Local government politics. To many, it’s just something that happens in the background, and we all have to live with the consequences of what happens to us. Decisions that are made for the many by the few. A few who may not realise the scope of their decisions or the knock-on effects. Until it’s too late.
In Hounslow, we have just under one year until our local elections, which will give people the chance to decide if they want change, or if they want more of the same - over-spending, poor delivery of services, an erosion of our democracy and a leadership model that’s far more interested in building it’s ego than serving the communities it’s been elected to represent.
Or do we want a change in Hounslow? As Conservatives, we have questioned the administration on its perception of what a balanced budget is (moving money from reserves to fill a gap does not a balanced budget make); lobbied for better service delivery in our casework, in the chamber and in our conversations with council officers; continuously advocated for our residents, supported petitions, and challenged decisions to our constitution which would allow us to have better checks and balances when it comes to holding the administration to account.
For the past seven years, I have sat in a variety of meetings at the council and watched Labour councillors be silent. It doesn’t make sense to me - what is the point of serving your community if you are not willing to stand up for what your residents want? Or engage in debate or discussion to probe the rationale of certain decisions that do not serve the majority, but the few? From a perspective of ideology, this has perplexed me quite a bit.
From a perspective of personal responsibility, it makes me wonder why people choose to be councillors if, once elected, they attend, but don’t make an impact via their words or actions. This has me a little worried. Are those who do this proud to take taxpayers money just to be a bum on a seat?
From a perspective of good governance, responsible decision making and rebuilding trust in politicians, this has me extremely concerned for the future.
In my last blog, I spoke about my experience with the Licensing Committee, however, I know that I’m not alone in my experience in a committee room. No wonder that the Labour government has decided it wants to abolish the committee system - they know they need to create a mechanism to hide the lack of accountability its councillors take - and I’m only talking about my experience in Hounslow.
Do we, in Hounslow, really want a local government that thinks that they know better than the people they serve? And when they do open themselves up to debate and questioning, they would rather bully, belittle and call their opposition names rather than enable an environment where policy and opinion can be freely shared without fear or favour?
It’s certainly not the way I would want the people who make decisions that impact our lives on a daily basis to behave. Nor, do I believe it’s something that my fellow Conservative councillors behave. We are a small, but mighty group, who listen to our residents, allowing for advocacy of those who have differing opinions within communities to have a voice and be heard.
Not all of this is popular, we take up individual casework, and support residents based on the information we’re given, and discover, using our judgement to advise possibilities, routes to resolutions and acting where necessary. Even if this means that our advocacy means we take opposing views to our colleagues.
This is what democracy is about, having the freedom to choose your perspective and how you apply it.
As we look to the year ahead, we’re looking for people who want to stand up for their local communities, who are happy to put aside their ego for the sake of creating a better Hounslow. Because after all, if we’re to buy into the corporate slogan of the borough, we want to be ‘Ambitious for Hounslow’.
