I have always favoured political hustings, even for local elections: a very public debate of current issues, with participation by all candidates who then take questions from constituents.
In Sefton this is an almost impossible task.
The majority of Labour councillors are innumerate in economic management; inarticulate in debate, and now, some have proven to be illiterate in print, with one leaflet for the May 2 election containing no fewer than 16 grammatical errors including the mis-spelling of the name of their MP.
But I have arranged what I believe to be the next best thing. A public meeting at which ANYONE who attends can ask me ANYTHING about local issues which concern them.
This will take place on Monday, April 29, at the bier house in the grounds of St Peter’s Church, Formby, starting at 7.30pm The intention, apart from to be informative, is to provide a forum at which people can discuss how best to take back control of the record level of money they give in council tax (a very blunt take it or leave it instrument), examine the proportional underspend return they get, and see just how their cash is frittered away elsewhere across the borough where historic communities have been totally mis-matched.
The ultimate question may be: Am I my borough’s keeper?
Whatever the wider answer, the more focussed response has to be: I am, at the very least, my own ward’s guardian, with the realisation that living in Formby is not just about market forces, but certain, expected, social graces. I am hoping there will be an affirmation of the need to get back to the basic Conservative principles of thrift, self-determination and responsible personal economic management.
In Harington Ward, I am convinced that residents wish to consolidate their hard-won prosperity, rather than sit by and watch it being gradually eroded by infiltrated socialist dogma.
At the moment, we are being mugged, and regrettably, too often we are the mugs doing nothing about it. As I have said in previous articles, May 2 is a LOCAL election about LOCAL issues. We must not allow ourselves to be brainwashed (not least by the BBC) into believing that Conservatism has become a lost cause.
There is a very dubious psychological and auto-suggestive form of bullying going on, particularly in broadcast media, which must be exposed and resisted. A mind-washing exercise which is reducing serious political discussion to the level of a soap opera.
Far from being informative, media coverage is being devalued to a form of propaganda which is nothing short of a disgrace.
Conservatives must therefore make their voices heard. Apathy is not an option.
To assist voting turn-out, I have helped to secure a new polling station at the Pinewoods pub, specifically aimed at more than 1,600 residents west of Harington Road and north of Kirklake Road. I can only hope that people of good intent will take full advantage.
