Letter: This Russian Witch Hunt Is a Distraction – The Real Issue Is the Way the Council is Run

Published on: 26 Jan, 2019
Updated on: 26 Jan, 2019

From Julian Lyon

prospective borough council Independent candidate

Can we please stop arguing over whether Cllr Spooner’s background links with Russia are or are not being used to back developments or, frankly, any other claims, unless well-founded.

The council needs to be properly empowered, transparently, openly, democratically and without constraint or restraint (actual, threatened or perceived), to make decisions based on facts that have been overtly prepared, open to challenge by intelligent people with integrity. This American-style Russian witch hunt distracts from the real issues; it would not matter if every councillor had a proper say in decision-making.

There is no doubt that Cllrs Spooner and Furniss put in a lot of work in their roles as leader and deputy leader. I have little doubt that they mean well and think they are doing the best for us all. But what they think is best for us all is some way distant from what I believe is right. That is politics.

What I believe is right may be quite different from others. That is why open discussion in a properly-functioning democracy is so important.

Just because I think something is right does not make it right. It is up to me to persuasively make my argument without discrimination, to listen to the views of others in both the council and the communities, to allow opportunity for discussion of different views, and to allow elected representatives, unhindered, to reach a conclusion.

I may make comments about issues and about my concerns about the lack of openness, transparency and democracy at the council. I may express the differences of opinion I have with Cllrs Spooner and Furniss. But I will always aim to avoid being drawn into debates of this kind because they detract from the debate around the need for a change in the way the council is run, the way councillors are treated, the way issues are not given the oxygen of free debate and discussion.

I sincerely hope for change on May 2nd – not to more of the same but in different colours, not to a reshuffling of the deckchairs, but to a genuinely more inclusive and productive approach to running the council

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