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.