Letter: GBC Webcasts Are Not Always a Good Example of Civilised Debate

Published on: 8 Dec, 2018
Updated on: 8 Dec, 2018

From Mary Smith

In response to: The Importance of Women in Politics

Congratulations to Cllr Angela Gunning on an interesting opinion on women’s rights, albeit with a Labour Party twist

She is right that many women, including me, are put off politics through the unpleasant and aggressive behaviour of politicians. She recommends that we watch the webcasts of civilised meetings at Guildford Borough Council.

In fact, I did watch the webcast of the Tuesday [December 4] council meeting, especially for the climate change and Brexit items. Generally, not bad behaviour and not too much party politics, even about the discussed merits of a “People’s Vote”, Theresa May’s “deal ” and the usual Remain and Leave arguments.

However, the debate on committee seat allocation was far from civilised. You would have thought the growing Independent group would have been given a seat on the Planning Committee. Apparently, they now have more councillors than Labour and the same as the Guildford Greenbelt Group, both of whom have planning seats. No – all the established political parties clearly wanted to exclude Independents and voted all fair options down.

What was even worse was a personal attack on Independent councillor Tony Rooth who was accused of running his own political party as a vehicle for his own personal agenda and ambitions. Frankly awful and insulting but credit to Cllr Rooth for not descending to such depths in his own comments.

This uncivilised attack was led by Angela’s Labour colleague, Cllr James Walsh. She really needs to tell him how to behave in a civilised manner.

Responses to Letter: GBC Webcasts Are Not Always a Good Example of Civilised Debate

John Ferns Reply

December 8, 2018 at 8:33 pm

I agree totally.

Whilst I might not agree with his parties politics, up till now I have respected his measured, and usually balanced input to a number of his contributions in recent debates.

His very personal attack tonight has diminished my respect for him. I hope that is is a one-off aberration.
Shelley Grainger Reply

December 9, 2018 at 5:58 pm

Independent councillors (who have left the Conservative party for whatever reason) have divested themselves from a political alliance on the council. Therefore they should not be allowed to form quasi-political alliances and pretend to be in a ‘group’ for allocation to seats on committees.

It’s akin to having two Tory party ‘groups’ (or three, if we include the Guildford Greenbelt Group, who I believe were all Tories originally) It’s factional politics and game playing at it’s worst.
Lisa Wright Reply

December 9, 2018 at 7:38 pm

It’s even more interesting to see Council debates from within the chamber as you can watch the sideline conversations, and the nods and winks going on too.

Just to pick up on Shelley’s comment, GGG members are not all Tory supporters and come from a wide range of the political population. If GGG were all Conservatives they would all have stood as Conservative candidates in 2015.
Bernard Parke Reply

December 9, 2018 at 9:16 pm

Has Mary Smith not noticed those who have left their party to become Independents are not all Conservatives?

I have been involved in local affairs now for nearly sixty years and I have never known this to happen here before.

There is something very wrong within Guildford Borough for this to happen.
Tony Rooth Reply

December 9, 2018 at 9:53 pm

The “Independent Alliance” is a group of both former Conservative and Lib Dem councillors, independent-minded residents – not a political party, with no party politics, no party line and no party whip.   

We believe Guildford councillors should not be tied to or driven by party politics or personal ambition. Proper representation of the community and residents on local issues is far more important as shown in our opinion piece: More Independents Would Be a Force for Change by Independent Cllrs Colin Cross (Lovelace), Bob McShee (Worplesdon) and me, Tony Rooth (The Pilgrims).