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Democracy and power
WE ALL need a boost first thing in the morning. I normally rely on coffee, but this week I had a real boost thanks to an interview with the new Mayor of Doncaster.
Mr Peter Davies is a directly elected Mayor – directly elected Mayors being one option which local authorities can adopt as a governance structure. And what a refreshing performance it was. He said he meant to do exactly what he said he would do.
So he has cut his own salary down to 30,000 per year. He proposes to get rid of any staff posts which he thinks are just down to political correctness and have nothing to do with real services to the community and he also proposes to substantially reduce translation services.
'People shouldn't come to this country if they can't speak English'. 'Isn't that a bit jingoistic?' asked the interviewer. 'No', Mr. Davies responded, 'It's just common sense'.
Whether one agrees with Mr. Davies or not – and the left now see him as a hate figure – it is a joy to see a community leader determined to make effective use of the power which is his by democratic right.
It is all too easy to feel powerless in government – whether local or national. There is nothing more debilitating than feeling one has responsibility without power. But power does not come ready packaged like a Christmas present.
Power has to be pulled back from those eager to take it from elected representatives – whether they be government officials, the European Commission or quangos such as the Audit Commission.
One thinks of those local authorities who fought to maintain their selective grammar schools back in the '60s and '70s.
They experienced enormous threats from those who wanted to deny them the right to do what they felt was right for their communities. They defied the bullies and won.
Finally, we lose power when we become craven in the face of the poisonous creep of political correctness. Normal respect and politeness is one thing, but so much political correctness fetters our ability to address issues which concern our electors.
So, it's a bouquet to President Sarkozy of France for speaking out on the issue of the Burka. This week, he told the French National Assembly that the Burka was a question of liberty: 'It's not a religious symbol but a sign of subservience and debasement. That is not our idea of freedom.'
Most people in this country believe that too. So why the reticence in speaking out? 'Vive La France', I say.
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Weather for Horsham
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
