BOB CROWE

Can't we have a go at all of them?

I certainly wouldn't let Bob Crowe off the hook just because others are exploiting the system/taking advantage of their position/behaving hypocritically, regardless of their political allegiance.

Before having a go at Bob Crowe, I think something should be done about people with council tenancies who sub-let at extortionate rates (particularly in London) and live in cheaper areas, thus making a nice profit and depriving people who need it the chance to obtain social housing.

It's no more hypocritical of BC to live in a council house than it is for IDS to live in a large, expensive house courtesy of his father-in-law at the same time as introducing policies that make it impossible for some people to remain in their homes.

Yes I agree Bob Crowe is a loud hypocrite who bends his principles to suit his needs. I have no doubt if he had right wing tendencies a crowd would certainly have protested outside his front door.Thank goodness his comrade Arthur Scargill is finally paying rent for his union flat in London. The NUM were already paying the mortgage for his house in Yorkshire. With only 2,000 members now each member of the NUM were giving £20 a year for the retired Mr Scargill to live free in the heart of London.
It's a shame when good honest workers find themselves led by leaders who once elected follow their own agenda.

The man is obviously a very limited thinker with no ambition. He began life in a council house, can't see beyond that, and lacks any urge to improve his situation.

He is also a total hypocrite because he could go live in any other council house in any deprived area, as per his alleged principles rather than living on the cheap in a prestigious area.

Added to which he has an arrogant disregard for all those deserving people whose lives would be changed for the better by the opportunity to live in that house.

Finally, no doubt he will take advantage of the discount scheme and buy said council house, and maybe rent it out at an extortionate rate.

I bet he is so glad he is not a Tory MP or else he would be hounded out of his home.

Perhaps 'Unite' could send their 'hit squad' to his home and show him the error of his ways. Hypocrite, you bet ya. How do people like Bob Crow stand on a platform at the various conferences etc., and be hailed as Heroes of the Working Classes and a true Socialist.

The issue is simple, should someone on £145,000 per year, possibly more, occupy social housing when they could afford to buy or privately rent and thereby allow someone who does not have those options to occupy that property?

Bob Crowe, may have done well for his members, particularly when demanding extra money for working their normal shifts during the Olympics. However, he has a complete disregard for the general commuting public, some I have spoken to would like to string him up "Mussolini" style form a lamp post and possibly understandably as they already suffer from being stuffed sardine like in over packed trains. I know someone who does a 40 minute commute into London and her annual season ticket is in the region of £4,000 per annum, which rises year on year above the rate of inflation. Many hapless commuters pay this sort of money 'cause unlike Mr Crowe, they don't have a London pad which they could possibly afford!

There is no greater hypocrite than a Union leader on a whopping great salary, parading his working class credentials - council house and only ever dining out Union expenses.

bluebell I have no problem with his politics (although I do disagree with him) but if this was the managing director of a company living in social housing BC would be one of the first to demand he be put out. I'm afraid a lot of union leaders (not all) have become like politicians - out to line their own pockets.

Just get him out and let a young family have the place. The man is a complete disgrace - Socialist? - he doesn't know what the word means!

He is quoted as saying he is being 'victimised' . It's a very posh council house. Perhaps he could be down sized to more suitable council accommodation in a less salubrious area so one of 'is bruvvers could take advantage of leafy North London

I would much prefer people like Bob Crowe etc to be in their own houses for political reasons really but we shouldn't conflate that with a much more complex discussion. First of all, council housing isn't subsidised , it's just that the private rented sector makes an obscene profit generally speaking. Public money through housing benefit goes to very wealthy property owners ( I'm talking about the big firms not the one off landlords). Secondly, the main reason that there is such a shortage of social housing is the right to buy and no subsequent proper sustainable building programme and thirdly, just think about the real difficulties of an income limit for living in a council house - one year you have a job and overtime, the next year, no overtime but by the you've been thrown onto the tender mercies of the private sector with limited security of tenure and high rents but the you claim housing benefit which goes to a property company and would never get back into council/social housing. Etc etc. I know a lot of people dislike BC - mainly because he's done really well for his members but I don't think a personal dislike of a union leader should stop people thinking through the complexities if the issues raised

Allegedly there are some ex Labour MPs in the same position. I know of one, FD, am I allowed to mention his full name here?

It is disgraceful that Bob C is allowed to stay in subsidised housing.

I wasn't actually advocating assassination!

As he earns that sort of money, he should not be allowed to live in a council house when there are more deserving people on the waiting list.

anno

anno!

I'm sure it could be arranged for him to die in a council house.

I agree, I think there is a case for council housing to be limited to people whose combined income is below a certain level (not sure what that level should be though). if he doesn't want to buy a property then he is well able to rent privately leaving the house free for a low income family. Isn't this what council housing was originally meant to do.