THE MUSHROOM TREATMENT

It’s little wonder that we have heard not but a peep from all but one of our local councillors (Oliver Ryan – Yvette Cooper) regarding for their choice of Party Leader, as it has been said by prospective candidate Andy Burnham that more than 500 Labour councillors risk losing their seats in next year’s local elections if Jeremy Corbyn becomes their ultra-left wing leader.

The rest of our councillors have got until next Saturday to tell us their preferences and explain their reason of choice, but seeing as they've had months to tell us, they have chosen to embrace silence.

It appears that as a dominant Labour controlled council they are not interest in addressing any sensible questions regarding the boroughs future should the newly led opposition produce policies like nationalising the railways, controlling rents, introducing a National Education Service, following the NHS model, ending public schools’ charitable status”, nationalising the power companies which will involve printing even money or plucking it from their magic money tree!

We should not be kept in the dark over this!

As long as we pay our council taxes, we have a right to know the views and policy preferences of those who decide where our tax pounds are spent, so that we can then react accordingly.

These councillors must realise it’s time for a political reality check. Apart from themselves; their party supporters and activists, very few people in Tameside have any interest in local politics. I suspect most of think of Tameside councillors as a necessary evil.  All we ask is a bit of honesty and a degree of competence. And not lying too often. No smoke and mirrors. And not treating constituents as if we are all fools.

However, until next week, I expect that we’ll get more news and views about Trainspotting, Local History or from the likes of Kieran Quinn who cannot resist pressing the current populist button, blogging a piece on how Tameside council, are acting with others to find a lasting solution to the Syrian refugee crisis, by advocating taking in large numbers of refugees when Labour never stop complaining (rightly) about our housing shortages.

Something they should and could have sorted out during their 13 years in office!

Mark my words, regardless whoever wins, next