We have a contribution to the mailbag today from Brett Beetham, a candidate in Tamworths’ last local elections in May.
Thought I would email this in, some thinking I’ve had on the local council changes.
As the dust settles after our recent local elections, I’ve listened to residents and the message voters sent, it was mostly change and a message to Westminster. Now residents have given their message to Westminster and can have another shot of giving that message. The Conservatives have a great Candidate in Eddie who has been active locally a lot longer than our most recent careerist labour MP Sarah “Tamworth Eatery Selfies” Edwards.
But I’ve held off commenting on the new Council and the Councillors that won. But now it’s time to speak up, especially after the lackluster cabinet.
First off people say that Labours Tamworth Council hasn’t been in charge long enough for change to take place… That is completely a lie.
In nearby Nuneaton & Bedworth, in 2021 the Conservatives promised changed from over 40 years of Labour decline promised change. And guess what? They delivered! By the end of June (same time as Tamworth Labour as of sending this in), they convened an emergency full council meeting (still under COVID rules) to set a new budget and cabinet had already set out new processes and vision for officers The results? Lowered car parking fees, reduced traders’ rent, and funding for three new play area upgrades— which brand new elected councillors worked tirelessly to secure! All within 2 months of being elected. Which shows change is possible even if councillors are brand new.
But let’s get back to Labour led Tamworth…They campaigned on the need for change… That’s literally it Change… No big promises, just change… Shouldn’t be hard to deliver then as that was their only focus… That and a move of a police station…but during their time in opposition, they were all talk and no action. Now that they’re in power what have they done exactly? Residents have told me that some of their new Labour councillors are practically invisible. Empty promises seem to be the order of the day. 🤔
Here’s the Labour twist on “change”:
Poor Communication Issues. It’s like they’re deliberately being bad, with their press releases for example are just a headlines with no substance. Residents are left wondering if their concerns they told the Labour councillors during the campaign are floating in the ether.
Ground Maintenance starting to get out of Control: I know wild meadows are great but they are only great if they are planned. Let alone the copious amounts of over flowing bins, I’m sure the frequency of being emptied should be more this time year. Unfulfilled Promises: Remember those grand plans, police station in town? Well they’re still in the coming soon folder, It’s not even mentioned on council papers, future plans etc…Invisibility: Are some of the Labour councillors ninjas because since getting elected they’ve mastered the art of disappearing. Maybe they’re moonlighting as magicians now you see them, now you don’t!
[Debunking Response: Labour can’t influence the police station situation, Sarah Edwards has of course promised a Labour Government would reopen it, which is completely unnecessary. We notice her claims they can do that have disappeared since the by-election. As for everything else you’re spot on. Change is possible if you drive it. Labour intended only to win and as you say, bandy about the word change with nothing behind it. They’re soon going to start taking credit for everything the Tories put in place, because that’s all they have.]
