I recently took the opportunity of browsing through the local Conservative party’s websites and blogs. It was an interesting exercise as it provided me with the opportunity to question what they were really about. They are all decent people but what do they stand for. Are they now simply a local party of protest, anxious to divorce themselves from their nasty Westminster colleagues or are they hoping that through their narrow lens they hope to be elected by a constant attack on the Council.
From my standpoint this seems to be a very painful exercise. Most people believe, and rightly so, that the Council does a good job. Despite the decisions of their mates in Westminster to cut our budgets we continue to manage our finances well while protecting vulnerable people from the ravages of the onslaught on their wellbeing.
I can understand that they want to put distance between themselves and their party nationally. Are they opposed to the bedroom tax, if not why not? Are they opposed to the investments the Council has made in growth and employment? Would they do things differently of would they simply, by instinct, make further cuts?
From my own evidence on the doorstep with colleagues in recent weeks I believe they are heading for an almighty fall because, in reality, they support the national agenda of the Conservative Government but try to avoid saying so. Maybe I have got it wrong but look forward to receiving a response as to what they actually stand for.