This is the response to the letter previously published below. It is for the reader to decide what is happening because I have not a clue.
Dear Member 16th FEBRUARY 2010
Dear Member,
Copied below is a note' from Colin Challen MP for Morley and Rothwell. Colin has been a sponsor in the House of Commons for AFPG's Campaign to gain recognition and payment in respect of the right to a pension for those who, prior to April 1975 served for less than 22 years.
I suggest that you read Colin's note carefully and draw your own conclusions. However, there are certain disparities in the content, which it is only right that I should bring to your attention. The reason for so doing is that there appears to be both an attempt at manipulation of AFPG Ltd. through the furtherance of the personal ambition of more than one person and the accolade accorded to David Langham, the latter being particularly misplaced.
It appears it was not the intention of the author of the note that it should be read by the current Directors or indeed by all members of AFPG Ltd. It only came to my notice by chance on the 9th February. I have doubts that the note was produced solely by Colin because he would be well aware of the many inaccuracies and the unwarranted hyperbole used.
Without more ado then, in the letter you will find reference to –
1. The Directors "pursuing a failed legal case' – rather than ‘a legal case constructed by professional advisers was pursued, and which ultimately failed.’
2. The Directors are accused of “being passive onlookers” whilst David and Colin “'went the length and breadth of the land in support of the cause'”. This hyperbole is grossly misleading and untrue about the considerable effort expended by the Directors, who supported all the events that the Campaign Manager made them aware of.
3. “David and I (that is Colin) encouraged new members to join and produced the newsletter "Equality". In addition we (David and I again) developed merchandise etc” The involvement of David, the acquisition and sale of merchandise was agreed at meetings of the Directors with David who was co-opted to be the Campaign Manager.
4. There is reference to the decline in membership and that such decline was only stalled by the efforts of David. In fact, following the debacle with Richmonds, membership fell to 1300. However, through the efforts, almost solely of Mike Steel and the national publicity he obtained, the membership grew to a then new high of 2600. Since the appointment of David it has grown by a further (that we know of) c.900 as a result of everyone’s efforts, many of whom are wives and friends and not therefore direct beneficiaries of the campaign. They are in fact 'donors' albeit doing a worthwhile job by giving support to the campaign.
5. The cost of having a Campaign Manager has been considerable. David is only remunerated for his actual costs but the campaign over the last two years has cost over £25,000 against an increase in membership over the period, including those joining through the efforts of David, Area Coordinators and the Directors, of some 900 which has given an inflow to funds of £13500 in membership fees plus income from the sale of goods yet to be finalised. The campaign, principally through the Morley and Rothwell Constituency Office has therefore been costly.
6. The current Directors recognise that there has been a breakdown in communications but not before some Members acting unconstitutionally started to try and take things into their own hands. They did this whilst the Directors were working to provide the Campaign with the management and organisation structure that both they and the Directors had agreed on 31st March 2009 as the way forward. Even now there are members of, for want of a better word, an ‘unconstitutional’ group, who are suggesting tactics regarding the forthcoming EGM/AGM which could stall the progress of AFPG Ltd yet again. If they are successful the decline in AFPG Ltd will be caused by them and not the current Directors who hold their posts legitimately and not through the sham election of last October.
7. In his penultimate paragraph Mr Challen claims that he understands “ that the previous Directors have refused to accept this way forward “. This is a total misrepresentation of the facts. Mr. Challen and David Langham were well aware of the Directors intentions and progress that has led to the Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association to be considered by the Membership at the EGM on the 2nd March. These documents, if adopted by the Members, will provide the lawful and strong basis for the campaigning by AFPG Ltd we all want.
Yours sincerely.
Nigel H Lodge Secretary AFPG Ltd.
Eh?
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