Local Government
FIZZER: Fowles finished after falling in Party flap
Champagne socialist multi-millionaire Lord Mayoral candidate Will Fowles and his snarly running-mate Kate Redwood’s abortive bid for Labor endorsement for the Melbourne City Council ran into the stonewall of the ALP’s all-powerful Administrative Committee Thursday evening.
In an embarrassing rebuff seen as a victory for Premier John Brumby, the inner-city dominated Socialist Left faction’s plan to run official Party candidates was repudiated by the moderate majority on the Admin Committee who decided it was best that no candidate carry official status.
POOR ADVICE FOR RICH KID
Family money funds manager Fowles is considered by many as a potentially strong candidate who has so far been poorly advised by his factional buddies. These include Left faction secretary Andrew Giles, former ministerial staffer Lucie O’Brien and a mysterious figure known principally by his first name Ozan(some have identified his surname as Ibrisim, an adviser believed to work for Health Minister Daniel Andrews but who has taken leave – hopefully not of his senses – to work on the Fowles campaign full-time). Fowles decision to hire a full-time campaign factotum is evidence of a serious effort, using the family fortune to run a high profile campaign.
A significant factor undermining Fowles’ bid for endorsement was a letter he sent out to local Party members from Lindsay Tanner’s office that falsely made it appear he’d already been endorsed as an ALP candidate.
The letter contained an assertion that Fowles was writing to the membership “as Labor’s Lord Mayor candidate” on an unauthorised ALP letterhead complete with party logo and portrait photographs of himself and his surly deputy. The backlash against the false representation in the letter caused much offence among key decision-makers within the Party, insiders explained to VEXNEWS.
Not helping matters were revelations in The Age – the daily newspaper that once published from Spencer Street in Melbourne prior to recent industrial action – that Redwood was not even a financial ALP member when the misleading letter was sent.
WHITE IS RIGHT
Despite being urged to consult with local Labor moderates, Fowles’ Left grouping instead went on what many saw as a weird frolic of their own, holding talks with respected but retired former Labor moderate minister David White who is now a lobbyist representing large companies operating within the City of Melbourne including developers. White is well regarded as a very shrewd and tough operator within his former Right faction but is much less involved than he once was due to the onerous nature of his busy and successful lobbying business.
White was believed to be vaguely interested in helping an old friend from the Essendon area, Councillor Brian Shanahan who had loudly pushed for official party endorsement (provided he was in the sweet #1 position) so that he might have a better chance of re-elected. Shanahan was previously elected with the financial assistance of colourful Council maverick James Long, currently a Bayside councillor.
Shanahan – unlike many Party operatives – has few enemies in Labor’s ranks despite his main association being with the highly controversial former right-wing faction man Bob Sercombe whose career slowly descended into an alliance with Socialist Left chieftain Senator Kim Carr prior to his being sliced and diced by rising star Bill Shorten.
These personality factors and personal preferences of a few were considered to be relatively inconsequential to government advisers who regarded with some horror the prospect of entrusting Labor’s brand in such a high profile election to a band of largely clueless neophytes who would be taken to task by the non-striking remnants of the print media for any inconsistencies between Victorian government policies and those of officially endorsed Party Melbourne City Council candidates.
VEXNEWS understands that Fowles will be persisting with his candidacy despite this setback, as will other ALP members who may run on other tickets, although none will be permitted to claim they are supported or endorsed by the Party machine.
Discussion
6 comments for “FIZZER: Fowles finished after falling in Party flap”
Post a comment
Will Fowles bid for the Lord Mayors Limousine took a dive when the ALP administrative committee rejected his bid for endorsement.
At a recent ALP branch meeting, Fowles proved he had potential but he failed to answer one question with substance preferring to dodge weave and avoid the real issues. (This is a talent that is in some quarters highly regarded)
His biggest mistake was jumping into bed with all time loser and failed former city Councillor Kate Redwood. Redwood has not once been elected to public office on her own merit. Her last stint was due to the good will and foolish nature of Peter McMullin who mistakenly put her number one on his ticket bid for the Lord Mayor back in 2001 before he opted to run for the City of Geelong. Peter McMullin we understand has no kind words to say about Redwood. (Join the queue)
Kate Redwood, who is a part time ALP member more interested in securing paid positions on cushy government committees of management, was renowned for milking the system and enjoying luxury visits back home to the UK at a cost to ratepayers of $20,000 for a ten day all expenses paid holiday “Fact finding tour” in the weeks leading up to the end of her term of office. Her bid for re-election in 2004 failed when she only received 600 votes.
Whats even more laudable is that Redwood preferenced John So’s Team and the Greens ahead of other ALP members preventing the ALP from electing two members of Council. The very people that Will Fowles claims he is trying to beat.
By selecting and announcing Redwood as his Deputy candidate before he consulted with the Party was his down fall and showed a serious lack of political judgement.
Whilst Will Fowles may have his families money to back up his play for the Lord Mayor’s Office it is highly unlikely he can win the seat in the Lord Mayor’s limo.
Being an endorsed ALP candidate would have made it that much harder as he would not have attracted the support of more conservative members of the electorate. He would have had to out-poll the Greens and local heroes, such as Kevin Chamberlain and John So, and hope that he collects 100% of available preferences to stay in the race.
When asked realistically what percentage of the vote does he expect to attract he had no idea.
Peter McMullin in 2001, also backed by his family fortune and with Kate Redwood on his team, failed miserably in his attempt to win against John “Bro” So.
Will Fowles is set to repeat McMullin’s triumph disaster.
The real problem facing Melbourne is the direct election model which Socialist Left’s Bob Cameron, then Minister for Local Government, introduced.
This is very embarrassing for the Labor left, have they no bananas ?
Excellent decision by the patriots, I say old chap.
The truth of the matter ia the Left failed to discuus the matter with the “Right local people” in Melbourne.
They tried an ambush were offered a face saving out.
But they have no idea in respect of the City of Melbourne act or the electoral system.
They will do as they always have in the past.
They will do a deal with the greens and the long Loonees.
November will sure be intersting.
Active Local Progressive ?
Update: Kate Redwood (Commonly referred to as Deadwood) has pulled out of the Race to be the second Limo driver. Will Fowles’ choice of Deputy was one of the main factors in considering whether to support his bid or not. Many insiders were displeased with the way in which Will Fowles went about throwing himself and his chosen running mate on the electorate. Under the terms of the ALP rules the decision who is endorsed is subject to a preselection process. Given the felling of resentment towards Kate Redwood, who only recently renewed her membership just prior to the admin decision, had endorsements provided it is highly unlikely that he nomination would have been supported. It is common practices within the ALP that the determination of positions is decided by giving each faction the right of representation. Will Fowles and the left sought to force both their nominees on the ALP. Something which is contrary to ALP rules and good politics.
The loss of party endorsement has delivered a serious blow to Will Fowles desire to win the keys to the Lord Mayors Limousine. Many believe that an ALP endorsed candidate would not secure the preferences needed to win the seat.
Will Fowles was widely thought to have nominated for the seat in an effort to boost his future political career and like Evan Thornley provide an opportunity for him to buy himself a seat in the State Parliament come 2010/2014
Update: Kate Redwood (Commonly referred to as Deadwood) has pulled out of the Race to be the second Limo driver. Will Fowles’ choice of Deputy was one of the main factors in considering whether to support his bid or not. Many insiders were displeased with the way in which Will Fowles went about throwing himself and his chosen running mate on the electorate. Under the terms of the ALP rules the decision who is endorsed is subject to a preselection process. Given the felling of resentment towards Kate Redwood, who only recently renewed her membership just prior to the admin decision, had endorsements provided it is highly unlikely that he nomination would have been supported. It is common practices within the ALP that the determination of positions is decided by giving each faction the right of representation. Will Fowles and the left sought to force both their nominees on the ALP. Something which is contrary to ALP rules and good politics.
The loss of party endorsement has delivered a serious blow to Will Fowles desire to win the keys to the Lord Mayors Limousine. Many believe that an ALP endorsed candidate would not secure the preferences needed to win the seat.
Will Fowles was widely thought to have nominated for the seat in an effort to boost his future political career and like Evan Thornley provide an opportunity for him to buy himself a seat in the State Parliament come 2010/2014