Fiona’s manifesto 11 May, 2011
Posted by Jeremy Rowe in News, Politics.Tags: Conservatives, Cornwall Council, Openness and Transparency
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Fiona Ferguson’s manifesto, the five-page document which accompanied her recent challenge to the Leader of the Council, has been doing the rounds at County Hall and will no doubt make an appearance in the local media at some point. It does make interesting reading and here are a few choice quotes:
The deciding factor in my decision to stand as group leader has been the Leader’s approach to challenge, which has been to try to do more deals behind closed doors and to expect a blanket mandate from the group to carry on.
Not bad for opening remarks. She goes on to address a number of hot topics. On the much-speculated changes to the Cabinet:
A two class Cabinet would also be less transparent in terms of decision making – and completely incomprehensible to the public. It would make us a laughing stock.
On ‘Communications’:
We should not take the public (or the press) for fools. No one thinks that putting a One Stop Shop in a Library is an ‘exciting new opportunity’.
And, witheringly, on the Tory-led administration’s obsession with awards from obscure local government journals:
I am not in favour of travelling around England in the hope of picking up awards.
And finally, under ‘Image’:
We need to treat members of the public with respect however strongly we disagree with their view.
It’s instructive that Tory members need reminding about that last point.
Hmmmm, I think I would take Fiona over Alec!
I’d love to see the whole thing but i’d say shes nailed the many of the problems with the style of the current leadership. Treating people like fools isn’t restricted to members of the public, it’s also how others outside the inner circle are treated, especially those attempting to do their democratic duty by questioning the actions of the leader.
Its Laverys Council – get used to it. He says jump – Robertson says how high ? Its bad enough to treat public with contempt – but fellow Councillors ?. defending the indefensible on Consultants & temps pay is just another example of how afr they have drifted from common sense.
Is she in the right Party? Maybe the governing (if that’s the right word) groups should dig out copies of the original Bid for unitary status and see what was actually submitted on such key matters as Localism. Not quite what the Tories are busy doing now…
I agree with Fiona, on this manifesto only.At least she comes to listen to what the parish council (Truro city) says
It’s amusing that she claims ‘We need to treat members of the public with respect however strongly we disagree with their view’. She doesn’t quite live up to her own demands.
I received an email off her not long ago regarding the 40% Supporting People cuts, saying ‘[supporting people] services were also not wanted by users at all’ and ending pretty sneeringly ‘I will be better able to protect the vulnerable if I don’t squander the public’s hard earned money. Do you work in this area or have any special knowledge?’ – her knowing full well I am a student. No Fiona, but I do know that almost halving a budget is not going to help those already struggling…
Ha, agreed. It’s like saying yes you are an idiot but the least we can do is be polite whilst we totally disregard your views!