CAMPAIGN: Referendum - Why Don't Labour, Green and Tory Councillors Trust Residents To Decide?

Labour or Tory, Same Old Story

UPDATED (12/7/20): Somerset Independents has been doing its research. Last week, we called on Conservative, Green and Labour councillors across Somerset to clarify whether they support a Referendum on scrapping all five county and district councils (see below).

We asked this because we only got a response from one such councillor - Conservative councillor, Roger Habgood. And we had to phone him to get even that!

You would hope that these Westminster party councillors might have some independently-minded councillors amongst them.

But it appears not.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors have been in touch. They have been supporting a Referendum and some support a Citizens Assembly too.

The local Greens attempted to clarify as reported by The Leveller. It is a poor attempt at clarification though, as it is inaccurate and incoherent. They have not supported a Referendum.

The Labour and Tory positions are not fully clear, despite our having spoken at meetings, written emails and tweeted them to try to get a response.

Not a single Labour or Conservative councillor has supported our call for a Referendum.

Perhaps they are waiting for their political masters in Westminster to tell them what to think? Unfortunately, these party political puppets have let Somerset down for too long. They've become used to not thinking for themselves or listening to residents.

Like we always say, and Somerset residents agree - Labour or Tory, same old story.

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UPDATED (6/7/20): Giving an update on the campaign for a Referendum, Leader of Somerset Independents, Andrew Pope, said:

"At the Taunton virtual meeting, it was refreshing to see David Fothergill challenged by councillors, including councillors who agree with our proposal for a Referendum. Fothergill didn't want to listen.

Today, we have written to councillors in other districts.

Councillors from the Liberal Democrats and more Independent councillors in those other districts have been in touch to support our campaign.

But still, nothing from Labour, the Greens or Conservatives.

Why don't Somerset's Labour, Green and Conservative councillors trust the residents to decide how they are governed? Are they only interested in what happens in Westminster?"

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UPDATED (2/7/20): Prior to the crunch meeting at 6pm today, and following the jostling and cajoling by our supporters of the councillors on all four councils, all four district councils have issued a joint statement this afternoon.

In response, Deputy Leader of Somerset Independents, Denise Wyatt said:

"What has changed since a similar statement made by them in January?

Not much, except that they have made it clear that they think the County should not have been developing any proposals during the Coronavirus National Emergency. We agree with them on that.

Still there is no proposal for a Referendum, whether on the Unitary proposal being pushed by the County, or the yet-to-be-defined alternative by the Districts.

Residents should be able to have a Referendum on ANY proposals. They pay their council tax so they decide.

As Councillor Ros Wyke said when she became Leader of Mendip, it is the residents that the councillors are here to serve, and they should never forget that.

Somerset Independents will continue to push for a Referendum and a Citizens Assembly.

It is the people of Somerset who should decide and NOT politicians."

Leader of Somerset Independents, Andrew Pope, said:

"The other thing that seems to have changed since January is that they seem to be waiting for the Government to ask them. How can they be so sure that they will be asked?

They might just be ignored. The Tory Government, including under-fire Minister Robert Jenrick could stitch it up with his Tory mates at the County Council!

We hope that this does not happen, but how can the four districts be so sure that it will not?"

Let us know what you think by getting in touch via our "Contact Us" page.

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As we have previously called for a Referendum before any council reorganisations at Somerset County Council, Somerset Independents and our supporters are now calling on all Somerset West and Taunton councillors to support our call.

We have already had more support from councillors in response to today's Referendum call to ask residents in a binding poll before any Unitary Authority is brought about.

Councillors have told us that they intend to challenge Councillor David Fothergill at the meeting.

You can view the meeting online here.

Leader of Somerset Independents, Andrew Pope, has told local media and journalists:

"It is, after all, them that will be abolished, if this goes ahead - so we feel that they must take action to protect residents from something which residents clearly rejected by 82% in 2007, and which will cost £17 Million to implement."

We are doing this ahead of tomorrow's 6pm crunch meeting between the Leaders of Somerset County Council and Somerset West and Taunton (District) Council - Councillor David Fothergill and Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts respectively.

They will discuss a Unitary Authority and the abolition of all district councillors, with redundancies of staff included - and a democratic deficit resulting for long-suffering residents, as proved by De Montfort University in their review across the globe of "amalgamations" of councils.

Tell us what you think by contacting us here.