Daft Old Duffer returns. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed
Any differences in the way our new Council acts, or what it does, can only be a matter of guesswork at this stage. But here’s my take, just for something to chew over.
The big event is the removal of council leader David Pugh of course. A leader in my opinion, nowhere near up to the job, who was shoe-horned into the position to serve as a compliant figure head, behind which various personalities, enjoyed carte blanche to do their own thing.
Hence the ‘delegated responsibility’ farce, which allowed free reign to a bunch of dictators all of whom were certain they knew best and therefore tolerated no discussion or dissension.
Mirroring Westminster?
A similar system holds sway in Westminster of course, with the leader of the duly elected party selecting various cronies and favourites to head up the differing ministries.
But there is an important difference. Each minister desiring some change, large or small in his department, has to submit his proposal to his colleagues in cabinet and is powerless to proceed without their approval.
And the Prime Minister can override everything if he or she so decide.
Everything waved through
Unfortunately our ‘prime minister’ possessed, in my view, neither the brains, the experience or the internal fortitude to veto anything. And the rest of the cabinet were content never to interfere just so long as they in turn were left to their own devices.
So can we now expect a refreshing blast of good clean air?
I shouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.
First off, we cannot assume the Independents stood because they opposed the beliefs and rituals of the Conservative party. Indeed, given the over-riding atmosphere of the Island political scene, I’m willing to bet most of them at least breathe much the same air, and are content so to do.
What they opposed were not the tenets of Conservatism, but the way they were applied, or misapplied, on the Wight.
Single majority party?
Will it be the case that the new Council leader will still be an ‘official’ Conservative, as they remain the single majority party?
If so, I believe he will continue with much the same policies, having to tussle and manoeuvre for the necessary majority, but always in the end succeeding.
Plus ça change …
Image: © Used with permission of Allan Marsh
