About Me
I’m British, Male, A Games Designer, An Entrepreneur, A Christian, A Husband, A Father, A Martial Artist and a regular political activist for the Conservative party. Not necessarily in that order.
I’ve just reached my Fifties, so I am certainly no longer a spring chicken. I mostly don’t feel like i’m in my Fifties – but some days I feel like I’m about a hundred. I suspect I share this with middle-aged parents the world over. :)
I live on the Planet Earth, In the continent of Europe (not ruled by it), in the United Kindom, In England, In the County Of Cambridgeshire, In Wisbech: the Capital of the Fens.
My Family
My wife Marie Tierney is a teacher, an artist and a history buff. My Son Joe is a gymnast, a break-dancer, a musician and a keen swimmer.
My Mum (Brenda) and Stepfather (Tony) live in Four Gotes, Cambridgeshire. My Dad (John) and Stepmother (Shirley) live in Hemel Hempstead, Herts. I have two Brothers; Alan and Dan. Dan and his wife Gemma live in Manea, Cambridgeshire with their Son Finn. Alan and his wife Candy live in Hertfordshire with their two children; Eva and Lacey.
Politics & Views
As a brief taster of my views, I think that prisoners should be punished rather than given the right to vote, that the government should be there to serve the people not to rule them and I welcomed the vote to leave the undemocratic EU and voted “leave” proudly.
I’m a Conservative with strong Libertarian leanings. I believe in a small state, low taxes and personal liberty. As a Christian, I also believe in taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves – but do not believe that the best way to do this is the iron glove and strong arm of the State. We should not “contract out” our moral responsibilities to a bloated and uncaring state.
I’m a positive person and I try to find positive solutions to things. I’m not given to dwelling on, or exaggerating bad things and I have little time for those whose live revolves around complaining while not being prepared to be part of a solution. I hate bullies in all their forms, but most particularly I hate racists and bigots. I also strongly oppose those who choose to abuse their powerful positions for their own gain and interests – whether they be politicians, union bosses or local newspaper Editors.
Other Interests
Bodybuilding
I was involved in natural bodybuilding for 20 years, though i’ve been out of it for the last decade. When training in Wisbech I like to use Shapers, 18 North St, Wisbech, PE13 1NP, Tel. 01945 589100. You can find out about gyms in the local area here.
Music & Drama
I’m a hobby guitarist and singer, enjoying karaoke, songwriting and jamming with other musicians (when the chance arises.) I mess about a bit on the keyboard too. I’m not particularly good at any of these, but I do enjoy having a go.
Martial Arts
I have a black sash and an instructors qualification in a style of Kung Fu called Fut Gar, which means ‘Monks Family’. I used to teach and compete on the full contact circuit a couple of decades ago, but these days I just practice for personal fitness and pleasure. I also have an honourary Brown Belt in Shotokan Karate and a Black Belt In Kickboxing.
Politics
As you’ve probably surmised, I have a great passion for politics, and local politics in particular. You might be interested in visiting the website our current MP Stephen Barclay. You could visit the Conservatives website, or you could just go the whole hog and become a Conservative by clicking here. (Hey! It’s MY website. If I want to show my personal bias, this is the place to do it, right?)
Games
I’m a gamer. There. I’ve said it. It’s out of the box. What is a gamer? it’s a person who enjoys playing many different types of games. Recently, young people who enjoy Video Games have tried to steal the term for themselves, but frankly, that’s not what a real gamer is. A real gamer likes many different types of games. Board games. Card games. Computer games. Roleplaying Games. Murder Mystery Games. You get the idea. If this sounds just plain stupid to you then forget I mentioned it. On the other hand, If you like the sound of it then go give a new game a try. You’re never too old to have fun.
Contact Me:
Phone: 07831 616127
Address: 6 Alexandra Road, Wisbech. PE13 1HQ.
Email: cllr@stevetierney.org
Other Website: http://www.romanbankandpeckover.co.uk
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Think I just about agree with everything you said above Steve. Who would know there’s 9 years between us. Well said you. Xx
Moderator (Steve Tierney)’s Response:
Thanks, cuz. And thanks for taking the time to read!
I understand that the Wisbech selective licensing scheme is being presented at the next council meetings
As a concerned Wisbech landlord I wonder if you would be good enough to question FDC on why :
There is no discount for accredited landlords in the proposal, especially when peterborough council and others are offering a hugely reduced discount,
Why haven’t FDC written to local Landlords about this? I found out about whilst I was walking through the market place and saw their bus,
Why do they need to introduce this scheme when I thought the operation pheasant was tackling rogue landlords anyway
Why are good landlords being punished when others who don’t care about their tenants are not being prosecuted. That said how many landlords have FDC prosecuted over the past 10 years and if it’s none why do they now feel the need to licence us ?
I’d be grateful if you could ask FDC this on my behalf as a concerned good Wisbech landlord
Thank you
Michael, Thanks for your comment. Before I try and answer your questions I’d like to once again make clear that I am opposed to this scheme, which I think is poorly-designed, ill-considered and will not do what it claims it will do, but will instead exacerbate problems. I am sure other Councillors will ask the question about why a discount hasn’t been offered, but it’s a question I would like to avoid. The reason is that I just don’t think the policy is good, and the reduced rate offered in Peterborough seems, to me, to be little more than trade protectionism. Ie – buying support from larger and agency Landlords at the expense of forcing smaller Landlords out of the market. In regards to writing to Landlords – they have written to all households in Wisbech I think. Of course, that doesn’t help unless the tenants give the letter to their Landlords, which many do not. They will say they cannot write to all Landlords, since they don’t know where they all are, and they will then cite this as a supportive reason for introducing the License Policy. Your question about Operation Pheasant is an interesting one. From my point of view, Operation Pheasant has been a little like a fireworks display. It’s gathered a lot of attention, it looks pretty, and it makes a lot of noise and sound. But the end result is questionable given the actual level of prosecutions and successful convictions. Your comments about punishing good Landlords is one I agree with and I will certainly be challenging this policy to the bitter end. However, to date I am sorry to say that only three Councillors have challenged this policy. Myself, Jan French, and another Councillor who has been silenced with threats of legal action. I urge Landlords and Tenants to make their voices heard because I cannot make them rethink this policy alone, and presently there is precious little opposition to it. UKIP, The Independent Bucknors and the Lib Dems all appear to be lining up to support it, as do most of my Conservative colleagues.
Dear Steve.
Thanks for replying to my post.
I have to say that I find it scary that the majority of your colleagues could agree to support such an ill conceived, badly constructed policy as this. How this is even possible considering the majority are Conservative and should by their very nature be against additional business taxation and regulation is another mystery.
As you suggested, I have contacted a number of associates to get them have their views on the licence scheme via the Fenland website. I just hope enough vote to sway minds.
That said, I appreciate your efforts in challenging this scheme and hope that sense prevails at the end of it.
Keep up the good work Steve.
Regards.
Michael.
Michael,
May I just say that I share your frustration and puzzlement. Elsewhere in the country it is mostly left-wing Councils doing this and Conservatives opposing it as a “Tenants Tax.” Why our Council have flipped this and done the opposite, is a mystery to me. You’d have to ask them, I’m afraid, as I just don’t get it.
Steve