All about Margaret Hodge

March 19, 2010

Margaret Hoxha?

Filed under: Labour split — Patrick Harrington @ 6:13 am
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Hoxha?

 

QUESTION:     

  What do a hated foreign Communist dictator and a rich ‘Socialist’ British MP have in common?     

 ANSWER.      

They were both known as Enver!     

THE dictator in question was Enver Hoxha of Albania (1).  To this day, no-one is too sure how many people ‘disappeared’ whilst he ruled.  However, it’s probably safe to assume that he would have gave Hitler (2), Stalin (3) and Pol Pot (4) a run for their money!     

Hoxha ruled Albania with an iron fist.  The Sigurimi (Albanian secret police) routinely violated the privacy of persons, homes, and communications and made arbitrary arrests.     

Hodge?

 

And the rich ‘Socialist’ British MP?  Well, it’s Margaret Hodge – MP for Barking in East London.     

So what’s the link?     

In 1973, Hodge was elected as a councillor in the Borough of Islington in North London (5).  Later on – in 1982 – she became the Leader of Islington Council.  She held this post for ten years (6).     

It was during this time that she became referred to as “Enver Hodge” (7).  (‘Hoxha’ is pronounced  ‘Hodga’ and sounds like Hodge). She had become the focus of antagonism from “old-guard”, former Labour Party members who felt that their party had been “taken over” by middle-class incomers.     

Apparently, in those days, Hodge sported a bust of Lenin and flew the red flag over the town hall (8).      

 These days, Hodge is probably not so keen on spreading the wealth.  According to a report in The Times, the Oppenheimer family, of which Hodge is a member, is worth a cool £178m (9).      

 That’s not bad for a British ‘Socialist’ MP is it?     

 (1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enver_Hoxha     

 (2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler     

 (3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalin     

 (4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pol_Pot     

 (5) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Hodge     

 (6) http://www.epolitix.com/mpwebsites/mpwebsitepage/mpsite/margaret-hodge/mppage/biography-11/     

 (7) http://nannyknowsbest.blogspot.com/2004/09/enver-hodge-approach-to-parenting.html     

 (8) http://www.minettemarrin.com/minettemarrin/2003/07/h_is_for_hypocr.html     

(9)  http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/specials/rich_list/article3769598.ece

March 16, 2010

Margaret Hodge & Her Expenses Wodge

Filed under: Uncategorized — Patrick Harrington @ 3:58 pm
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Hodge submitted this for YOU to pay

Margaret Hodge MP – the richest woman in Parliament with a £50 million personal fortune makes YOU pay for her organic coffee and biscuits, and even a 25p carrier bag.

Here is just one of the huge wodge of receipts used by Hodge to claim a small fortune from taxpayers every year in Parliament. She gobbled up £133,255 in expenses in they year 2007-2008 alone.

She’s a multi-millionaire with massive business interests but she has no shame in claiming from the tax payer for her bills.  Some expenses  (like office stationery) are fair enough but why should you pay for garden plants? Hodge claimed for invoices form Homebase on 8 November 2005. You paid for her Pansies, Lavender and Tyme.  It’s not a sweet smell – in fact it stinks!

March 6, 2010

What do people think of Margaret Hodge?

Filed under: Views on Margaret Hodge — Patrick Harrington @ 9:11 am
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A selection of quotes on Margaret Hodge…


“I have the impression she’s not able to hear about serious child abuse.  She seems to shut down and there is the sense that she can’t even hear it.  It’s come up again and again.  When she described children in care as ‘disruptive and difficult’ – those aren’t terms we ever use.  We’re not into pathologising children and that’s what you do when you don’t listen.  You define them out of existence.”

 
Liz Davies, former senior social worker.  Talking about Margaret Hodge’s handling of a catalogue of abuse at childrens’ homes in Islington, North London.  Hodge was the Islington council leader between 1982-92.  The abuse was exposed by the London Evening Standard in October 1992. Source:-  http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2003/nov/21/childrensservices.schools

“The story broke at the end of her leadership on the council. She was looking to be an MP and I personally don’t think she was interested.”

Chris Goodhall.  Assistant Editor, Islington Gazette. Talking about Margaret Hodge’s reaction to the Islington sex abuse scandal. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2003/nov/21/childrensservices.schools

“Two senior frontline social workers are now prepared to blow the whistle publicly; they say that Hodge failed in 1990 to take their warnings seriously and refused to give them extra staff and money to conduct further investigations. They now say they continued to submit warning reports that their superiors, and Hodge, did not take seriously.”

Minette Marrin,  Sunday Times columnist.  Writing about about Margaret Hodge’s reaction to the Islington sex abuse scandal. http://www.minettemarrin.com/minettemarrin/2003/07/h_is_for_hypocr.html

“You felt she was a lady seeking power. She never had to do a day’s work in her life.  She was a leftwinger with an Islington town house and cottage in Norfolk. And while she was leading the revolution, she was advertising for a nanny in the Lady“.

David Hyams, councilor Islington Borough Council (1974 -1990).  Talking about Margaret Hodge.   http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2003/nov/21/childrensservices.schools

Editors note: Whilst Hodge probably never had to work she did at one point work for Unilever and the British Market Research Bureau prior to having children.

“Of course, for much of her life Hodge was indeed a diehard old leftist; in her time as leader of the notorious and loony left Islington council (1982-1992) she sported a bust of Lenin and flew the red flag over the town hall.”

Minette Marrin,  Sunday Times columnist.  Writing about former ‘ lunatic leftist’, Margaret Hodge. http://www.minettemarrin.com/minettemarrin/2003/07/h_is_for_hypocr.html


“Margaret is a tue daughter of her family. She likes power, she likes to be the boss, to tell people what to do. It is the same facination with power which I believe explains her involvement in politics.”

First husband Andrew Watson, Daily Mail, May 8, 1983.

“My colleague David Cofie had presented powerful evidence to Hodge of sexual abuse in Islington. She wanted to slap him down and she told us that it was all malicious rumour and that it didn’t happen. But I – and others – knew that it did.”

 Social Worker, Islington Borough Council

 http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-7710095-new-social-worker-condemns-hodge.do

“If you see someone doing wrong, and you allow that person to get away with it, then you are as guilty as the people who did the crimes themselves.”

“That is why Hodge – who tried to sweep it under the carpet when it was brought to her attention – must be held accountable. She needs to feel our pain, hear our anger. She needs to stop thinking like a politician and behave like a human being. People’s lives have been ruined.”

Yvonne Williams, sexually abused almost every day from the ages of 10 – 16, whilst in the care of Islington Borough Council.

 http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-7710095-new-social-worker-condemns-hodge.do

 “I hold Hodge directly responsible for the abuse I suffered.”

 “My brother, Michael, was sexually abused in care before me, and if Hodge had listened to the social workers he complained to, then there is every likelihood that I would never have been abused. I will not rest until I get justice.”

 Douglas Fitch, sexually abused whilst in the care of Islington Borough Council.

 http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-7710095-new-social-worker-condemns-hodge.do

Margaret Hodge had to pay-out over abuse scandal

Filed under: Islington Child Abuse Scandal — Patrick Harrington @ 8:28 am
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Hodge labelled abuse victim "disturbed"

 

MR. Adam Walker, the President of Solidarity Trade Union – www.solidaritytradeunion.net - has once attacked Barking MP Margaret Hodge, for her part in a sex abuse scandal. In particular, he singled out her treatment of Mr. Demetrious Panton, as “outrageous” and questioned her suitability as an MP.  

 Hodge, was born in Egypt as Margaret Oppenheimer, the daughter of a millionaire German steel trader and refugee fleeing the evils of anti-semitism and his Austrian wife, Hans and Lisbeth Oppenheimer (1). 
Her family later settled in London.  In 1973 she was elected as a councillor in the London Borough of Islington (2).  

From the 70s – 90s, many children who were in Islington council care suffered serious sexual abuse.  Hodge was Leader of the Council from 1982 till 1992 (3).  
  

One of those who were abused was Demetrious Panton (4).  In 1978, Mr. Panton was just 11 when he was abused by paedophile Bernie Bain, the former head of an Islington children’s home (5).  

Demetrious Panton first made allegations against Mr. Bain in 1979, but no other children would talk.  The case was dropped and Islington Council was off the hook.   In 1985 Demetrious – just turned 18 – wrote to Islington Social Services. This time he wanted to the police with the backing of the council.  

Despite the seriousness of Mr. Panton’s claims, Hodge twice rebuffed approaches from him to discuss the sexual abuse he suffered (6).  

She wrongly labelled Mr. Panton “an extremely disturbed person”.  Her comments were to get her in hot water.  

The Solidarity President noted that this wasn’t a view shared by Detective Superintendent John Sweeney.  He was the man tasked with launching a full and thorough investigation into the allegations.  Indeed, DS Sweeney found Mr. Panton “to be very articulate and very measured”.  

These comments so enraged Mr. Panton that he sought legal action against Hodge.   In late 2003 she agreed to fork out £20,000.  At the time it was seen as a move to save her job – of all things, as Labour’s children’s minister.  

 So on 17th November 2003, Margaret Hodge, after consultation with her and Mr. Panton’s solicitors, said:  

 “I can now confirm that we have agreed the following.  

“One, a statement in court will be made shortly reiterating the apology made on 14 November.  Two, I will make a donation of £10,000 to NACRO (7).  Three, I have agreed to pay Mr Panton’s legal costs.” 

At the time it was suggested that the legal costs to be paid by Mrs Hodge were going to be more than £20,000.   For the fabulously rich Hodge, this seemed to be a small price to pay for her transgressions.  

Talking recently about the case, Mr. Walker claimed that Hodge’s view was “outrageous”.  He also questioned her suitability as an MP.  At the time she resisted all calls for her to resign.  (Indeed, she is now Minister of State at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport).  

 Mr. Walker said: 
   

“Hodge was leader of the council.  She should have ensured that action was taken.  She should have done everything possible to protect the children.”  

 He went on to note that after paying the £20,000, Hodge should have done the decent thing and have resigned.  

 “Instead Nu Labour stuck two fingers up to the ordinary working folk of Britain.  Incredibly, they made Hodge the first ever Minister for Children Young People & Families, where she served between 2003 and 2005.”  

 (1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Hodge  

 (2) http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2003/nov/21/childrensservices.schools  

 (3) http://www.epolitix.com/mpwebsites/mpwebsitepage/mpsite/margaret-hodge/mppage/biography-11/  

 (4) http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39563000/jpg/_39563093_panton203.jpg  

 (5) http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/reports/politics/bain_20031111.shtml  

 (6) http://news.scotsman.com/islingtonchildabusescandal/Hodge-pays-out-to-save.2479765.jp  

 (7) National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders: www.nacro.org.uk

Islington child abuse scandal returns to haunt Hodge

Filed under: Islington Child Abuse Scandal — Patrick Harrington @ 8:12 am
Tags: , , ,

Hodge was blamed for not doing enough

MARGARET HODGE has once again been slammed by a leading trade union official.

This time it’s over her conduct during the child sex abuse scandal that rocked Islington borough council.

Adam Walker, the President of Solidarity Trade Union  – has accused the Barking MP of “not listening to Health Care professionals and putting politics before children.”

During the 70s, 80s and 90s, children who were in council care suffered serious sexual abuse.  Some were as young as nine.  This only came to light during the mid-80s when a complaint was made about this abuse.  The complainant received an official reply five years later, in which the council denied responsibility. (1)

 In the early 90s Liz Davies, (2) a senior social worker employed by the borough and her manager David Cofie, (3) raised concerns about sexual abuse of children in Islington Council Care.  By this time, Margaret Hodge was leader of Islington council.

 Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Hodge wouldn’t allow the Social Workers investigate.

 This led to the resignation of Liz Davies who requested that Scotland Yard investigate the matter. 

 The London Evening Standard caught wind of the scandal and reported on the abuse in Islingtons children’s homes.

 Shortly after this Hodge resigned.  However the question remains – did  she jump or was she pushed?

 In 1995, the White Report into sexual abuse in Islington Care homes reported that the council had failed adequately to investigate the allegations.

 Incredibly Hodge was appointed Minister for Children in 2003 (She became an MP for Barking in East London in 1994).

Mr. Walker  said:

 “On her official web-site (4) Margaret Hodge declares that: ‘Her main areas of policy interest are Education, the reform of public services, equality issues and especially gender issues and democratic renewal.’

 I find this ironic to say the very least.  When these allegations of child sex abuse surfaced, Hodge declined a request from Social Workers for extra resources to investigate. 

 Is that what she means by ‘reforming’ public services?  Where was the ‘equality’ for children in Islington?”

 Mr. Walker said that Hodge, as leader of Islington council, should have stood by her Health Care professionals. 

 “She should have listened to the concerns of the Social Workers.  After all, they are front line workers. 

 They do a difficult job in difficult circumstances, but they would have been best placed to investigate the allegations.”

(1)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Hodge


(2) http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/depts/dass/staff/lizdavies/


(3)  http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-7710095-new-social-worker-condemns-hodge.do


(4)  http://www.epolitix.com/mpwebsites/mpwebsitepage/mpsite/margaret-hodge/mppage/biography-11/

Margaret Hodge – Expenses scandal reignites

Filed under: Expenses scandal — Patrick Harrington @ 8:01 am
Tags: ,

THE CONTROVERSY over the MPs expenses scandal has reignited.

And one trade union leader has spoken out against Margaret Hodge, Labour MP for Barking. 

He has criticized her expenses, accused her of betraying the founders of the Labour Party and has questioned her socialism.  He also contrasted the lives of ordinary working folk with that of “unaccountable politicians” like Hodge.

Mr. Adam Walker  is the President of Solidarity Trade Union - Solidarity describes itself as ‘a free, autonomous Nationalist trade union’. 

 Speaking about the expenses scandal he said:

 “Margaret Hodge should be ashamed of herself and the actions of her fellow MPs.  At a time when workers have to tighten their belts, MPs seem to be spending money like its going out of fashion.”

Mr. Walker  said that he couldn’t understand why Hodge had hired her former press officer for ‘PR’ support (1).

This was in direct contravention of House of Commons rules.  These state that MPs are barred from claiming expenses for “self-promotion or PR” for individuals or political parties.
Hodge – who featured in the Daily Telegraph’s expose of MPs expenses – claimed over £2000 for “PR Support” from a company called Chilli and Spice.

Chilli and Spice is based in Chelmsford, Essex.  It is run by Ms. Janet Coull.  She was a press officer for Hodge when the MP was a junior employment minister.  Chilli and Spice was paid the money for four months’ PR work.

Hodge claimed that Coull was paid for “articles, reports and speech writing”.  However, receipts from Chilli and Spice submitted to the Commons fees office by Mrs Hodge specify that they provided “PR support”.

Mr. Walker said that many people would be astonished that Hodge had seemingly been able to  abuse the system of parliamentary allowances:

“The rules state that MPs can’t claim for PR – yet Hodge has done this!”

 In a wide ranging attack on Mrs. Hodge, the Solidarity President also reiterated his claim that she had “betrayed the founders of the Labour Party.”

“In my view, the founders of the British Labour Party were patriotic socialists.  I’m talking about people like Keir Hardie and Bob Blatchford. They must be spinning in their graves when they see how their socialist ideals have been distorted by MPs like Hodge.”

 Mr. Walker expressed outrage that half of all MPs have been ordered to pay back more than £1million in dodgy expense claims. (2)  He also pointed out that three of Mrs. Hodge’s fellow Labour MPs have been charged with false accounting over their expenses claims.

“These are so-called ‘socialist’ MPs.  Yet they are almost on a par with the greedy bankers and fat cats.  They all seem to be tying to outdo each other in who can rake in the most.

At the same time ordinary British working folks have to get by on very little.  Is that fair?  Is that just?”

 (1) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5425232/MPs-expenses-Margaret-Hodge-hired-her-former-press-officer-for-PR-support.html
(2) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/6601356/MPs-expenses-fraud-charges-for-six-MPs-and-lords.html

February 21, 2010

Our mission

Filed under: Uncategorized — Patrick Harrington @ 7:47 am
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This site is dedicated to informing the public about Margaret Hodge MP and her many failings. We welcome contributions in the form of articles or comments. Love Margaret Hodge? We are a free-speech site and will publish defences of her record too!

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