This month I thought I would add my views on the resignation of an elected Conservative from the Conservative group on the Borough Council who then joined the Labour Group saying she didn’t realise what views were held by the Conservatives.
This contrasted with the resignation of a Labour member who felt he could serve his electorate better by being Independent.

The problem is that to get elected to office, either a particular issue has to override the party machine, such as in 1995, or you have to be part of a group who can help with your campaign. This would normally be a political party, such as the two examples above, or it could something like a residents association or perhaps a combination of both. Some even change parties to get elected and the public get what they deserve.

I made the big mistake of believing that the public require representatives who actually represent them, rather than toe the party line. Yes, I realise that to get things done, you have to work together, but that surly is the point. Working together, rather than being told what to do as, believe me, it is much easier to be ‘voting fodder’ than consider each issue and decide what is the best way forward for everyone.

When I was leader of the Independent group (of two!) on the Borough Council, we were joined by a number of Labour members. They were actually gob-smacked once they found out that I believe in democracy. They got copies of all papers in any subject which they had an interest in and I didn’t tell them which way to vote. We discussed important matters and came to a ‘corporate view’. Apparently they were just told what to do after decisions were made by the ‘few’. Fax machines were very useful in ensuring the ‘party line’ was adhered to. I cannot comment on what other parties do, but it would not surprise me if the ‘view’ was passed on and you either abstain or vote the right way.

It’s surprising how many people say that politics shouldn’t enter into local government, then promptly vote Lib-Dem, Conservative, Labour or whatever. The ‘whatever’ voters don’t. In theory we vote for a person, but in reality, it’s the party that wins because of the system. The Lib-dems promote proportional representation in the vain hope that it will provide a more representative assembly. In reality, what is need is more information provided to stimulate interest.

You are all aware that parking is difficult in the town and the Town Council is looking (again) into what is the solution to the problem. The Borough Council have made a start by proposing to increase the charges for the town centre car parks. Whilst I was a Councillor, I got the distinct impression that residents parking permits were the preferred option and the majority would not mind paying a charge to cover the administration of any scheme.

During my strolls around the town, it becomes obvious that if the normal highway legislation was enforced, then it would concentrate the minds wonderfully as to the effect of parking schemes. As I understand it, the following just need enforcement rather than any fancy schemes to upset the electorate (rather than residents).

1 The highway is for the free passage of vehicles.
This suggests that emergency vehicles should be able to pass freely along roads and therefore a gap of at least 8 feet should be left.
2 Pavements are for pedestrians.
This suggests that cars should not be parked on all or part of the pavement. For one thing, it causes break up of unstrengthened paths and walkers may have to stray into the path of traffic.

These two simple actions really would make a difference and concentrate the minds of those who buy property, then have two (or more) cars without anywhere to put them. Our town was not built to accommodate commuters, we had a fair amount of work available within the town to keep most happy. I mean, they even put the canal and railway within very easy walking distance of housing. Not even our lord and masters habitat (Hemel, in case you were not sure) has this advantage.

For some reason, I think this proposal would not be popular, but you cannot have it both ways. You cannot complain that parking is a problem if you are not prepared to take radical action to solve it. On the other hand, alternate arrangements must be put into place before making any long term changes. This is exactly why I suggest that enforcing existing traffic laws would identify what needs to be done to provide the sort of environment we are all trying to achieve.