Credibility, profit, service and discontent

We were sitting having a cup of LibDem coffee in Shaftesbury at the weekend and the question was asked, ‘Who can you trust these days?’. We took soundings around the room and got some thought-provoking responses. A number had been to the Any Questions panel, recently broadcast live from Marnhull. It was felt strongly that the more credible panel members were the two non-politicians, not least because there seemed to be less “side”, less spin in their answers. Someone commented that Prime Minister’s Questions has taken the art of swerve and sidestep to new levels of pointlessness. We began to consider leaders of organisations who, in Sir Humphrey’s immortal words, appear to have had their trousers nailed to the mast such that they cannot climb down – however unreasonable their adopted position. The DUP, the Public and Commercial Services Union, the various rail trade unions and companies ... we found ourselves discussing other organisations also progressively losing their reputations and public trust: the water companies, energy companies, even the supermarkets under the twin clouds of profiteering and supply-chain brutality. In one of his answers on Any Questions, the CEO of Oxfam said that his organisation monitors the performance of the biggest 100 food and energy companies – whose profits have increased by £80 billion in the last period. It is by action, not words, not through spin but by substance, that we should make our judgements on these organisations. Our group made special mention of the lack of credibility of the more pro-Brexit politicians and their supporters.

More truth, less ideology

We turned to discussing those we can trust. We felt we can and do trust each other – there is nothing as powerful as a good team. We talked about the people in our various communities who can and do make a difference, who act for all in their locality, who are selfless rather than self-seeking. There were so many examples. So, the question begs; how can society harness the ethos and capabilities of such people? How can we rid ourselves of professional politicians who look to govern for the minority –the 30 per cent who always vote for them? We need a whole lot more truth and much, much less ideology and its consequences. The more we can bring the people in our communities who we do trust into government – local and national – the more inclusive will be the decision-making.

The problem, of course, lies in persuading ourselves and our friends and acquaintances to have the nerve and the resilience to step up and stand for election.

There are Dorset Council elections next year: same old, same old or something different? Come on, everyone. Think about standing!

Mike Chapman, North Dorset LibDems

Revitalise housing through Compulsory Purchase

Labour’s plans to “back the builders, not the blockers” took further shape this week with the announcement that the next Labour government would allow local authorities, including Dorset Council, to buy land at a lower price through Compulsory Purchase Orders, where justified and in the public interest. The idea is a simple one; because land without planning permission is worth more than land with planning permission (land with the “hope factor”), councils would be able to buy up land at a lower rate.

As one of the most expensive places in Britain to rent or buy a home, local Dorset people struggle to afford to live in the area, even as housing costs continue to rise. The new policy would not only open the door to councils providing good quality local authority homes for rent at affordable prices, but also have a deflationary impact on a bloated housing market that increasingly prevents first time buyers from buying their first home.

The new policy is good news – not only for the 30 per cent of us who simply want reasonable rents in good quality homes with secure tenancies; or for those who aspire to own their homes and enjoy decreasing housing costs as their mortgage is paid back over the years – but for all of us who benefit from the stable, sustainable and vibrant communities that affordable housing helps to deliver. However, it will need a creative and aspirational Labour council as well as a creative and aspirational Labour government to really deliver the benefits to people here in Dorset. So, as the preparation starts for both the local elections in Dorset next year and a General Election nationally, it’s time to start reflecting on how well-served we currently are by the stale, Tory-led council that has delivered increased Council Tax while winding down our local services and failing to deliver on housing, and an exhausted shambles of a Tory government that is fresh out of ideas despite appointing 15 Housing Ministers in 13 years.

Pat Osborne, North Dorset Labour Party

It’s time to wake up and see the flood

What a lively few weeks of mixed emotions we’ve had. Jubilation and joy, tempered with disappointment and dismay. The coronation brought joy to some, and disappointment to those who believe in the democratic right to peaceful protest. The police waded in to stamp out any hint of dissent, using the new powers given to them by the Tories’ Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act that became law last year. Their Public Order Act was given royal assent just days before the coronation. Such was their enthusiasm that the police even detained several Westminster Council volunteers who were simply handing out rape alarms!

The government claims that the legislation is necessary to stop protesters from disrupting the lives of ‘ordinary hard-working people’, but it’s more like an authoritarian means of silencing opposition to government policies. Nothing is going to disrupt all of our lives more than the increasing depletion and pollution of our environment and the changing climate which is steadily growing ever more extreme. We risk a time coming when all of us – environmental activists and protesters included – will regret not having done more to force the government to take the urgent actions needed to protect our collective future.

A Green surge

Disappointed as he was by the local council election results, Rishi Sunak nevertheless vowed to plough on with what he claims are the peoples’ priorities. The election results suggest he would do well to reconsider those priorities. The Green Party’s surge in popularity doubtless reflects the growing environmental concerns of most people.

The Office for National Statistics reports that climate change is now the second biggest concern for 75 per cent of UK adults, demonstrating how out of touch the government is.

A record number of Green councillors were elected last month, up from 281 to 481. The total included 33 new councillors here in the South West. While we look forward to the next general election, the lack of proportional representation will inevitably mean that the result will continue to reflect the wishes of vested financial interests, media barons and wealthy donors, rather than those of the general populace.

We deserve better, do we not?

Ken Huggins, North Dorset Green Party