In today's Times it is suggested that Danny Alexander is not sufficiently experienced to hold the role of Treasury Chief Secretary. That fails to recognise that being experienced is not the key attribute of a politician; being elected is. It also fails to recognise that in a democracy we elect the government and not the civil servants who provide the government with its information and implementation of the government's requirements.
The UK and Cornwall gets the politicians it wants. It does not generally select them on their ability to do a specific government job other than to represent them whether at the local or national level.
If one looks at the Cornwall Councillors it is self-evident that whilst they are not fully representative of the electorate (too few younger members; too many males; too many middle class) they bring a range of experiences and abilities to bear on the issues facing Cornwall. To a large extent, many politicians grow into the roles that they undertake.
Monday 31 May 2010
Sunday 30 May 2010
A new Beginning?
So, the results so far are not looking too good:
One resignation due to a clear breach of Commons rules on expenses,
No news yet on Cornwall's bids for building schools for the future and affordable housing,
18 millionaires in the Cabinet ( who represents the rest of us?),
Evevations to the House of Lords ( when will it be solely electable?) of at least two millionaires who have made significant donations to the Conservative Party,
Closing down the Childrens Trust Funds (maybe a good idea but why, as your first action, hit those who don't vote?),
Suggestion that those who are clever or rich enought to dodge income tax can continue to shield their 'capital gains' at less than the appropriate levels of income tax,
Obvious discontent, with some aspects of Government policy, in both Conservative and Liberal Democrat ranks.
If this was a new beginning then currently feeling, at best, less than encouraged by what is being deliveried.
Much now depends on the 22 June budget.
Chris.
One resignation due to a clear breach of Commons rules on expenses,
No news yet on Cornwall's bids for building schools for the future and affordable housing,
18 millionaires in the Cabinet ( who represents the rest of us?),
Evevations to the House of Lords ( when will it be solely electable?) of at least two millionaires who have made significant donations to the Conservative Party,
Closing down the Childrens Trust Funds (maybe a good idea but why, as your first action, hit those who don't vote?),
Suggestion that those who are clever or rich enought to dodge income tax can continue to shield their 'capital gains' at less than the appropriate levels of income tax,
Obvious discontent, with some aspects of Government policy, in both Conservative and Liberal Democrat ranks.
If this was a new beginning then currently feeling, at best, less than encouraged by what is being deliveried.
Much now depends on the 22 June budget.
Chris.
Friday 14 May 2010
A New Order?
The election is now over and I've got used to not automatically wanting to stick a leaflet through any letterbox I see. It was great to find that as the campaign went on the initial suspicion of politicans (expenses, "in it for themselves", can't be trusted, etc.) gave way to the realisation that maybe it was the most important General Election for a generation.
Given the apparent conspiracy of all parties not to talk, in detail, about their plans to reduce the deficit it was encouraging that this was one of the major themes on the doorstep. So, from that perspective, there is still a gulf between the electorate, many of whom want to hear the truth and its consequences, and politicians who seemingly put getting elected over and above addressing, pre-election, some of the big topics.
I can't help but feel that what has emerged post-election, with a Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition, is an indication of the depth of the crisis that the UK is in.
Time will tell whether it is truly a shift in the political environment or just a holiday romance.
The day job as a Cornwall Councillor continued throughout the campaign. Sadly some Councillors (again across the board; not a political party comment) seemed to spend time on the campaign trial rather than giving priority to their Council duties. With the internet and email it was fairly easy to move some Council work to evenings/weekends (or rather doing even more in those times) without distracting from the role to which I was elected. Gripe over.
Yesterday re-elected to the chair of the Children, Education & Families Overview & Scrutiny Committee. The first year was successful (I would say that) however it was good to see the Committee yesterday becoming even more assertive in holding the Cabinet to account; a number of recommendations are going to them. Next week sees the Committee's report on children's safeguarding and looked after children going to Cabinet.
OK, so I'm a Conservative scrutinising a Conservative-led Council; I, like all Councillors involved in scrutiny, leave my Party alligence at the door when on scrutiny duties. (The Cornwall Council Constitution would not allow Scrutiny Committees to be chaired by a member of the Party which represented more than 50% of the Councillors).
The coming year will see more policy development undertaken by Scrutiny Committees....watch this space.
Given the apparent conspiracy of all parties not to talk, in detail, about their plans to reduce the deficit it was encouraging that this was one of the major themes on the doorstep. So, from that perspective, there is still a gulf between the electorate, many of whom want to hear the truth and its consequences, and politicians who seemingly put getting elected over and above addressing, pre-election, some of the big topics.
I can't help but feel that what has emerged post-election, with a Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition, is an indication of the depth of the crisis that the UK is in.
Time will tell whether it is truly a shift in the political environment or just a holiday romance.
The day job as a Cornwall Councillor continued throughout the campaign. Sadly some Councillors (again across the board; not a political party comment) seemed to spend time on the campaign trial rather than giving priority to their Council duties. With the internet and email it was fairly easy to move some Council work to evenings/weekends (or rather doing even more in those times) without distracting from the role to which I was elected. Gripe over.
Yesterday re-elected to the chair of the Children, Education & Families Overview & Scrutiny Committee. The first year was successful (I would say that) however it was good to see the Committee yesterday becoming even more assertive in holding the Cabinet to account; a number of recommendations are going to them. Next week sees the Committee's report on children's safeguarding and looked after children going to Cabinet.
OK, so I'm a Conservative scrutinising a Conservative-led Council; I, like all Councillors involved in scrutiny, leave my Party alligence at the door when on scrutiny duties. (The Cornwall Council Constitution would not allow Scrutiny Committees to be chaired by a member of the Party which represented more than 50% of the Councillors).
The coming year will see more policy development undertaken by Scrutiny Committees....watch this space.
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