Standing Up by stepping out

Toxic politics of Cumbria local government changes.

I recently announced that I had taken a difficult decision and decided  not to stand for election in upcoming May Unitary council elections in Cumbria as I believes the culture in the county’s local politics has become "toxic."

The “bickering” over the restructure of Cumbria’s local government is making local politics uncomfortable and totally dysfunctional. 

“Local government, especially around this unitary council election has got so toxic. I know a number of serving councillors who aren’t standing again because it’s got so toxic.”

My decision to  “take a break” from local political election cycle is not a stepping out of local politics or stepping down.

The Toxic levels in local government in Cumbria and the mess that is landing on Cumbria with the local government changes may take two election cycles to clear.

In the next few months and years as the full impact of local government changes takes hold.

The residents, Communities and local business will need people to stand up and hold the new councils accountable and ensure that the pledges made in the elections and the apparent benefits of Unitary are what are delivered for Cumbria.

This despite what many believe will not happen from inside a council chamber as the toxic proxy battles of Westminster stagnate the ability for councillors to actually believer positive change or accountability.

The ability to challenge and hold accountable from inside a council chamber always comes down to the line getting used of “political point scoring”.

Its important that questions are asked councils are held to account and positive change and economic development happens.

The Unitary changes will see some essential services go through rapid change and cuts in funding from April 2023.from Highways to social care. Children's services to Fire Service across Cumbria.

We can’t afford to let political proxy battles put the deliver of these services at risk.

I believe that by stepping out of the Unitary elections and the role of been a councillor inside the unitary council.

I can best serve the community and put People and Place first by stepping up to hold the councils accountable and challenge on behalf of the community.

since 2019 I have held Eden council to account and challenged on behalf of the community.

The council leader when speaking to the press quoted these challenges as “The Opposition”

Given those elected in the council have failed to be an opposition beyond the toxic politics I can see how the holding to account can be seen as presenting real opposition on behalf of the people and place.

This people’s opposition will be vital as Cumbria undergoes these changes to local government.

 The election cycle is a vital part of democracy but the levels of toxicity and disconnect between councils and community have seen in recent years the number of people that actually vote drop to very low levels that put democracy at risk.

With the almost inevitable results that Cumbria will see both in the election cycle as the new councils takeover.

The need for strong community voices putting People and Place first has never been more critical.

“I’m not stepping down as a parish councillor at Clifton or Penrith as I believe the grassroots local councils have an ever more important roll to play in supporting communities.

I’m just not going to go forward in the unitary elections. 

What I am doing is stepping up as an advocate for People and Place that will continue to be a voice for all.

Ensuring that the new unitary councils across Cumbria are held to account and challenged outside the toxic mess of the unitary councils.