27/03/2023
There is an election coming on May 4th. A new DDC council will be elected. Voters will need photo id to be allowed to vote. It is claimed that this is to prevent voter fraud, although no evidence of fraud has been produced. This will be a time to choose whether we want more of the same or something different.
Friends of Betteshanger are a non-party-political group and members of all political parties, or none, can post or comment, as long as they don’t promote their political parties with logos or obvious appeals for members or votes. We are all learning how the bits of the planning system fit together and are developing some shared understandings.
We have grown out of a common interest in protecting Betteshanger Country Park. We share ideas and develop practical strategies to save our park. Our supporters have joined us to work for these objectives. Our interest in politics is not based on political labels and shared identity but practical experiences of the way local political parties function.
Having seen many bad decisions made by DDC planning, and the passivity that pervades DDC, it can be said that good decisions require, as a framework, the rule of law and public pressure. DDC and government processes have to be open to public participation, as well as accountable and transparent. One of our key rights is the right to truthful answers given in good faith. Further, that DDC provides adequate explanations for any decision they make. We need councillors and officials who welcome input from the public.
Do they stand up for green spaces, the recovery of nature, against excessive development? Do they work for social justice? Are they creating a council which is open, accountable and transparent? Do they make sure the DDC bureaucracy works for us; do they passively go with the flow and act as a transmission belt for private interests?
The day of party loyalty, voting without thinking, out of habit, which has been so devalued and abused, belongs to the past. Voting for politicians and then leaving them to do what they want for the next four years is a bad idea. It is a recipe for poor decision making, apathy, stagnation and corruption. What is important is what someone does when elected.
This election could well be a turning point for DDC. The important questions to consider for any candidate are: what is their record; what do they promise on their leaflets, is it practical or abstract; do they explain adequately how they will carry out policies; will they come back and explain to you what they are doing once elected; do they support open government and the public right to know and participate?
Who to vote for? This is not for us to say and we remain non-party-political but this could be the most important election for many years and a chance to elect councillors who are responsive to our needs rather than those of the building lobby. We need to choose well on May 4th.
