Cllr Isaac Igwe is the newly elected representative for Strood South Ward who was guest writer for YourMedway
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Now the new council is in place, the residents of Medway - including my humble self - are hoping the Conservative controlled council will come up with strategic policies that will see Medway advance in all spheres of economic, education and social development. The need to demonstrate measurable achievements is even greater at this point in time, as the council is pushing for city status.
It will be recalled that this time last year the Conservatives were moving with the speed of a hungry lion in pursuit of a prey in carrying out the mass closures and forced mergers of primary schools without proper consultation with stakeholders. Although some of the schools were eventually closed - at a huge cost, that in some cases exceeded the amount needed to save them - others were saved by the effort of Labour councillors, who raised armies of community campaigners, comprising men and women from all walks of life and children to oppose the cuts.
Until the end of the last financial year we enjoyed various development and regeneration projects, that saw the development of the four universities in Medway, the construction of several affordable housing sites, the Olympic fever felt in Medway with the transformation of the former Black Lion Leisure Centre to a training ground for the Olympians including the expansion of some roads. All of these schemes were funded and supported by Labour, despite claims and counter claims from Conservatives who refused to acknowledge this; still the evidence remains that the past Labour government singularly promoted the development and prosperity of Medway.
Under David Cameron’s government, the Conservatives dwell on criticising the past Labour government at every turn, instead of taking responsibility for supporting our fragile economy, that was damaged largely by a global financial crisis, not Labour’s spending. The Government is taking a reckless path of swingeing cuts, which are already raising concern from organisations such as the OECD and leading economists. With growth struggling, inflation rising, unemployment soaring and vital services struggling to stay afloat; the economic policy of the government is dangerous and misguided. The behaviour of the central government has trickled down to the Tory portfolio holders in Medway who are quick to find excuses when confronted with issues that hinge on social development. They have become obsessed with cuts, to the extent that no-one would be surprised if a pair of scissors eventually emerged as the Conservative party’s new logo.
My concern about the ability of the Conservative administration in Medway to lead the Council at this time of austerity measures is based on the events I witnessed during the proceedings of last full council meeting, which marked my first attendance as an elected councillor. In the meeting the leader of the Labour group Cllr Paul Godwin raised a motion that referenced a historical agreement reached among all political groups that the mayoral position will not be politicised, rather it should be rotated among the political groups. I gathered from his analysis that it was the turn of the Labour group to appoint a mayor when Cllr David Brake was appointed last year, yet at the start of this council period Cllr Ted Baker was elected as the new mayor, defeating Labour nominee Cllr Nick Bowler in a manner that presents the Tories like pupils acting out an over-rehearsed school drama in front of their parents. Their actions negated the ideals of the true gentlemen they profess to be at any given opportunity.
I was unimpressed by the swiftness with which the Conservative councillors acted in overriding the motion raised by Cllr Godwin.
My concern as a newly elected councillor is the behaviour the Conservative councillors presented collectively as a group in a minor issue such as mayoral succession will be replicated in more serious issues such as health care for the elderly and children in need, maintenance of our road networks, provision of affordable housing which will see reduction in long waiting lists, adequate funding for schools instead of closures that will impact on the quality of learning for our children
I have a feeling the Conservative group will dwell more on attacking the Labour group and our ideals with the intent to frustrate progressive ideas about community development and cohesion, which we profess continually, and forget about building on the indelible legacies which the past Labour government brought to Medway. In any case, I pledge to play my part in ensuring that the people I represent get a fair deal.
