[Item 8]
4.4.13 | Max Wallis’ e-mail | This is a long string which includes Evidence 7 plus the first Newsletter of Evidence 2 |
| From: | Max Wallis |
| To: | chris <christopher_s@####> |
| CC: | wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk |
| Subject: | Re: Fw: Re: Green Party disciplinary procedures |
| Date: | Thu, 4 Apr 2013 19:06:58 +0100 |
Chris - thanks for your comment as a GPRC member.
I asked David Murray and the GPRC co-chairs for information on Anne's expulsion and why not follow the constitution in early March, but without response.
But the website does now contain a statement headed
Where Pippa got her information from is mystifying:
we can't stop rumours on the internet, but surely the GPRC needs to state its decisions to squash unfounded ones. According to their record, you were not at their last meeting, but what can you tell us?
Best wishes / max
To: "Max Wallis", <wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk>
From: "chris" <christopher_s@####>
Date: 22/03/2013 14:51
Subject: Re: [WGPC] Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Sorry to be late in joining this debate - it all kicked off when I was on holiday and I am only now catching up with everything.
The whole point about all the disciplinary & complaints procedures dealt with by GPRC is that they are CONFIDENTIAL. That is in the standing orders which govern these matters - standing orders which were voted through at conference some years ago. If members are not happy with the way GPRC
handles things, they are free to propose a new set of standing orders to a future conference. What is totally unacceptable is for certain individuals to abandon the confidentiality and start all kinds of rumours which GPRC
members cannot respond to because they are still bound by confidentiality.
When GPRC deals with one of these matters, only the main subject is given in the agenda. No papers relating to a disciplinary or complaint are circulated by e-mail beforehand. When we are in the meeting, papers are circulated, the matter is discussed and a decision is reached. At the end of the meeting,THE PAPERS ARE ALL COLLECTED IN AGAIN. Even GPRC members are not allowed to
keep papers relating to disciplinary matters!!!
What is also totally unacceptable is for a serious matter like GPRC disciplinary procedures to be raised under an emergency motion at the end of a conference, as happened at this last Nottingham Conference.
Yours,
Chris S
----- Original Message -----
From: "Max Wallis"
To: <wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk>
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 8:55 AM
Subject: Re: [WGPC] Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Dear Ann,
I am bemused as to why you think my editorial checking - that found the term "secret courts" was not just gossip, but underpinned by the GPRC failure to issue any report on its confidential process and decision on expulsions -
makes matters "worse". One GPRC member has replied to me that they should in his view give out some information, but the responsible co-chairs haven't answered.
Can I ask again - did you get your information that it was "after following the proper complaints procedure" from Wales's GPRC representatives or elsewhere?
Regards / max
-----Max Wallis wrote: -----
To: ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: 20/03/2013 08:01
Cc: "wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk" <wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk>
Subject: Re: Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Dear Ann,
You will see that "secret courts" was not my accusation, but reported from another's writings.
On the other hand I did check that the GPRC has issued no report of its decision on expulsions or minuted it within the published Minutes, and questioned why on the website.
As for your "after following the proper complaints procedure" I do know that they didn't proceed via
Green Party Disciplinary Tribunal as defined in the Constitution 4(vii). Wales's GPRC representatives can surely enlighten us on this - where did you get your information?
Thanks for accepting the complaints procedure and agreeing to put it to the Conference to ratify as a way forward.
Regards / max
-----ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: -----
To: Max Wallis
From: ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: 18/03/2013 10:24
Cc: "wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk" <wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk>
Subject: Re: Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Max,
The expulsion of the two members you mentioned was as a result of GPRC being satisfied that complaints made against them were justified, after following the proper complaints procedure. It is not acceptable for you to accuse the
GP of holding "secret courts" etc. in a party newsletter when this clearly wasn't the case.
The complaints procedure for regional and local parties was only circulated following the last GPRC meeting so was not in place at the time of our January meeting. I intend to put it on the agenda for our May meeting where it will be ratified, with the agreement of members.
Ann
Ann Were.
From: Max Wallis <WallisMK@cardiff.ac.uk>
To: ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk>
Cc: "wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk" <wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk>
Sent: Saturday, 16 March 2013, 7:54
Subject: Re: Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Dear Ann,
I cannot see how your generalised accusation "abuse of position" can be maintained. Please show how it relates to terms of reference for the newsletter Editor.
How do you justify claiming the edited piece on Mark France's expulsion is my "particular grievance"? It appears from Pippa's amazing allegations against him that such rumours are circulating within some GP circles,
indicating some others' "grievance".
For a Party that upholds freespeech and further, that open discussion is healthy, we should surely be keen to inform members of internal controversy and debate.
You should have noticed from the Newsletter that the GP does have a recommended complaints procedure for local and regional use, though you reported to the January WGPC after my raising it that you couldn't find any information on any such. Please use this procedure if you wish to pursue the
"abuse of position" complaint.
Regards / Max
The whole point about all the disciplinary & complaints procedures dealt with by GPRC is that they are CONFIDENTIAL. That is in the standing orders which govern these matters - standing orders which were voted through at conference some years ago. If members are not happy with the way GPRC
handles things, they are free to propose a new set of standing orders to a future conference. What is totally unacceptable is for certain individuals to abandon the confidentiality and start all kinds of rumours which GPRC
members cannot respond to because they are still bound by confidentiality.
When GPRC deals with one of these matters, only the main subject is given in the agenda. No papers relating to a disciplinary or complaint are circulated by e-mail beforehand. When we are in the meeting, papers are circulated, the matter is discussed and a decision is reached. At the end of the meeting,THE PAPERS ARE ALL COLLECTED IN AGAIN. Even GPRC members are not allowed to
keep papers relating to disciplinary matters!!!
What is also totally unacceptable is for a serious matter like GPRC disciplinary procedures to be raised under an emergency motion at the end of a conference, as happened at this last Nottingham Conference.
Yours,
Chris S
----- Original Message -----
From: "Max Wallis"
To: <wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk>
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 8:55 AM
Subject: Re: [WGPC] Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Dear Ann,
I am bemused as to why you think my editorial checking - that found the term "secret courts" was not just gossip, but underpinned by the GPRC failure to issue any report on its confidential process and decision on expulsions -
makes matters "worse". One GPRC member has replied to me that they should in his view give out some information, but the responsible co-chairs haven't answered.
Can I ask again - did you get your information that it was "after following the proper complaints procedure" from Wales's GPRC representatives or elsewhere?
Regards / max
-----Max Wallis wrote: -----
To: ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: 20/03/2013 08:01
Cc: "wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk" <wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk>
Subject: Re: Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Dear Ann,
You will see that "secret courts" was not my accusation, but reported from another's writings.
On the other hand I did check that the GPRC has issued no report of its decision on expulsions or minuted it within the published Minutes, and questioned why on the website.
As for your "after following the proper complaints procedure" I do know that they didn't proceed via
Green Party Disciplinary Tribunal as defined in the Constitution 4(vii). Wales's GPRC representatives can surely enlighten us on this - where did you get your information?
Thanks for accepting the complaints procedure and agreeing to put it to the Conference to ratify as a way forward.
Regards / max
-----ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: -----
To: Max Wallis
From: ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: 18/03/2013 10:24
Cc: "wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk" <wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk>
Subject: Re: Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Max,
The expulsion of the two members you mentioned was as a result of GPRC being satisfied that complaints made against them were justified, after following the proper complaints procedure. It is not acceptable for you to accuse the
GP of holding "secret courts" etc. in a party newsletter when this clearly wasn't the case.
The complaints procedure for regional and local parties was only circulated following the last GPRC meeting so was not in place at the time of our January meeting. I intend to put it on the agenda for our May meeting where it will be ratified, with the agreement of members.
Ann
Ann Were.
From: Max Wallis <WallisMK@cardiff.ac.uk>
To: ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk>
Cc: "wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk" <wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk>
Sent: Saturday, 16 March 2013, 7:54
Subject: Re: Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Dear Ann,
I cannot see how your generalised accusation "abuse of position" can be maintained. Please show how it relates to terms of reference for the newsletter Editor.
How do you justify claiming the edited piece on Mark France's expulsion is my "particular grievance"? It appears from Pippa's amazing allegations against him that such rumours are circulating within some GP circles,
indicating some others' "grievance".
For a Party that upholds freespeech and further, that open discussion is healthy, we should surely be keen to inform members of internal controversy and debate.
You should have noticed from the Newsletter that the GP does have a recommended complaints procedure for local and regional use, though you reported to the January WGPC after my raising it that you couldn't find any information on any such. Please use this procedure if you wish to pursue the
"abuse of position" complaint.
Regards / Max
-----ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: -----
To: 'Max Wallis'
From: ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: 12/03/2013 11:30
Cc: "wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk" <wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk>
Subject: Re: [WGPC] FW: Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Max,
It is unacceptable for you to abuse your position as WGP Newsletter Editor in this way. You have used it as a mouthpiece for your own particular grievances and to make spurious allegations against individuals and the Party as a whole, neither of which have the opportunity to defend
themselves.
The honourable thing for you to do now would be to resign from both of your posts on WGPC.
With the agreement of WGPC I will send out a statement from us in due
course.
Ann
Ann Were.
From: pippa bartolotti <pippa@pippa-bartolotti.co.uk>
To: 'Max Wallis'
Cc: wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk
Sent: Monday, 11 March 2013, 16:11
Subject: Re: [WGPC] FW: Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Confidential to WGPC only.
Max, you will be aware of the items I am referring to - the ones regarding gossip on @greenleaks (the newsletter is not a place for gossip) and the
GPRC 'secret courts' comment which is an opinion which you might hold (though without having been through the process yourself, and therefore uttered in the absence of first hand information), but which is entirely defamatory of the Green Party as a whole, and a long standing process which has been respected for some years. Perhaps you are suggesting that GPRC has been working on disputes very well in all cases, except the two you mention, either way, the newsletter is not a vehicle for mischief or personal opinion.
Mark France, who is not known to me, and as far as I'm aware has nothing to
do with Wales, was a member who was expelled for repeatedly calling for use
of guns and violent revolution, as well as intimidating the local party -
including standing in front of member's houses wearing face-mask and
balaclava. Hardly the behaviour expected of a Green Party member. I have no
idea why you brought this case up, except to show just how well GPRC is
working.
Also singled out for your special attention was Anne Greagsby, who continues
to make unfounded and defamatory assertions about members of the Green
Party, and indeed the Green Party in general. Someone with the interests and
philosophy of the Green Party at heart would simply not act this way. This
is yet another example of how well GPRC is working.
Using the members newsletter as a campaigning device to ask members to
contact the very hard pressed David Murray on issues outside his remit is
misleading and unproductive.
Really Max, it seems to me you are trying to force the Green Party in Wales
to break apart by encouraging inward looking fault finding and griping about
individuals, rather than outward looking support, which is essentially what
we are about.
There are some really good people doing some really excellent work in Wales,
why did you not highlight them? Or perhaps one of the up beat resolutions
passed at conference.
Matters such as wrong addresses, inaccuracies etc have been dealt with by
others.
Now, if you'll forgive me, I would like to get back to the work of
furthering the interest and appeal of the Wales Green Party, which is what
we are all elected to do. Please do not turn this into a ping pong of
opinions, for that will only take up time, of which most of us have little
to spare. I hope you will be issuing the necessary changes to the newsletter
shortly.
Pippa
From: Max Wallis
Sent: 10 March 2013 23:23
To: pippa bartolotti
Cc: wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk
Subject: Re: [WGPC] FW: Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Dear Pippa,
I feel sure you didn't want to be confrontational.
Please say which parts you dislike or are "plain wrong" so they can be
amended.
ÿ Hwyl / max
-----wgprc-bounces@lists.greenparty.org.uk wrote: -----
To: <wgprc@lists.greenparty.org.uk>
From: "pippa bartolotti"
Sent by: wgprc-bounces@lists.greenparty.org.uk
Date: 10/03/2013 20:06
Subject: [WGPC] FW: Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
I'm sorry to say that parts of this newsletter are just plain wrong, and
completely out of order. The editor does not appear to be able to act with
propriety or truthfulness. I back John's call to put this issue on the
agenda.
Pippa
From: Max Wallis
Sent: 09 March 2013 15:55
To: wallismk@####
Subject: Wales Green Party Newsletter / Special Conference
Green Wales, members Newsletter, Marchÿ 2013ÿ
byÿ <http://my.greenparty.org.uk/users/chris-were> Max Wallis (newsletter
editor; items and comments to wallismk@cf.ac.uk)
This edition notifies members of the Special Conference in May (details
below)
Nominations are open for the GP's Euro-election list, All-Wales
constituency, 4 places
The nomination form is available on the website: login at
<http://my.greenparty.org.uk/> http://my.greenparty.org.uk/ and go to Wales
Green Party.ÿ Each candidate for the List must be nominated by at least ten
members of the Green Party of England and Wales resident in Wales. A
nomination form is available from the ERO as Wales Returning Officer:ÿ phone
John Evans, ERO 07788834587 or Ann Were, secretaryÿ 07799351017.ÿ
E-mail confirmations will suffice for signatures, as described below for
Special Conference Motions.
Wales Green Party, Special Conference, YMCA, Cardiff,
Sat. 11 May 2013 @10:30am
Notification of a Special Conference
primarily to consider the Party name in Wales - whether or not we should
change from "Wales Green Party/Plaid Werdd Cymru" for electoral purposes.
For electoral purposes it would be helpful to use a name higher in the
alphabetical order, and one that clearly distinguishes us from others
Suggestions so far have included "Welsh Greens" and "Green Party Cymru"
Policy motions will also be taken at this meeting.ÿ A new Health policy and
a supplementary policy on Wind Farms are being proposed. Both of these will
be published in the first agenda.
The deadline for motions to conference is 16th March. All motions or
amendments must have a proposer and three further supporting signatures.
Email submissions will be accepted.ÿ It is not enough for the proposer to
include supporting names with the original motion. Supporters need to send
separate emails indicating which motion they are supporting.ÿ Members may
sign up to four motions.
The first agenda will be published by 30th March. Amendments to motions must
be submitted by 13th April. The final agenda will be published by 28th
April.
All motions and amendments should be sent to SOC at
<mailto:jmatthews633@btinternet.com> jmatthews633@btinternet.com
Nominations will also be accepted for the post of Conferences Coordinator.
The deadline for this nomination will be 28th April and should be sent to
<mailto:jonnie.evans@gmail.com> jonnie.evans@gmail.com
The nomination form will be on the website shortly.
If you have any queries please contactÿ <mailto:ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk>
ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk.
Regarding the notification for the special conference the timetable is as
follows:-
Motions to be submitted by 16th March (four signatures needed)
First agenda to be published by 30th March
Amendments to motions and Officer reports by 13th April
Final agenda by 28th April
Wales Green Party on the Internet
ÿ The Wales Green Party blog (greenwales.org) is for highlighting our
campaigns in Wales - we would like to make sure we get as much good content
put up on there as possible. If you'd like to submit an article/image/video
for the Green Wales blog please visitÿ <http://greenwales.org/submit>
greenwales.org/submit.
Press releases automatically go onto our Facebook page, generate a Twitter
feed and go onto the Tumbler account. All Local Part press officers are
asked to addÿ <mailto:chriswere@walesgreenparty.com>
chriswere@walesgreenparty.comÿ to the e-mail lists that they use for issuing
local releases.
Ask The Greens: askthegreens.com is a Wales Green Party service which allows
you to ask questions to the Leader and Deputy Leader of Wales Green Party.
However, the Q&A has dried up since 17th January - please help to keep
questions flowing.
GPEW gossip on GreenLeaksUK:ÿ Former Cardiff GP secretary Matt Townsend who
took on Local Party Support Coordinator in London has just resigned from
GPEx due to "excessive workload", tweeted #GreenLeaksUK, adding:ÿ "Another
Decembrist leaves. Good news for GPEx Chair Tom Dawes".
A Local and Regionalÿ Complaint Procedure has been issued in draft form (on
GP website):
The GPRC says - this procedure is a modelÿ for use by local and regional
parties in GPEW.
GPRC secret court puts activists on trial , giving them no chance to defend
themselves or appeal.
from
http://socialistunity.com/green-partys-undemocratic-processes/#comment-63960
9
In the Green Party's 40 years, it's been known for its democratic,
de-centralised, and inclusive internal regime.ÿ No longer.
Mark France was expelled by a decision of the Green Party Regional Council
at their 2-3 February 2013 meeting.
Mark was given no clear indication of charges against him, or of the
Disciplinary Process, or provided with any evidence or documentation
relating to any charges. Mark was not able to provide any defence. There was
no hearing in which Mark was able to participate in nor was he able to
present any defence.
At the same Green Party Regional Council meeting, another longstanding
activist from Cardiff, Anne Greagsby, was also expelled from the party. Her
'crimes' seemed to centre on public criticism of Pippa Bartalotti the Leader
of the tiny semi-autonomous Green Party in Wales.ÿ In Mark's case, some
jokey comments made on this website over two years ago were apparently used
to accuse Mark of "promoting violent revolution under the banner of the
Green Party" this reason for his expulsion was given to a London Federation
of Green Parties meeting by a member of the GPRC.
If the "Libertarian" Green Party is mirroring the worst excesses of left
wing sects then something deeply disturbing is affecting the political
culture.ÿ Perhaps if 'Fair is worth fighting for' David Murray the Green
Party CEO needs to consider his position?
Anyone wishing to question or protest at the expulsions of Mark France and
Anne Greagsby from the Green Party can e-mailÿ David Murray
<david.murray@greenparty.org.uk>
Rumpus over the GPRC:ÿ Mark's last action was to sponsor the Motion D30 on
reviewing the disciplinary process, passed by Conference on 23 Feb.:
Synopsis:ÿ The current disciplinary and dispute resolution processes are not
interlinked, and lack guidance on the use of specific sanctions like
suspension, or the time it should take for resolution to occur. In order to
resolve this, GPRC should convene a review of the processes.
Motion:ÿ "Conference calls on GPRC to initiate a full review of the
disciplinary and dispute resolution processes within the party, with a view
to proposing a revised set of policies and procedures no later than spring
conference 2014.
The review should include people within the wider party experienced at
creating, reviewing and implementing policies and procedures of this type. A
call should go out through the Green Activist mailing and on the GPTU list,
as well as the members forum for people willing to contribute.
The review should include, but not be limited to considering the following
points:
1. Introduce a separate grievance procedure.
2. Create model processes for local and regional parties.
3. Outline the expected Time Limits for resolution and the circumstances for
variation of them.
4. Outline clear guidelines for deviation from the agreed process.
5. Change the current process to ensure that the full allegations are
outlined at the very start of the investigation process, and no member is
suspended pending investigation without being fully informed of the
complaint.
6. Reconsider the use of suspension of membership."
The motion was passed with little dissent, showing great sympathy for Mark
as the absent mover. The Green Party is a legal entity and must at all times
behave in a manner that this legal position demands, said a supporter. Then
Jill Mills who is co-chair and led the disciplinary cases for GPRC took on
leading this Review.ÿ That's caused a rumpus, with calls on Jill to stand
back from the whole process.
The GPRC members from Wales are:
Chris Simpsonÿ <mailto:christopher_s@btinternet.com>
christopher_s@btinternet.com, and Jane Cooke
<mailto:Jane.cooke@heartfeltwork.co.uk> Jane.cooke@heartfeltwork.co.uk
Wales Green Party council is looking for a member to become our assistant
treasurer, which involves learning how the finances of Wales Green Party
work with the expectation of taking over as Wales GP treasurer.ÿ If you are
interested please contact:ÿ <mailto:chriswere@walesgreenparty.com>
chriswere@walesgreenparty.com
Specific skills & qualities sought:
.ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ Good budgeting skills
.ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ A good understanding of office management and database systems
.ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ A good understanding of accounting practices, contract law and
fundraising practices
_______________________________________________
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