Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the onecom-wp domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6121) in /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1896 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6121) in /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1896 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6121) in /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1896 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6121) in /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1896 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6121) in /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1896 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6121) in /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1896 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6121) in /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1896 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6121) in /customers/2/b/6/dorsetnews.uk/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1896 {"id":3209,"date":"2025-03-07T11:59:15","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T11:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dorsetnews.uk\/?p=3209"},"modified":"2025-03-10T22:17:47","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T22:17:47","slug":"failed-councillor-and-former-leader-of-no-to-the-barge-humiliated-by-dorset-council-after-comical-blunder-alex-bailey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dorsetnews.uk\/2025\/03\/07\/failed-councillor-and-former-leader-of-no-to-the-barge-humiliated-by-dorset-council-after-comical-blunder-alex-bailey\/","title":{"rendered":"Failed Election Candidate and Former ‘Leader’ of ‘No To The Barge’ Humiliated by Dorset Council After Comical Blunders – Alex Bailey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Lower Preston\u2019s own aspiring politician who didn’t make it through the 2024 elections, Alex Bailey, recently took center stage at a Dorset Council meeting, determined to expose ‘wasteful spending’\u2014only to end up exposing his own lack of research. His bold attempt to demand an external audit to \u2018check spending and ensure value for money\u2019 fell apart spectacularly when he learned that such an audit already existed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Fireworks Fiasco<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bailey\u2019s crusade against perceived \u2018lavish fireworks\u2019 turned out to be a hilarious misunderstanding. Instead of uncovering a council-funded pyrotechnic extravaganza, he had actually misread a reference to \u2018fire works\u2019\u2014which, in reality was to fund for fire-wardens and concerned fire safety measures. Expecting scandalous celebrations, he was instead met with routine administrative expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gritting His Teeth Over Gritters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His confusion didn\u2019t stop there. Bailey was incredulous that road gritting expenses weren\u2019t just about bags of salt but included the operational costs of gritting lorries. He then doubled down on his incredulity, complaining about seeing gritting vehicles out in 9\u00b0C temperatures\u2014only for the council to patiently explain that night-time temperatures drop below freezing, making pre-emptive gritting essential to prevent hazardous road conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Care Dorset Confusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not content with those blunders, Bailey also accused Care Dorset directors of raking in excessive salaries. Unfortunately for him, reality once again refused to comply with his narrative. The council clarified that these individuals were non-executive directors with minimal remuneration, deflating his argument like a punctured political balloon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Unintended Comedy Show<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The March 4, 2025, meeting quickly became a public spectacle, with Bailey\u2019s attempts at accountability turning into a lesson in why preparation matters. His arguments unraveled under the weight of basic facts, leaving him red-faced while the council chamber erupted in laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This episode serves as a cautionary tale for would-be politicians: fact-checking is free, and failing to do so can lead to viral embarrassment. For now, Bailey\u2019s misadventure stands as an entertaining reminder of the perils of political grandstanding without proper homework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From Activism to Extremism: The Controversial Transformation of “No To The Barge” Protest Group<\/a><\/blockquote>