COVID-19 Vaccinations: Has Somerset Caught Up With Gloucestershire?

Leader of Somerset Independents
Andrew Pope

 

After all of his failures to protect us, Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants us all to forget the over 100,000 dead, the worst figures ever, families strained and businesses ruined. Who is he trying to kid?

Hapless Boris Johnson and his useless Health Secretary Matt Hancock are trying to convince us that they did all they could to protect us, and that they now have the virus under control. Johnson's Tory Government are claiming that England's vaccinations are ahead of other nations.

A couple of weeks ago, Somerset Independents discovered from figures published by ITV News that Somerset was lagging behind on Covid-19 vaccinations for people over 80 years old, with Gloucestershire way ahead of Somerset. 

We stand up for Somerset residents, so we wanted to know why Somerset was lagging behind and to hold those responsible to account. This is what we do. 

We have already challenged the County Council directly at the local "Covid-19 Engagement Board", chaired by Conservative County Council Leader David Fothergill.

We asked more questions in a formal letter from our (volunteer) officers to the County Council that was answered, but which was not very helpful.

And we had already challenged a wide range of local authorities on the Pandemic throughout 2020 - from the County Council to the PCC to the Director of Public Health and local hospitals.

So to challenge the performance on vaccinations, our Leader Andrew Pope got in touch with the Somerset County Gazette to ask them to report this. 

And they did. In Jess Chaffey's excellent report, which is at the link here, she reported: 

"only 56.6 per cent of those over 80 had been given their first vaccine dose by January 21. The total number of doses given out in Somerset by January 21 was just 45,713 – the second lowest region, compared with the rest of the UK." 

One week later, they claim that it is now up to 80%. This is a good improvement.

This is how Somerset Independents volunteers get improvements - by holding those responsible to account and putting pressure on them to increase performance. We thank the good local reporters and journalists for helping uphold democratic values.

We await the latest figures on vaccinations in Somerset, and have asked local media for an update report.

What can be the explanations for Somerset's early poor performance, relative to other parts of the South West?

Andrew Pope asked Conservative County Councillor for Shepton, John Parham:

We are grateful to Councillor Parham for his response. He told us, and we quote:

"Every dose of vaccine that we've received has been administered pretty much the day we get it, we don't carry stock, so the rate is entirely due to how quickly we get the vaccine.

As for percentages, Somerset has a higher percentage of older people than many other areas, nearly 50% of the population are over 65, therefore the same amount of vaccine will inoculate a lower percentage of the target audience."

This is not really answering the question that Andrew asked Cllr Parham, which was, in full:

"Regarding Somerset lagging behind on vaccinations and now increasing... I got in touch with the Somerset County Gazette to ask them to report this. And they did: "only 56.6 per cent of those over 80 had been given their first vaccine dose by January 21. The total number of doses given out in Somerset by January 21 was just 45,713 – the second lowest region, compared with the rest of the UK." One week later, they say it is now up to 80%. Why the slow start?"

This follows Somerset County Council claiming on BBC Radio Somerset that the vaccine would be given "quickly". (see below for an excerpt* - the full transcript is available on this website).

Yet Somerset has lagged behind the rest of the South West. It seems that quickly means more slowly than most parts of the South West.

Once again, we find a big difference between the Conservative Government and Conservative County Council's claims... and the reality experienced by residents.

Now, there is a report by Tomas Malloy of SomersetLive that the Bath and West vaccination centre is not being utilised to its maximum extent. There appear to be peaks and troughs, as other residents have reported that it was busier at other times.

And there are concerns that there is a reluctance to be vaccinated from some people.

We will continue to ask the difficult questions, because the local Conservative councillors want to pretend everything is OK, when it clearly is not. And we have already made our views clear to them in writing and "in person" (in virtual meetings during the Pandemic).

* Excerpt from BBC Radio Somerset interview with Somerset County Council Public Health Consultant, Alison Bell:

"Where would you like to see that (the vaccine) prioritised in Somerset?

Well it's not down to me sadly. It's down to a National Committee but

I think they've taken, they're experts and are prioritising it to the

elderly, people in care homes, and our health and care staff. And as you

know, that's already being rolled out in Somerset. We've got the new

vaccine that was registered yesterday. And that's really good news.

That will mean we can reach more people with the vaccine more quickly."

VICTORY: Somerset Independents Succeeds In Halting Increase to Taxpayers on Police Costs

Leader of Somerset Independents
Andrew Pope

UPDATE: Councillors finally caved in to the PCC's Budget in a hurriedly-organised second meeting, only making a minor change to the Budget.

It proves that tou can't trust party politicians to do the right thing unless you are directly challenging them, and increases our concerns about three Independent members positions on the Panel being vacant.

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BREAKING: Following Andrew Pope's speech to them today to stand up for taxpayers, the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel have just voted by majority to veto the 6.6% increase asked for by Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens and Chief Constable Andy Marsh.

Somerset Independents listen and acts for residents. 

As Leader of Somerset Independents, Andrew Pope listened to residents who said they did not wish to pay more for the Police and questioned the increase during a Global Pandemic and when families are feeling the crushing weight of Covid-19 on their lives.

Andrew sent a written statement that was forwarded by the officer to all members of the Panel. It is shown in full below.

Andrew had listened to residents who asked why the Police were spending so much money on relocations and buildings, and asked what had happened to the money from the sale of police stations such as in Wells.

Andrew questioned the budget proposals, pointing out to members of the Panel that Somerset residents were really feeling the strain of Covid on their finances. 

When he spoke at the Panel in the virtual meeting today, Andrew said that there was no mention of delays to police buildings, the use of reserves or better use of the massive IT budget.

The Chief Constable responded to Andrew's points.

Then after a long debate, members of the Panel deliberated.

They voted by 11 votes to veto the budget, with 1 abstention.

Andrew says:

"Somerset Independents was formed to stand up for residents. We listen and we act on residents' concerns.

The Commissioner should have looked harder at the budget, and provided more options, instead of just one alternative.

So I am pleased that Sue Mountstevens and the Chief Constable Andy Marsh have been asked to think again.

They will now have to re-consider the budget and come back to the Panel."

Andrew also spoke to appeal to the Panel for help to delay the May 2021 elections - something which Somerset Independents believes is right and has contacted MPs and council officers to suggest. Sadly, not a single mention was made by members of the Panel at the meeting. However, the meeting was cut short after 3 hours on the budget, with later agenda items postponed until a future meeting.

Andrew Pope Statement to the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel, 4th Feb 2021

Dear Police and Crime Panel,

 

Firstly, I would like to appeal to you to refuse the 6.6% increase in the precept for the Police. Ask yourself whether this is really justified when there has been money wasted on Police moving from station to station - for example in Shepton Mallet. The public expect police to be on the beat, and out of the office, so police stations are not the priority of the public. At least, that's what the public has been told by the police - that front desks and police stations are not really needed. Yet your press releases on the budget make multiple mentions of police buildings. This level of increase is not justified, so please refuse it.

 

Secondly, I would also question whether the surveys quoted in the reports before you today, are representative samples of the population of Somerset. If they are not, then why are they being used to make decisions? As a Panel, you should demand better, to make better decisions and provide better advice.

 

Thirdly and finally, regarding the May 2021 elections. I am Leader of Somerset Independents, a pressure group of residents and registered political party that is considering, amongst a group of Somerset residents, whether to stand a candidate in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections. We are aghast at the £5,000 deposit and the strange decisions made by MPs prior to the last PCC elections.

 

I note that today there are no Independent Panel members present, with two recent resignations, a vacancy and an illness. I find this all rather worrying.

 

Somerset Independents has this week sent its view to all Somerset MPs and all returning officers, plus SOLACE and the AEA. Our view is that the May 2021 elections must be delayed, in the interests of public health, public safety, scrutiny and for free and fair elections. When they are safe, they can be held. If this is not until October, or even next year, so be it. I hope that you agree, but I am here to listen.

 

I would ask you, therefore, that in the event of a delay that you consider very carefully how you deal with such a delay. I suggest very strongly that you do not consider appointing any PCC without an election, even on a temporary basis. Any previous or existing candidate should not be appointed. This would be anti-democratic and set a dangerous precedent. I would also question the wisdom and legality of such a move. I hope that you agree.

 

Thank you for listening and I hope that I will get a written response, and there will be a healthy debate, about the points that I have raised. You can contact us at somerinds@gmail.com.

 

Andrew Pope

Somerset Independents

 

COVID-19: Unsafe May 2021 Elections Must Be Delayed Until Safe

 

Boris Johnson's Government has FAILED

As we've said elsewhere on this website, Boris Johnson's Tory Government has failed to protect us from Covid-19. And his Government has autocratic tendencies, attacking democratic and human rights ever since he became Prime Minister.

As it has been for public health, so it is for democracy under Johnson's Government.

If Johnson resigned, it would change little, Why? Because there are a whole lost of incompetents in the Tory Party who would take over. The recent list of Cameron, May and Johnson proves it. And look at what happened when Johnson was in hospital with the very virus that he was supposed to protect us from - more chaos with no succession planning in place.

Johnson's pattern of dither, delay and chaos goes on and on. Meanwhile, we are all put at risk.

The numbers on Covid-19 are now worse than ever. Johnson tries to explain his way out of over 100,000 deaths and counting. He can't explain. There is no justification. Normal life won't return any time soon, if at all.

Schools are closed, pubs and restaurants are closed, social life is cancelled, family life is cancelled, spectator sports still remain a happy memory.

Yet Johnson's Government says that elections planned for May 2021 will still go ahead. In Somerset, this will include County Council elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections for Avon and Somerset.

Very little has been done with public health in mind to protect us during an election.

As it has been for public health, so it is for democracy under Johnson's Government.

HOW CAN CANDIDATES, ACTIVISTS, ELECTORAL OFFICERS AND RESIDENTS BE SAFE? 

HOW CAN ELECTIONS BE SCRUTINISED TO BE FREE AND FAIR? 

WHAT SORT OF ELECTION WILL IT BE?

WILL A SINGLE LEAFLET BE DELIVERED, ANY DOOR KNOCKED, ANY VOTER LISTENED TO?

These are all questions, points and concerns that Somerset Independents has expressed to all of Somerset's MPs. They are all Conservative MPs and some of them are members of Boris Johnson's Government.

Somerset Independents stands up for Somerset residents' democratic and human rights - we were formed to do it and we have. But we know that it is simply unsafe to have a normal election now.

In a letter to all Somerset MPs, officers of Somerset Independents have asked them for assistance in delaying the elections. And for assistance in bringing about a referendum of Somerset residents before any council changes are made during a Global Pandemic.

Our full letter is below.

Tell us... Contact us at the details at this link.

What do you think?

Do you think the elections should be delayed?

If you do, when do you think they should be delayed until?

What would stop you from voting at a polling station?

Would you feel safe?

Would you open the door to a campaigner?

Would you read a leaflet?

Do you think leaflets should be delivered?

Tell us... Contact us at the details at this link.

Letter from Officers of Somerset Independents Andrew Pope and Denise Wyatt

31st January 2021

To: All Somerset MPs via e-mail

cc: All Somerset Returning officers, SOLACE, AEA

RE: Elections in May 2021

Dear Somerset MP,

We are residents of Somerset and the Registered Officers of Somerset Independents which is a political party registered with the Electoral Commission. We were formed in 2020 during the first lockdown. Our Party acts for Somerset residents.

We write with a number of points and concerns about elections due in May 2021. This includes Somerset County Council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in Somerset. Somerset Independents is considering whether to stand candidates, and would appreciate your views and assistance.

When our Leader Andrew Pope spoke at the Somerset Covid-19 Engagement Board this month to hold local authorities to account, the numbers on Covid-19 were worse than ever. Whilst there may be early signs of improvement, the crisis continues.

“Normal” life is not going to resume soon. So we are very concerned to hear as recently as 13^th January, that the Government has no plans to delay the elections in May. One voter could infect entire communities at a polling station.

We cannot see any guidance from the Electoral Commission that reassures us, in terms of safety and in terms of holding free and fair elections under Covid-19. The Government has not taken steps to ensure this, either. Electoral officers are not being helped, and are under unacceptable levels of strain.

We note the concerns expressed by the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA), despite their professionalism in trying to bring about elections in these unacceptable circumstances¹. Peter Stanyon, the chief executive said:

“It seems conversations are taking place with political leaders while we are working on the practical arrangements.”

As local public health officers have done, these officers are conducting themselves with considerable grace, despite continuing Government dithering and delays that continue to place democracy in peril, as well as the lives and livelihoods of Somerset residents – this is not just our view, but that of the Editor of LGCPlus², Nick Golding.

We understand from a source close to them that Somerset’s returning officers have asked for the elections to be delayed, although we are attempting to corroborate this with written evidence. This may have been confused with the news of the AEA and SOLACE’s concerns, which is why we are checking (cc’d).

The managing director of SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers), Graeme McDonald, was quoted by LGC as saying that “Solace will continue to press government to delay elections until October”³.

We have listened to residents’ concerns about the elections going ahead, as well as the concerns of council officers.

Not only are there concerns about the count itself, and the ballot, but there are also concerns about the campaigns. Nominations will not even be able to be done safely. Quick wins such as separate nomination papers, are absent.

As things stand, there is simply no way that free, fair and socially-distanced elections can be held, because steps have not been taken. As the AEA and SOLACE have said, clarity is needed. Steps need to be taken. They have not been. All that we have heard are vaguaries and hubris. This mirrors the way the Global Pandemic has been mishandled by the Government.

So as it is for democracy now, as it has been for public health. These elections will mix the two. As things stand, candidates, officers and activists will be put at risk. As things stand, a “normal” election would put everyone at risk. As things stand, schools are still closed, infections continue to rise. As things stand, deaths continue to mount.

Therefore we suggest that the elections are delayed, until steps are taken and the public feel confident that they can be done safely, done socially-distanced and done with adequate scrutiny to ensure free and fair elections.

Whether this delay is until September or October, will depend on whether the steps taken are adequate, and how the Pandemic pans out through the Spring and Summer of 2021. If that is not possible, then we regretfully suggest that the elections be delayed until 2022.

This could have been avoided if the Government had not had one of the worst records in the world, in dealing with Covid-19. Somerset Independents was formed to stand up for Somerset residents, and their human and democratic rights. But given the situation, and in the interests of pragmatism, democracy and public health, it is not worth the risk.

We want democracy. We campaign for a referendum on any changes to our councils. The district councils and county councils are arguing over which form of unitary, during a Global Pandemic. But none of the councils have agreed a referendum, despite our repeated calls to councils and their councillors to do so. We are alarmed at the call by Conservative county councillors⁴ on Minister Jenrick to delay county elections. They did not seem to consider the Covid crisis, but purely because they wished to force through unitary changes and hang on to their seats. A referendum is essential before change – WHEN SAFE.

Please confirm that you support our positions as underlined above – on the 2021 elections and the unitary Referendum, and please confirm the actions that you will take to bring about what we ask for in this letter.

Regards, Andrew Pope and Denise Wyatt

Leader and Nominations Officer, Somerset Independents

1 “Growing calls for clarity on local elections amid conflicting reports”, https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/governance-and-structure/growing-calls-for-clarity-on-local-elections-amid-conflicting-reports-11-01-2021/ , 11^th Jan 2021

2 LGCPlus – Nick Golding, https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc-briefing/johnsons-last-minute-approach-adds-to-the-covid-agony-05-01-2021/ , 5^th Jan 2021

3 LGCPlus, “Minister tells MPs ‘high bar’ needed for postponing local elections”, https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/governance-and-structure/minister-tells-mps-high-bar-needed-for-postponing-local-elections-13-01-2021/ , 13^th Jan 2021

4 Somerset County Gazette, “Conservatives accused of “running scared” after party voted to ask for delay to next year's local elections”, https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/18888915.conservatives-accused-running-scared-party-voted-ask-delay-next-years-local-elections/ , 23^rd November 2020