Propaganda is defined as the dissemination of information—facts, arguments, rumours, half-truths, or lies—to influence public opinion. Deliberateness and a relatively heavy emphasis on manipulation distinguish propaganda from casual conversation or the free and easy exchange of ideas.
Sutton’s Liberal Democrats have turned this into an art form with a blizzard of leaflets pushed though letter boxes – the very definition of “Junk Mail” and many living in Beddington will have received the latest offering from that itinerant politician who was elected to represent Carshalton and Wallington at the last General Election.
Easy to ignore or to add to the hamster cage , but it contains a really misleading piece under the front page heading of “Council clamps down on rogue landlords”:
Fact – I appreciate that Mr Dean is not interested in facts – on 21st March 2023, supported by their local Independent Councillor, Beddington residents living in Upper Road sought through a petition to the HEB Committee to invoke an Article 4 direction to remove permitted development rights for small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in the Sandy Lane/Upper Road area of special local character (ASLC).
The outcome of that action was that research was undertaken into the issue and, on 28th November 2023 at another HEB Committee meeting, the London Borough of Sutton sought to invoke an Article 4 Direction but, to allow existing developments to take place, it was agreed that this should be enacted on 22nd February 2025!
It is sad to say that stable door and horse bolting come to mind as of 169 HMO’s in the Borough, 59 were registered after November 2023.
But what is the reality of this Liberal Democrat Council’s attitude to HMO’s – well just a few months back, Beddington residents were horrified that there was a proposal to make the Lodge at Bandon Hill Cemetery an HMO:
Bobby Dean’s “Rogue Landlord” in this case was none other than the London Borough of Sutton.
And what about the protection afforded by the Article 4 Direction – it means that rather than being built under “permitted development”, the plans will be subject to scrutiny by the Planning Committee. And in case you think that means you can relax, consider the residents of Crichton Road in Carshalton.
Plans to convert a local doctor’s surgery into an HMO received 39 separate objections, Planning Committee in December 2024 was crowded with concerned residents and when only five of the Liberal Democrats voted for the HMO and the vote was drawn, the Liberal Democrat Chair of the Committee cast his deciding vote for the development.
One last thought – on Monday, Council will be debating (?) the 2025/6 budget – one of the specific areas for approval is an increase in Councillor Allowances and it was interesting to see the use of this propaganda piece to push their party leadership:
You can be sure that they will vote for the increase but that will make an interesting comparison – the three Beddington Councillors will receive what is a generous basic allowance collecting a cumulative £38,396 before tax. Next door in Wallington North, with their special allowances, the three Councillors pictured will receive a cumulative £132,796 – we are all paid by Sutton’s Council Tax payers and one wonders how much harder Liberal Democrat Councillors are working for their special allowances
We believe that local Councillors are here to support local residents and not to promote ourselves or a political party – Residents First Always!