REAL Democracy!

Well, I got quite excited tonight. I like being a Councillor - I like the fact that I can make a difference with issues that people have, and I like belonging to the Labour group - they're a decent bunch and it's nice to have an ideological bond with people!

However, that aside, I sometimes get frustrated in meetings when people start talking about issues that any amount of talk isn't going to change. When people start indulging in the yah-boo politics that is undoubtedly influenced by the poor coverage we get of Westminster (and Prime Minister's Question Time in particular).

So, tonight was exciting, because we put forward an amendment (only a minor one), and one that my colleague Geoff Gay spoke on really well. The council's constitution was to be updated, and part of this was renaming the Plans Committee the Development Management Committee. Geoff's argument (and quite rightly) was that this was an unnecessary moniker change, as it took away a layer of accessibility and understanding between the public and the Council. As I said only a minor amendment, but an important point about making sure people understood what they were engaging with.

So, there was some to-ing and fro-ing, with front bench Tories arguing about needing the change from an internal point of view (they failed to grasp that this was about common sense and maintaining a degree of connection with what the public understand).

Geoff then demanded a public vote, and the amendment was carried thanks to a unanimous vote from our side (Lib Dems included) and 7 brave Tories! Why did I get so excited about this? Because, for the first time it felt like we'd influenced something! It felt like democracy was actually doing what it's supposed to be doing - genuine debate bringing a genuine decision rather than the Punch and Judy style that we often see.

Perhaps I'm being a little idealistic, but I'd much rather see a genuine debate than attempts at point scoring and snideness. Maybe, if the leaders of our political parties focussed on solid policy rather than point scoring then maybe we would see a far improved level of genuine democratic engagement? DOn't get me wrong, a large part of my enjoyment of the evening came from watching the Tories squirm and watch them realise they'd lost the vote, but when people are prepared to debate, consider and talk properly ... maybe that's what's needed?

Annoyed

It's been a while since I've blogged, but events of today have REALLY annoyed me ... Some of us are (optimistically) holding onto the belief that the Labour party might actually be able to build on an improving poll position and take a really strong fight to the Tories at the next election.

Then what happens? Two of the old guard (by which I mean Hoon and Hewitt) pop up and start suggesting secret ballots etc. What the f*** are they doing? Is their own personal gripe with Brown such that they can't see that their actions could have damaged the party? These people first and foremost have been elected to represent their constituents as a representative of the LABOUR party. Loyalty is really important, and what we need above all else is for those at the top of our party to realise that what they do has a DIRECT impact on what we as activists have to deal with. When we ring a voter, or knock on a door, the person we come into contact with will have their view of the Labour party influenced by the picture created by the selfish actions of people like Hoon and Hewitt. And then, naturally, such "heavy hitters" as Field, Clarke and MacTaggart (who?) wade into the argument voicing their support ...

Those of us that are campaigning in particularly close marginal constituencies could really do without this kind of thing ... Thanks a lot!!

Should mention Tom at Bage Blog whose far superior rant prompted this spewing of bile from me!!