You read it here second!
There was a time when Prime Ministers made announcements to Parliament, and then they were published in the press.
There was a time when council leaders made announcements to councillors, and then they were published in the press.
That was because there was respect for electors, and a recognition that the votes they cast for their representatives (whether for the party in power or not) counted for something.
Those days are gone. P.R. has replaced the old-fashioned notion of democracy.
Earlier this year I found out who the county council cabinet was to be from the Northern Echo. On Saturday I discovered that the new county council wanted to know how local people thought that power and influence should be passed back to them, and would be holding public consultation events - through the Northern Echo. Two days later I received the information from the leader of the council!
The Labour county council cabinet could not make it plainer that they have no respect for “back-bench” councillors. In doing so they could not make it plainer that they have no respect for their electors either.
But that’s why I love the old-fashioned notion of democracy. All parties that take the electorate for-granted get their come-uppance in due course. It can’t happen too soon for me.
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