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Palestinian Flag Flys Over Tower Hamlets.
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I agree NJ
The notion of 'grass roots democracy' is one of those things that seems like a 'good thing' but is actually worthless to most people benefiting a minority particularly those who are 'Players' in the game.
As in any government, the real job is done by paid professionals and officers. All that is needed in addition is some form of non political oversight and ombudsman process. Elected Councillors are more trouble than they are worth and are largely there to present the illusion that local people have some sort of say in their area.
The notion of 'grass roots democracy' is one of those things that seems like a 'good thing' but is actually worthless to most people benefiting a minority particularly those who are 'Players' in the game.
As in any government, the real job is done by paid professionals and officers. All that is needed in addition is some form of non political oversight and ombudsman process. Elected Councillors are more trouble than they are worth and are largely there to present the illusion that local people have some sort of say in their area.
I like the concept that I pay a local tax which is spent locally and people I have directly elected, work out how to spend it. And I can get rid of them if I do not like what they do.
The alternative you have described whereby things are run by an unelected bureaucrat in Whitehall is exactly how Free Schools are administered. The result of that is not at all encouraging.
The alternative you have described whereby things are run by an unelected bureaucrat in Whitehall is exactly how Free Schools are administered. The result of that is not at all encouraging.
The alternative I have described is also the model upon which the EU is run, Gromit. The big difference is that whilst you can get rid of the national government (who would oversee the local executives in charge of emptying the bins) you cannot get rid of the EU commissioners. However, that's another argument.
More than 80% of money spent by local authorities comes from central government. It seems reasonable to me that they should therefore have ultimate say in how that 80% is spent. Local councillors may think they hold the purse strings but in reality they have very little scope to adjust the council's expenditure. They may close a library here or open a crèche there, but that is relatively small beer. The big money goes on education, housing and social services. My local authority spends 80% of its income on these items and the way they spend it is virtually un-negotiable.
There is always conflict between local and national government (even when they are of the same political persuasion) and the whole shooting match is an expensive waste of time and money. The cost of the councillors themselves is more than enough to see any "cost/benefit" analysis fail but the cost of the councils in total is vast when staffing and property costs are included.
However much it costs to fly the Palestinian flag from Tower Hamlets and Bradford municipal buildings it is 100% too much. Local authorities have no right to use public money to expound their political opinions and their assertion that they are not making a political statement is absolute bunkum.
More than 80% of money spent by local authorities comes from central government. It seems reasonable to me that they should therefore have ultimate say in how that 80% is spent. Local councillors may think they hold the purse strings but in reality they have very little scope to adjust the council's expenditure. They may close a library here or open a crèche there, but that is relatively small beer. The big money goes on education, housing and social services. My local authority spends 80% of its income on these items and the way they spend it is virtually un-negotiable.
There is always conflict between local and national government (even when they are of the same political persuasion) and the whole shooting match is an expensive waste of time and money. The cost of the councillors themselves is more than enough to see any "cost/benefit" analysis fail but the cost of the councils in total is vast when staffing and property costs are included.
However much it costs to fly the Palestinian flag from Tower Hamlets and Bradford municipal buildings it is 100% too much. Local authorities have no right to use public money to expound their political opinions and their assertion that they are not making a political statement is absolute bunkum.
/The alternative you have described whereby things are run by an unelected bureaucrat in Whitehall is exactly how Free Schools are administered. The result of that is not at all encouraging./
Funnily enough Gromit I was thinking the exactly the opposite earlier:
that the Free Schools are just like 'Local Government'
Local people (parents/councillors) whose level of personal motivation exceeds their levels of competence are given rein funded by money from the nation's taxpayers.
Funnily enough Gromit I was thinking the exactly the opposite earlier:
that the Free Schools are just like 'Local Government'
Local people (parents/councillors) whose level of personal motivation exceeds their levels of competence are given rein funded by money from the nation's taxpayers.
///Mr Ward tweeted on Tuesday: "The big question is - if I lived in #Gaza would I fire a rocket? - probably yes."
In a statement later released by the Lib Dems, he said: "My comments were not in support of firing rockets into Israel. If they gave the opposite impression, I apologise///
Oh dear,^ they must be the weaseliest words I've read this year. What a pathetic specimen.
In a statement later released by the Lib Dems, he said: "My comments were not in support of firing rockets into Israel. If they gave the opposite impression, I apologise///
Oh dear,^ they must be the weaseliest words I've read this year. What a pathetic specimen.
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