Hello <<First Name>>!

Whilst I wish you all a happy new year, the ridiculous, yet not unexpected news came through that Chalkley (pictured below left) has approved the making of the "Ali G (Alastair Gilchrist pictured right) & Danny C Pension Fund" aka the (unjustifiable) Motorcycle Charging Scheme (MCS) permanent, even after thousands of official objections, so our next demo really needs to pack a punch!

For what its worth, my personal assessment is that, alas, like the few MP’s who feel that their ridiculous expense claims are above question, we see the highly-inflated egos of the lesser legislators allowing the fear of appearing politically weak to cloud their rationale. This inability to ever admit fault will again see a heavy burden placed on the public purse in defending the errant ways of those elected to promote the best interests of their elctorate, not their own self-serving ends.

In light of the myriad of watchdog bodies now investigating the horrendous iregularities pertaining to almost every aspect of the implementation & enforcement of this blatant stealth-tax, one can only speculate as to the motives behind a stance that may well see a multitude of class actions from a hitherto ignorant public, both motorcylist & motorist, made aware of the true beneficiaries of their parking charge, as mere chancers hoping to escape on technicalities.

Eitherway, what little integrity these individuals may have had before the intense scrutiny of their actions has certainly evaporated in the eyes of a large number of voters, who may well apportion a large part of the blame on the main political party who gave these people a ticket to exploit.

Let battle commence!

Miserable stuff over, now the goodies!!

As we struggle back to work, many of you will have noticed that a large number of the bays have had their signs defaced. This committee in no way condones unlawful acts, however, it would appear from the attached letter from WCC Asst. Head of Parking, Kevin Goad (Forum topic), that a defaced sign could render a PCN, issued for non-payment, as unenforceable. Whilst we are happy to pass this information on, we would say that non-payment under such circumstances is at your own risk.

Furthermore, we would be delighted if you guys could pass on this information by either word of mouth, or by helping distribute the new fliers that we will be preparing to alert all those parking in Westminster about the free parking loop hole, these latest developments on the streets of Westminster have been covered by numerous articles, please we ask you to add your comments to these articles, they will be read by other motorcyclists and scooterists and only increase our numbers in to the 10′s of thousands (we are not far off), here are some of those articles that all allow public comments (usually below the article):

- Crossroads Rider:

Thurs: "Westminster decide to make bike parking tax scheme permanent" – opponents say “Let battle commence!”
Fri: "Westminster begins fightback against motorbike parking tax protesters by replacing defaced signs"
Sat: "Protesters fightback against Westminster’s attempts to get cash flowing in again from bike parking tax"

- Nutsville:

Mon: "What happens when bikers are ignored"
Thurs: "Morph goes to town on Westminster signs (Video)"
Fri: "Westminster Council puts parking revenue above safety"
Sat: "Thursday, Friday, Happy Days."

- Visordown:

Tues: "Bikers take action over Westminster Parking Charge"
Fri: "Westminster replaces defaced parking bay signs"
Sat: "Bikers fight back at Westminster parking charge"

- UK France Bikers:

Mon: "Bikers have suspended Westminster’s parking tax!"
Thurs: "Westminster’s most democratic decision: make the bike parking tax permanent"
Sat: "The battle between taxed and free motorcycle parking in Westminster continues"
Sun: "Bikers’ quick turn around in Westminster"

Our next gathering – 4th February 2010

Many of you know, this date would have seen the end of the experimental scheme. However, now WCC have declared their intentions, the fight not only goes on but intensifies. Our gathering will not yet be the victory parade we had hope, but a flash demo back to Millbank with banners aplenty demanding answers from Tory HQ as to why they are allowing their local boys to inflict stealth-taxes, yet slating any Labour Council for doing similar. Should make for an interest press opportunity in the run-up to the General Election. And…just like last-time we went there, we will do it at lunchtime for maximum effect by meeting at 1pm and arriving at Millbank at 1.30pm.

The difference however is that this "gathering" will start from a secret location at 1pm somewhere in Westminster for which anyone wishing to attend will be required to send us their email address OR mobile phone number, and they will be informed of the location 1 hr before being due to meet there. Anyone responding will be asked if there are any of their mates’ who would want emailing, and they can send us those other email, or mobile phone numbers, so that a pyramid communication network can be established.

Remember, 150 bikers outside Millbank would be a spectacle enough – more would be great, and with 300 on our forum alone and over 6,500 on this mailing list, we are confident this will be a splendid, and more personal demo for all you guys, who have bonded with each other through past demos & this forum.

Fill in your details at this registration box on the site, so please think of others you would like us to contact, and for those of you with no mobile, or Internet access, please buddy up with someone who has and arrange your own meeting point. Register for the next demo.

Other news:-

As said in my new year’s eve message, WCC are being attacked from a host of fronts:-

(1) The EU Commissioners’ Investigation into irregularities regarding the awarding of the Pay-By-Phone contract to Alastair Gilchrist’s pals at Verrus UK Ltd. Official case number: SG-CDC-2008A-7695.

(2) Our own Demand for a Public Inquiry into the above, as well as the mere "handing" of the Pilot Scheme Verrus as well. Delighted to announce that Labour MP Steve Pound has confirmed that he will champion this demand to ensure it gets enacted.

(3) The Office of Fair Trading has opened a case into the major anti-competition elements surrounding the contracts given to Verrus. Official case number: EPIC/ENQ/E/75795.

and if that lot is not enough, with the Parking Department being the only one heading for a budget deficit of over £10m, and with Cllr Chalkley having already asked for an additional £200k for defaced/vandalised signs following a much smaller spate early last year, the actions of the somewhat more angrier victims of this "Alastair Gilchrist pension Pot" scheme are showing the world that, when you attack the bikers, who (a) ask for NO concessions, and (b) reduce pollution & congestion, you do so at your own peril, whoever you are, and whoever you THINK you are!

Suffice to say, the biggest mistake these comedians made is allowing their own Ali G to convince them that bikers would be a pushover. Message to Ali G, a motorbike or scooter is merely a machine – don’t underestimate those who ride them!

See as many of you who can take a lunchtime off to join us on the 4th Feb 2010 (Register here)

~ Warren and the rest of the NTBPT committee

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