Party lines hit true democracy

Malcolm MacIntyre Read asks: Why are local councillors so willing to proclaim their commitment to local democracy and yet so apparently unwilling to work together to re-establish it?

They decry the loss of local power to take local action, but maintain divisive party politics as an excuse for not coming together to fulfil their election commitments.

Which of them didn't promise in their election campaigns to represent the interests of local taxpayers? And yet which of them appear to accept that fewer and fewer of those voters are bothering to participate because they do not believe their interests are being represented or acted upon?

The common definition of democracy, "government by the people or their elected representatives" ­ is an ideal that manifested itself in Britain 360 years ago. On October 28 1647, during the Civil War, some hundred men, who

became known as the Levellers, met to discuss the political concerns of ordinary people.

These included equality; one man, one vote; biennial Parliamentary elections; and the abolition of the House of Lords.

Oliver Cromwell and his senior officers became increasingly uneasy and imprisoned some of the leaders in the Tower. Eventually three others were executed in May 1649, effectively crushing the cause of true democracy in

Britain within less than 19 months.

After that, special interest groups took power, whether the aristocracy, landowners or political parties.

Today, for all the self-delusion of engagement with "ordinary" citizens via consultations, e-petitions, or big conversations, the majority of politicians still abide by national, pre-masticated and prejudicial party policies that take little, if any account of local realities.

In Shropshire, including Telford & Wrekin, we currently have 101 county/unitary councillors, 177 district or borough councillors, and an average of, say, eight councillors in 195 town or parish councils. That totals around 1,840 councillors, all representing our interests!

To achieve that responsibility, they have the aid of the Shropshire Association of Local Councils which offers direct links to central government; lobbying on issues such as local government; and communication and partnership amongst the three tiers of local government.

SALC provides a ready-made means of focusing demands for the re-establishment of local democracy and the resources to make it work.

Shropshire can lead the way and then work with all other local council county associations through the National ALC. Simple and effective: so surely our representatives will want to co-operate to fulfil our local interests.

Read futher opinions by members of the Shropshire branch of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce by clicking on these links:

• Want a say? Think local . . .
• What price accountability?
• Why big is not beautiful
• Are promises being kept?
• Why we should value a free Press

* Do you have any views on how local democracy could be changed for the better? Send your comments to Democracy Debate, Features Desk, Shropshire Star, Ketley, Telford, TF1 5HU, or e-mail [email protected].