THE JOB IN HAND

THE JOB IN HAND

I have spent the last couple of days allowing the frenzy of media and social media to die down before giving a considered view of where I am now.

There have been many, many comments in various forums and in responses to articles in the press about mine and Diane’s success in getting elected.

I am, of course, pleased with the positive comments but cannot ignore the negative ones and seek to understand where this negativity comes from.

I have to say I am dismayed by the vehemence of the comments from one or two people in the Village which seems to spring from the belief that the Devil has just been elected Pope.

Perhaps it is a misunderstanding of me, of UKIP or just the fact that their preferred candidate did not succeed.

So, let’s clear the air.

I am Paul and people who know me know that I have been the way I am from time immemorial.

Political? – perhaps with a small ‘p’

Definitely a little to the right of centre - Howard Broadbent once descibed me as a ‘conservative anarchist’ and he’s probably not far wrong.

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Why stand for election?  

I’ve tried for five years from the outside to effect some change in the way the town has been run and the way that LL & DL have been an ignored part of the Borough – considered by the town hall to be the rich auntie (Oh, she'll be OK) when auntie is quietly becoming poorer by neglect.

Why not stand as an independent?  

I wouldn’t have the back up of a party organisation and I wouldn’t get elected and there’s no point in standing unless you have a fighting chance of success.

Why choose UKIP.

 

I didn’t – they asked me. I then asked myself if there was any part of UKIP I couldn’t live with and there wasn’t

Most crucially  –

As a UKIP councilor I would have freedom of action on local matters – no party line or whip. This is in contrast to all the other parties.

So – How do I perceive my job. 

I am the conduit along which the considered views of the residents will reach the parts of the Town Hall where decisions are reached.

This is the explanation of the much misunderstood quote (when asked ‘What are your policies?’) "It's very hard to know. I'll let the people decide."

This to me is the essence of my job. 

I’m not gonna tell you what you want – You’re gonna tell me. The ‘Policies’ are the policies that you want - suitably netted down to the realistic.

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So, that’s more or less it. I have to make myself available at all times and in all places for you to tell me of your wishes and concerns and then I have to bang on about these in the Town Hall.

This is how I intend to operate.

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How to achieve any results

 

There are two of ‘us’ and 58 of ‘them’ and it's gonna be difficult, but just as Nigel Farage has set the agenda on Europe which the main parties are struggling to catch up with, I hope to persuade the decision makers to listen to what you said last Thursday and alter course accordingly.

If Labour fail to do this, then, in my view, next year and the year after there will be more Labour losses and more UKIP gains.

Next blog.

UKIP – the truth and the lies.