When a few words say it all ...
Sometimes a throwaway remark or a question of a few words tells you more about what's wrong with an organisation than an essay of a thousand words normally would.
This week I had an example when an officer of Copeland Borough Council asked me a question, and I thought afterwards that the fact that question was asked me this said everything you need to know about what the local Labour party are doing wrong in the way they run Copeland Council.
I had mentioned that if elected as Mayor it would be my intention to appoint an all-party executive to make use of the talents and abilities for all groups in the best interests of the people of Copeland. So that if, as now, there are three groups on CBC, I would offer places on the executive to both the other groups as well as to my own party.
I don't want to get anyone in trouble, so no names, no pack drill, but the officer asked me something along the lines of "Your party rules allow you to do that, then?"
You bet they do. In fact the Conservatives passed the Widdecombe legislation requiring many council committees to have seats for opposition groups reflecting the political composition of the council, although Tony Blair and John Prescott changed the law to exempt Council Cabinets from this requirement.
I thought afterwards, what does it say about the way Labour party rules have affected the running of Copeland Borough Council that an officer should think to ask that question?
Nothing good.
This week I had an example when an officer of Copeland Borough Council asked me a question, and I thought afterwards that the fact that question was asked me this said everything you need to know about what the local Labour party are doing wrong in the way they run Copeland Council.
I had mentioned that if elected as Mayor it would be my intention to appoint an all-party executive to make use of the talents and abilities for all groups in the best interests of the people of Copeland. So that if, as now, there are three groups on CBC, I would offer places on the executive to both the other groups as well as to my own party.
I don't want to get anyone in trouble, so no names, no pack drill, but the officer asked me something along the lines of "Your party rules allow you to do that, then?"
You bet they do. In fact the Conservatives passed the Widdecombe legislation requiring many council committees to have seats for opposition groups reflecting the political composition of the council, although Tony Blair and John Prescott changed the law to exempt Council Cabinets from this requirement.
I thought afterwards, what does it say about the way Labour party rules have affected the running of Copeland Borough Council that an officer should think to ask that question?
Nothing good.
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