18 Comments
User's avatar
Donna's avatar

Stick to your guns! These courses are a waste of money, a waste of time, a money making scam for the organisers, and a pointless attempt at indoctrinating you. Let’s see how far they can take this.

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Gina's avatar

Spot on Donna!

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John Parr's avatar

So unelected bureaucrats are trying to tell elected councillors what to do.

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Pamela Lowrie's avatar

Absolutely stick to your guns Darren! The voters in County Durham do not want tax payers money wasted on this ridiculous ‘training’, which is absolutely pointless and an insult to professional workers across the country.

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Alan Jurek's avatar

I'm confused Darren, Reform have 65 councillors out of a total of 98 how is it that you are being dictated to and by whom ?

As far as I can see DEI training is not mandated by the council so why is it you are ?

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Christine Gray's avatar

I agree. Stick to your guns.

I want to know the root of where this nonsense is coming from. Someone is responsible and they MUST be exposed.

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Susan Doherty's avatar

Keep fighting ,Darren. You're showing us all what these fanatics really are .

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Carol Haizelden's avatar

Hi Darren

I am in Wales...work part-time in lowly position in NHS. We have Anti Racist Wales!!...and training for this. Mines up for renewal and it's mandatory...if I don't I am a racist. Close colleagues raise their eyes north also. Well done for speaking out, but consider that you can achieve more with your vote in council...than if suspended. Good luck. 👍🤞

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Judith Currah's avatar

Agree with you totally Christine to beat them you have to know what your fighting which means you take the training and the free lunch then use it against them at every opportunity ❤️

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Carol Haizelden's avatar

Always know your enemy well. Fraternize it you must...🤫

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Mona O’Connor's avatar

I am appalled at your suspension Darren. But, there is a positive angle to this, that the old guard is being shown for what they are and that is why Reform will win big time as the public is fed up of the corruption they see clearly now in councils. Your suspension was not because you arrived late every morning or because you didn’t show up at the council, oh no. It was simply because you didn’t want to waste council taxpayers’ money attending ridiculous courses which have nothing to do with real concerns of potholes or something similar.

Council taxpayers are on your side!

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Andrew Gillum's avatar

I need someone to explain how Darren can be dictated to as one of a ruling majority of 65? Who is it that can suspend you please tell us Darren??? And stick to your guns the silent majority back you all the way 👍🇬🇧

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John P's avatar

Well said Darren. Maybe the best form of defense is attack. Demand to know how much of the local people's Council Tax is being wasted on this DEI "course", and encourage all those that voted for you to ask the same question.

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Pamela Dixon's avatar

Spot on Darren.👍

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Biffo's avatar

Wucking fankers…

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Christina Layzelle's avatar

Keep on fighting the good fight Darren, you are morally in the right.

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Judith Currah's avatar

I’m very much on your side but have you spoken to anyone from the party head office to see what they say,are you the only Reform councillor who is refusing because while your voters new what you stood for and voted you in on that they voted you in to serve them and fight for them to make their lives better none of which you can do if your suspended,passion is great but choose your battles this isn’t the hill to die on this could Finnish your political career before it’s started, so what if you sit in a room of talking heads you don’t have to listen but you might get more out of it than they would like you might actually learn how to use it against them and how to not give them reasons to make your life harder,your a bright bunny don’t pick this hill to die on it helps no one and while many will support you there are those who will use it against you at every opportunity,come on Darren you do this don’t dig in and make your own grave you really need to get some sound advice from your Party at the highest level because you don’t just represent the people of Durham but you also represent your political party and you have to put all of that before what you want I’ll support what ever you choose but don’t throw it all away when you don’t have to.

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Freebishop's avatar

Has this changed this afternoon ?

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