It's Your Choice ...

I write this post on the eve of the local goverment elections for the new Wiltshire Council. And I want to stress that it is a new council - and one which bring both opportunities and challenges for us all in the years ahead.

The whole point of the move to 'One Council for Wiltshire' is to allow local communities to have a greater say in their affairs - for people to have more influence on what happens in their locality - and to have a closer contact with the new council through their directly elected councillors on the local area board.

The opportunities are tremendous. We have the chance to place more emphasis on the issues and aspirations that really matter to local people. A real opportunity for local people to engage with local government directly and to help shape the future direction of the community on which they live and work.

But there are also serious challenges if this new council is to be more than a veneer. Some of those elected will undoubtedly be people from either the former district or county councils and I am sure some will be effective council members who are really committed to the people they represent. but I am also concerned that there will also be an expectation of 'business as usual' with an automatic reversion to the ways things operated before - but with an ever increasing centralisation of beaurocracy and control from Trowbridge HQ - the very opposite of what we have been promised.

That is one of the main reasons I have stood as an Independent candidate for Corsham Town. I have had a great campaign over the past few weeks supported by a fantastic team of people with a strong sense of purpose. I have also met so many local people committed to Corsham and with a strong sense of value and respect for the town.

Tomorrows vote is as unpredictable as it is fascinating. I know people choose their vote for an enormous variety of reasons but I hope tomorrows vote will be to elect the person we all feel is best suited for the task ahead. One who shares in our vision for a vibrant community, unhindered by party politics, or by a history of 'how things were done'.

I shall, of course, be at the count on Friday afternoon and will be awaiting the result with a mixture of of excitment and trepidation. I've really enjoyed the last few weeks and look forward to working with you all in the future. Thank you all for your support.