Last night I attended a meeting with a group of people from outside politics who are interested in producing fundamental changes in the way politics is conducted in Liverpool. They asked me to put some thoughts together about how our politics should be conducted and I was pleased to help because as regular readers of my blog will be aware I think politics here and indeed in the Country as a whole, is at a low ebb.
Here are my draft thoughts about the principles by which we should conduct ourselves and behave towards each other and towards the people of Liverpool and beyond. I really would like to know what you think and to receive your suggestions how we might engage more and more people with a discussion on improving political life and actions in the city.
As ever I can be contacted with comments on this blog; on my face book page or directly by e-mailing me at Richardkemp68@yahoo.co.uk
Over to you!
DRAFT Principles for Public Life in Liverpool
1. Elected members at any level should be polite and courteous to residents and anyone who has an interest in the wellbeing of our city
2. Councillors should be open, honest and transparent about their activities both in their wards and in the city as a whole
3. Councillors should ensure that the council is open and transparent about its dealings and minimises the amount of information it does not disclose.
4. Councillors should be available to meet their residents or people who may have an interest in any portfolio they hold by face to face meetings or by electronic media where appropriate.
5. Councillors and the Mayor should treat each other with respect recognising that all of them have been placed in office by the people of Liverpool.
6. Involving local people, businesses and organisations in decisions which affect localities and the City as a whole before those decisions are made should be the basis of a mature set of relationships in the city.
7. The public, businesses and communities should play a major role in scrutinising decisions of the Council with the scrutiny (select) committees being expanded to include relevant outside bodies.
8. When considering the future of any assets in the City the council should consider whether none-profit making bodies could take them over to meet wider aims of the council and community with sale or take over by the profit making private sector being the last priority.
9. Long standing green spaces should not be sold off or transferred for development unless there are specific circumstances which would prejudice a development if that sale or transfer was not effected. In such cases they would only be allowed if a nearby piece of land of equivalent size and amenity value were made available instead.
10. The Council should regularly review its long term-aims for the long-term future of the city and involve residents, businesses and partners in the development of long-term plans for the city.
But what does Richard Kemp think? 
Anything that addresses the principle that people are so disenfranchised in politics can only lead to a positive outcome and a better way of working as a whole
VG but doesn’t mean they’ll carry out our aims. Internet age means referendums can be held for all major decisions
The Elected guarantee to follow the referendum results or disclose why not and re-referendum for new direction.
If the prospective candidates can’t guarantee this prior to the election, they don’t get our votes. People Politics in action.
The Elected then produce strategic ‘milestones’ so they AND WE can follow the direction + progress of the decisions
Our city’s future has nothing to do with Party Politics. It has everything to do with People Politics + transparency.
So, who will be the 1st prospective candidate to accept this is the way forward and become the next Mayor.
People Politics NOT Party Politics