So I could have put a blog page on our website www.northamptonindependentvoice.org.uk but why make life more difficult when google will do the hard work of promoting the blog for me.
Who am I? An expelled Labour Party member (5 year ban, I tried to appeal and ask for longer but they refused my appeal) now blissfully happily as an independent on Northampton Borough Council.
Local Government is a million miles away from where it was the last time I was involved (early 90's) and a lot more boring. The Local Government act seems to have kicked the life out of Councillors who now seem to be little other than bit part actors in a very badly presented farce.
The Cabinet, take all the decisions (at least they think they do, but mainly they do as the officers impose) and the opposition party's are ineffective by virtue of them having nothing really left to do and in both cases in Northampton (Conservative and Labour) being happy not doing it.
Debate is frowned upon (3 minutes with constant reminders that your time is nearly up) and the public discouraged or not interested.
As a result I have found that the few members of the public who do still care become angrier and angrier at the inability of the democratic system to answer their questions or meet their needs.
So what do you do?
Well rule number one look after your constituents, and in Castle Ward (one of the most deprived wards in the East Midlands) that is tough enough in itself. Your role as an elected member is still foremost as their representative on the Council, most councillors are happy to forget this very quickly and seem to think that they have some god given right to be elected and to do and say as they please.
Secondly, raise hell. It might sound a bit over the top or even a little anarchic but the only way to get things done, to get noticed, or to ensure your constituents get a fair deal is to make a noise and then turn up the volume until someone listens.
Thirdly, have fun....................Whats the use of giving so much time up to a role or position if you can't enjoy it? After too many years in the Labour Party being told what not to do (not that I listened much) I have realised that the people the party's want to turn their candidates and Party Representatives into are not the people who anyone on the outside would want to represent them. This probably explains why 99% of the population are not members of a political party and why 60% are not strong supporters of any of them.
So here's to being in the majority.
Who am I? An expelled Labour Party member (5 year ban, I tried to appeal and ask for longer but they refused my appeal) now blissfully happily as an independent on Northampton Borough Council.
Local Government is a million miles away from where it was the last time I was involved (early 90's) and a lot more boring. The Local Government act seems to have kicked the life out of Councillors who now seem to be little other than bit part actors in a very badly presented farce.
The Cabinet, take all the decisions (at least they think they do, but mainly they do as the officers impose) and the opposition party's are ineffective by virtue of them having nothing really left to do and in both cases in Northampton (Conservative and Labour) being happy not doing it.Debate is frowned upon (3 minutes with constant reminders that your time is nearly up) and the public discouraged or not interested.
As a result I have found that the few members of the public who do still care become angrier and angrier at the inability of the democratic system to answer their questions or meet their needs.
So what do you do?
Well rule number one look after your constituents, and in Castle Ward (one of the most deprived wards in the East Midlands) that is tough enough in itself. Your role as an elected member is still foremost as their representative on the Council, most councillors are happy to forget this very quickly and seem to think that they have some god given right to be elected and to do and say as they please.
Secondly, raise hell. It might sound a bit over the top or even a little anarchic but the only way to get things done, to get noticed, or to ensure your constituents get a fair deal is to make a noise and then turn up the volume until someone listens.
Thirdly, have fun....................Whats the use of giving so much time up to a role or position if you can't enjoy it? After too many years in the Labour Party being told what not to do (not that I listened much) I have realised that the people the party's want to turn their candidates and Party Representatives into are not the people who anyone on the outside would want to represent them. This probably explains why 99% of the population are not members of a political party and why 60% are not strong supporters of any of them.
So here's to being in the majority.
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