Alex McKinstry
@alexmckinstry.bsky.social
Bournemouth and Christchurch historian; sometime Private Eye contributor. Helped overthrow a corrupt Tory administration (local government) in 2023.
Reposted by Alex McKinstry
Oh look, Reform UK-led Lincolnshire council looking to increase Councillor allowance by 14%…
Lincolnshire County Councillors could receive bump in their allowances - by £1,450 for basic rate
Lincolnshire County Councillors could receive bump in their allowances - by £1,450 for basic rate
Councillors could get £1,450 a more in their basic allowance
Lincolnshire County Councillors could receive a 13 per cent bump in their allowances from April.
www.lincsonline.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Oh look, Reform UK-led Lincolnshire council looking to increase Councillor allowance by 14%…
Lincolnshire County Councillors could receive bump in their allowances - by £1,450 for basic rate
Lincolnshire County Councillors could receive bump in their allowances - by £1,450 for basic rate
Meanwhile - good to see this warning included for the first time in the budget papers. Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act makes it a criminal offence to vote in a budget meeting if harbouring 2 months' worth of council tax debts or more. Wonder what prompted this reminder?
February 15, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Meanwhile - good to see this warning included for the first time in the budget papers. Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act makes it a criminal offence to vote in a budget meeting if harbouring 2 months' worth of council tax debts or more. Wonder what prompted this reminder?
Pure madness - Poole and Bournemouth "shadow town councils" (consisting of all current BCP councillors, co-opted against their will), scheduled to meet MINUTES before the vital budget meeting of the 24th. Cllrs Gillett, Rampton & Logan are on both town councils so have to be in 2 meetings at once.
February 15, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Pure madness - Poole and Bournemouth "shadow town councils" (consisting of all current BCP councillors, co-opted against their will), scheduled to meet MINUTES before the vital budget meeting of the 24th. Cllrs Gillett, Rampton & Logan are on both town councils so have to be in 2 meetings at once.
Reposted by Alex McKinstry
I note that the former #Conservative Councillor who was at the time a major player in the special measures, scandals & barely legal #Tory Mellor & Broadhead Administration has a very selective memory when it comes giving budgetary history lessons.
February 13, 2026 at 1:06 PM
I note that the former #Conservative Councillor who was at the time a major player in the special measures, scandals & barely legal #Tory Mellor & Broadhead Administration has a very selective memory when it comes giving budgetary history lessons.
Reposted by Alex McKinstry
Just caught up with the #BCP #Council Cabinet meeting held this afternoon & there was a very interesting question from resident @alexmckinstry.bsky.social & equally interesting response(s) from Cllr @mikefcox.bsky.social.
Press Leaks & deliberate misinterpretations ??
www.youtube.com/live/83VGlBk...
Press Leaks & deliberate misinterpretations ??
www.youtube.com/live/83VGlBk...
Cabinet 11 February 2026 2.30pm | BCP Council
YouTube video by BCP Council
www.youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Just caught up with the #BCP #Council Cabinet meeting held this afternoon & there was a very interesting question from resident @alexmckinstry.bsky.social & equally interesting response(s) from Cllr @mikefcox.bsky.social.
Press Leaks & deliberate misinterpretations ??
www.youtube.com/live/83VGlBk...
Press Leaks & deliberate misinterpretations ??
www.youtube.com/live/83VGlBk...
So glad The National have published this - A1 journalism.
Mandelson blatantly misusing the Editors' Code here. IPSO caving in to protect a prima facie criminal and a traitor.
This passes the public interest test in Clause 3 faster than the speed of light.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
Mandelson blatantly misusing the Editors' Code here. IPSO caving in to protect a prima facie criminal and a traitor.
This passes the public interest test in Clause 3 faster than the speed of light.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
Peter Mandelson issues secret notice demanding press leave him alone – read in full
LATE on Friday evening, this notice was circulated from representatives of Peter Mandelson, via press regulator IPSO and the Press Association news…
www.thenational.scot
February 8, 2026 at 1:39 AM
So glad The National have published this - A1 journalism.
Mandelson blatantly misusing the Editors' Code here. IPSO caving in to protect a prima facie criminal and a traitor.
This passes the public interest test in Clause 3 faster than the speed of light.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
Mandelson blatantly misusing the Editors' Code here. IPSO caving in to protect a prima facie criminal and a traitor.
This passes the public interest test in Clause 3 faster than the speed of light.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
Both BCP Reform councillors breached the Code of Conduct, then failed to comply with sanctions prescribed for them by the Standards Committee. EIGHT complaints upheld against Cllr Cameron Adams, including five complaints of bullying. Council to "note" their misconduct on 10 February.
February 6, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Both BCP Reform councillors breached the Code of Conduct, then failed to comply with sanctions prescribed for them by the Standards Committee. EIGHT complaints upheld against Cllr Cameron Adams, including five complaints of bullying. Council to "note" their misconduct on 10 February.
Lord Mandelson, this morning: "I wish I was being investigated by BCP Council's Audit and Governance Committee."
February 4, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Lord Mandelson, this morning: "I wish I was being investigated by BCP Council's Audit and Governance Committee."
Reposted by Alex McKinstry
Just noticed that #Reform have a new recruitment ad. Apologies to #Methodists
February 2, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Just noticed that #Reform have a new recruitment ad. Apologies to #Methodists
Looks like Cllr Mark Howell's quit the Poole People Party and is going it alone, rather than joining Bartlett and Rampton's "Independents" group. Counting him as a class of his own, there are now ELEVEN political groupings on BCP Council. democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/mgMemberInde...
January 22, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Looks like Cllr Mark Howell's quit the Poole People Party and is going it alone, rather than joining Bartlett and Rampton's "Independents" group. Counting him as a class of his own, there are now ELEVEN political groupings on BCP Council. democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/mgMemberInde...
Reposted by Alex McKinstry
Can’t be long before Christopher “object” Chope follows his mate Robert Jenrick and defects to Reform
January 15, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Can’t be long before Christopher “object” Chope follows his mate Robert Jenrick and defects to Reform
Reposted by Alex McKinstry
“We’re gonna need a bigger bus”
January 12, 2026 at 1:51 PM
“We’re gonna need a bigger bus”
The spitting image of Robin Best, one-half of Best & Warren, who ran the Cranleigh Road fish and chip shop (@ Southbourne / Tuckton) in the 1960s. Chip shop counter struck by lightning in 1965.
January 12, 2026 at 10:39 AM
The spitting image of Robin Best, one-half of Best & Warren, who ran the Cranleigh Road fish and chip shop (@ Southbourne / Tuckton) in the 1960s. Chip shop counter struck by lightning in 1965.
Wondering how much Bournemouth Christmas Events Ltd made out of this unlawful structure - and why BCP Council allowed it to trade, when it had already been recommended for planning refusal. FOI in gestation. This seriously stinks. www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/2574745...
Bournemouth ice rink application is withdrawn
An application to gain planning permission for an ice rink in Bournemouth has been withdrawn with no decision from the council.
www.bournemouthecho.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 6:47 AM
Wondering how much Bournemouth Christmas Events Ltd made out of this unlawful structure - and why BCP Council allowed it to trade, when it had already been recommended for planning refusal. FOI in gestation. This seriously stinks. www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/2574745...
Sorry to hear BCP Council's chief finance officer, Mr Adam Richens, is leaving - he kept the authority as far as possible from a Section 114 notice, despite paltry government finance settlements and some absolutely loopy decisions by local politicians. A sad loss.
December 30, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Sorry to hear BCP Council's chief finance officer, Mr Adam Richens, is leaving - he kept the authority as far as possible from a Section 114 notice, despite paltry government finance settlements and some absolutely loopy decisions by local politicians. A sad loss.
Shocking bullying by security guard in Bournemouth Library this afternoon - accusing a dyslexic guy of being asleep (he had his eyes shut while listening to a talking book) then threatening to chuck him out. Same guard who tries to sling me out 15 minutes early most evenings. 2 complaints going in
December 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Shocking bullying by security guard in Bournemouth Library this afternoon - accusing a dyslexic guy of being asleep (he had his eyes shut while listening to a talking book) then threatening to chuck him out. Same guard who tries to sling me out 15 minutes early most evenings. 2 complaints going in
Reposted by Alex McKinstry
“Never trust a Tory” Reform say as they welcome the least moral and least intelligent ex-Conservative politicians into their party in literal droves
Reform UK talk A LOT about the importance of trust. We agree it’s extremely important not to mislead voters.
Reform won control of Leicestershire County Council in May 2025 by explicitly promising voters they would lower council tax through waste cuts and efficiency audits.
Reform won control of Leicestershire County Council in May 2025 by explicitly promising voters they would lower council tax through waste cuts and efficiency audits.
December 24, 2025 at 10:50 AM
“Never trust a Tory” Reform say as they welcome the least moral and least intelligent ex-Conservative politicians into their party in literal droves
I'm glad Echo readers are seeing straight through the Lib Dems' attempts to close down the FuturePlaces inquiry, just so they can protect their pet officer, ex-CEO Graham Farrant. Very difficult rewatching it last night, especially Tarling's line "There's no smoking gun" which is blatantly untrue.
December 6, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I'm glad Echo readers are seeing straight through the Lib Dems' attempts to close down the FuturePlaces inquiry, just so they can protect their pet officer, ex-CEO Graham Farrant. Very difficult rewatching it last night, especially Tarling's line "There's no smoking gun" which is blatantly untrue.
Notorious BCP councillor John Beesley grins at officers, as Cllrs Michael Tarling and Clare Weight undermine and guillotine the investigation into FuturePlaces, the Council company that spent £7.2m with little to show for it except five draft business cases. Audit and Governance Committee, 3/12/25.
December 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Notorious BCP councillor John Beesley grins at officers, as Cllrs Michael Tarling and Clare Weight undermine and guillotine the investigation into FuturePlaces, the Council company that spent £7.2m with little to show for it except five draft business cases. Audit and Governance Committee, 3/12/25.
A mate who watched the full BCP Council last night says "I think the key thing from now on is for councillors to spend as little time as possible in the same room together."
November 4, 2025 at 10:21 AM
A mate who watched the full BCP Council last night says "I think the key thing from now on is for councillors to spend as little time as possible in the same room together."
Reposted by Alex McKinstry
Tories with their snouts in the trough
Appalling corruption by Bournemouth Tories who left BCP on the brink of bankruptcy
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Appalling corruption by Bournemouth Tories who left BCP on the brink of bankruptcy
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Former BCP leader Drew Mellor 'fixed' role worth 150k a year
A report into a council-launched company concludes appointment of senior roles were premeditated.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Tories with their snouts in the trough
Appalling corruption by Bournemouth Tories who left BCP on the brink of bankruptcy
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Appalling corruption by Bournemouth Tories who left BCP on the brink of bankruptcy
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
@andyjolley.bsky.social Hey Andy - forgot to send you the FuturePlaces report! This is Part 1 & gets debated by BCP Council's Audit & Governance Committee tonight. (Part 2 debated on 16 October.) Section 3.1 is where it seriously starts hotting up. democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/documents/g6...
democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk
September 24, 2025 at 7:25 AM
@andyjolley.bsky.social Hey Andy - forgot to send you the FuturePlaces report! This is Part 1 & gets debated by BCP Council's Audit & Governance Committee tonight. (Part 2 debated on 16 October.) Section 3.1 is where it seriously starts hotting up. democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/documents/g6...
Reposted by Alex McKinstry
Not a word has come from this government, for a month, about
Racist attacks in Britain: graffiti & intimidation
The sewer of racism online
These racist attacks on government ministers
The world's richest man promoting fascists who want to eradicate minorities from the UK
Racist attacks in Britain: graffiti & intimidation
The sewer of racism online
These racist attacks on government ministers
The world's richest man promoting fascists who want to eradicate minorities from the UK
September 7, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Not a word has come from this government, for a month, about
Racist attacks in Britain: graffiti & intimidation
The sewer of racism online
These racist attacks on government ministers
The world's richest man promoting fascists who want to eradicate minorities from the UK
Racist attacks in Britain: graffiti & intimidation
The sewer of racism online
These racist attacks on government ministers
The world's richest man promoting fascists who want to eradicate minorities from the UK
If you want to know what went wrong with BCP FuturePlaces - BCP Council's multi-million-pound urban regeneration company - this thread from the other place is the best guide to date. Even here I've left stuff out e.g. work added "on the nod", governance documents not finalised. x.com/AlexMcKinstr...
Alex McKinstry on X: "And so to BCP FUTUREPLACES LTD - BCP Council's short-lived (2021-4) urban regeneration company, which cost the public anything between £5.25 and £11.4 million. Set up by Cllrs Mellor and Broadhead, then-leader and deputy leader of BCP Council, who were also on the board. 1/" / X
And so to BCP FUTUREPLACES LTD - BCP Council's short-lived (2021-4) urban regeneration company, which cost the public anything between £5.25 and £11.4 million. Set up by Cllrs Mellor and Broadhead, then-leader and deputy leader of BCP Council, who were also on the board. 1/
x.com
March 20, 2025 at 9:37 AM
If you want to know what went wrong with BCP FuturePlaces - BCP Council's multi-million-pound urban regeneration company - this thread from the other place is the best guide to date. Even here I've left stuff out e.g. work added "on the nod", governance documents not finalised. x.com/AlexMcKinstr...
The public comments on this Bournemouth Echo piece are in every sense on the money - overwhelmingly calling for an investigation (even "a criminal inquiry") into BCP FuturePlaces Ltd. Worth noting if members of tomorrow night's Audit & Governance Committee try arguing "The public have moved on"
The facts behind #FuturePlaces is in the interest of all @bcpcouncil.bsky.social residents no matter their political leanings & should go ahead as a full investigation IMO.
The comments on the article tend to agree with me which is indeed a rare occurrence.
www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/2501274...
The comments on the article tend to agree with me which is indeed a rare occurrence.
www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/2501274...
FuturePlaces probe would come with 'significant' costs, warns senior officer
INVESTIGATING controversial FuturePlaces will likely come with a financial cost, a senior council officer has said.
www.bournemouthecho.co.uk
March 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
The public comments on this Bournemouth Echo piece are in every sense on the money - overwhelmingly calling for an investigation (even "a criminal inquiry") into BCP FuturePlaces Ltd. Worth noting if members of tomorrow night's Audit & Governance Committee try arguing "The public have moved on"