Max Evidence 3[30] Complaint
toSOC=EamonnWard overJMexclusion 2011].
Sent: Friday,
October 21, 2011 6:26 PM
Subject: Re:
complaint to SOC over exclusion from Wales GP meeting at Conference
Eamonn Ward, GP SOC
Hi Eamonn,
I note that 'Wales
GP' have declined to respond, apparently not wishing to go further than the
views from Ann Were to Anne Greagsby (my partner), which Ann never sent me.
It's clear from Ann's argument that under the constitution the WGP
Council had the option of inviting me to stay to the meeting, but they were not
given that chance. Anne was not given opportunity to explain why I should be invited
- on grounds that she needed support in view of stress from serious bullying by
John Matthews at the recent Cardiff GP meeting that had become personal,; and
on grounds that my e-mail to Jake Griffiths (which had been 'furiously'
attacked by John Matthews attack) would come up.
Ann does not address the issue that the WGP Council not JM as
General Secretary had the right under the Constitution to invite me to stay or
not. She presumably remembers that JM claimed the Constitution supported him
and said he'd supply Anne with the actual terms, though it doesn't and he
didn't.
In the event, JM did bring up that e-mail and name me in the
course of the meeting; also it was quite a heated meeting which gave Anne a
deal of stress, so why did Ann not conclude in retrospect that inviting me to
stay would have been arguable? Instead she just comments “I don't think it's
reasonable” in principle for non-members to attend, despite this being open in
the Constitution.
On the point of the issue being ignored in the draft Minutes, Ann
does say she's no objection to it being included and the Minute Secretary has
agreed to ask other attendees too (e-mails below between Anne and Chris
Simpson).
I should add that JM seems to have built up antagonism to me since
getting furious (his word) with Anne over my email to Jake. At the last Cardiff
GP meeting, he shouted down the stairs at Anne to tell Max - he's not to come
to another GP meeting (unless joining as a member). He says the 'open
invitation' to non-members is for a trial period only - yet I only ever
attended that one Cardiff meeting (after helping in the election campaign) and
that shouting match run by a furious chairman could not constitute a reasonable
trial, but more an occasion for apology.
I'm pleased at least that the WGP agree they should account to
you/SOC on my exclusion of from their meeting at Sheffield. I don't know if you
could do any more on it, apart from reminding them of the general policy on
welcoming/involving non-member friends. The underlying issues between Anne and
JM, and in facing up to the disappointing election performance need to be
addressed separately. But you might refer it further up in the structure as an
indication of the Welsh Party straying from diversity and openness aims, with
the leading members unwilling to challenge autocratic behaviour by the 'General
Secretary'.
Thanks and best wishes / max
Max Wallis 029 2021 0708
48
Westbourne Road, Penarth CF64 3HF
--- On Tue, 20/9/11, ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
--- On Tue, 20/9/11, ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
From:
ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Meeting minutes & no mention of Max being expelled from meeting
To: Chris simpson, "A GREAGSBY" <annegre@btinternet.com>
Date: Tuesday, 20 September, 2011, 11:19
Subject: Re: Meeting minutes & no mention of Max being expelled from meeting
To: Chris simpson, "A GREAGSBY" <annegre@btinternet.com>
Date: Tuesday, 20 September, 2011, 11:19
Dear Anne,
The
constitution says:-
v) The WGPC shall meet at least four
times per year within Wales. Additional
meetings may be held outside of Wales (for example, at GPEW Conference) at
the discretion of the General Secretary. Meetings within Wales will be
rotated between the regions on a regular basis. *These meetings shall be
open to all members of the Party as observers, and the WGPC may invite any
person to attend as an advisor. *Meetings of WGPC shall be convened by the
General Secretary and publicised in Green Wales.
meetings may be held outside of Wales (for example, at GPEW Conference) at
the discretion of the General Secretary. Meetings within Wales will be
rotated between the regions on a regular basis. *These meetings shall be
open to all members of the Party as observers, and the WGPC may invite any
person to attend as an advisor. *Meetings of WGPC shall be convened by the
General Secretary and publicised in Green Wales.
Max was not invited and, therefore,
not entitled to attend. When/if he ever joins the Party he will be welcome to
attend. I don't think it's reasonable to allow non members to attend WGPC
meetings where we may wish to discuss private issues, such as election strategy
and target wards, etc.
It's probably not reasonable to allow
non members to attend local meetings either, on a regular basis, for the same
reason.
From: chris
Subject: Re: Meeting minutes & no mention of Max being expelled from meeting
To: "A GREAGSBY" <annegre@btinternet.com>
Date: Saturday, 17 September, 2011, 17:54
Subject: Re: Meeting minutes & no mention of Max being expelled from meeting
To: "A GREAGSBY" <annegre@btinternet.com>
Date: Saturday, 17 September, 2011, 17:54
I did not minute it because it was not part of the meeting.
The minutes start off with 1) Apologies and carry on with the rest of the
meeting. Present includes members of the council & observers is WGPC
members who are not Council members. Sometimes I do get people in the wrong
section; but I got the people there right this time.
If you want, I will circulate this round the rest of the
Council members and ask them if they think this should be added to the minutes.
Yours,
Chris S
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2011 5:43 PM
Subject: Re: Meeting minutes & no mention
of Max being expelled from meeting
The minutes say nothing on this
issue, so please add something based on my notes as follow:
The meeting began with the minute
silence and then John Matthews asked if any one present was 'not a fully paid
up member'. Max said he wasn't a member and understood that Non
members are welcome to attend Conference
as 'Observers'. John Matthews then demanded that Dr Max Wallis
leave the meeting insisting that he had the right to do so by the Green Party
constitution but was unable to quote the section. In response to my question
he promised to send me the relevant reference.
best
wishes
Anne
|
From:
"Eamonn Ward"
Date: 02/10/2011 12:23
Subject: Fw: complaint to SOC over exclusion from Wales GP meeting at Conference
Max,
Date: 02/10/2011 12:23
Subject: Fw: complaint to SOC over exclusion from Wales GP meeting at Conference
Max,
Wales GP have now contacted me. They have declined to
respond and they refer you to the response given previously to Anne
Greagsby.
Regards
Eamonn
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: complaint to SOC over exclusion from Wales GP
meeting at Conference
Max,
I forwarded your e-mail to Ann Were
requesting that I be copied in on any response so I know it has been responded
to. I have yet to receive a response but hope that Ann will get back to you
soon.
Regards
Eamonn
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 12:01 AM
Subject: Re: complaint to SOC over exclusion from Wales GP
meeting at Conference
Hi Eamonn
Thanks for taking up
my complaint over John Matthews excluding me, among your many conference
duties.
Reading the Wales GP
Constitution, I see exclusion from a Wales Council meeting was not in
accordance with it – whether a non-member can attend or be invited to speak is
for the WGP Council itself to determine. It may not have been a proper Council
meeting (notified to members and quorate), when your more positive rules on
non-members attending would apply.
John Matthews did say he'd send chapter and verse
to Anne (who'd objected, saying he made up rules) but hasn't done so.
Instead, the draft Minutes ignore the whole issue.
Best wishes / Max Wallis
-----Max Wallis/smamkw/CardiffUniversity wrote: -----
To: eamonn.ward
From: Max Wallis/smamkw/CardiffUniversity
Date: 11/09/2011 16:03
Subject: complaint to SOC over exclusion from GP meeting at Conference
My exclusion from the Wales GP meeting, Sat. 10th at 14.30.
From: Max Wallis/smamkw/CardiffUniversity
Date: 11/09/2011 16:03
Subject: complaint to SOC over exclusion from GP meeting at Conference
My exclusion from the Wales GP meeting, Sat. 10th at 14.30.
At the start of the meeting, the chair (John
Matthews) insisted that I, as non -member, should leave the meeting. He
stated he could do that under the constitution, but was unable to cite the rule
or give specific reason.
I understand that a GP meeting may vote to
exclude a non-member, allowing arguments for and against, but clearly this
procedure was not followed.
I would add that at the August meeting of the
Cardiff & Vale GP, I said he had misunderstood an e-mail that I wrote, in
his attack on another for it, but he ruled that my contributions to the meeting
should not be recorded/minuted. JM subsequently at this Conference
meeting referred to my email and me by name. His action as chairman in
excluding me was clearly not unbiased, but influenced by this previous episode.
Prior to this, I've had little contact with JM, having only helped in
campaigning for the GP in the Welsh Assembly election last April-May, so
I am disturbed at the departure from openness policy evident in this exclusion.
Max Wallis 029 2021 0708
48 Westbourne
Road, Penarth CF64 3HF
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