I am sorry, but when I asked for a Labour view I had really hoped for a sensible Labour view, not yet another illiterate outspewing of meaningless drivel from ex-Councillor Hughes.This morning's exchange between him and Councillor Andrew Dakers has been useful because it will enable people, in the light of Corinna's comments about the Liberal Democrats allegedly not being an effective opposition, to compare the two. I would ask neutral parties to read and re-read the postings above and consider which of the two they would have more confidence in to fight their corner if they had an issue with the present council.Unlike Councillor Dakers I am a member of the administration, but nevertheless I am obliged to say that as somebody who has been on the council for only nine months and who is, in political terms, still very much a youngster he has been quite exceptional. I only wish that at his age I had possessed half the political maturity and acumen which he repeatedly demonstrates.This first motion before Borough Council for me illustrated three things. Firstly, it laid out his commitment and that of his Group to the environmental agenda, a commitment he has sustained throughout. I can tell you that his views, and knowledge, of enivronmental issues is taken very seriously indeed by the new administration and I hear what he is saying about this being a major consideration when his party comes to decide how to vote in the budget debate on March 6th.Secondly, it demonstrated that in spite of being few in number, the Liberal Democrats intend to play an active role in shaping the policies and strategies of the local authority and that he has the confidence and ability to lead that process.Lastly, it did betray in small measure his inexperience of council procedure. That he was man enough to accept this during the course of the debate and to advise his Group to vote accordingly shows the integrity of the Liberal Democrats as a responsible opposition party, just as Dave's wild rantings on the matter accordingly reveal the lack of integrity and shallow opportunism of the party which he represents, and give an indication of why his party locally commands such little respect these days. Anybody who has witnessed a debate at Borough Council since the elections of May 2006 would acknowledge that the two minority opposition Groups - the Liberal Democrats and the Hounslow Independent Alliance - punch considerably above their weight while the Labour "opposition" has in reality been reduced to a shambles. Councillor Ruth Cadbury does most of the talking on her Group's behalf whilst numbered amongst her colleagues are councillors who cannot tell the difference between "twenty votes for" and "twenty-four votes", who cannot understand how a service can be provided for sixteen hours per day when employees only work for eight, and who think the council runs an escort service. It is little wonder that they believe that Member Training is a frontline service!I don't always agree with Councillor Dakers and we frequently find ourselves on opposite sides of the divide when a vote is taken at Borough Council, but I can say that as an administration we take him and his Group, as well as the HRA, a darned sight more seriously than we do the sorry rabble which is the surviving rump of what was the old administration.I would refer anybody who wonders why to the dialogue above between Councillor Dakers and Dave Hughes. I dare say that any continuation of said debate will serve to emphasise my point.
Phil Andrews ● 6679d
