Letter: There Is A Difference Between Being Political and Party Political

Published on: 27 Feb, 2026
Updated on: 27 Feb, 2026

From: Gavin Morgan

In response to: Those Who Say They Are Apolitical Are Being Dishonest

George Potter thinks everyone is political. That might be true if you go back to the original Greek use of the word in that everyone has values and belief systems which influence their opinions. However, that is not the same as being party political, operating within a party-political framework, teaming up with party colleagues to dominate a council.

This debate started with Mr Ferns’s article, A Brave New World – with No Party Politics Please, about Ash and Tongham Councils.

His point, as I understood it, was that party dominance at a parish level is not helpful and local issues get compromised by party values and loyalties. The response from Liberal party councillors was that political parties are a necessary part of local government.

I disagree because, like Mr Ferns, I have seen how non-political parish councils work and how political party loyalties can have a detrimental impact.

Let’s remember this discussion is about small parish and town councils working at a very local level with very small budgets. They deal with community centres, local amenities and enabling local initiatives.

This is not about national politics.  I have no objection to people having party political loyalties, but I get concerned when party structures encourage bloc voting and pre-determined positions instead of focusing on the problem.

I have seen it often at the borough council where party rivalries can take precedence over the problem being discussed.  There is an argument that party dominance produces quicker decisions and cleaner accountability. But again, let’s remember we are not talking about national or even county-wide politics here.

Mr Potter uses two illustrations to argue that all decisions are based on values. He says that a town council’s decision on whether to spend an extra £5,000 to adopt organic planting in the Castle Grounds would be based on the different belief systems of councillors.

He says a decision on whether to close the tourist information office to pay for a youth centre would also be based on beliefs of councillors and presumably very different if the council was dominated by Conservatives or Liberals Democrats.

Obviously, everyone has different beliefs and outlooks on the best approach, and those views will contribute to their thinking but there is more to making decisions than that.

These two examples are also practical problems. A gardener and accountant might start from different places on the issue of pesticides, but they can also agree on a logical approach that asks are pesticides detrimental, can the council afford not to use them, and if not are there other options?

As for a youth centre I recall my own experience of seeing a youth club set up in Worplesdon. A local argued the case, the parish council recognised the need and allowed the community centre to be used. Parish Councillors are as much enablers as service providers.

I am not saying, as Cllr Potter suggests, that everyone has to be free of political ties. I am just saying that political parties should not be allowed to dominate a parish or town council.

What is helpful about having every discussion at a very local level decided by the views of one party?

Cllr Potter also claims independent thinkers have beliefs. Of course they do, but they  choose their beliefs freely. That is the difference. I agree and disagree with all the major political parties and none depending on the issue.

The problems facing these councils need more than one narrow party-political view. In the rest of the world diversity of opinions is seen as a strength. In the business world the wider argument for diversity is not a woke agenda but a practical realisation that different outlooks produce better thinking and better outcomes.

I do not wish to comment on Mr Potter’s disappointing views on civic societies and amenity groups. Others can form their own opinions. However, I will say that I find it very sad that at borough council level, I have sometimes felt there is an unwillingness to listen to the community.

I know councillors get more than their fair share of criticism and unhelpful emails and we should all appreciate the time they give up for their communities. In fact, it is the day-to-day tasks often unseen and unreported that often show their true value and commitment. However, I have attended many a council meeting where public speakers are completely ignored.

A town council is not a borough council. It should be about building a community not a platform for party conflict. It should be about listening and helping. You cannot build a strong team of parish councillors out of party rivalries.

At the most local level of government where collaboration and practical problem solving are needed the question is do party structures enhance that work or constrain it?

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