Max Evidence 3[28] ChrisWere_gaffe complaint

MaxEv3[28] ChrisWere_gaffe complaint

To: ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk>, Chris Simpson , Christopher Were <chriswere@walesgreenparty.com>, Dorothy Wilson , Jane Cooke, John Matthews <jmatthews633@btinternet.com>, John Evans, Owen Clarke , PaulAtkins<paulatkins@walesgreenparty.com>, Pippa Bartolotti <pippabartolotti@walesgreenparty.com>
From: Max Wallis/smamkw/CardiffUniversity
Date: 27/05/2013 19:15
Subject: Re: the "Gaffe" + YourGreenWales video channel 

Dear WGPC members,
Thanks for the responses on these items, which do need further consideration.
1. discussion on Chris Were's blogs and the half-hearted apology (of Press reports).
   Can Chris's blog be considered as just a gaffe - “an
 unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment to its originator”?
   Chris's first reply to us (12 May) “silly little dispute” was shown up by the subsequent reporting in the W Mail and Indy on Sunday. Chris's fan club (13-17 yr olds, I think I saw) seems unrepresentative of the British public. However it's the half-hearted apology in the newspapers that reflects badly on the GP in my view. That is what I propose the WGPC discusses. I want to know who advised Chris what to take down and what apology was accepted; was Ann Were excluded and who was it decided the GP is a “forgiving party”?  What full apology can be posted up to offset that in the Press?
2. YourGreenwales video channel
  Whether experimental or not, videos on YouTube/YourGreenWales went out during the election period that featured the two candidates making statements, and were advertised via twitter and facebook.  
  Whether this gave an unfair electoral advantage is not a matter for the WGP Council but, according to Chris Rose, a matter for the GPEW Standing Orders Committee, re possible reference to the Euro Election Tribunal. The WGPC can't pretend there is no issue here - we could advise that any material should be electorally neutral, and more consistent with GP messages – respecting our public, not just market testing.  Hwyl / Max

-----ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: -----
To: Paul Atkins <paulatkins@walesgreenparty.com>, John Evans
From: ann were <ann_were12@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: 23/05/2013 14:03
Subject: Re: YourGreenWales video channel
I think it's also fair to add that this is in the development stage at the moment and by no means the finished product. It's something the team are working on in the hope that it will be a useful part of the digital campaign for the Euros next year.
Ann Were. 
   


From: Paul Atkins <paulatkins@walesgreenparty.com>
To: John Evans
Sent: Wednesday, 22 May 2013, 19:59
Subject: Re: YourGreenWales video channel
Dear Max,
  As WGP Press Officer I have been involved in all discussions relating to the formation of this channel. YourGreenWales is part of an ongoing attempt to improve communication across social media platforms. As I'm sure you can appreciate, opening up for group discussion the creation of every new channel, video and press release would quickly become unworkable, not to mention tiresome for all involved. 
  In any functioning political party- the leader and deputy leader have a right, in fact a duty to speak on behalf of the party. I don't think any of us wish to see a situation in which the leader and deputy leader stop promoting the party every time we go through a selection procedure. 
  As for the so-called 'gaffe', Chris Ware has apologised and I think it is time to move on. I'm afraid these things are part of the rough and tumble of politics. However I am very happy to have a discussion at a later date about how we improve our capacity to react to these kind of stories - some training in this area might be beneficial.
Kind Regards,
Paul Atkins - Press & Electoral Strategy Officer (Wales Green Party)
+44 (0)7784890055


On Wed, May 22, 2013 at 5:47 PM, John Evans wrote:
Dear Max,
  Under the constitution, officers of the party are allowed to go about party and personal business during an election, as long as they don't promote their candidacy. Neither Pippa or Chris mention the current election in any content on these video clips. So therefore are not in breach of election rules.
  The constitution is there for you to read, as it is for any member.
Yours 
John Evans
WGP ERRO.

On 22 May 2013 17:26, Christopher Were <chriswere@walesgreenparty.com> wrote:
1. I'd be more than happy to offer an explanation for my recent gaffe as well as a verbal damage control, at the request of WGPC.
2. To clarify, the YourGreenWales YouTube channel is for the use of all WGPC in the same way the blog and website are.

On 22 May 2013 16:36, Max Wallis <WallisMK@cardiff.ac.uk> wrote:
Dear Ann,
Thanks for yesterday sending e-mail evidence of my disclosing WGPC or GP 'confidential' information to non-members.
As far as I see  
# the header has been altered (ie. the evidence has been doctored)
# the disclosure to Anne Greagsby may well have occurred thru the members-list supplied to Dorothy and me, which has ~30 bouncing e-mails as well as hers and presumably contains other out-of-date/lapsed members.
  A full track-back would take a little time; in the meantime, please explain what are the GP guidelines on 'confidentiality'.  I've been assuming the GP operates openly (using discretion over sensitive/personnel issues) except where confidentiality is requested for good reason (the only time I recall was for an e-mail by Pippa). If this understanding is not right, please document why not and explain what steps you took to inform us new members of the Council of it.  
  Until these points are clarified, a Telephone meeting on it would surely be premature.
  On the other hand, let's hold a Telephone meeting on two urgent items:

1. discussion on Chris Were's blogs and the half-hearted apology (of Press reports).
I asked you to include this yesterday, but you haven't replied; I guess your personal 'interest' gives difficulty, so who will decide if we can discuss it?  I remind you of my e-mail of 12 May, complaining of the Wales Green Party being associated through it with obscene and sexually deviant talk, and stereotypical sexism.

2. YourGreenwales video channel  http://www.youtube.com/user/YourGreenWales
This newly set up channel has videos of Pippa and Chris. It uses Wales Green Party resources/name promoting two of the candidates in the current election.  Can we establish if the Leader and Dep Leader set up this channel without seeking approval of the rest of the WGP Council and are permitted to use it freely?

As you or Chris have been blocking my e-mails to the list, I'm sending this direct to the Council members.
  Hwyl / Max

To: "Christopher Were (Green Party)" <ChrisWere@WalesGreenParty.com>,
From: Jane Cooke (GPRC member for Wales)
Date: 13/05/2013 09:32
Subject:  Re: Fw: blog-site christopherwere.com
Dear Chris - firstly I'm glad that you have seen Max's email and that you have replied. There are a few things that I'd like to say - whatever Max's motivation - anyone checking you out as deputy leader and Euro candidate are likely to have come across your blog - people are looking at you as The Green Party - and all the careful guidelines are there for a reason.  Politicians can have lively sex lives/views  but they have to be wise about a number of things - the GP is and should remain a broad church - however it is naive to think that derogatory (at the least & I haven't sat through the utube so making a general point - but cunt on it's own would be unacceptable) or exploitative stuff is ok if women are involved in some way - is it okay if black rappers are racist eg - and the values and views that underpin the GP whilst embracing difference are fundamentally against exploitation of people and planet - follow the values behind  language such as cunt (when its used in the way that it is in the poster ) back and it's clear that this is about objectfying and then denigrating. So basically I'm saying wise up and make some choices. Best wishes Jane 
Sarah Cope Chair of Green Party Women: Dear Christopher, Sarah Cope here, Chair of Green Party Women. I hope you are well. I am just contacting you about the fall-out from the very offensive postings here on your blog. I have received emails from women asking that our sub-group call for your resignation. I do agree with emails that your apology seemed quite petulantly worded. A further, more genuine, less defensive apology would be well advised. Perhaps we could discuss this? Thanks, Sarah  [posted on Chris Were’s blog]


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