News Industry

MAYHEM in the NORTH WEST
As KHONAT BRINGS IN THE TROOPS!
MCPHEE kicked out!

Shock waves went around the country last week when the news came through that North West district had kicked their own district president from their National Councillors representatives for the next term.

The popular figure of Mike Mcphee who had over the past two years given the district superb service in representation at National Council level with his notable knowledge of experience within the trade has been thrown out simply by being the honest guy, but regretfully it appears his face doesn’t fit with some of the hierarchy of head office officials.

North West District President Mcphee was too shocked and disappointed to make any comment, clearly devastated on the principles the way the situation was achieved, which led to one member letting his feelings known to the current National President Solly Khonat.

It appears Khonat again was up to his old tricks again by shipping in members to vote his way, then when the elections had finished most disappeared and the district council meeting that followed was poorly attended in comparison. To the outsider world the whole scenario stinks, it’s rotten to the core, and all the time these situations continue the federation is slowly but surely sinking big time.

The sheer factor that it was the North West district two years ago who set a precedent for the National Federation of Retail Newsagents to follow that to cut costs and in view of the way the numbers were declining within the organisation by cutting the numbers of National councillors per district to a maximum of two.

However, ii appears National President Khonat wants to revert back to three National Councillors for the North West Districts to enable him to strengthen his own position later. However, allowing three National Council figures I would challenge, having 1506 members (one for every 750) I expect the figures are not up to date and currently well under the 1500 mark knowing some of the members who have recently left the organisation for numerous reasons.

Mcphee replacement is Khonats bosom pal Doug Morris, the man who caused uproar a few years back with the plan to buy wholesale giants Smiths News, and has been known to cause numerous shenanigans over the years. Morris is currently not a fit man and this seventy year old current work load will undoubtedly restrict his appearances at the National Council meetings, so what’s the motive behind this appointment?

Simple! Solly Khonats is looking ahead to next year when he needs to be selected as a National Councillor from the North West district, which will see Morris getting the Mcphee treatment and Khonat being elected with his female favourite Shumaila Malik.

Malik you will remembered pulled out of National Council two years ago slating some national councillors were a waste of time, but when she was made newsagent of the year by Khonats cronies last year she has been pulling at his apron strings to return ever since.

Despite her own branch being unhappy with some of her movements I will make another prediction, watch Malik stand for the National Executive Committee at the coming Annual Conference in Birmingham, and she will be successful providing Khonat and the others still believe she will obey their orders.

Mind you, she will be hoping that National Council will support her more favourably than the North West District did last week when two Annual Conference motions suggestions (no doubt influence by Khonat) fell on deaf ears and was rightfully refused.

COMING UP:

WHY PARMINDER SINGH WAS BEHIND THE DOWNFALL OF MOIRA FARREL,

The full details to be revealed;