Appoligies in advance for this "little rant" but from were I am looking in its a bit of a mess down there at the moment and it saddens me that my home town is in this quandry.
If it came down to voting with your head and not where your heart lies then a lot of those in power at all levels of govenment would not be were they are now. Lets for the moment say that Hyndburn's voters had a broad spectrum of views but no real ties to any party would those in power be there if heads ruled over hearts? Its easy for them once in power (any party) to think "oh we must have a large support in the borough so lets give them what they want or believe what they want (their own voters) as a reward". Though how can they be sure that those that voted are the "swaggering class" (personal thought) and not say a pensioner looking for a better deal? Alas though 20% of the votes they recieved could be those of the heads over hearts group who if upset enough could swing it the otherway. Then what happens is that they might lean heavy to one group while ignoring another group.? It starts by them forgetting
they are there in power to serve all people in the borough not the selected band. They upset enough people and they are out on a limb and out of power and all because they have a set of blinkers on.
Recently I had to vote with my head over my heart and it is not easy and never will be but sometimes it has to be done. If a change is wanted badley enough and something you want is being offered by another party then let your head decide. The days of being left right or centre are dying off as we march forward polititions have to appeal to all sections of society and the differences might only be minor. All the major parties have evoled because they know they cannot rely on the traditional sections of society that they had in the past to put them in office. Conservative students, middle class Labourites for example not what might be traditional 30 years ago. Cyfr defends his beliefs and good on him for that yet some of the more "esteemed" members of the administration wont and personally I hope he takes it further as he can breath new life into what is becoming a very staid and narrow minded self promoting bunch group.
Maybe in the not so distant future we an get those that fear what we say on here so that they can participate. We can all learn from this regardless of affiliation for the better of the community and it might spread country wide. I PM'd Greg when he joined and asked if he knew any other MP's were members of local forums and used them. I hope as the first or one of the first he can encourage other polititions at whatever level to use them and keep in tune with the voters for the benifit of all.
Finished for now.