Sally Allen: D-Day dawns... and it's a crucial one for future of local democracy

On June 6th, thousands will gather to mark the anniversary of the Normandy Landings that took place on that day in 1944.
Often referred to as D-Day, 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the historical event that saw Allied Forces come together to mount a large-scale invasion of Nazi-occupied France. As we all know, the Normandy Landings ultimately became a key plan that saw the course of the Second World War turn in the Allies’ favour.

I have often wondered what the ‘D’ stands for, and on researching it, it was thought that it might mean ‘doom’, ‘debarkation’ and ‘deliverance’. In fact, the ‘D’ in D-Day actually stands for the word “Day” and means the day on which a military operation begins. D-Day has been used for many different operations but is most closely associated with June 6th,1944. The day before D-Day was D-1 and the day after was D+1. It meant that if the date for an operation changed, military staff would not have to alter all the dates in their plan. So, there you have it. But I have another option for you, as I believe that it should be a celebration of Democracy.

For those local councillors who are unfamiliar with the term, ‘democracy’ is a system of government in which power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or through freely elected representatives. The term is derived from the Greek ‘demokratia,’ which was coined in the 5th century BC to denote the political systems of some Greek city-states, notably Athens. This highlights the fact that our ‘freely elected representatives’ should listen to us and take our feelings and thoughts into account and do their best to put the public’s best interests first, and as we pay their wages, you would think that was a given.
You may or may not have read my last column in this newspaper or on my Facebook page, where it was ‘unedited’. Either way, the response has been amazing and your support outstanding and much appreciated. It seems that we all want local councillors with integrity and whose word we can trust. Not much to ask, really.

Anyway, I quite clearly hit a nerve and it is rumoured there is now an effigy of me at the Town Hall with pins being stuck into it on a daily basis! To date, the only negative response to my column that I have received is the following email. I haven’t bothered to correct the obvious typos.

Dear Mrs Gerard
I am writing it you to formally give you notice that your membership of the Conservative Party has been terminated.
This action has been taken after a serious breach of rules under schedule 7 section 3.5 namely your published intention on November 26 2023 to vote for an opposition candidate, and your published support for that party on February 1st 2024.
Since those dates, you have publicly stated your support for other parties against the prospective Conservative Candidate and even your intention to stand as an Independent. Should you wish to challenge this decision, please confirm in writing your intention to present your case within the next 14 days. please acknowledge receipt of this e-mail.

Thanking you in anticipation
Peter Middleton, Deputy Chairman [political], Torbay Conservative Association

Apart from finding it somewhat amusing, I always thought that as we live in a democracy, I could have an open discussion about my views in a free-thinking society. I believe that as a member of the public I have every right to call people out when I believe them to have done something wrong, and in this particular case; bringing the council and Conservative Party into disrepute. Just because I have always been a Tory voter in the past, certainly doesn’t mean that I should, or have to, agree with everything they say and do. Who could possibly have ever thought that by reporting information, which is freely available on Google and YouTube, it could create such a furore. I certainly make no apology for telling the truth.

Ever since I started writing a column in this newspaper over four years ago, I have constantly banged on about my belief that communities would be better off if politics were left at the door and business conducted in an apolitical manner at local level. This reaction from the Conservative Party regarding my musings only endorses the fact that they clearly don’t believe in democracy or free speech. Surely the problem is with themselves and those who have brought the council and the party into disrepute at the last council meeting. Importantly, if there hadn’t been such bad behaviour, I wouldn’t have been able to write about it – would I?

Without debate we can’t make progress. Words which have always touched my heart and sum up what I believe in, were written by Martin Niemöller, a German theologian and Lutheran pastor. These words to me are a mantra for free speech and should always be kept in mind, especially as we are seemingly progressing into choppy waters around the world yet again.

First, they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me.

Wouldn’t it be a good idea if everyone tried to strive and reach for a higher standard, particularly if you represent the public.
Apart from celebrating the 80th anniversary of D-Day on 6th June, don’t forget that we have our own local D-Day on the same day, when we can hopefully take the opportunity to celebrate democracy. Those of us who live in Wellswood will have the opportunity to vote for a new councillor to represent the ward. I will certainly vote for the person who I believe has the ability and integrity to stand-up for the community against bullies and all the undoubted brickbats that will come their way in the course of their work. It is never easy when you put your head above the parapet.

The national election, taking place on 4th July (Independence Day – perhaps another coincidence!) in contrast to local happenings, is all about political parties, but on D-Day it is all about the best person to represent Wellswood, the community and the town on the local stage. Just for the record, I will not ever vote for Starmer, so probably I will be in for another excommunication of some sort!