Political View: A missed opportunity

I returned from holiday just prior to last weekend to find that it’s also all change (again) in the council. The political merry go round has been in full swing with a new leader and a new alliance in place as the administration.

However, we must remember the challenges remain the same, even if some of the decision makers are now different. From experience getting agreement from warring parties with be a constant problem, indeed none of those involved could agree on anything as the years have gone by, so why they think it will now be different is difficult to fathom.

The real sadness is the missed opportunity to establish a genuine feeling of working together with a true all-party distribution of responsibilities. As eloquently outlined by Cllr John Howard in his column last week, instead there is a mood of unnecessary betrayals in place.

Cllr Qayyum has waxed lyrical with her hope of a reset, but what has actually occurred is that the Conservative group who supported Labour just three months ago against the combined forces of the other parties to avoid upheaval and disruption, have now been edged out of positions.

The new Leader has clearly needed to reward the former enemies to ensure Labour cling on to power, in effect providing benefits to those who would have hastened her groups downfall with the ill-conceived and opportunistic no confidence power grab motion!

How this tenuous relationship survives remains to be seen. Only time will tell but be assured the Conservative group will continue to play a full and active role including effective scrutiny to ensure we hold this odd bunch of political misfits to account.

My advice to all involved is, don’t get too comfortable, as there are those in this alliance who will already be plotting it’s downfall.

On a more positive note, I had the pleasure of attending the Peterborough Italian Festival Dinner at The Fleet Centre on Saturday evening. As well as enjoying the classic food and wine it was great to see the festival’s special guest Strictly star, dancer Giovanni Pernice, taking to the floor with many of the ladies attending the evening.

Although unable attend the actual festival events on Saturday and Sunday I have been assured by those who did that it was a very successful, bringing the crowds to Cathedral Square to enjoy the food, the flavours and flair created by the members of our Italian community.

Returning to the theme of Autumn, its time again for the Peterborough Bridge Fair. This long running institution in our city this year is open between 6pm and 10pm from Thursday 25th September to Sunday 5th October, and takes place on the Embankment.

The sound, lights, excitement and the unique aroma of a Funfair always take me back to the joys of attending as child and then as a teenager. I’m sure that the promise of the event is no less special now than it was to me ‘back then’.

I’ll take this ‘Opportunity (Peterborough)’ to update on an occasion that many in the business and professional sector look forward to each year as we enter the social season: it has been announced that this year’s Bondholder Dinner has been postponed until early 2026. I’m sure we will all look forward to the rescheduled date – it’s good to do business (and politics) in a social environment, and this event fills both of those requirements.

I will be attending the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on the first weekend in October. Depending on deadlines I hope to highlight some elements of that gathering with a future column.