Thursday 29 March 2012

PUK Interview with Chris Bovey


Tonight sees the start of a series of interviews with PoliticsUK members.

Tonight's interview is with Chris Bovey.


Politics UK
PoliticsUK would like to welcome you to the first in a series of interviews with PoliticsUK users. Our first guest is Chris Bovey. I would personally like to thank Chris was being available at such short notice.

Ok First question:
What are your interests in politics?

Chris Bovey
My father was always a liberal, coming from the South West, it’s an area where liberal support was never decimated, although due to the unfair election system the Liberals always came second to the Tories and didn’t win much, although that changed in 1997.

I used to be active in the youth wing of the Liberal Democrats, I was the youth representative for a couple of years on the executive committee of the Europe group of Liberals in the European Parliament. I later grew out of politics and became a cynic.

Politics UK
Do you believe that cannabis should be legal for all of just for medicinal reasons?

Chris Bovey
Well some would argue that Cannabis can never be legal or illegal, it is a plant. It is only our actions in regards to possessing and growing the plant that is unlawful. The whole debate is about us and our actions. The question I would ask is this, "How sad is it that people cannot grow a plant?" How sad is it that people can get arrested for growing a natural medicine?

Cannabis should be treated within the limits that are already in place by our society to regulate other psychoactive substances, such as alcohol or tobacco.

Politics UK
What do you believe that the economic benefits of legalising cannabis?


Chris Bovey
Since 1/3rd of all convictions are due to drugs offences, and the majority of those are cannabis offences, we would see huge savings in policing costs, court costs, legal aid, prison costs and probation costs, etc., The government would benefit from taxes in a similar way it currently does with alcohol and tobacco. It would also create jobs taking much of the supply away from the black market.

Politics UK
Why do you believe that cannabis use is still not legal?

Chris Bovey Because it is not possible to be a statesman and to argue against the current trajectory set by the United Nations and the European Union in matters of drug control. When it becomes possible to credibly suggest that we should legalise cannabis, because you will not be vilified in the press and on an international level, by the UN, but more significantly by the United States, then we will see a rapid change of thought among the two main parties.

Politics UK
What do you believe would be the negative effects that legal cannabis would have on the UK's society?

Chris Bovey
Most likely the same effects which cannabis has on our society now. The difference would be that many negative effects, such as crime, contamination, and criminal records for sick people, would either be mitigated or removed altogether.

Politics UK
When did you become aware of the Legalise cannabis campaign?

Chris Bovey
I had been a financial supporter of the old LCA for many years.

Politics UK
Were you involved in the changeover from LCC to CLEAR?

Chris Bovey
 No. I contacted Peter Reynolds afterwards offering to make a web site for free, which I did.

Politics UK
What do you believe are the achievements so far of CLEAR?


Chris Bovey
Hrrm, let me think ... give me a tic
Uniting cannabis activists who haven't spoken for years who are now united in their disdain for Peter Reynolds and their desire to expel him as leader.
Alienating the majority of Fleet Street by filing scores of futile PCC complaints.
Alienated the support of 17 MPS, UK charities Release, Transform, Drug Equality Action and Students For Sensible Drug Policy.
Promised a conference but cancelled it.
Prematurely and entirely inaccurately announced the decriminalisation of cannabis.
Provided free promotion of a corporate agenda for cannabis policy.
Spent a great deal of CLEAR donations on Peter Reynolds' personal travel expenses and phone bills.

Politics UK
You were on the CLEAR Exec committee. What were your roles?

Chris Bovey
Peter co-opted me on to the CLEAR Exec last year; I never particularly wanted to be on it. I was supposed to be Press Officer; I did them a few press releases, very few of which got into the media, probably because of Peter Reynolds alienating the press. Sadly, most of the duties of the all the CLEAR Exec would appear to be reigning in Peter Reynolds’ abusive behaviour and trying to stop him going public with some of his more stupid statements. I was very saddened to see my Facebook friends list keep going down, because of my association with CLEAR.
Politics UK
What’s your opinion of Peter Reynolds and how has your opinion changed in the last 12 months?


Chris Bovey
 My opinion of him 12 months ago was that he was breath of fresh air to the cannabis movement; my opinion of him now is he is a nasty racist homophobic bigoted bully.

Politics UK
Why did you stick by Peter Reynolds when he was accused of being an alleged racist and homophobe due to his blog entries?

Chris Bovey
That's a very hard question to answer; I could take the easy option and blame health issues at the time, which is partly true, but looking back on it I was in some kind of cult mentality and maybe even an element of Stockholm Syndrome. I dug my head into the sand and hoped it would all go away, since I had put a lot of time and money into CLEAR and believed in it. I had no idea about Peter's intolerant blogs, I thought that was excuse enough; I didn't even read them all.

Chris Bovey
I'm hoping I can rectify my bad judgement by doing all I can in my power to let people know about this right-wing lunatic and kick him off his self-appointed throne.

Politics UK
Do you regret standing by Peter Reynolds?

Chris Bovey
Oh boy that sounds terrible when you put it like that.

Chris Bovey
I did resign back in January but I was talked out of it on the promise that Peter Reynolds would call a new leadership election at the forthcoming CLEAR conference due to be held this May that has subsequently been cancelled.

I guess I have to take a long look at myself as to why I didn't speak out sooner. Maybe I'll go to a secluded beach after the interview and meditate by the sea for a couple hours and hopefully come back to you tomorrow with the answer to that one.

Politics UK
What’s your opinion of Peter Reynolds’ blogs?

Chris Bovey
Apart from his racism, homophobia, sexism, his politics, his suspected impersonation of a doctor and his bigoted hatred towards many minority groups, I found his blog to be fine.

Politics UK
You have recently resigned for the Exec of CLEAR. Why?

Chris Bovey
I didn’t resign. Last Monday, Greg de Hoedt and myself tabled a motion of no confidence in the leadership of Peter Reynolds to the CLEAR Exec. Reynolds responded by announcing we are both suspended from the Exec and to be expelled from the party, I know you couldn’t make it up, it would make a great sit com.

Chris Bovey
 I might add that nowhere in the party's constitution does it state the leader has the power to do that. Did you know CLEAR members have been bullied and ejected for questioning Peter Reynolds' leadership or policy decisions as well?

Politics UK
What is your relationship with Peter Reynolds now? Was he happy with you leaving CLEAR Exec?

Chris Bovey
LOL, let’s say, he didn’t take the proposed vote of no confidence well; he responded in the same way he does to anyone else who dares cross him, i.e., with abuse and insults. The CLEAR web site has had some technical difficulties, in the last few days, which he immediately blamed me for. Tuesday night it went down again. I was playing a guitar in my local pub last Tuesday at time the web site went down; when I got home at around 12.40am I found a couple of abusive emails from Reynolds claiming I had broken the site.
Hold on, let me cut & paste one of them, I’ll see if I can find it, it’s in my inbox.
 “Chris,

You have taken down the CLEAR website. It was working OK with direct links to content despite the broken home page. Now you've taken it down completely.

"I would never do anything to sabotage CLEAR"

You're a nasty, spiteful piece of work but you're not worth bothering with.

Karma will get you in the end.

Toodle pip!

Peter Reynolds”

I absolutely deny that I did anything to the web site; it is my belief Reynolds broke the site himself in a pathetic attempt to smear me. Here is a photo of me photo of me that was taken Tuesday night at the time Reynolds accused me, I was joyfully singing and playing guitar in the pub http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=317419458313388&set=at.305934802795187.74185.301603006561700.1009653476&type=1&theater
In another email Reynolds called me an ignorant bully, oh the irony, to be called an ignorant bully by Peter Reynolds; I’ll wear that as a badge of honour!

Politics UK
There have been many accusations levelled against Peter Reynolds. Do you believe that Peter Reynolds leadership is now tainted?

Chris Bovey
 If half the accusations about Peter Reynolds are true then CLEAR has a lot to worry about. I'm of the opinion the majority of it is true. His leadership is more than tainted, he has lost all credibility, he is an embarrassment and a laughing stock.
Politics UK
Do you think CLEAR can be a credible campaigning force with Peter Reynolds as leader?

Chris Bovey
Absolutely not! He must go now! If not CLEAR will never be taken seriously. I just hope either the remaining 2 members of the Exec or the membership can get rid of this buffoon before CLEAR permanently becomes damaged goods.

Politics UK
Is there a system in place whereby the members of CLEAR can demand a leadership contest?

Chris Bovey
Did you know Peter Reynolds pledged to stand down as leader if CLEAR did not have 10,000 paid members by this month? However, he has not yet done so, although paid membership is currently only around 700.
Greg Cure de Hoedt and I thought perhaps we could get rid of him by tabling a motion of no confidence in his leadership to the CLEAR Exec, but he just fired us. He informed me a vote of no confidence in his leadership could only be brought about if 100 paid up members called for this to happen. I would urge all members of CLEAR to email jan@clear-uk.org to call for a vote of no confidence in Peter Reynolds.

Chris Bovey
Hope this works, but Pete will probably just expel any member that called for him to go and declare it invalid.

Politics UK
 If there were a leadership contest, would you stand? And if not, who would be your preferred leader of CLEAR?

Chris Bovey
I would not stand. I would endorse Sanj Chowdhary to be leader. He has stated that he would do just one thing as leader, and that is to abolish the position of leader in preference to an ELECTED steering committee with each member having equal power.

Politics UK
We will make this the last question: What now for the LCC (legalise cannabis campaign)?

Chris Bovey
As I previously mentioned, Reynolds has achieved the uniting of cannabis activists that hadn’t spoken for years. Once Reynolds is gone, it will be a great opportunity for people to put their differences behind them, to draw a line in the sand and unite in our common cause to end the unjust prohibition of cannabis in the UK. One thing for sure is we are a broad church, we welcome stoners, hippies in suits and non-users alike; the only thing there is no room for in the cannabis movement is racism, homophobia or prejudice towards minority groups of any kind.

Politics UK
PoliticsUK would like to thank Chris Bovey for his time on this interview. We shall leave this thread open if you wish to discuss any subjects brought up on this interview. Please be aware that normal posting rules apply.

Thank you and Goodnight
Alan

14 comments:

  1. Dear me! Don't mention the issues now, just launch abusive attacks full of blatant lies and slander. Get down in the muck Chris and show us what you're really made of!

    I could publish some of the large number of emails I have from Chris, from as recently as a month ago, when he tells me what a wonderful job I am doing, how I have transformed the campaign, how there's nobody else who even comes close to the ability and skill that I have demonstrated.

    I could release the emails in which Chris told me to keep my blog up, don't listen to the haters and how impressed he was with the way I chair meetings always looking to build consensus.

    I won't do this though because, unlike Chris, I am not in the business of publishing private correspondence.

    This is a very sad demonstration of how somebody can display a complete absence of integrity and resort to the most low down and disreputable conduct just because their nose has been put out of joint.

    The CLEAR campaign has moved the cannabis issue on as never before in Britain. It will continue with people of honour, truth and integrity at the top. Anyone who puts on such a revealing display of a personal vendetta is best out of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You seriously need to realise its not a personal vendetta, its a campaign of hundreds of people who want to see you gone....

      Delete
    2. Mr Reynolds, I'm disappointed that once again you've decided to respond to charges against you by attacking, vilifying and threatening. Why not answer some valid questions, for a change?

      Go ahead and say that I too am in the muck, blatantly lying and slandering, if you wish; I have no interest in you or in your opinions. I would just like to know some facts.

      Why did you make space available on the CLEAR website to host the blog of Jim Alekson, which promotes his US multi-national corporation and its efforts to sell more cannabis products by dictating public policy on growing and selling? Is US corporate profit (at the expense of medical cannabis patients) the sort of cannabis law reform you want to see?

      Delete
  2. Did you not publish e-mail from me Peter when I said keep your blog up

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Des,

      I'm sorry to have to say this because I think you are a fundamentally decent man led astray and bullied by a bunch of semi-psychotic idiots.

      The fact is Des that you lied blatantly about your position on my blog and it was therefore legitimate to correct it with the evidence.

      The terrible company you've got yourself into is a tragedy. I wish you the very best for the future and I greatly regret the loss of your friendship.

      Delete
    2. Actually Mr Reynolds, Des was led astray and bullied by ONE semi-psychotic idiot - namely yourself.

      The sad loneliness you've got yourself into is a tragedy. I wish you the very best in your retirement, and I greatly appreciate your loss of power.

      Delete
    3. Oh sorry, you haven't resigned yet? Why not?

      Delete
  3. Hi Peter.

    I hear that one of the remaining two executive members, Derek Williams, resigned this morning. That leaves just Janice Wells on the executive committee. Don't you think it's time to resign now?

    And Chris explained that he was in a cult mindset when he was working for Clear. Cult followers tend to blindly defend and praise their cult leader(s). Chris has woken up now. It is a shame that you haven't.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The CLEAR campaign with you Peter at the helm is the joke of the year so far if not the decade. You are completely deluded if you truly believe what you have written here... You are a party with a leader and one other exec member, and an ever dwindling main membership. There has been no personal vendetta, but a campaign comprising the majority of the adult cannabis community who have come to realise that you actually not representing them at all, and are only in this for what you can personally get out of it. It is your vitriolic, bigotted, rascist, sexist and homophobic words and attitude that have caused these problems. You are a sad, sick man....

    ReplyDelete
  5. Now Derek Williams has resigned because of racism and homophobia

    Snce Christmas 17 MP's have dropped support for Reynolds as have Release, SSDP, DEA, and even Paul Flynn will have nothing to do with him

    Sanj, Greg, Chris, Des, Mark Palmer were all appointed by Reynolds and now they have all left in disgust over his racism and right wing views

    Still think the future's CLEAR?

    You always publish private correspondence and even telephone messages Peter so for once in your life do the decent thing and resign

    ReplyDelete
  6. Peter Reynolds...How can you possibly justify continuing leadership of CLEAR when you shop cannabis patients and growers to the police? When you fill your blogs with hateful, warped views and lies? You are the exact opposite of what we as campaigners stand for and you are not welcome here anymore. It doesnt matter how hard you try and cover up your wrong doings, there are too many of them in the public domain and we will make sure they are instrumental in your FINAL overture. Peter, you are a disgrace...if there is an ounce of compassion behind those cold eyes, you will step down immediately.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I see you are still claiming its all lies and slander,Peter,as I have re-iterated previously...especially the parts that are true eh. According to you,everyone taking a stance against your racism and bigotry is a liar and a troll,what you are failing to grasp is everything is evidence backed, You wrote the racist/homophobic blog,You have consistently blocked,banned insulted and deleted any questions regarding your motives and policy from members and activists alike,Your attack on Sarah was abhorrent, the list is endless,suffice to say ,you have been the instigator of your own downfall,

    ReplyDelete
  8. Peter Reynolds has very obvious psychiatric problems which have become increasingly apparent to all those who have had any dealings with him.He needs a psychiatrist.However he needs a real psychiatrist-not a fake psychiatrist like his alter ego Dr.Carla Margam.His credibility is less than zero-he couldn't show his face at any public gathering of cannabis users in the UK.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes nothing about the issues, and still even this site labours under a misunderstanding about the drug laws - you cannot legalize drugs, its a legal, linguistic and conceptual impossibility! Law controls persons, not drugs.

    http://cannabisni.com/uk-cannabis-news/2231-drug-equality-alliance-submission-to-home-affairs-select-committee-drugs-inquiry-2012

    ReplyDelete