Mark Wilkinson – Page 3 – Neil Wilby Media

When deceit is your stock in trade

Much has been written elsewhere on this website about, very arguably, the most notorious hyperlocal political party in the country. It is a rare week, indeed, when the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) is not embroiled in one scandal or another. Mostly brought about by the deceit and subterfuge that threads through just about everything theyContinue reading “When deceit is your stock in trade”

Poisoning the debate

This article is heavily underpinned by extracts taken from HOPEnothate’s 2022 State of Hate report headlined ‘On The March Again‘. Full credit is given to them. The 140 page document can be accessed in full here. In the chapter headed ‘Hyperlocal Politics: New channels’ (page 84) the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) and susceptibility to farContinue reading “Poisoning the debate”

There may be trouble ahead

The last Full meeting of Oldham Council, held as recently as 2nd March, 2022 descended into chaos as the ruling Labour administration sought to have its Budget approved by the required majority of elected Members (read more here). The meeting scheduled for next week, looking at what is a very dense Agenda, may well seeContinue reading “There may be trouble ahead”

Labour Party urges hyper locals to clean up their act

Following some tense exchanges in the Oldham Council Chamber earlier this week during the Budget debate (read more here), the local Labour Party has turned up the heat on hyper-local politicians attached to the disgraced Failsworth Independent Party (FIP). A measured, but scathing, attack follows a ludicrous about-turn over the proposed Greater Manchester Clean AirContinue reading “Labour Party urges hyper locals to clean up their act”

Puffs of white smoke slow to rise

Much has been written both on this website and elsewhere in the media about a disgraced hyper-local political party that sprung up in early 2019 in a suburb to the north east of Manchester, writes Neil Wilby. The latest article about the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) was published as recently as Friday 25th February whereContinue reading “Puffs of white smoke slow to rise”

The square root of nothing

With one of the country’s most notorious hyper-local political parties due to have its annual members’ conference this weekend, it is an appropriate moment to chart the progress of the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) since its inception in 2019 and review its achievements. A couple of weeks ago, the town’s fastest growing, and most discussed,Continue reading “The square root of nothing”

Troubled hyper-local party loses another election candidate

It is widely accepted that a North Manchester suburb has a deep rooted problem with racism, stretching back for decades. With a population listed as 95% white that might not be the biggest surprise in the region or the wider country. Failsworth has also, very arguably, the most disgraced independent political party in the countryContinue reading “Troubled hyper-local party loses another election candidate”

Lowest of the Lowe

On 22nd December, 2021 Bolton-based The Oldham Times belatedly, and dramatically, reported on two peripheral matters that had been discussed at a Full Council meeting seven days earlier, writes Neil Wilby. The headlined screamed: ‘Oldham Council probe after allegations of leaks to ‘malicious blogger‘.’ and, setting aside the absence of any interrogatory process that mightContinue reading “Lowest of the Lowe”

Problem councillor disgraces himself yet again

Oldham councillor Mark Wilkinson is definitely an elected representative with issues. The principal one being is that he doesn’t think that rules, procedures, standards, constitutional matters or the law apply to him, writes Neil Wilby. This was his latest public performance last night at a Full Meeting of the Council that highlights some of thoseContinue reading “Problem councillor disgraces himself yet again”

Under fire councillor to face full Standards investigation

At a Standards Assessment Sub-Committee meeting held on Wednesday 20th October, 2021, chaired by the very experienced ex-Mayor, Cllr Peter Dean, it was resolved that Cllr Mark Wilkinson of the hyper-local Failsworth Independent Party (FIPs) is to face a full investigation over alleged misconduct. The complainant is Sean Fielding, the former Leader of Oldham MetropolitanContinue reading “Under fire councillor to face full Standards investigation”