When people talk about government, Labour representation and the like, they are talking about Westminster members of parliament. When we talk about grass roots, then we are talking about the membership. However there is a breed of people, who deal with the flux of policy, whims of Westminster and translate it into local government action, who take the kicking from the membership who want to vent against ‘the man’ in CLP meetings or online. That person is the humble councillor. The immediate future of devolution means that the councillor workload and responsibility is going to go through the roof, yet the engagement from Labour headquaters is still pretty bereft, and engagement on things like policy, future direction, help and support is non-existent – especially if you are a councillor in opposition.
I am a big fan of the fact our membership has expanded in a interstellar way, and that we are hosting a leader with a mandate that we have never seen before. But, as a councillor, my life still moves on at a rapid pace, almost too fast to enjoy a period of ideological adjustment. My next council meeting is in a couple of weeks and I have already had a few, standing up and defending our residents from the brutal onslaught. As a county councillor in opposition I am facing a challenge of how to deal with the national Tory budget on a local level in a way that is pragmatic, based on our values and will highlight that cuts are not the only way, but will not fall into the ‘Labour is just tax and spend’ trap. The police and crime commissioner elections are just a few months away and we do not have a candidate yet, even though there are two (Tory and independent) in the race already. We also have county council elections in the following year that we have to gear up for, fully in the knowledge that we could be dealing with a devolved government and huge extra burdens.
It is my experience now that we are taking councillors for granted, new (and not so new) members see us as a legitimate target, especially those who are having to make really difficult but pragmatic decisions when it comes to setting budgets. In all the public speeches I have heard, the leader talks a lot about the parliamentary Labour party and Westminster, as well as the new members but I have not heard him once mention the work done by local councillors. During the leadership election I heard a lot from all candidates in both campaigns about how councillors would be better engaged and supported, now it has gone very quiet. Yes it may only be a few months, but it has been a long few months. The countdown to the next election is ticking loudly, much more loudly than the next General Election, because it is much closer.
The councillor is the first line in government, the humble parish, district and county councillor are working hard, day in day out to do our best to uphold Labour party values of equality and fairness. The devolution agenda means that more responsibility is going to be coming our way, but with the way it is being delivered, we are going to have more of the cuts laid at our door too. So my plea is this, to both members and the leadership – please do not forget about us. We are robust and will continue to do our best, but in this political turmoil and agenda of cuts, we need your help and support too.
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Barry Kirby is deputy leader of the Labour group on Gloucestershire county council
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A very appropriate reminder to the leadership and all grassroots organisations. Momentum in particular would do well to get behind these committed members now at a time of considerable challenge and strain. This level of organisation would benefit well from the backing of the any new Supporters groups.