Norwich's Unitary Status is a mistake - press release

South Norfolk parliamentary candidate, Jacky Howe, has blasted the decision to make Norwich a Unitary Authority as ‘leaving the people of South Norfolk with no say in their city’s affairs’.

Jacky, who is hoping to be elected as MP for South Norfolk in the next General Election, fears that people in South Norfolk, many of whom have close connections with the county’s capital through work and leisure activities, will be prevented from having any say in its future.

Jacky comments, “The news of this decision is breathtaking in its arrogance and cynicism. While I do support the idea of Unitary Authorities for counties, my opinion on the decision for Norwich is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This decision has cut off the county’s epicenter and has wasted huge amounts of public money.”

Jacky was the County Council Member for Melton Constable in May 2008 when she formed part of a cross-party group to lobby the Minister Phil Woolas MP against the proposals for Norwich at Westminster.

She comments, “In discussions at County Hall, most of the group wanted to keep the status quo. The alternative is to make the whole county a Unitary Authority, thereby sensibly getting rid of a tier of local government, making it easier for people to understand who is accountable for the provision of their services.”

She continues, “I would love to know how other people in South Norfolk feel about this decision.”

Full of enthusiasm!

There's something about the start of a new year isn't there? I don't mean the inevitable resolutions, which come from eating and drinking too much usually, or the more general "will be nicer" one's which come from the guilt enduced by cards from people you have forgotten - I mean a sense of opportunities to come - this year more then ever!

As a Parliamentary Candidate, I am now receiving e-mails asking about my specific views on an enormous range of issues. People want to know what makes me different from other candidates in this constituency and, if elected, how I would vote. It's interesting, as a person with experience of campaigning at Westminster on a limited range of issues - green energy and electoral reform mainly - how different styles of campaigning affect one's response. There is the bullying approach - blitzing with hundreds of identical e-mails - the personal story/issue which brings tears to the eyes - the commercial approach.....the list goes on!

Although there are some matters on which I am very clear - my party's policies for example, there are some answers which require mature reflection and political debate. The UK's debating style of Government, while not flawless, does at least allow for all views to be heard (eventually!) and I look forward to hearing those views before making my mind up about how to best represent the view of South Norfolk's inhabitants, should I be elected.

Over the next weeks I will be discussing, through this medium and on doorsteps, the burning issues for the constituency and really look forward to hearing what people have to say!

Times are hard for a lot of us but, all the same..

A Very Happy 2010 to everyone - whatever your political colour!!!

Jacky

What a waste

A curious time of year, Christmas, a sense of suspended animation and anticipation all wrapped up in one.
This year, sensible people held their breath in anticipation as world leaders met to discuss the issues surrounding climate change and I can't be alone in my feeling of acute disappointment about the chance that they missed. Such a wasted opportunity! I feel a sense of embarrassment for all those of us who call ourselves politicians and who can't put our differences to one side in the interests of what is literally an Earth shattering cause. Whatever the individual deals done, the fact that they are not legally enforceable agreements weakens them immeasureably. As the head of my family now, I could weep for my children and grandchildren!!
There is some light at the end of the tunnel however - on Tuesday I met a senior politician - not a Liberal Democrat but respected by us - who will continue the fight to reduce the UK's carbon footprint and waste of resources - so long as there are good public servants - whatever their political colour - there is hope for the future!

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish my readers a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year - after the year we've just endured, we all deserve it!

Jacky

......She's In (apologies to the EDP)

How strange - the Tory candidate for South West Norfolk easily withstood all that opposition from local party members and was formally adopted as PPC (again!)- and with an enormous majority!! I wonder why? After all that very public opprobrium and sabre rattling, all the 'outing' of the sins of her past and resentment that she wasn't local - she walked it!! She walked it, not in glamorous gold lame but in Tory uniform of Alice band and a dowdy blue frock!! Not so much 'spin' as homespun!!!

Am I a bit of a cynic (moi?)or do I detect slick Dave's heavy hand here? Of course it's a total coincidence that the senior members of the local party were called into Tory HQ just before the re-convened hustings isn't it? Well - isn't it????

No wonder I get an insane desire to giggle when they try to be taken seriously over the whole mess!

Value for Money?

I would like to know your opinions about the Local Government Review. For those of you who haven't really taken this on board - Central Government have been consulting for months on the abolition of District and County Councils and merging their responsibilities in either one single Unitary authority, or various different layouts - essentially with "Greater Norwich" as one unitary body at the centre but with several different ideas for another unitary body to cover the rest of the County.

If one of these plans succeeds, there will be far fewer Councillors. At the moment, each District has its' Councillors and the County has a different set of Councillors - except that sometimes, and in the case of the new County Council quite often, the same people wear two different hats - hence the expression "twin-hatters". Under the proposed arrangements, this double status would disappear - as would the financial advantage of being a twin hatter - instead of two lots of Member's allowances there would only be one.

I must hold my hands up at this point and admit to being a twin hatter myself for a brief period. However, when I realised the sheer impossibility of doing both jobs properly, I didn't stand for re-election at District level.

Contrast that with the actions of the Conservative members of Norfolk County Council who, although already Members of District authorities, stood as County Councillors and who have now flatly refused to allow discussion in public of Members' allowances in a public Scrutiny meeting.

There is no doubt that there are cost savings to be made in unitary authorities. The public would find it easier to understand where to go with matters if there was one council which dealt with everything. Duplication of effort would be avoided and the expensive senior management structures would be simplified.

Tell me what you think? Shouldn't this issue be properly aired in a public forum? Voters in Norfolk pay for their elected representatives - if you feel the need for a different approach, let me know!