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'Commons Catastrophe' wk22 (From Evesham Journal)
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'Commons Catastrophe' wk22
11:40am Tuesday 26th May 2009
As the 'Commons Catastrophe' continues, it is little wonder that everybody feels cheated by our politicians. The most common phrase right now is "they're all tarred with the same brush" and with all of the main political parties being involved in some form or another, that's fair comment.
However, what I find more distasteful than this complete and utter shambles with MPs expenses is the fact that some people are prepared to use this as an excuse not to bother to vote in forthcoming elections. National politics is different to local politics and it's a shame that it poisons local government. The sad fact is that in order to have any kind of say or influence at any level of government, you need to belong to a political party because the days of the truly Independent Councillor have long gone. Our County Council has to be the most important level of local government because it reigns over most aspects of our lives - therefore it is vital that we take the time to study our options and take the time to vote for the person we feel is best suited to the job. As regards to Europe, we need to have extremely strong representation over there to prevent ourselves from being completely walked over by Brussels.
Our right to vote in this democratic country is a privilege that millions of men and women have been prepared to die for. Imagine what its like for people who live under Dictatorial regimes where you have no choice and if you are brave enough to put your head above the parapet, you're likely to get it shot at? By all rights judge our MPs when the full facts become available but don't punish local candidates who have no part in this whatsoever and are probably more annoyed than you are.
Mrs Trudy Burge, Pershore
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angu5, evesham says...
3:52pm Tue 9 Jun 09
The same for alleged council workers we have low wages?!! but we have 6months full sick pay, 2 weeks paid sick leave, 24 days extra flexi leave, 30 days holiday, all the training whether they need it or not, managers employing 3 people for one receptionist job one for data bases, one for answering the phone, and one for typing letters so more people under management the more money mamager can earn for extra so called responsibility
Council workers has so much time off..the place is a third full all year round watch the month of March for an empty council car park-they have so much holiday it has to be taken and not carried over next financial year!!
lets all work for the alleged over weight Cat council!
The council tax keeps rising passing costs onto us without streamlining cutting out work shy wood...useless expensive schemes that only last short term but costs to set up
not all are such but the managers do little or maybe barred from managing efficient use of tax payers resources?
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LizCarnell, Harrogate UK says...
8:54pm Wed 27 May 09
I'd like to see the return of independent-minded councillors like those of the early 1970s on Pershore Town Council - Bob Ashworth, VJ John Smith, Jack Beckley, Cyril Smith and Hal Colori, to name but a few.
Had the June 4 poll been a month further away then it would have allowed independent people time to get their names on the ballot form.
What would be worst of all is for the electorate to shun the three main parties and to turn to the BNP as a protest vote. Unfortunately, in some towns and cities that will be the case.
As Trudy says, don't punish local candidates for MPs of all parties who are passengers on the Westminster gravy train.
Use your vote, don't lose it.