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Archive => Archived Boards => Local Elections and Council Matters => Topic started by: JohnBates on November 28, 2015, 08:12:02 AM

Title: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JohnBates on November 28, 2015, 08:12:02 AM
Thank you Admin for starting this thread.

Below is a little detail on myself. Please follow links to website and facebook links for more information. I also append our current newsletter.

I have lived in Stockport all my life, being born in the old Stepping Hill Maternity.

For over twenty five years I have resided in Marple, where I live with my wife and three children.

During this time I have been involved in the local and wider community in a number of roles. These include having been a Manager with Rosehill Rovers Football club. Running a group playing football for fun called the "Fat Dads". Being an accredited assessor for Duke of Edinburgh award Expeditions, and more recently running and volunteering at the Marple parkrun and Junior parkrun.

I am a director and dentist at a practice in Glossop, where I have worked for over twenty five years.

I have been a member of the local conservatives for many years and have been actively involved in canvassing and leafleting, recently being selected as prospective candidate for Marple North Ward.

I hope to be able to help the residents of Marple North to make the area even better for the future.

In particular I am keen to push for the bypass to be built from the A6 to Bredbury and for the Tram/Train strategy to Marple and Marple to Stockport. I also wish to promote and increase the use of our wonderful parks.


http://www.johnbates.me.uk/images/Leaflets/2015-11/Marple%20North%20A3%20Winter%202015a.pdf
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JohnBates on November 28, 2015, 08:14:11 AM
ps

I will be at the Friends of Memorial Park task day later.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: marplerambler on November 28, 2015, 11:30:57 AM
So the million dollar question is are you an NHS dentist? If not, why not?
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: simonesaffron on November 28, 2015, 12:50:03 PM
Well what a pleasant surprise.

Welcome JohnBates.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JohnBates on November 28, 2015, 01:17:18 PM
So the million dollar question is are you an NHS dentist? If not, why not?

Why is it the million dollar question? Are you suggesting that only those working in the public sector are suitable to be a potential councillor?

What is an NHS dentist?

NHS dentistry outside the hospital and community dental service is almost entirely provided by the private sector. There are almost no dentists directly employed by the NHS. From its inception NHS dentistry was in effect privatised, all the work carried out by private dentists who subcontract a degree of their time to the NHS. (in effect like private hospitals can have NHS contracts) So if you have had NHS dentistry it will have been provided by a private dentist subcontracting to the NHS.

So if you mean am I employed by the NHS, then no I am not an NHS dentist. If you mean do I do some subcontracted work for the NHS then yes.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JohnBates on November 28, 2015, 01:18:01 PM
Well what a pleasant surprise.

Welcome JohnBates.

Glad its a pleasant surprise

Thank you
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: marplerambler on November 28, 2015, 05:17:02 PM
Why is it the million dollar question? Are you suggesting that only those working in the public sector are suitable to be a potential councillor?

What a foul, disgusting evasion which would have been worthy of Mr Cameron himself!.  I am sure that Mr Cameron will be proud to welcome you into a political world of destruction of healthcare for those other than the super-rich or those who enjoy good health and can therefore receive private medical insurance.  You know just as well as I do that an NHS dentist is someone who receives a fair salary , who comes from a generation which received his training for free (or at least a lot cheaper than elsewhere in the world) and who states himself first to be a dentist above all and who is proud to use the gifts God gave him for the benefit of his patients.

Stating yourself to be a Director first and then dentist second tells me all I need to know about you.

I have needed the services of the dentist and the dental hospitals a great deal more than most during my lifetime including very extensive surgery as a consequence of disability and not neglect. I earned a mediocre salary for most of my working life, largely due to disability, and at times suffered very severe health problems which have slowly destroyed virtually every tooth in my mouth and have an NHS dentist who has provided frequent compassionate care.

Had I been in the hands of a company director I suspect that you would have been very rich and I would be in continuous pain and penury.

I am sure that your constituents will receive the same treatment as your patients (assuming that they could afford to pay for treatment).

I feel certain that we can rely upon you to prioritise fighting for our parks as you have paid a lot more in taxes and rates than most of the population and that it is only just that you enjoy these local facilities as you approach retirement. Just make sure that you look the other way when you see the sick in need of care on the benches.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JohnBates on November 28, 2015, 06:20:37 PM
You know just as well as I do that an NHS dentist is someone who receives a fair salary , who comes from a generation which received his training for free (or at least a lot cheaper than elsewhere in the world) and who states himself first to be a dentist above all and who is proud to use the gifts God gave him for the benefit of his patients.

And what makes you think none of the above applies to me?
What is the fair NHS salary you refer to?  The evidence from HMRC shows that contrary to what you seem to belive, the average dentist spending most of his time working under contract to the NHS earns more than the average dentist working mostly privately.

Stating yourself to be a Director first and then dentist second tells me all I need to know about you.

The reason for mentioning this is that I feel it is relevant for people to know that in addition to being a dentist I am responsible for running a large dental practice, and therefore have managerial experience in addition, unlike the associate dentists at the practice. This I feel would be of use to a councillor

have an NHS dentist who has provided frequent compassionate care.
Had I been in the hands of a company director I suspect that you would have been very rich and I would be in continuous pain and penury.

I am glad you have had this compassionate care.
Why your assumption my patients are in pain?  That is a really foul and disgusting comment.

I feel certain that we can rely upon you to prioritise fighting for our parks as you have paid a lot more in taxes and rates than most of the population and that it is only just that you enjoy these local facilities as you approach retirement. Just make sure that you look the other way when you see the sick in need of care on the benches.

Surely your "NHS Dentist" has also paid alot more in taxes and rates than most of the population.

I take great offence that you suggest I do not care about the sick.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: Harry on November 28, 2015, 10:15:36 PM
I think that marplerambler has shown just why our councillors don't use this forum. His personal attack against John Bates, from a position of ignorance, is atrocious.

John, don't take it personally, he detests all tories. It's a good job you didn't say that you enjoy horse riding. Good luck with your campaign.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JohnBates on November 29, 2015, 09:08:05 AM
I think that marplerambler has shown just why our councillors don't use this forum. His personal attack against John Bates, from a position of ignorance, is atrocious.

John, don't take it personally, he detests all Tories. It's a good job you didn't say that you enjoy horse riding. Good luck with your campaign.

Thank you Harry. It is difficult to not take it personally, even if you know someone does not know you from Adam! I find it sad that people can be so venomous if they have different views, surely it is better to work together for common good. In fact I on that note next Saturday I am manning the Tombola stall at the Winterwonderland in Marple Bridge with someone who was actively supporting the local Labour candidate at last years General election (while I was supporting @William Wragg) He might be misguided in his political views (to me) but we will still enjoy working together and I hope you all come and spend some money on the stall :-)

Luckily I can honestly say I do not like horse riding. Did pony trekking once with scouts and hated every second of it.

Thanks for the best wishes.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JohnBates on November 29, 2015, 09:12:24 AM
Just to show I was about yesterday you can see my thinning hair in this post http://www.marple-uk.com/smf/index.php?topic=1213.msg39644#msg39644
Working on the flower beds with the Friends of Memorial Park. Much better to vent energy on community projects than attacks on contributors to the forum.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: marplerambler on November 29, 2015, 10:42:00 AM
I am sure that you are destined for a higher post within the Conservative party than just a Councillor. I slept little last night worried that when my own dentist retires that I will be exposed to a profits above all approach to dentistry and a return to a health service with its feet buried firmly in an Edwardian era and will, I am sure you will be pleased to know, make no further posts on this subject.

If you cannot stand the heat of the Marple website you should not be in the kitchen of politics. Welcome to the real world.

You very clearly are a person who is great deal more talented than appropriate for digging weeds from Marple park who can contribute a great deal to the destruction of the health service in Britain.

As for detesting all Tories this is quite untrue: I detest politicians of all persuasions who are deliberately attempting to bring about the collapse of the NHS.

 
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: Dave on November 29, 2015, 10:47:39 AM
I think that marplerambler has shown just why our councillors don't use this forum. His personal attack against John Bates, from a position of ignorance, is atrocious.

John, don't take it personally, he detests all tories. It's a good job you didn't say that you enjoy horse riding. Good luck with your campaign.

Hear hear!   What a truly disgraceful post by marplerambler - I very nearly clicked the 'report to moderator' button, as it amounts to abuse. 

John, I am a resident of Marple North, and although pigs are likely to fly before I vote for you, rest assured that you are absolutely welcome here, and that the unpleasant attitude of marplerambler is in no way representative of how we behave on this forum. 
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: simonesaffron on November 29, 2015, 10:52:30 AM
A disgraceful diatribe marplerambler, especially towards somebody who you know little of.

Also a disgraceful way for an experienced poster to welcome a newcomer to this site.

Speak with candour and assertion by all means, but this is right across the line.

Apologies, JohnBates. 

Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: admin on November 29, 2015, 11:03:38 AM
If you cannot stand the heat of the Marple website you should not be in the kitchen of politics. Welcome to the real world.

I have to agree with @Harry, @simonesaffron and @Dave that your rants in this thread are completely out of order @marplerambler.

There is no way that The Marple Website wishes to be associated with the way that you have anonymously attacked @JohnBates in this thread and what you have written would have been removed if John hadn't responded quickly and with such restraint. If you post any further diatribes like these about this candidate or any other they will be removed.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JohnBates on November 29, 2015, 02:59:02 PM
thank you @Dave @simonesaffron and @admin
Hopefully further candidates will be treated appropriately by the forum, even if we disagree with each other  :)
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: Howard on November 29, 2015, 08:39:20 PM
What a deeply unpleasant post from @marplerambler. I have personal experience of a close family member being a local councillor and I understand how hard most of them work for little recompense and extremely antisocial hours.

Welcome to @JohnBates, I'm glad to see one of our representatives engaging on a thoroughly local platform.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: marplerambler on November 30, 2015, 11:56:39 AM
I apologise unreservedly to Mr Bates. My comments were directed entirely because Mr Bates is a Conservative and because his dental website made no reference to NHS treatment. Political criticism is a vital part of democracy, vitriolic personal attack upon someone about whom I know nothing in totally unjustified. The only excuse I can offer is that, at the time, I was recovering from an epileptic fit during which I had broken one of my few remaining teeth and was enveloped in a veil of self-pity after forty years of suffering epileptic fits. The epilepsy has smashed up my jaw and most of the teeth in my mouth, I have had extensive hospital orthodontic surgery in the past and possess a brain which as it slowly recovers consciousness asks one question above all others which is ‘Have I broken yet another tooth, knocked out another filling or dislodged another crown?’ and should have refrained from comment until I was in a more responsible frame of mind.

Dentistry for me has not been a lifetime of tooth whitening, it has been delivery at hospital for jaw reconstruction surgery, bridges and implants which have over the years not been able to stand the stress of epileptic fits and an essential factor in me coping with such destruction has been a fantastic NHS dentist.

I stand by my strong beliefs that health care should be available through the NHS and appropriate sections of the public sector but I had no right to comment about Mr Bates.

Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JohnBates on November 30, 2015, 09:26:28 PM
I apologise unreservedly to Mr Bates.

Apology accepted.

Lets forget this, and move forward  :)
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JMC on December 01, 2015, 10:03:05 PM
As an NHS worker and leftie I would never vote Tory but welcome any debate and opposing views being discussed on here.

As an aside, I think I have been to the dental practice as the name sounds familiar. I found it very friendly and prices were cheaper than some for private work.  However I usually use NHS for routine.

One thing I want to ask though is when I have seen them posting about going door to door it is generally Winnington Road or other  more affluent 'safe Tory' areas. Do they also go around the lower income areas?

Also, should there be a minimum age for a councillor? Eg should they have had significant/any life experience.  This isn't aimed at JB personally but as a general question eg could a 16/18 year old do the job? Not expressing an opinion here just asking.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JohnBates on December 01, 2015, 11:06:05 PM
One thing I want to ask though is when I have seen them posting about going door to door it is generally Winnington Road or other  more affluent 'safe Tory' areas. Do they also go around the lower income areas?

We have been pretty much everywhere in Marple this year at some point. Not sure how you decide what might be "safe Tory" as opposed to "safe Lib Dem" or even "safe Labour" or "safe UKIP" We certainly have Tory voters in the lower income areas.

Also, should there be a minimum age for a councillor? Eg should they have had significant/any life experience.  This isn't aimed at JB personally but as a general question eg could a 16/18 year old do the job? Not expressing an opinion here just asking.

Not sure if there is a minimum age. There are certainly examples of good younger councillors, and I imagine as in other areas and jobs more experience etc can help, but ability is not just down to age. Better a good young un than a poor old un.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: simonesaffron on December 02, 2015, 07:48:15 AM
IMHO, there should certainly be an upper age limit as well as a maximum length of tenure.

The problem with imposing these parameters is that in practice we wouldn't have any Councillors. So unfortunately we have to tolerate some of those that we're left with.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: CllrGeoffAbell on December 19, 2015, 10:38:51 PM
Quote
One thing I want to ask though is when I have seen them posting about going door to door it is generally Winnington Road or other  more affluent 'safe Tory' areas. Do they also go around the lower income areas?

@JMC - I don't know about the Tories.  But one of the things I love about Marple is that it is so mixed.  And, er, I live on Winnington Road! 

Councillors should represent the local population.  So yes, we should have younger councillors, more women, non-whites etc.  How do we actively pursue that?  I am lucky enough to be able to be a full-time councillor.
Title: Re: John Bates: Marple North Conservative Candidate
Post by: JMC on December 22, 2015, 07:18:44 PM
@JMC - I don't know about the Tories.  But one of the things I love about Marple is that it is so mixed.  And, er, I live on Winnington Road! 

Councillors should represent the local population.  So yes, we should have younger councillors, more women, non-whites etc.  How do we actively pursue that?  I am lucky enough to be able to be a full-time councillor.

Yes a mix of people is great. Although I hear people skeptical of teenage candidates. I live in a more mixed area of Marple and have never had Tory people round here although have had libdem.