Democracy Denied?

The Labour government have announced plans to reorganise local government creating unitary authorities , abolishing District Councils and introducing elected mayors. Details remain sketchy but it seems likely Suffolk would have one council and the mayor could cover both Norfolk and Suffolk.

Liberal Democrats support unitary councils but object to the rushed way it is planned to implement the changes and in particular the plan to cancel county council elections allowing the existing council to oversee the changes.

In recent years the Conservatives have lost control of most District councils in Suffolk but maintain a massive majority on the County Council thanks to the last elections in 2021 taking place immediately after lifting of covid restrictions leading to a “ Boris bounce” in support of the Conservatives.

If we are to make long term changes to the way local government works we believe it is essential a new County Council is elected with a clear mandate to mange that process.

In response to the proposals to steamroller ahead with the proposals Liberal Democrats across Suffolk  have issue the following response to the media

Tory dominated Suffolk County Council have decided to use the Labour Governments rushed devolution proposals as a means of avoiding being held to account at this year’s county elections due to be held in May. 

Although not confirmed, the threat to Suffolks Democratic process is profound, and if successful will leave the same Tory Councillors currently responsible for the mess that is Suffolk County Council with an unstoppable majority, responsible for negotiating the establishment of the new unitary council and mayoral system. Given recent elections and the total loss of control by the Tories of any District or Borough Council in Suffolk the desire for change is obvious. To act in this way then shows both total disregard for Suffolks Democracy but also a total disrespect for our electorate and a clear attempt to game the system for party political advantage. The very least that we the people of Suffolk should expect is that a new council be elected with a true mandate that empowers that council to negotiate on our behalf.

Suffolk Liberal Democrats believe passionately in local democracy and the right of every citizen to be treated equally. Labour’s proposed top-down structures for local government are a clear attempt to subvert local decision-making, undermine communities and place power within the hands of a mayor and a small select group with the denial of the fundamental democratic right to hold your representatives to account for up to three years.

However, Suffolk Lib Dems do not defend our county’s current three-tier system of local government which is fragmented, starved of funding and lain waste by years of incompetent Tory administration. It is time for a rethink. As Liberal Democrats we support Unitary Councils that can work strategically, plan for sustainable growth and infrastructure, bringing administration of public services under the umbrella of one efficient authority, but we also believe that power should be devolved downwards so communities can take decisions about local services and facilities. This means a bigger role for town, parish and community councils.

Labour’s drive for super authorities and mega-mayors, ever larger electoral areas, delaying elections so voters have no say, refusing to consult, is riding rough-shod over the differences between rural and urban communities. This is not localism – it’s Labour saying that Whitehall knows best – a nail in the coffin of local democracy.

Notes to editors

1. The prospect of SCC buying into the Government’s so called devolution package means that County Council elections may be cancelled this year
2. The Government is proposing a Mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk, taking powers away from locally elected Councillors
3. The Government proposes to abolish District Councils, replacing then with unitary Councils to be formed with a preferred  population of 500,000. Doing this in Suffolk appears to suggest Suffolk divided down the middle creating two Unitary areas.
4. The Governments proposals (white paper link) largely ignore the hugely important role of third tier councils (Towns and Parishes); true decentralisation and devolution would offer more opportunities for powers, responsibilities and resources to be passed down to this level (Link to LD policy paper)

Contact: John Shreeve – email john@bigscreenonline.co.uk, mobile 0748332