Political View: Not another one!

Brenda from Bristol immortalised the phrase, “You’re joking, not another one!” when reacting to the announcement of yet another election, writes Conservative Group deputy leader Steve Allen.

She went on to say, “There’s too much politics going on at the moment.”

I suspect residents of Fletton and Woodston may feel much the same upon hearing of a by‑election in their ward following the resignation of Cllr Blakemore‑Creeden and coming so soon after the recent local council polls.

There certainly seems to be an increasing churn of councillors, with fewer showing long‑term commitment to the areas they represent. Perhaps this reflects growing pressures from family, work, or career demands taking precedence over public service. Perhaps it is the result of weakening traditional party loyalties. What is clear is the sharp rise in independent councillors in recent years. At least we have not (yet) experienced the “Reform resignation circus” seen elsewhere, including in neighbouring Cambridgeshire, where three councillors have left the party.

The issue of young drivers in powerful cars speeding through urban areas is becoming a growing concern for communities experiencing repeated accidents on residential streets.

Only last weekend, a teenage driver and passenger in a high‑powered car were involved in a four‑vehicle pile‑up in Dogsthorpe, bringing chaos to a quiet Sunday afternoon. This followed another incident just weeks earlier, when a speeding car ploughed into three parked vehicles on a nearby road and another in Paston, where an elderly resident was hospitalised after a car crashed through their sitting‑room window, having first bounced off another vehicle. Sadly, the driver of this car has since died.

While the vast majority of young motorists drive responsibly, a minority engage in dangerous behaviour that puts themselves, their passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users at serious risk.

Young drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in collisions than older, more experienced motorists. This increased risk is often linked to inexperience, overconfidence, and a willingness to take risks. When these factors are combined with the performance of powerful vehicles, the consequences can be severe. High‑powered cars can accelerate rapidly and reach excessive speeds in very short distances, making them wholly unsuitable for urban environments where conditions can change in an instant.

The passion for speed among young drivers is nothing new. From James Dean onwards, it has been seen as a rite of passage for many young men. Cars today are far safer and far more powerful, but these safety improvements can create a false sense of invulnerability. The reality is that faster, heavier vehicles become extremely dangerous adversaries for pedestrians, including children, parents with pushchairs, and the elderly.

Urban areas present unique challenges: busy pavements, cyclists sharing road space, buses stopping frequently, and vehicles emerging from junctions. Speed limits often 30mph or even 20mph are set to reflect these hazards and give drivers time to react. When drivers exceed these limits, stopping distances increase dramatically, reducing the chance of avoiding a collision.

Addressing this problem requires a combination of education, enforcement, and personal responsibility. Graduated driving licences, targeted road‑safety campaigns, speed‑enforcement measures, mandatory black boxes and advanced driver training can all help improve behaviour. Parents and guardians also play a vital role in shaping responsible attitudes towards driving. The message must be clear and consistent: Speed Kills.