Government childcare announcement: More Conservative chaos hurting families
Liberal DEMOCRAT Activist Learn more
by Ian Shires on 9 May, 2011
The Liberal Democrat Group on Walsall Council with its 5 members holds the balance of power between the other two groups. The Tories have 28 having lost 5 and Labour has 26 having gained 7. there is one Independent. So no one Party has a mandate to run the Council.
There are a number of options. In no particular order they are:
As leader of the Lib Dem group I’d be really interested to know the views of the people of the borough of Walsall. What do you think would be best for our town?
10 Comments
Having followed the political issues of Walsall Council for a number of years I understand the situation this puts you in. However, their seems only two options. Firstly, I understand that the Lib group in Walsall have worked with the Tories in coalition on a number of occasions in the past and this proved to be successful and a partnership that worked well for the residents of Walsall. This would put yourselfs in a strong position in leading a coalition council over the following tearm. It is my opition at the Tories have not always made the best discisions whilest in full control, however they have made visable improvments to the way the council has been run and nobody wants a return to the Labour days that very nearly bankrupted the council resulting in no improvments to our public services. I cant understand while you would want to form a coalaition with
the Labour party as it way Labout that took the Lib seats in this election not the Tories. Seems srange to form a partnership now and spend the next term fighting them on a ward level to regain the lost seats?. The other option is to allow the Tory party to form a minority administration whilest the Liberals `sit on their hands` however this could prove difficult in the future. the most clear option, and most believable to the electorate is to enter into talks with the tories and form a coalition that will continue to imporve our towns for the benifit of the residents keeping the labour party out. people have long memories and no not want a return to the `Dave Church` years.
Best wishes in your decision.
I’d like to see the back of Mike Bird because he’s an oaf.
More imporantly, I ‘d like to see an end to the ineptitude and waste.
I’d like a simple, clear plan (SMART?) how you, the councillors, intend to make Walsall better.
You need to trim the number of senior managers and their pay and you need to trim the non-jobs and duplication.
You need to manage SERCO, Amey and the others so we get the best deal not them.
How you achieve that is up to you, but I’ll settle for a Mike Bird-less zone for a start.
Good luck!
Mr Shires,
First, may I state I think your leadership has been a credit to the Liberal Party in Walsall and I understand at present you have a difficult decision to make given the circumstances. I have studied your given possibilities for the future of walsall which has resulted in the options I think may be best for Walsall.
I believe the best two options are either:
1.)Let the Conservative party run a minority council which will ensure continuity for the people of Walsall preventing a change in services and leadership which would possibly affect people of Walsall
or
2.) Join with the Conservatives in a coalition where continutity can be maintained and at the same time allowing the Liberal party to have some influence in the way walsall will be run and given the Parliament coalition, I believe this will be a wise choice.
I think having dealings with Labour may lead to Liberals loosing seats in Walsall because am I correct in stating that Labour has taken some seats from the Liberals in the local elections?? and has taken one of the seats in your very own Ward Mr Shires which to me appears to be a threat to the Liberals. I believe you yourself are up for election next year Mr Shires and to be honest this would leave me very cautious of the Labour party who could very well take your own seat!!!!!
Given the past coalitions with the Conservatives in Walsall, at least you know it could work, as with Labour it is unknown territory.
I believe you have a very hard choice to make Mr Shires but I believe you will make the right choice for the people of Wasall and the Liberal Party.
All the Best
Mr Partridge
I grew up in the Vention, my Mom still lives there and therefore I have seen the Focus Group leaflets for about 30 years. They seem to come around a lot less frequently nowadays but I suppose that is the way of the world.
The fact is that how people vote in local elections in Walsall is rarely decided on local issues. However despite this I don’t understand how when the people of the borough have given a distinct thumbs down to both the Lib Dems and Tories how you can look to enter into a coalition with them.
The way the make up of the council is (and the people involved) and the problems that it faces means that there are still some nasty decision to take place next year.
No matter which party makes them Labour will have overall control this time next year.
The council has been run for the benefit of the east of the borough (or Tesco) at the expense of the west (Darlaston Leisure Centre, Willenhall Leisure Centre). Joining with the Tories may save something in Millennial (Forest Gate Library) but that will be the token.
Stay out, let Labour do the same. Let the ego take charge again. Mitigate their ridiculous decision making in the chamber and stop the privilege. Be reasonable but stand in the way of things which will just stagnate the town or remove critical services.
Party politics and its influence needs to be reduced within the borough. We need to run the borough on the basis of the best people, with the best skills and the best vision. Not just on the internal machinations based in Aldridge Conservative Club or Darlaston Labour or Short Heath Liberal.
The ability to stand back over the next 12 months may start this process to commence and benefit the borough as a whole and stop the grab of personal power for its own ends.
It may also extend the Lib Dem influence over the next two years after this when you won’t hold the balance of power and we have a Labour administration.
[…] Fair play to the man, he as gone on his blog and asked people what he should do in the best interest of the Walsall. […]
Do you want to be progressive or repressive? If the former, join with Labour if they’ll have you. If the latter, the Tories will no doubt welcome you with open claws.
If you follow your leader and the example he set on the morning after the general election, the issue is clear. The conservatives are the biggest party therefore you should seek a power sharing arrangement.
Depends whether you think that assesment of “the right thing to do” was reasonable.
My own opinion is pretty much the same as Steve, above. Stay out and vote with your conscience on a case by case basis. It would have been much better if Nick Clegg had made a similar decision. It will also give the officers a bit more to think about when they can’t predict the outcome of any vote.
Good luck.
If you follow your leader and the example he set on the morning after the general election, the issue is clear….. you too could face meltdown next year!!! Lol
Councillor Piper
You quite rightly have shown an interest in what has been a very expansive post from Councillor Shires. This is exciting for me, an ordinary voter.
There are going to be important decisions made in the next few days. I think for the first time there is the potential for the ordinary voters to have a little bit of a say, or at least have their voice heard. After years upon years within Walsll where the leadership has been decided in the rooms of Aldridge Conservative Club this is truly exciting and groundbreaking.
Please don’t be the guy just sniping at the bar.
What you say is true, and the chances are I would not vote LibDem (not under this voting system!!) but don’t just score cheap political points.Thats why we have a shocking turn out at almost all elections and stuff all reasoned debate nowadays.
[…] Options. What do You think is best for Walsall? Posted May 11, 2011 Comments(9) […]