Whitby UKIP councillor forced to resign as school governor

A popular councillor in Whitby says that he has been forced to resign as a governor of Whitby Community College after joining UKIP.

Cllr Mike Ward says that he was told by headteacher Sue Whealan that his membership of UKIP is not compatible with the values of the school. The statement of values for the school, which Cllr Ward signed off as Chair of the Board of Governors, says the school's aim is that all students:

• are safe and healthy
• enjoy and achieve
• make a positive contribution
• experience success so that they are equipped to make their way in the world of work

The school, the council and the headteacher have yet to explain how Cllr Ward's membership of UKIP doesn't support the aims he himself signed off or why Cllr Ward's human right not to be discriminated against because of his political views have been violated.

This one isn't going to go away any time soon.

Picture: North Yorks Enquirer

EU says prisoners have to be allowed to vote

Convicted criminals in prison have been banned from voting since 1870 as part of their punishment. Our laws are a reflection (with some notable exceptions of late) of the values of our society - what we, as a people, consider to be right and wrong. It is therefore sensible to deprive someone who breaks a law that is serious enough to carry a custodial sentence of the right to vote.

Not according to the EU, though. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that it is illegal to deprive prisoners of their right to vote, prompting the British government's Joint Committee on Human Rights to warn MPs that the next general election will be illegal under EU law if prisoners aren't allowed to vote.

Can we leave yet?