Local #Somerset politics thread 🧵
Just sent this to @SomersetLibDems because today they meet to look at the new @SomersetCouncil.
How they shape up today will affect everything going forwards, we need accountability/ democracy to restore faith in politics.
@EdwardJDavey
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Just sent this to @SomersetLibDems because today they meet to look at the new @SomersetCouncil.
How they shape up today will affect everything going forwards, we need accountability/ democracy to restore faith in politics.
@EdwardJDavey
1/
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I see today discussions begin on the new authority but looking at the papers I see a glaring omission.
As the newly elected Liberal Democrats administration, you have the perfect opportunity to demonstrate to residents of this county that there is a better methodology for….
I see today discussions begin on the new authority but looking at the papers I see a glaring omission.
As the newly elected Liberal Democrats administration, you have the perfect opportunity to demonstrate to residents of this county that there is a better methodology for….
3/
local governance to be delivered.
In order to do so, we must look to recent history for a lesson from the last newly formed council and how a glaring opportunity was missed. Luckily, we don’t have far to look.
local governance to be delivered.
In order to do so, we must look to recent history for a lesson from the last newly formed council and how a glaring opportunity was missed. Luckily, we don’t have far to look.
4/
When residents elected councillors for the newly formed @SWTCouncil in 2019, the outcome was the same-
a Conservative majority replaced by a Liberal Democrat majority.
That council was voted in as residents responded to your mantra of Demand Better after years of Tory rule..
When residents elected councillors for the newly formed @SWTCouncil in 2019, the outcome was the same-
a Conservative majority replaced by a Liberal Democrat majority.
That council was voted in as residents responded to your mantra of Demand Better after years of Tory rule..
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and a new council being introduced presenting a new opportunity for a different approach.
The newly appointed leader of the Council made all the right noises about a committee led, cross party approach to improve transparency and accountability, along with opportunities for
and a new council being introduced presenting a new opportunity for a different approach.
The newly appointed leader of the Council made all the right noises about a committee led, cross party approach to improve transparency and accountability, along with opportunities for
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greater community involvement in decision making.
Alas all that early promise soon disappeared in favour for a “strong” leadership approach. This lead to great dissatisfaction and frustration for councillors and residents, it was a missed opportunity.
greater community involvement in decision making.
Alas all that early promise soon disappeared in favour for a “strong” leadership approach. This lead to great dissatisfaction and frustration for councillors and residents, it was a missed opportunity.
7/
This is where the newly formed council need to think long and hard.
For years, district and county councils have been obtuse, evasive and at times impenetrable in order to protect the corporate body from scrutiny and accountability.
This is where the newly formed council need to think long and hard.
For years, district and county councils have been obtuse, evasive and at times impenetrable in order to protect the corporate body from scrutiny and accountability.
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Now the election results may indicate a wider dissatisfaction at what is happening in Westminster but it was also a rejection of how local governance has been conducted locally.
So now as you set out our future, this is an incredible opportunity for the Liberal Democrat…
Now the election results may indicate a wider dissatisfaction at what is happening in Westminster but it was also a rejection of how local governance has been conducted locally.
So now as you set out our future, this is an incredible opportunity for the Liberal Democrat…
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administration to set out a mandate for open and transparent governance.
A cross party committee system will mean that appropriate scrutiny and accountability for all which is going to be essential in delivering services in the current climate.
administration to set out a mandate for open and transparent governance.
A cross party committee system will mean that appropriate scrutiny and accountability for all which is going to be essential in delivering services in the current climate.
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For too long hubris, corruption, or incompetence have thwarted the progression and success of delivery in this county. This is your chance to change that.
The people of Bristol have just voted to scrap the Mayor and replace the role with a committee system.
For too long hubris, corruption, or incompetence have thwarted the progression and success of delivery in this county. This is your chance to change that.
The people of Bristol have just voted to scrap the Mayor and replace the role with a committee system.
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And the people of Sheffield voted in another Referendum to bring in a committee system.
The people of Somerset deserve a better way of being represented than the failed Strong Leader and Cabinet model.
And the people of Sheffield voted in another Referendum to bring in a committee system.
The people of Somerset deserve a better way of being represented than the failed Strong Leader and Cabinet model.
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I suggest that the New Council has a Modern Committee System. Now is the opportune time to do it. You have the power to do it.
By seizing this opportunity to give us refreshed hope in local government and how residents and councillors from all sides can engage in local…..
I suggest that the New Council has a Modern Committee System. Now is the opportune time to do it. You have the power to do it.
By seizing this opportunity to give us refreshed hope in local government and how residents and councillors from all sides can engage in local…..
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democracy, the new Liberal Democrat administration can become an exemplar and create a stronghold in Somerset.
Failure to do so runs the real risk of allowing the Conservatives back in when the next elections take place and means that residents will endure the same old……
democracy, the new Liberal Democrat administration can become an exemplar and create a stronghold in Somerset.
Failure to do so runs the real risk of allowing the Conservatives back in when the next elections take place and means that residents will endure the same old……
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inadequate delivery and challenges around accountability and transparency that we’ve endured for too long here.
My thanks for your time and consideration and good luck with your endeavours.
inadequate delivery and challenges around accountability and transparency that we’ve endured for too long here.
My thanks for your time and consideration and good luck with your endeavours.
15/15
#Somerset demanded better, now is the time to deliver it. Thank you for reading.
@EdwardJDavey @SomersetLibDems @DJAFothergill @SomersetLabour @Ssomersetgreens @SomerInds @DanielMumby @levellerlive @Ruthsays
#Somerset demanded better, now is the time to deliver it. Thank you for reading.
@EdwardJDavey @SomersetLibDems @DJAFothergill @SomersetLabour @Ssomersetgreens @SomerInds @DanielMumby @levellerlive @Ruthsays
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