Last updated at 13:26, Monday, 15 August 2011

THE public image of politicians, both nationally and locally, has been deteriorating over the years to the point where there is a general mistrust of them.

Aidan Silcocks

There is a perception that politicians are in it for themselves.

The MPs’ expenses scandal was taken by many people as proof that our elected representatives were more concerned with feathering their nests – especially their second nests – than they were in representing the interests of their constituents.

At a local level, councillors are also considered by many people to be in it for themselves, whether that be for some perceived financial gain or to satisfy their desire for status and power. Another accusation thrown around is that being on the local council is a hobby for retired people.

Last Monday, I had the opportunity to see if there was any evidence to back up this image of our local representatives when I attended a meeting of my local council for the first time.

The first thing I noticed was that the councillors in attendance at Ulverston Town Council covered a wide age range. It wasn’t a bunch of hobbyist pensioners. I don’t know what sort of remuneration they receive but I doubt it is a significant amount. From what I saw and heard on Monday night some of them had obviously spent a good deal of time in preparation for the meeting, studying reports and proposals and having discussions with their constituents.

I won’t go into details of what was discussed at the meeting as that has already been reported in this newspaper. What I want to consider is how the councillors dealt with the issues before them.

I had expected the votes to be split along party lines, but this wasn’t the case. I suspect that the views of some of the councillors were different to those of the people they represent. However, those councillors said that they had listened to the views expressed by their constituents, both verbally and via email, and when it came to the vote they voted in line with their constituents’ wishes.

With regard to accusations of councillors “being in it for themselves”, I got the impression that the motivation for Ulverston Town Council’s members was genuinely to do the best for the town. The preferred approach to achieving this will vary between councillors but I have the feeling that party political dogma won’t get in the way.

Despite now having a more positive opinion of Ulverston Town Council, I am not so certain that I would feel the same way about Barrow Borough Council, where I am told party politics has a stronger hold. Similarly, I have less faith in South Lakeland District Council acting in the best interests of Ulverston. While Ulverston’s district councillors may do their best for the town, they will always be outnumbered by those from other areas who don’t know or care what the people of Ulverston want.

First published at 13:24, Monday, 15 August 2011
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk