The Liverpool Times

One of the main hallmarks of new labours favourite borough is its obsession with media manipulation.

This has its origins in the formative years of the political and managerial stranglehold imposed by Sir David Henshaw & its then Council leader J Keight. 1989 – 1999.

Both were given carte blanche by new labour, that ensured political and local government corruption/malpractices flourished without fear of reprisal.

The murky land deals – overseen by current Council leader Round have been well publicised. While the authorities charged with enforcing and upholding standards in public life have also been neutered by new labour.

With all this in place Henshaw and Keight set about controlling and curtailing the reporting of the every day happenings of Knowsley Council.

The Councils “press and media office “ was given higher levels of funding than nearby Liverpool City Council. In recent times Knowsley’s media budget was £1.5/7 million, compared to Liverpool’s £350,000. Not a single Councillor has ever challenged this largess.

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So the decision has been made. Tesco’s controversial plans for Kirkby will be decided by the Secretary of State, following a public enquiry.

The announcement late last Thursday afternoon came despite intense last minute lobbying, on behalf of Tesco, by MP’s Howarth and Kilfoyle.

Such was the interest in the decision BBC Radio Merseyside ran a two hour phone in to take in the views of Evertonian’s and residents, who will be effected by the plans.

We had an ex chairman of the EFC shareholders – Kevin Nolan – express regret at the call in, claiming that a move to Kirkby was best for the club. What he didn’t tell the radio phone - in is that he is a resident of Formby.

Would he be as enthusiastic if his home was to be bulldozed for a stadium?

Or that the squirrel reserve was destroyed forever? Formby got a Tesco without a football stadium, why should Kirkby be any different?

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Sunday 10th August 2008

It’s a bit short notice but better late than never, eh?

The Flower Show is well worth seeing, and what’s more, it’s free. Take your flask, wrap a sarnie in silver foil (bear in mind that a stop and search might get a copper all excited unbtil they realise it’s a cheese and onion butty, not loads of gear!) and head on down.

Here’s the official chit chat on the arrangements…

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A life less worthy?

On Friday the 25th of June, a young lad was reported as being beaten up very badly on the streets of Huyton. Initial reports stated that the murderous assault might have been due to him being gay which is a factor that the police should be able determine fairly quickly.

As of yet the case has been ignored by the national media as seen by the story itself making page 26 of the Daily Mirror today. Compared to the murder of Anthony Walker, the story of the murder seems to be deemed non news-worthy, for some reason. We have seen no media camped out, grabbing any passing local for an opinion. No notable personalities, as of yet, seem to have spoken out.

Two men, James O’Connor and Gavin Alker both 19, had already been charged with grievous bodily harm, and another man, Christopher Douglas, 19 was charged with witness intimidation – something which is rife in Liverpool.

These charges were made before the death of Michael Causer.

The post-mortem examination results will now determine whether the injuries sustained led to Michael’s death. Charges should then be accordingly adjusted to take into account that the grievous assault turned out to be fatal.

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The Death of Ken Matthews, at the age of 83, has just been announced.

The Liverpool Echo have given a fitting tribute to his distinguished life in the RAF, journalism, and starting the Kirkby Cycling club at the Kirkby Stadium in 1963.

As the club secretary, and architect of the banked cycling track, he helped gain Kirby Cycling Club much success at home and abroad. The Echo has stated this.

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