I have just been given a copy of the latest leaflet from the Conservative Candidate standing against me. It’s not a bad leaflet, although it lacks a bit of oomph and imagination. However, there are a few areas in it where the words concern me.
An example is where he makes some comments about the debacle that is Saxon Pit, (something where I have committed to support those who are active working with residents to get a solution that suits them).
In that leaflet he says this (of the Conservatives):
‘We are COMPLETELY COMMITTED to oppose all future potential polluting industries at Saxon Pit’.
Sounds grest doesn’t it? However, what it may have done is stopped any Whittlesey Conservative Councillor from taking part in any planning committee decision related to such industries.
Let me explain why. Planning Committee Decision s are legal decisions, because of that committee members are required to go into the committee meetings with an open mind. They can have a pre-disposed view - i.e. ‘I am likely to vote this way, but my mind is not made up.’ But, to be ‘COMPLETELY COMMITTED’ is not open-minded. In my view these\ are very unwise words that have the potential to have exactly the opposite impact to what was intended.
This is why 25 years of experience of working in and with local government matters.