Political View: Democracy returns to Peterborough!
If there was ever any doubt about why the Labour-led administration cancelled the local elections, then it was clear to see in last week's by-election, writes Councillor John Howard, Conservative Press Officer.
In Fletton & Woodston, a Labour held seat, Labour came fourth. And this was for a seat which they threw the kitchen sink at, and the cabinet too!
Labour completely abused their position as the council’s executive by announcements of ‘saving’ Woodston library and removing the green back yard from the local development plan in the week leading up to the election. It was desperate and not in the spirit of election etiquette, but clearly the public saw through it.
We are saddened our candidate Andrew Willey didn’t win the day, after running a strong locally focused campaign, but sometimes the political winds blow a different way, and so the Fletton & Woodston ward made some kind of history by returning the first Reform Councillor to the chamber.
Congratulations to Andrew O’Neil on becoming the city’s newest Councillor. The textbook Reform pledges of looking for efficiencies and stopping vanity projects, he may well be in for a surprise as he starts the role. An authority where nearly all its money goes on provisions for adults and children’s services, and where any ‘projects’ are mostly funded by government grants, means it’s never as easy as it sounds from the outside looking in. Now elections are back on, I expect Labour, and their coalition partners who enable them -the Liberal Democrats and Peterborough First, are getting nervous.
The leader of the council continues to run down the record of the Conservatives, which considering Labour have had responsibility of running the council for almost 2 years, is an expected distraction. But funnily enough, they don’t rubbish the fact that we delivered the city’s university, or initiated the station quarter thanks to the Conservative government of the time backing Peterborough -Labour and their friends are happy to get their selfie sticks out and talk up these projects, which were only possible thanks to the Conservative administration at the time driving the delivery. As I said in my last column, short memories, maybe selective memories!
I attended the Cabinet meeting last week. As above, whilst we don’t agree on everything, I am always grateful that the leader does allow me to do some speaking as a guest of the cabinet. As a guest, I always respect the invite and try to offer challenge and positive contributions too. We are a responsible opposition, calling out where we need to, and supporting sensible policy. It is harder with all the attacks coming our way, but we do try to rise above it. I did speak to support the Bharat Hindu Samaj. I strongly believe the council should ensure an effective and compassionate rehoming before any sale goes through of the New England complex, and for the other tenants too. It should not be for the new buyer to evict the tenants, and I hope with the cabinet members assurances everyone will come to the table and ensure a solution that can work for everyone.
With the recent weather, we are all looking for some sunshine, so I will be visiting the Cathedral to see the incredible Helios exhibition. It’s only in the Cathedral until the end of February, so don’t miss out. I will report in my next column!