Some of our bloggers appear to believe they have scored a victory over the council and its proposed library closure plans.
Not so I’m afraid. In fact you are reacting precisely as expected by those who presume to dictate our fate (and here, with a certain air of smugness, I refer you to my ‘The Reign Of Prince Charming‘ piece, bottom paragraph, dated 30th January this year).
The plain truth is that I believe our masters always intended to ‘listen to the protests’ and to delay the closures. For two reasons.
First up
One, announcing some unpopular measures and then delaying its implentation is a standard political ploy. So that when the fatal day does arrive – as it inevitably will – all but a determined few will have gone on to get indignant over the next infuriating matter. And the closures will be effected with no more than a subdued whimper; bottom of an inside page of the County Press perhaps.
Secondly
Two, the defunct library buildings will have to be disposed of (And I bet feelers along these lines are already out there). But until they are they have to be kept in a respectable decorative condition.
Which means keeping the heating on for at least part of each week and opening the windows on a regular basis.
So why not appear to demonstrate to us lesser mortals that councillors do pay heed to what we have to say by letting the libraries function for – say – three days a week?
Until the sale or let is signed and sealed and the builders are ready to move in.
