harry Blackwood has managed to expose you through his professional work as a journalist.
      If you think that the town would want to elect someone who would be worse that Drummond and appears to be capable of certain lewd types of conduct, then you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
      The town suffered enough with Drummond, and I do not wish to revisit it.

      Delete
    2. What exactly are you professing to have exposed Harry, (let's not pretend you're not Harry just beacuse you mentioned him in the 3rd person)? My understanding is you haven't been a professional journalist for 12 years. No one will employ you. Through this rubbish more and more people are starting to realise why. This is a complete none strory. Neither of the people you're on about are politicians. Neither have even stood for political office of any kind. This isn't watergate, you've achieved nothing other than revealing yourself to be a bitter, vindictive, unemployable old man.

      Delete
  35. Rumours of Riddle resigning and everything takes a turn for the dark. Maybe David will eventually pop up on some site and comment whether he has/hasn't. He might even want to categorically state if that nice local lad Bilton is going run as a councillor. I bet the SCABs are loving PHF supporters getting their knickers in a twist. How self-defeating....

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    Replies
    1. or maybe he's too busy at work to comment? Something Harry hasn't had to worry about for 12 years.

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    2. You may be right. But he needs to comment sooner than later.

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    3. Longer he leaves it the more doubt he creates. Have we all been taken for mugs? Can almost hear the muffled laughs drifting from the civic....

      Delete
  36. PHF is looking like a big joke. Can they turn the Riddle/Gravy debacle round? Probably too late given how close the elections are.

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  37. Its about time all the snobbery of politics was abolished. People need ordinary people for the ordinary people of this town. Sick of politicians who are stuck up their own backside making decisions which benefit nobody but themselves, and then going back to their lavish lifestyles to reap the benefits whilst the working class and the "not so better off" have to get on with it. Deric Bilton you have a lot of support good luck to you its about time somebody stood up with a voice for the ordinary people of this town.

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  38. So let’s get this right, this fella Harry Blackwood used to edit the local rag? He was sacked, now, 12 years later, he claims to be an investigative journalist.

    Is he?

    Is he really?

    I hear all of the judgements Blackwood makes are what he calls “evidence based”. He looks at what he perceives to be “the facts” and makes a judgment.

    Let’s do the same.

    Back in 2011 a guy called Nick Davies won one of the top awards in the news industry given out for investigative journalism. Nick Davies was the journalist who exposed the News of the Word ‘Phone Hacking’ scandal which ultimately led to the closure of the News of the World, the resignation of the Prime Ministers press secretary, and put Rupert Murdoch in front of a parliamentary inquiry.

    Looking at the evidence, it’s pretty clear that was definitely investigative journalism.

    In 2012, the same award scooped the year before by Nick Davies was won by Andrew Norfolk while he worked for The Times. Norfolk exposed grooming and organised sexual exploitation of teenage girls by groups of men. His investigation prompted two government-ordered inquiries, a parliamentary inquiry and a new national action plan on child sexual exploitation.

    Again, looking at the evidence, that’s a textbook definition of investigative journalism.

    In 2013 the award went to a group of journalists from The Guardian newspaper that used information taken from the Edward Snowden leaks. They revealed for the first time the extent of mass surveillance undertaken by GCHQ, and the remarkably close relationship the agency has with its US equivalent, the National Security Agency. The Guardian revealed that the National Security Agency funded some of GCHQ’s activities to secure access to, and influence over, Britain’s intelligence gathering programmes.

    A team of six spent a number of weeks on a campaign that was exhaustively checked to ensure that it did not threaten our national security. The Guardian revealed how GCHQ covertly gained access to the network of cables which carry the world’s telephone calls and internet traffic, all without any form of public acknowledgement or debate. This became one of the biggest stories of the decade, sparking an emergency debate and several other set-piece debates in parliament around the legal and supervisory framework under which GCHQ operates. The story also had international ramifications – even Barack Obama was forced to respond.

    Once more, you don’t need to look too hard at that evidence to realise quickly that without any shadow of a doubt that situation is one of the most significant pieces of investigative journalism in the history of the modern media.

    So now let’s go back to sacked editor Harry Blackwood and what he has offered up in terms of investigative journalism in 2014?

    Well, it would appear that in Hartlepool one lad said to another “People have been saying I should run to be MP, you know, just for a laugh”, and his mate said “No, you’ve got no chance; you could maybe get on the council though, because you’ll only need about 500 votes”.

    And errrrmmmm..... that’s basically it.

    We make no judgement on whether that particular ‘scoop’ by Harry constitutes the label of ‘investigative journalism’. We’ll let you decide that for yourself. It should be pretty easy to establish whether it is or not.

    Just look at the evidence. ;-)

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    Replies
    1. The evidence points to you, David, trying to deceive people.
      It's all a big joke though isn't it, now that the turd has hit the fan.
      If you are so eager to inform people about this 'trivial' story, then why didn't you rubbish it weeks ago? For the avoidance of doubt and articles like this?
      The last thing people of this town want is Drummond MK2.

      Delete
    2. Its difficult the rubbish something weeks ago that you only published this sunday. you genuinely believe this is a 'big' story don't you? It's two lads chatting about a bit of politics. You're not Columbo.

      Delete
    3. Hartlepool does not need a version 2.0 Drummond - either as a councillor or otherwise. Riddle, you can try to play it down as 'two lads chatting about a bit of politics' but it all seems like damage limitation for PHF. This makes the choice of who to vote for less clear now. Some lazy cutting and pasting from Wiki on investigative journalism in an attempt to deflect from all of this is not helping your personal cause or that of PHF. Can certainly hear the laughter coming out of the Civic getting louder now - they must be proper shaking in their boots... Well done young Riddle!

      Delete
  39. All this is is a sad little man's sad little attempt to get people to read a blog that nobody was even reading until Blackwood wrote the rubbish on riddle/gravy. the page counter tracker to the left of this rubbish above clearly shows that most of your 'hits' on your page have came beacuse of this story. All you're trying to do now is spin it out in the hope that anyone cares you actually exist.

    They don't.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, that is quite a bit of venomous bile. Blackwood has clearly touched a nerve - and hence people become undeniably interested. So you’re not really speaking for everyone are you?

      I for one am interested whether Riddle will provide some non-spinned clarity. He seems to have gone to ground (compared to his normal social media visible self). The questions are simple:

      Is Riddle going for a council seat in Hart - despite saying he'd only go for Burn Valley?

      Is Bilton going to run on a PHF ticket for a councillor position (nothing wrong with that if he fancies it – people can decide for themselves – right?)?

      Is PHF putting up a candidate for the general election?

      ... and is it Bilton?

      These are not hard questions for the chairman of a political group that was set up to counter the ineptitude, sleaze and corruption associated with the ruling Labour group.

      So why are people interested? PHF offer the promise of real change for the town. But, the fear is of replacing like for like come May. Again, some clarity to the above may help the PHF cause.

      Delete
    2. Monkey Business20 March 2014 at 14:04

      Aye I'd like to know the answers to the above too like

      Delete
  40. Well i'd say those of you following the PHF facebook which has far more friends that Harry's facebook does, and is attracting far more his than this crap are very interested too. Very intrested in Putting Hartlepool First.

    Labour are obviously rattled for a number of reasons. Fisrtly, Riddle appears to have engaged the average normal person in Hartlepool more in a few days than the current Labour group could ever hope to do in a lifetime.

    Secondly, Blackwood and the others snobs are genuinely jealous of the idea of 'Big Gravy' in office.

    As others have said, Harry made a mistake back in 2002 that changed his life. He drew attention to a normal bloke a publicised Drummond because Harry though he was helping to stick two fingers up at the system.

    He doesn't learn does he? 12 years on he's done it again. The big gravy steam train is chugging along nicely.

    Vote for Big Gravy. and if you don't live in his ward, vote for the lot Riddle is involved with.

    UP THE REVOLUTION!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yayyy!!! consign the town to the dustbin by voting for a moron who will effectively milk the system for all he can get, but of course a party political candidate wouldn't do that would they??
      Up the revolution????
      What planet are you on Geoff????
      Why so quiet on the Hospital issue today Geoff?

      Delete
    2. Why no answer Geoffrey??????
      Why???????

      Delete
    3. Monkey Business21 March 2014 at 07:37

      Che, That's all very nice and irrelevant. When is Riddle going to answer the questions posed above and pasted here….

      The questions are simple:

      Is Riddle going for a council seat in Hart - despite saying he'd only go for Burn Valley?

      Is Bilton going to run on a PHF ticket for a councillor position (nothing wrong with that if he fancies it – people can decide for themselves – right?)?

      Is PHF putting up a candidate for the general election?

      ... and is it Bilton?

      Delete
  41. Looking at the 'PHF' website tonight, it appears that the chairman's job appears not to have David Riddle in that position. This did have his name against this post on the website last week.
    Looks like Harry was telling the truth after all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Monkey Business21 March 2014 at 07:42

      There’s smoke without fire when it comes to young Riddler - Shame. I was thinking PHF had a chance

      Delete
  42. I must say that Riddle is making a right 'Knob' of himself on that Hartlepool Post forum.
    Just answer the questions and they will stop.
    Bloody hell, why be so secretive about if you are going to stand or where, nobody gives a toss anyway.
    If he can't answer these simple questions, then god knows what he going to say for the harder ones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Harry Blackwood obviously gives a toss. He wont leave young riddle alone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Any reporter worth his salt - like Blackwood - will keep pluggin away if they know there is a story that people will be interested in.

      Riddle could help himslef and PHF by just answering the questions - without relying on artifice and his supporters to deflect from all of this. Reminds me of classic Labour group tactics. Which is exactly what Riddle says he is against.

      If there was no story Blackwood would not keep pressing and conversely Riddle and pals would not keep being so vitriolic. It is not hard to see this is very much the case.

      Delete
  44. "I start from the premise that anyone is better than the 3 idiots that got elected" - a recent quote from over on the Poolie Post site. So an open charter for any chancers who want to milk the system and will be welcomed with open arms under the PRF (Putting Riddle First) banner. Brilliant! I agree Riddle is making himself look like a 'Knob' by evading the very basic questions that have been put to him. It is not doing PHF any favours and is increasingly making it look like a vehicle for Riddle's personal political ambitions. From above - "Just answer the questions and they will stop" - spot on. It will give voters like myself some confidence that he is not just another Iain Wrong.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Monkey Business22 March 2014 at 09:46

      I see that Piers Morgan has over 4 million followers on Twitter. Using Riddle's logic behind his 'Bilton principle' - Morgan would be acceptable, right? Given he has just been sacked from CNN he might just be up for it. So really? Anyone is better than we have at the moment? Have a think on that then give your heads a collective shake.

      Delete
  45. Harry Blackwood strikes me as nothing more than a sad little man, sitting there in pounding his keyboard in his own sad little world.

    No one was even reading this blog until he started harping on about riddle/bitlon.

    I'm sure Labour are absolutely desperate for riddle to go public with if he's going to stand and where so they can get round the old peoples homes and assist them with their postal votes.

    Looks like Blackwoods working for the SCABS.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So a slightly different form of attack, but, with the usual childish personal attacks handed out here and on the Hartlepool Post threads towards Blackwood. Along with the now tired 'no one read this blog before all of this'. People obviously are interested in this story. And sad attacks like this only serve to keep people interested to see if something is being hidden and untoward.

      I see Hartlepool Post Admin have had to wade in over there to calm this sort of unhelpful foolishness.

      The SCABs are probably really enjoying all of this. So well done again idiot.

      Delete
  46. Keep taking the tablets Harry...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's very supportive of you. He should, if it keeps him doing great investigative journalism....

      Delete
  47. My predictions for the coming months into the local elections:

    • Harry's ego get's boosted by the fact his attacks on the naive & foolish Mr Riddle are getting lots of hits to his blog. So the attacks continue on Riddle and by association PHF & Bilton to get more hits to the blog.
    • A lot of sh*t is thrown at Riddle and some sticks - Mr Riddle get's sidetracked by all this attention from Harry and withdraws from tackling local political issues to give more focus to Harry, possibly resigning from PHF due to an inability to handle & respond to the pressure
    • Harry's attacks on Riddle blur into attacks on PHF and damage the group - leading to a bit of internal disagreements. Ultimately focus is lost at PHF and this puts prospective voters off voting for PHF.
    • Harry & his gang continue not to vote and persuade maybe a handfull of voters to also not vote. Those in the public who maybe didn't vote before, or voted for councillors for the main parties but where tempted to vote PHF, decide to do what they done previously.
    • However all this publicity for Bilton plays into his hands and he runs for council as an independent (PHF going no where near him) - bilton gets the required votes and wins a council seat.
    • Bilton gets a lot of publicity on getting onto the council and his mates are very pleased with themselves. Victory feels good.For a few days. After a month or so of sitting on the council Bilton get's bored and realises he can't change anything and resigns.


    So after lots and lots of time and words and energy spent on the Riddler/Bilton/PHF on this blog, on Facebook & in forums in the coming months - what do we end up with at the local elections? I, Mystic Meg, predict, NOTHING. Everything stays the same. People who previously didn't vote still don't vote. A hundred or so people who used to vote - decide not to vote. People who voted for a main party or independent last time do the same. And the labour/Akers-Belchers stranglehold continues. Nothing will change in this town unless the politically passionate people in this town get their arses into gear, start pulling in the same direction and put their efforts into bringing about change - rather than helping to facilitate the sautus quo. If I was a paranoid cynic I would say some Mandelson sponsored trolls are kicking around online in hartlepool right now and most commentators on this blog including the blog author are a suspect…or maybe the Prince of Darkness himself has got people doing his dirty work without people realising it.


    ps. for what it's worth I do enjoy this blog and it's simplistic tabloid style sensationalism. Outside of the local politics stuff it's introducing radical (sometimes common-sense) ideas to a wider public which is great - and it's certainly stiring things up and getting people in Hartlepool engaging in things they maybe wouldn't have before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reds Under The Thread23 March 2014 at 10:03

      Are there 'Reds under the thread'?

      It is poltically naive not to expect folk to question your motives, like a journalist who smells a story or political opponents trying to put you off your game.

      Although, you will be strongly judged by the voting people of Hartlepool how you react.

      David, as chairman, do not get so easily sidetracked and keep PHF focused on winning.

      Now, please excuse me as I get back to my Sunday brunch of pommes frites and avocado dip.

      Delete
  48. Someones on the pay roll23 March 2014 at 13:29

    Strong rumours coming out of the civic centre that a certain former journalist has been promised the press officers job at Hartlepool Council in exchange for attacking both the local opposition and the sitting Labour MP.
    I wonder who could have his eyes on Ian Wrights job if said journalist takes the 30 pieces of silver and does as he's told. Ey Christopher?

    ReplyDelete
  49. Rt Hon Aching Belcher MP23 March 2014 at 14:00

    I would have got away with it, if it wasn't for you meddling kids. I do so want to be MP. And as for the former journalist - I'd like to think Piers Morgan is still in the running.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Rt Hon Aching Belcher MP23 March 2014 at 14:08

    ...and I'm going to let my-ever-so-handsome Stephen be my PA for £32K per annum. That's £5K more than that dreadful Wright fellow pays his other half.

    ReplyDelete
  51. This report adds yet another dimension to the whole matter of MPs 'special status' - in other words, why should they be treated any differently than a 'normal' GravyTrainBingo.com

    ReplyDelete