Lisa sticks it to the man, again!

[dropthevipers]

grahamlinehan.substack.com/p/lisa-townsend-for-the-win?s=r

I have sent an email to the panel chair, David Reeve, voicing my strong support for Lisa as she has said that this sort of evidence is taken seriously and I imagine that after this latest development she will need support more than ever. I seem to remember that, of the 3 complaints against her, at least one wasn’t from Surrey so whether you live there or not it’s worth contacting the panel. The email I used was [email protected]

Imagine being buddies with Crispin Blunt.

How about that for the wrong side of history?

So, that would be a delirium dream accompanying a very nasty infection, yes?

Lisa is on MN so maybe she’s struggling to post like me - the upgrade has buggered up the app 🙄

Anyway, I concur, with her ovaries of steel (or diamonds, or steely diamonds) I think she should run as an MP, she won by a country mile last time...

If she was here she would be thankful of the support I’m sure.

Cards can be sent to:

Lisa Townsend
Police and Crime Commissioner
Office of the PCC
Surrey Police
Mount Browne
Guildford
GU3 1YJ

I've also emailed David Reeve, supporting Lisa and objecting to Cllr Fury's remarks, thanks NoToGaslighting for the suggestion.

Cllr Fury said: “If you are not legally bound to do so then we need to look again at how the complaints panel works.” The panel has no power,” said chairman Cllr Reeve. “The acid test is in the ballot box vote, and that’s the view of the legal people.”

Looks like one of the Councillors thinks they need to change how the complaints panel works so they'll be able to force the CPP to do as they're told the next time. Not threatening or anti-democratic at all.

I actually took this in a different way - that they recognised the panel process wasn't appropriate given it has no sanctions available i.e. they actually have no legal basis to conduct the panel as they have been. So the panel process won't continue NOT that it will get more Draconian.

I think she has called in to question the whole process and they accept that. I wouldn't be surprised if they all know it is a farce...

It reads like she or her legal representation told the Committee legal people what she was planning to do and they agreed. They then briefed the Chairman to accept her refusal as they don't have a leg to stand on.

I want to do this too but not sure where to start. Can you give us the gist of your email so I can use it as a sort of template?

My email bounced back, the correct address is [email protected]

This is what I sent, am by no means suggesting it as a good template or anything but if it helps anyone make a start on what to write:

I am writing to you to express my full support for PCC Lisa Townsend. I am unable to find any recorded incidence of her stating anything which is factually untrue, let alone offensive or requiring apology. I struggle to see how it is a good use of time and public money to convene a panel which decided the PCC had failed to show sufficient respect to convicted rapists. I would be more inclined to support a panel convened to consider whether the complaints panel showed sufficient respect to those rapists victims, quite frankly.

I also find it deeply troubling that some Councillors seem to think that they should be legally empowered to force an elected representative of the people to bend to their will, when she has done nothing legally actionable. To me, this betrays a worrying lack of respect both for the law and for the decision of the electorate, and as such I would consider that this conduct is far more worthy of investigation than anything Ms Townsend has said.

Thank you. I made your email my own and sent another letter of support.

Oh blimey, sorry about the wrong email address @nothingcomestonothing ! I did actually get it right when I sent my own email, yours is very good if anyone is stuck for how to word theirs.

Ooh that’s a storming email, nothingcomestonothing! Inspiration indeed. Brava.

Lisa Townsend, I applaud you.

Thank you Its amazing what I can get done, when the kids are at a sleepover!!!

If anyone wants to mix and match, this is what I wrote:

As a Surrey resident, I would like to register my whole hearted support for Lisa Townsend and express my dismay at her treatment by the panel you chair.
I completely share her feelings that women are being gaslighted, especially when even rapists can insist that others must pretend to believe they are women. How can your panel not see how outrageous it is and how open to abuse by unscrupulous individuals?
I have a twelve year old daughter and will fight for her right to safety, privacy and dignity for as long as it takes. I am so grateful to Lisa Townsend for standing up for women and girls. She is a brave and principled woman who deserves better than a demand to explain herself like a child: I applaud her decision not to do so.

I wonder if Cllr Furey is up for re election on May 5th. I wonder if he has clocked that 50% of the electorate in his area are women?

Lisa Townsend is an amazing woman, makes me proud to have xx in my dna.

Bought this for my dd's birthday the other day!

www.qwertee.com/product/no-on

Hello everyone and thank you SO MUCH for all the amazing support.

Special thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write, to me or anyone involved in this process, it genuinely makes a difference. My team get very excited and proud when a card, letter or email arrives and some councillors on the Panel have actually asked me to stop tweeting as every time I do “it sparks another load of angry women to write to me” - you keep going, ladies!

Cllr David Reeve is actually standing down from the Panel, so at the next meeting on June 30th it will be up to the councillors present to vote for a new chair. I really hope it is someone who respects our sex.

The Panel should not be political - and this was in some ways proven by cllr John Furey who is my own cllr in Runnymede, voting against me and he is very unhappy that the panel do not have the legal powers he believed they had to compel me. He told me after the meeting “I think you are wrong and you have managed enemies”. John is very independently minded, which is good, but sadly he is also a known misogynist.

There are currently 6 Lib Dems on the Panel, including Fiona White, and they have refused to back me on my stance re women, which is really sad. Unfortunately for Fiona, whatever she thinks about the issue is irrelevant as she taken the Lib Dem whip. I know she really cares about VAWG, but politically must always follow her 5 male Lib Dem colleagues.

So once again, THANK YOU. On those days when it can feel like a bit ouch, a quick look at your supportive messages gives me all the strength I will ever need to carry on. You are the most wonderful bunch of amazing women.

all my love and gratitude,

Lisa xxx

Sorry - “lots of enemies” not “managed” 😂

You're welcome Lisa and thank you for being one of the people brave enough to stand up for women's rights in this increasingly toxic environment.

I got an abrasive reply from CCLR Reeves btw. Sharing for people's interest:

May I refer you to the letter which is reproduced under Agenda Item 14, pages 77 to 82 clearly states the process that the Sub Committee followed, what the remit of a Complaints Panel is, the remedies available to it, the considerations of the sub-committee, the substance of the three complaints, it’s regards to the PCC’s Code of Conduct, the legal advice that the Panel received, the Panel’s findings and the outcome of the Sub- Committee.

I trust this explains the options available to the panel and I do not intend to comment further.

Interesting that he sees it as OK for him to offend people but not OK for Lisa to.

That’s a lovely message Lisa, and so glad to hear what a difference the support makes!

Thank YOU for your courage and integrity in standing up to these bullying men, you are an amazing role model for women and girls and yes, we are right behind you.

Women like you are making a real difference. It’s invaluable.

💜🤍💚 xxx

I haven’t had a reply from David Reeve yet Whatiswrongwithmyknee but if I get the same, high handed response I’ll have to spoil my ballot paper. I was considering voting Tory because of their recent advances in showing understand of this issue.

@Whatiswrongwithmyknee
thankyou for reproducing that letter! It says more about the councillor than I think he realises, he is clearly not very good at reading between the lines.

Thanks for taking time to come on and comment @SurreyPCC , always remember you have a MN posse standing with you, armed with cake, sharp sticks and even sharper wit.

David is standing down as chair now, and up for election next year (he’s Resident Assoc) but standing down as a cllr too, so I expect he won’t be replying to any emails now

And the occasional bloke, like me. For what its worth, every guy I raise this with agrees that TWAW is complete bollocks. I think the tide is turning (not before time, either)

I had the same reply from David Reeve. Looks like a very grumpy man.

He's not a Conservative, as Lisa said, but some more obscure party:

mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=1647

I had a more positive reply to my emails supporting Lisa that i sent to Victor Lewanski, who’s my local (Con) councillor. He agreed with Lisa. I think I’ll send him another email…

I’ve never been a Conservative voter, and won’t be in any GE while Crispin is candidate in Reigate & Banstead but may well vote for Victor in the upcoming elections.

I’m so glad you are getting so much support Lisa.