Sally Allen: Unedifying stuff as Tories bring local politics into disrepute

I would like to point out before you read this that I have been a lifelong Tory supporter and voter, but never again in local politics. The Conservative councillors have, in my view, brought the local political machine into disrepute. As far as the national political scene is concerned, I have yet to make up my mind, but it is a very concerning time for us all, and never before has our vote been more important nationally or locally. Crucially, if you are local and you live in Wellswood, how you vote will be critical in the next few weeks if we are to retain any semblance of democracy in Torbay.

I have just finished watching on YouTube the most unedifying spectacle of our Council at work. I am not even sure if there are enough adjectives to describe the behaviour on display in what was a truly poisonous environment. It was a master class in manipulating a suspect system to gain advantage. I kid you not, it was a disgrace, and the Conservative councillors should all hang their heads in shame.

I have long believed that tribal politics has no place in local government, and if ever there was an example of how right my view is, take a look on YouTube and you will see back and chest stabbing similar to the demise of Julius Ceasar. Caesar, as we all know, was assassinated by a group of senators on the Ides of March (15 March) in 44 BC during a meeting of the Senate at the Curia of Pompey of the Theatre of Pompey in Rome where the senators stabbed Caesar 23 times. On 16th May at the Riviera Centre in Torquay, poor Lib Dem Councillor, Swithin Long took 17 swipes against him, but at least he retained his honour and integrity. Not something I could say for the Tory councillors who did him in.

The current CIVIC mayor, is Councillor Mark Spacagna, and I put the words civic in capitals because it is meant to be a civic appointment, and so by definition surely that should mean that the mayor can’t, or shouldn’t vote in a debate. I thought it was meant to be a purely ceremonial and non-executive role now that the public can’t vote democratically for the new incumbent. Well, I am obviously wrong because in Torquay the mayor gets the casting vote. This suited the Conservatives perfectly last Thursday, because it meant that they could renege on their agreement for Councillor Swithin Long to take over as mayor at the meeting. This is such an important issue because he had been nominated last February and David Thomas, the leader of the Council, had even supported that nomination.

So why the about face? Shockingly it is quite simply the terrible and untimely death of Patrick Joyce which has brought out the long knives to assist the Tory’s desperation for a power grab.At the very last minute in the meeting, David Thomas announced a last-minute motion that the meeting should be immediately adjourned and moved to 20th June. A convenient date as it is just after the Wellswood by-election, where they hope to be triumphant. This would be a travesty. On this point, Thomas refused any debate. So, as the vote was called, the Independents and Lib Dems walked out as it was pointless to vote (as the Conservative mayor had the casting vote); and the few members of the public who were present, and who had the temerity to call out ‘disgrace’ amongst other comments, were asked to leave!

The clear egotistic ambition and self-interest on display was palpable and there was zero interest in what should be the councillors main objective; namely the welfare of the residents of Torbay, plus maybe a nod to democracy. Not on your life.

This blatant and unseemly breakneck dash to grab the balance of power for their cabal by taking advantage of the passing of dear Patrick is beyond my understanding. It is disgraceful and disrespectful. So, this means that everything now rests on the Wellswood by-election.

The obsession with gaining that extra vote, and with it the balance of power, means that the streets of Wellswood will be packed with people canvassing for votes. The stakes are high, and no doubt promises will be made, and broken. I sincerely wish that we could return to having a democratically elected mayor, as I strongly believe that it is the fairest way to manage a Council. It should always be an apolitical role with no self-interest other than doing the best you can for the people you represent.

So, if you live in Wellswood, please check out the character of the candidate before casting your vote. Please don’t vote for a political party just because you always have, it will not be in your interests or that of the town. Personally, I am going to vote for Peter Fenton who was born and raised here and has integrity together with extensive proven experience in business management