Friday 10 October 2014

Words of Advice

Like all good postcards, lets set the scene first. For those who arrived early for the Napo AGM on Wednesday, the portents were not particularly good. The Scarborough heavens opened at about 6.30pm and what looked and felt like a biblical flood nearly prevented the author from making it from hotel to pub. But the sky had miraculously cleared by the second pint, and upon eventual return to my bed, there was a full moon reflecting upon a mill pond sea. By the following morning the streets were dry and the blood orange sun rising over the North Sea can only be described as spectacular. (Ok, that's enough waxing lyrical.) 

This AGM is as much about saving the General Secretary's bacon as anything else. Those with good memories will recall his rousing Bob Crow-style speech last year at Llandudno when he announced that he'd started the Judicial Review process and got a standing ovation for his efforts. A year on, a hundred grand lighter, and we're precisely no further forward, so what is the General Secretary to do this year? There's understandable disquiet in the ranks, not to say hints of open revolt and talk of Emergency Motions.

The disquiet was alluded to in the somewhat pedestrian speech by interim-chair Chris Pearson, who I must say I found just a tad irritating by continually referring to pro-bation rather than probation. A small point I know, but I found it jarring nevertheless. Having repeated his classically understated feeling that there were a few (unspecified) things that were 'not quite right' with Napo HQ, in his eagerness to cover the General Secretary's back, he strayed somewhat from the prepared text. He sent the afternoon's only excited ripple through the auditorium by stating that "following a recent meeting with Queens Counsel, a positive announcement will be made tomorrow morning regarding Judicial Review." 

Not surprisingly, this tantalising snippet was siezed upon by a jubilant Elfyn Llwyd MP, also in an obvious diversion from his prepared speech, and which gained him a well-deserved standing ovation as a good and loyal friend of the probation service. Again, no doubt in an effort to bolster a beleagered-looking General Secretary, he was at pains to tell us as a former lawyer how difficult JR can be, how you need all your ducks in a row and how much effort had been put into it all by Napo officials. 

During the teabreak one can only speculate as to what conversations took place behind the scenes, but suffice to say that by the time of resumption of business, Chris Pearson was rowing-back considerably and urging people not to jump to any rash conclusions ahead of the 'announcement' to be made the following morning.

It's worth noting that both MP's, including John McDonnell who spoke after Elfyn, were at pains to point out that this is the first Napo AGM in living memory where the relevant government minister has refused to take part, and forbidden Noms officials from attending. Not only that, but we also understand that ministers are refusing to meet with the all-party Justice Unions Parliamentary group, a situation that both MP's said 'they would not tolerate'. All grossly immature behaviour from a Minister of the Crown who reportedly gives his reasons for not meeting Napo as being because we are 'an immature union'.    

So, the scene has been set for the General Secretary's keynote speech. Is it a case of his thunder having been stolen? Is it all evidence that Napo HQ have been panicked into action by the prospect of open revolt from the floor? Is it just an amazing coincidence that a legal breakthrough has occurred at this most propitious of times? Are we going to be treated to another dose of barnstorming smoke and mirrors?       

Now I have no idea what game is going on here, but I think I'd be tempted to offer some words of advice. Forget the overly-crafted oratory, the fake outrage, the smoke and mirrors, the bullshit and bollocks - just be yourself and tell us the truth - are we getting a Judicial Review or not?                  

52 comments:

  1. Absolutely Jim! Many thanks for update from someone who cant make it to AGM. Sincerely hope you are spared another paper waving triumphalist GS speech. If we are now pursuing JR (and as we know this comes with risks,costs etc) then it needs to be discussed soberly. For me having leaders facing facts grim as they are is more important than soapbox blarney

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  2. If my recall of AGM business is not too rusty I'd guess that if an emergency motion had been submitted yesterday then it would be this morning that steering would mention it and give judgement etc. If one had been sent in before Wed then am sure it would have been raised yesterday by steering committee and neither probation tweeters nor Jim have referred to this.

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  3. 12 hours to save NAPO !
    The day is here, the only full day of AGM business and the keynote speech coming up.
    Many of the members unable to attend are hanging on the Twitter accounts to hear the news "There will be a Judicial Review" -
    Come on Ian , put down that croissant, move away from the buffet breakfast bar and give us something to get hold of , give us the light at the end of the tunnel.
    I think if the JR is announced you will be surprised how much information will come your way , from disgruntled MOJ/NOMS/NPS/CRC staff who will be prepared to help the lawyers with information, Grayling is p***ing everybody off and another JR would be the final nail in his rather long coffin.
    What if there is no news - well many of us will be uncertain why we are in NAPO and I predict it will wither on the vine, there will an eternity of whining about loss of terms and conditions, and the fall of a once proud union.
    So come on Ian et al - raise the roof in Scarborough and listen to the noise echo round the country - Give us hope, give us a JR.......when do we want it, NOW?

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  4. Thanks Jim and anyone else posting agm news. I won't have access again until after 6pm today so I'm hoping for good news this evening...

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  5. Think GS is due to speak at 9.30. There is usually an AGM blog put on Napo website traditionally done by Assistant GS so Dean Rogers would do but nothing up yet

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  6. Basically Grayling has pissed everyone off, he hasn't any friends anywhere.

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  7. We will see what the morning brings but we will be ready !!!

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  8. Please announce JR, PLEASE

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  9. Closed session at Napo agm - HERE WE GO!!!

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  10. Let's hope members use opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns..please!

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  11. If Chris Pearson "let slip" something in his Chair's address yesterday that now can only be discussed in closed session there are some seriously crossed wires with communication at Napo HQ!!

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  12. 11.05am Lots of pretty pictures of Scarborough bathed in sunshine on Twitter but not much else. So when do the rest of us get to hear what was said/decided in the closed session? Even a cryptic comment such as 'major good news' would be a start.........
    Deb

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  13. Not looking good !

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  14. Come on NAPO let's have JR

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  15. From img.ly: -

    " Pat Waterman Chair Napo GLB #napo14 'lawyers need individual stories if you're worried come through me' "

    http://img.ly/A6v2

    My response via Facebook: -

    " Pathetic that they have not been collated nationally already, the nightmare has been going on since the split was announced.

    Lets be positive - let there be a deluge now. "

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  16. "Closed session over - now onto question time panel" - Hardly a rallying call for a JR !
    Is that it ????? was there a "positive announcement" if so it most be the most low key ever ....
    In my opinion we have been duped and I am sorry to say it looks like the delegates at conference have been too......

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    1. Agreed. @smirkz has described the closed session on Twitter as "interesting". I am in despair.............
      Deb

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  17. OMG what is happening? Not at AGM because of recent surgery....JR OR NOT?

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  18. It is a closed session for a reason. Talk to your NAPO colleagues who attended next week when they are back at work. Of you are not a NAPO member then what NAPO are doing at yheir AGM is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!! :lol:

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    1. Slap down not appreciated Anon 12:52. You make assumptions about those posting here. Secrecy has only exacerbated the problems for NAPO over the last couple of years and contributed to Member disillusionment. One would have thought that at such a pivotal moment it would be prudent to keep all Members on board and informed by the Officers of developments, whether at AGM or no.
      Deb - ex branch Chair Dorset

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    2. Secrecy in Napo is a consequence of the way 'ordinary' members have not taken control of the agenda as the constitution permits.

      I find that astounding, because Napo went through a "revolution" in the era of Murray Bruggen and Donald Bell which resulted in members taking firm control in the era of Bill Beaumont and firstly Jenny Kirkpatrick, which with time has been let go of again.

      Despite the Ledger crisis coming to a head two years ago when it became public knowledge ordinary members have let things slide for a further two years with low turnouts at General Meetings and few motions to steer direction of policy. - Motions need to be short and simple decision - not verbose wish lists.

      In the last month or so on this blog there has been a resolve from some to get the direction right re TR and Probation Institute to name just two things - I also think there needs to be a renewed Communications strategy involving Social Media and Napos's own website and forum.

      It is up to the full members at Scarborough - it is very easy to be distracted by the social attractions of a Conference but they really need to be secondary to gatherings of activist members in between the formal sessions planning how the coming session will be managed to the benefit of the membership as a whole.

      Be bold change the timetable - extend it - you presumably have the place booked for the evening and Saturday afternoon if more time is needed.

      " Napo suspends all engagement with the Probation Institute until either a postal ballot of all members decides to re-engage in the absence of a further vote at a general meeting."

      (Obviously there needs to be administrative involvement with PI, but nothing substantial for the time being ) -

      That is just an example - it would need 'tidying up' but it would give opportunity for the policy of PI to be owned by whole union.

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  19. Replies
    1. Ive jist looked at this now and my well said was concurringg with anon at 11.52 not the patronising musings of Andrew!

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    2. To anon 23:03 so your "well said" (13.06)was in relation to the patronising put-down of anon 12.52? (There is no post of 11.52).Anyone who reads this blog would know theres considerable concern as to what might be debated and agreed at AGM and not all can attend.Its better surely that members are eager to know and participate from a distance than to take no interest at all. Attending AGM confers no moral superiority-members who maintain endeavours throughout the year are what keep values and standards alive.

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  20. I agree, good point Andrew. It seems to me that NAPO are playing political games, the same kind of games which grayling has been doing. For a union that claims it is working in the interest of its membership is in my absolutely fucking disgraceful.

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  21. So is that a no for jr?

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  22. Well it looks like it to me. No confirmation as yet. Hopes are fading fast. I hope I'm wrong and they make a last minute announcement.

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  23. It's a don't know yet.

    PS do any of you folks want to play poker? For money?

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  24. aargh!!! Why the hell are we not announcing JR? Are we the only profession to cave in ? JR NOTHING ELSE WILL DO.....

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  25. You don't show your hand until you have to. Patience!!!

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  26. but time is running out - nobody can accuse us of being impatient

    show me the money!!!

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  27. really,,,still nothing????

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  28. No. Not nothing. Nothing public. Different.

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  29. Victoria Coren - what's your call? JR?

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  30. Napo agm - sponsored by 888 poker?

    This is my professional future and my professional organisation, and my union - something I've invested £20 monthly on average for 22 years.

    Just because I can't make it to Scarboro shouldn't leave me disadvantaged. JR is critical. And the answer is????

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  31. Well said!whats the happs?

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  32. d'ya know what - they can stuff it. Do what the heck they like. I'm over it. I'll just keep collecting my wages and que cera cera

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  33. Im close to that after 30 years

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  34. Dear readers, comrades and anyone who has an interest in the future of probation - can I please request that you have a bit more patience whilst I continue to digest and try and make sense of everything I've heard today?

    It's now about 6.45pm. I need to eat, drink and carry on some very discreet networking in a local hostelry, all in the interests of gleaning as much gossip, inside info, analysis, views and ideas as to what it all means and before I get up at the crack of dawn in order to produce something meaningful on here.

    Please watch this space.

    Cheers,

    Jim

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    1. Please don't forget that, as was made clear previously, some of us are careless, useless, thoughtless fuckers in the backwoods who need to be spoon fed, so make it words of one syllable, preferably with pictures.

      Ug.

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    2. Come on 20:12 that was just one person's opinion. Thanks Jim, you're doing a great job as always. Much appreciated!

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    3. Anon23:14 - you are correct. That opinion came with a barbed sting, hence the post. It wasn't aimed at Jim. I think JB's smart enough to know that.

      Good on you for watching JB's back.

      Ug.

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  35. Crikey leave some space to chill out Jim! Much of the angst could have been abated if we had a members only forum on Napo website or if HQ trusted members at home as much as members at AGM and sent info to members only area on Napo webpage at same time as giving info at AGM.

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  36. Does anyone out there have any information on if anything of any consequence has taken place at the conference at all? Thanks

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  37. To anon 20.31 (a)search #napo14 on twitter and you'll see range of AGM tweets (b)see Jims post above at 18.46. Sounds as if may have been something particularly "of consequence" but we have to await further info.

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  38. deep breath - its not over till its over -informal discussions are taking place, tomorrow may bring news

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    1. 'tomorrow may bring news'

      Are they going to tell us to write to our MP?

      Simon Garden

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    2. Clearly if it is JR, we don't want anyone knowing we are thinking about this do we . Don't want let them know our plans do we! And if it isn't then I'll resign next week.

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  39. write to MP's was last year's rallying cry. suspect it's more about the ins and outs of what and how now- it's all in the detail... and maybe they don't want CG to know, but he never reads about us anyway..

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  40. I see Andrew Selous has tweeted that he spent Thursday/Friday driving around in a fire engine and being entertained at 2 local schools- playing the fiddle was he?...

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  41. Hi Jim.... Good to see you and talk at AGM, sorry we could not meet for that drink, maybe next time. Your recent post in my view is good summary of events and AGM. Be assured There are still activist within Branches and at NEC who have fought hard and continue to fight for both accountability and decisive action member can get behind and support. There are a number of key internal issues for Napo to address .....leadership, organisation, communication if we are to stop member leaving, if we are to recruit and inspire new members and build the belief. Our union has in recent times had difficult issues to deal with and not always done that well. The problems that came to light with our past GS and the resulting suspension of 3 members of the NEC was a very low point. However, like the Phoenix we I hope raise from that disgraceful episode ....grow stronger and move forward
    Regards
    BEA.

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    1. Thanks Barry. It was good to meet you, hear more about certain difficulties, but most importantly, be part of the tide turning at Scarborough. To another day.

      Cheers,

      Jim

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