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Canterbury

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/south-ayrshire-councillor-plays-warhammer-4406321



Douglas Campbell should have been voting on the Heathfield Retail Park plan but instead was taking part in a fantasy battle.

The most senior councillor in South Ayrshire was caught in fantasyland - while his collleagues were voting on the future of Ayr.

SNP opposition leader Douglas Campbell had suddenly left the vital meeting without saying where he was going.

But as they knocked back a crucial element of the multi million pound Heathfield Retail Park expansion, he was huddled round a table with other men playing fantasy war games.

Campbell, a councillor for an astonishing 27 years, was refusing to quit this week despite snubbing the people.

He found it more important to take part in a Warhammer Fantasy Battle, eagerly anticipating his next move around a four foot by nine foot battleground.

The vital vote he missed went to a narrow 11-10 verdict at Ayr County Buildings while he was half a mile away in the dimly-lit Games Workshop in Lorne Arcade.

He was one of NINE councillors posted missing from a crucial vote on what kinds of goods Heathfield Retail Park should be allowed to sell.

The councillor, who turns 60 next Thursday, had been in County Buildings for an earlier debate on the Waitrose bid to come to Ayr – granted by 17 votes to five.

That went on from 2pm until after 4pm, and Councillor Campbell then left before the Heathfield application was aired.

Ironically, Heathfield is in Councillor Campbell’s Ayr North ward, and freeing up trading conditions there could mean a £26 million investment over the next five years.

But that’s not going to happen – in the short-term at least.

And a shocked Brian Donohoe MP said: “This application was supposed to be heard by 30 councillors – and only 21 turned up.”

The Labour MP for Central Ayrshire was there arguing for restrictions to be lifted on Heathfield.

But Councillor Campbell had disappeared during a ‘comfort break’ between applications.

Mr Donohoe said: “If it’s true he went to play a fantasy war game, it’s unforgiveable.”

And a Tory councillor said: “He left without saying anything. This is astounding. He is toast.

“He is his fantasy world while we are in the real world trying to make this area better.

“Douglas is very foolish if he thinks he can get away with this.

“Even if, as he claims, he first of all went to an appointment with his wife, I am sure this could have been rearranged or someone else could have accompanied her.

“But he certainly never mentioned an appointment when he left the meeting.”

Warhammer battles can become absorbing as players throw the dice to try and outmanouvre the opposition.

In the Games Workshop the table is currently dominated by a medieval castle and on Thursday the shop staged a battle from 4pm until 8pm.

There was no spaces available as eager players worked on military strategy.

Our informant saw Campbell clearly from the window, his face etched in concentration, focussing on the fight.

Players enter an imaginary world and use all sorts of characters and foes, from lizardmen to Skaven, the man-sized rats.

Campbell readilly admitted being in the Games Workshop, but claimed he first went to assist his wife Brenda.

He told the Post: “I had to leave the meeting because I had to do something for my wife.

“I’m not prepared to discuss my wife’s health, but we had to keep an appointment.

“Yes, I was in the Games Workshop. I’m not going to deny it.

“My wife’s appointment went well, and there was no point in me going back to County Buildings, as I couldn’t have voted, after missing the debate.”

He insisted: “This was a family matter and something I had to do.”

Later he was asked in a voice mail if he was going to resign and why he had not made other arrangements for his wife when it was such a crucial decision for the town’s future.

But he did not return our call.

The Post has also found out the whereabouts of the other eight missing councillors.

Councillor John Hampton (Con) has been in hospital for heart illness, and was having blood tests that day.

Councillor Sandra Goldie (Lab) is understood to have had a fall, and injured a rib.

Councillor Hugh Hunter (Con) was visiting relatives in Dubai. And Councillor John Allan (SNP) was on holiday in Turkey.

Councillor Nan McFarlane (SNP) was at her grandson’s wedding in Dorset, and Councillor Hywel Davies (Con) has moved to Wales.

Councillors Phil Saxton (Lab) and Brian Connolly (Ind) both say they had appointments they couldn’t change.





I , nearly, have some respect for the guy , we've all had those battles you just couldn't miss.


I'd urge to you vote "no" on the poll in the above link , hell I'm considering trying to organise a whip round for him, such dedication should be lauded really.

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Big question is what army he plays.

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So awesome!!!

THE FUN HAS BEEN DOUBLED!!! 
   
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Tampa, FL

 MightyGodzilla wrote:
So awesome!!!


Not if they force him to resign over it...

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Central Coast, California USA

WayneTheGame wrote:
 MightyGodzilla wrote:
So awesome!!!


Not if they force him to resign over it...

Ultimately his own fault if they do or don't. He's a 60 year old man who should know the consequences of his actions. If his reputation on the job over the years is good it'll blow over, if it's not he'll get fired. If a politician cost me money or my livelihood over something like this I'd want his ass on a pike too. /rant

Past all that, it was awesome.

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I hate to be Captain Bringdown and inject some seriousness here but councillors in the this particular council are paid £16k per year, on top of any job they may already hold, and have a duty to attend debates and votes on important matters. We already have a growing and expensive bureaucracy here in the UK without having people treat it as a meal ticket and bunk off whenever they feel like it.

If I skipped out of work early on a whim like this, I would probably get fired or at the very least reprimanded; I expect higher of public servants.

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UK

Fire both him and whoever proof-read that article.

There was no spaces available as eager players worked on military strategy.

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UK

Councillor Hywel Davies (Con) has moved to Wales.

A likely story!

I love comments like this:

Our informant saw Campbell clearly from the window, his face etched in concentration, focussing on the fight.


I always find that you have to read the whole article though. The councillor claims he went to the game only because he'd already missed the ability to vote after taking his wife to a medical appointment and missing the debate....
which I think shows an appalling lack commitment to the GW HHHobby.





This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/10/11 06:31:45


   
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Dawsonville GA

Politicians miss votes all the time - how many votes has this guy missed? Look at all the other councilor's who missed the vote, no one is condemning them.

The fate of a retail park is hardly that serious of a matter as presented in the article. Sure, you should show up and do your job but its not the end of the world.

Last no one would have said jack if he took off to play golf.
   
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A Dark Place

Hardly surprising that the The Daily Rag latched onto the SNP member missing the vote, due to his wife's appointment, while skipping over the fact that a Labour member also missed it due to an appointment.

Councillors Phil Saxton (Lab) and Brian Connolly (Ind) both say they had appointments they couldn’t change.


Wasn't it the Mirror or something a few months ago, that tried to tie Necromunda to some psycho attacking his wife? Tabloids are so pathetic.

EDIT: Correction, it was the Daily Heil

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2642604/CCTV-Wayne-Smith-en-route-stab-love-rival-Jon-Britton.html

   
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We'll find out soon enough eh.

 Flood wrote:
Hardly surprising that the The Daily Rag latched onto the SNP member missing the vote, due to his wife's appointment, while skipping over the fact that a Labour member also missed it due to an appointment.

Councillors Phil Saxton (Lab) and Brian Connolly (Ind) both say they had appointments they couldn’t change.


Wasn't it the Mirror or something a few months ago, that tried to tie Necromunda to some psycho attacking his wife? Tabloids are so pathetic.

EDIT: Correction, it was the Daily Heil

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2642604/CCTV-Wayne-Smith-en-route-stab-love-rival-Jon-Britton.html


Yep, quelle surprise, Labour and the Daily Heil trying to spin a perfectly explainable event into some monstrous breach of the public trust in order to try and discredit the SNP.

And of course up pops Brian "we should only have one British football team" Donohoe MP, one of the few members of the Labour party to claim he can almost equal the borderline-pathological hatred of the SNP held by Aberdeen Labour Councillor Willie Young. It would be funny if it wasn't so depressing.

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UK

 filbert wrote:
I hate to be Captain Bringdown and inject some seriousness here but councillors in the this particular council are paid £16k per year, on top of any job they may already hold, and have a duty to attend debates and votes on important matters. We already have a growing and expensive bureaucracy here in the UK without having people treat it as a meal ticket and bunk off whenever they feel like it.

If I skipped out of work early on a whim like this, I would probably get fired or at the very least reprimanded; I expect higher of public servants.


Yeah lets have it said, we think its cool because we love minis and D&D, but the guy, like almost every politician, is no doubt an absolute gak bag.

If you take the Queens shilling, your part of the deal is you do your fething job properly and professionally. As always with politicians, they don't really feel that have a boss and can do whatever the feth they like. How would your boss feel if you fethed off an extremely important meeting because you basically wanted to hang out with your mates?

I know I sound angrier than I should be, but we have been sorely let down by these dirtbags for decades, culminating in an entire nation filled with hate and spite. UKIP would not even be getting a foot in the door if the government did their job properly and just ran a country with a bit of common sense and honesty. Same goes for the EU Parliament, if it wasn't for all the greed and corruption and incompetence we would have a happy and unified EU and we could all be mates, but they fethed it all up so people feel they have no say at all, obviously get angry and bitter about it, and then here we are, everybody is at odds all of the time.

Same for the SNP, they wouldn't even exist if people just got along and people felt like they actually mattered. Politicians are basically fething the whole world up and sewing discord and spite and we are supposed to laugh when they show no dedication or interest?

gak aint funny lads, its fething depressing is what it is.

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I heard he was playing using Mantic models too...

   
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 mattyrm wrote:
 filbert wrote:
I hate to be Captain Bringdown and inject some seriousness here but councillors in the this particular council are paid £16k per year, on top of any job they may already hold, and have a duty to attend debates and votes on important matters. We already have a growing and expensive bureaucracy here in the UK without having people treat it as a meal ticket and bunk off whenever they feel like it.

If I skipped out of work early on a whim like this, I would probably get fired or at the very least reprimanded; I expect higher of public servants.


Yeah lets have it said, we think its cool because we love minis and D&D, but the guy, like almost every politician, is no doubt an absolute gak bag.

If you take the Queens shilling, your part of the deal is you do your fething job properly and professionally. As always with politicians, they don't really feel that have a boss and can do whatever the feth they like. How would your boss feel if you fethed off an extremely important meeting because you basically wanted to hang out with your mates?

I know I sound angrier than I should be, but we have been sorely let down by these dirtbags for decades, culminating in an entire nation filled with hate and spite. UKIP would not even be getting a foot in the door if the government did their job properly and just ran a country with a bit of common sense and honesty. Same goes for the EU Parliament, if it wasn't for all the greed and corruption and incompetence we would have a happy and unified EU and we could all be mates, but they fethed it all up so people feel they have no say at all, obviously get angry and bitter about it, and then here we are, everybody is at odds all of the time.

Same for the SNP, they wouldn't even exist if people just got along and people felt like they actually mattered. Politicians are basically fething the whole world up and sewing discord and spite and we are supposed to laugh when they show no dedication or interest?

gak aint funny lads, its fething depressing is what it is.


Next time, try reading the whole thing:

Campbell readilly admitted being in the Games Workshop, but claimed he first went to assist his wife Brenda.

He told the Post: “I had to leave the meeting because I had to do something for my wife.

“I’m not prepared to discuss my wife’s health, but we had to keep an appointment.


“Yes, I was in the Games Workshop. I’m not going to deny it.

“My wife’s appointment went well, and there was no point in me going back to County Buildings, as I couldn’t have voted, after missing the debate.”

He insisted: “This was a family matter and something I had to do.”


He had a legitimate(or as legitimate as 2 others who miss the vote according to the article) reason for leaving and didn't return because there was no reason to since he wouldn't be allowed to vote to begin with.

He's only being attacked because he's the opposition party

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2014/10/13 13:44:30


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We'll find out soon enough eh.

 Platuan4th wrote:
 mattyrm wrote:
 filbert wrote:
I hate to be Captain Bringdown and inject some seriousness here but councillors in the this particular council are paid £16k per year, on top of any job they may already hold, and have a duty to attend debates and votes on important matters. We already have a growing and expensive bureaucracy here in the UK without having people treat it as a meal ticket and bunk off whenever they feel like it.

If I skipped out of work early on a whim like this, I would probably get fired or at the very least reprimanded; I expect higher of public servants.


Yeah lets have it said, we think its cool because we love minis and D&D, but the guy, like almost every politician, is no doubt an absolute gak bag.

If you take the Queens shilling, your part of the deal is you do your fething job properly and professionally. As always with politicians, they don't really feel that have a boss and can do whatever the feth they like. How would your boss feel if you fethed off an extremely important meeting because you basically wanted to hang out with your mates?

I know I sound angrier than I should be, but we have been sorely let down by these dirtbags for decades, culminating in an entire nation filled with hate and spite. UKIP would not even be getting a foot in the door if the government did their job properly and just ran a country with a bit of common sense and honesty. Same goes for the EU Parliament, if it wasn't for all the greed and corruption and incompetence we would have a happy and unified EU and we could all be mates, but they fethed it all up so people feel they have no say at all, obviously get angry and bitter about it, and then here we are, everybody is at odds all of the time.

Same for the SNP, they wouldn't even exist if people just got along and people felt like they actually mattered. Politicians are basically fething the whole world up and sewing discord and spite and we are supposed to laugh when they show no dedication or interest?

gak aint funny lads, its fething depressing is what it is.


Next time, try reading the whole thing:

Campbell readilly admitted being in the Games Workshop, but claimed he first went to assist his wife Brenda.

He told the Post: “I had to leave the meeting because I had to do something for my wife.

“I’m not prepared to discuss my wife’s health, but we had to keep an appointment.


“Yes, I was in the Games Workshop. I’m not going to deny it.

“My wife’s appointment went well, and there was no point in me going back to County Buildings, as I couldn’t have voted, after missing the debate.”

He insisted: “This was a family matter and something I had to do.”


He had a legitimate(or as legitimate as 2 others who miss the vote according to the article) reason for leaving and didn't return because there was no reason to since he wouldn't be allowed to vote to begin with.

He's only being attacked because he's the opposition party


Och don't don't bother, the whole "SNP are sowing discord and spite" gakpile makes it pretty evident he's not actually interested in the facts.

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Wow, he was one of 9 people who missed the vote. Can we get an indepth report on why the other 8 people were missing? I bet some were watching football, at the pub, or worse; watching the Telly!

What ar ethe rules for missing the vote, nd do you really need 21 people for the decision in the first place?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Wow, he was one of 9 people who missed the vote. Can we get an indepth report on why the other 8 people were missing? I bet some were watching football, at the pub, or worse; watching the Telly!

What ar ethe rules for missing the vote, nd do you really need 21 people for the decision in the first place?

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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/10/13 17:22:47


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The most senior councillor in South Ayrshire was caught in fantasyland...
SNP opposition leader...


He was also caught playing wargames.

I'm sooo, sooo sorry.

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Heh, silly article, for many a reason.

The thing I really wonder, though, is if a third of the council was absent, but only one of them was playing WHFB, then what were all the other ones doing?

I think I'd rather my council members miss a meeting because they were playing a mini wargame than if they missed the meeting because they were drunk or fundraising for their campaign, or just couldn't be bothered to attend.



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 Ailaros wrote:
The thing I really wonder, though, is if a third of the council was absent, but only one of them was playing WHFB, then what were all the other ones doing?

They've discovered girls and bars

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Local Councillor misses vote.

I AM SHOCKED!

Seriously though freeing up trading conditions only moves money out of beleaguered town centres. These conditions will stand whether the investment comes or not. I'm glad it didn't go through.

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