Letter: A Couple of Points for Cllr Cross

Published on: 15 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 15 Feb, 2019

From Paul Spooner

leader of Guildford Borough Council

In response to: a comment from Colin Cross under the article Keep Party Politics Out of Local Government

I certainly do not want to enter into an argument between former Lib Dem colleagues but I do wish to make a couple of points:

1) Whoever is the majority party locally in Guildford after 2 May has to work with the government of the day. The nonsense that a local independent party can in some way run an independent state is just that… nonsense. English law and direction from MHCLG [Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government] and other government departments will need to be followed. That includes NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework] and NPPG [National Planning Practice Guidance] in relation to planning but also laws on environment, licensing, environmental health etc.

2) I note that Cllr Cross refers to the residents led Independent Party. I trust that the formalities are in place through the Electoral Commission as what they state will be open to challenge after the election is officially called in March. An organised alliance is a political party. To the credit of GGG they registered a political party prior to the 2015 election. I am aware that Cllrs Cross, McShee and Rooth have been made aware of the position by democratic services at GBC but apparently do not worry about election law. Is this a sign of things to come should they be successful?

Personally, I welcome democracy and anyone who wants to genuinely commit their time and energy for the benefit of the Guildford community should be supported during the election process and their manifestos scrutinised as to whether claims are realistic and are deliverable given national and local constraints, but trying to portray national parties as in some way a risk to local democracy is ridiculous and rather sad.

Responses to Letter: A Couple of Points for Cllr Cross

John Perkins Reply

February 15, 2019 at 12:13 pm

1) Nobody has suggested that local authorities do not come under central government or can avoid compliance with the law. It’s nonsense to claim otherwise, although the fiasco of committee seat allocation at GBC shows that majority parties are able to interpret the law to their own advantage when it suits them. The difference between an authority controlled by independents and one controlled by a party is that the latter is likely simply to obey orders from central office without much regard for local people.

2) Cllr. Spooner must be well aware that the Independent Alliance is not a party, so his reference to electoral law is artificial. Cllr. Cross probably made a simple mistake in using the word “party”, though one that obviously stems from the constant repetition of it by those who would have us believe it’s importance. It is perfectly legal to campaign as an Independent, with that description on the ballot paper, and be a member of a group. Representatives all over the country have been elected that way.

In my opinion, national political parties are a threat to democracy. Real control is exerted not by local candidates, but by party leaders (not necessarily the figureheads). Three London boroughs are 100% controlled by Labour despite that party only receiving a fraction more than half the votes. Glib party manifesto promises mean little or nothing when seats can be won simply by having the right colour rosette and a full list of candidates.
Jules Cranwell Reply

February 15, 2019 at 1:31 pm

Yes, any local party has to follow national law. However, an alternative leadership would be likely to apply all laws, for example applying constraints to green belt development, as permitted under the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework).

This leadership has interpreted the NPPF in the worst interests of residents and has failed to apply any constraints. They are the party of developers, working against the interests of residents.
John Redpath Reply

February 18, 2019 at 10:47 am

Very impressed with Cllr Spooner’s knowledge of acronyms but surely he should also know that all the policies are the work of civil servants and it is with these “unbiased” servants that the Independents will have to work, not individual politically biased MPs.

John Redpath is a prospective Independent candidate for the borough council elections.
Colin Cross Reply

February 18, 2019 at 6:06 pm

Always grateful for a lesson on local and national party politics, eg when is an alliance a party etc. The concern shown about my personal political welfare come the election date announcement is almost touching too. Be assured, however, my grasp of election law does encompass the party registration process and contacting the Electoral Commission etc. I don’t intend to be clapped in irons and dragged to The Tower.

Perhaps a little more attention to detail would be of benefit to Cllr Spooner as I clearly said we were intending to form …… not that we were not, or were unaware of the need.

Finally, his parting rebuke that portraying national political parties as a risk to local democracy is both ridiculous and sad, I can only say that I’m happy for the local electorate to be the final arbiter of what, and who, is ridiculous or sad or both.
We will know better come May 3rd.

Colin Cross is the Independent borough councillor for Lovelace (Ripley, Wisley and Ockham)