27/4/2007
Your Letters
Council's majority party can actually be defeated at the pollsCouncil’s majority party can actually be defeated at the polls
As the local elections approach, political sabre-rattling is predictably rife. The door of the skeleton cupboard is open wide and ‘Land West of Park Street’, ‘planning irregularities’, ‘promotional videos’ and ‘campaigning skulduggery’ are being raked over for every ounce of electioneering value.
That’s a pity because local elections should be above politics. National party policies have little to do with managing a local authority and councillors have absolutely zero influence on the diktats handed down by central government of whatever flavour. Their duty is simply to work within that framework for the benefit of the local community.
In Surrey Heath the majority party has been unassailable for as long as can be remembered. It knows that, with a whip imposed, it can carry any vote in the council chamber without fear of defeat.
This is a very bad situation for all of us. It means that our elected representatives never need to look over their shoulders. These are the people spending our money. We have for years now given them a free hand. They can do what they like with it — they can hire in temporary staff and consultants (I wonder why they can’t recruit the staff they need?).
They can make expensive self-congratulatory videos. They can buy concrete balls to place outside the heavily subsidised theatre. Now it’s not for me to argue the rights and wrongs of these actions. My point is that there is no effective opposition to make our majority councillors think long and hard about their decisions and to seriously consider the opinions of others.
You may say that there is no chance of a change in the majority party in Surrey Heath. That’s true, but that’s not what is needed. Just look at these figures:
- Of our 40 councillors, 21 represent the majority party.
- If the majority party lost three seats at this election we would theoretically have a ‘hung’ council, ensuring more considered decisions based on local needs rather than political strategy.
- It would only take 170 tactical votes to achieve this.
So please, consider setting your politics aside for a general election and voting for the good of your local community. Here’s how to do it:
1. Please use your vote on polling day.
2. If a minority party member or independent represents your ward, support them with your vote this time.
3. If a member of the majority party represents you, vote for the representative of whichever party came second last time.
This strategy will succeed and Surrey Heath will benefit from a stronger management team as a result.
Richard Collings
Highbury Crescent
Camberley First printed in:
Aldershot News and Mail
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