CEC CABINET OF UNITY

Yesterday, I attended a meeting of Full Council and seconded a motion in favour of establishing a Cabinet of Unity. I would like to share a transcript of my speech, with residents who may not have been able to attend the meeting:

The proposed motion seeks to put people before politics and as such it is deserving of my support.

When I was elected in 2015 on a non-political mandate, I assured residents I would not support any motion that was politically motivated.  I believe this motion is not politically motivated, rather it is essential to restore the confidence of residents in this Council.

At the last elections the residents of Cheshire East elected a majority Conservative administration, but it should be noted that this was a majority, not a totality.  This should, in my view, be reflected in the Chairs of the Council’s Committees and in its Cabinet.

For opposition members, or cross-benchers such as myself, the question is how do we best add value in the current situation? It would be easy just to sit on the sidelines, always ready to offer criticism, not actually being in a position to make difficult decisions or accept responsibility.

Or could we do things differently, perhaps radically so? Could we challenge the leadership to share some of the responsibility that currently sits on their shoulders alone; equally, could they challenge us to share some of that responsibility with them?

A strong leadership, confident in its own abilities, recognises a plurality of views and ideas. It embraces them and becomes stronger itself as a result. Disregarding them, especially for political reasons, makes the Council weaker and does a disservice to the residents we represent.

No political group has a monopoly on talent or ability.  As I look around the chamber I see members opposite me, in front of me, and alongside me.  Politically I may not always agree with them; but, I recognise that their individual skills and abilities could bring valuable experience to the Council.

If we truly want to be a “Residents First” Council as we claim, we have to listen to residents views through their elected members and utilise their skills, talents and abilities. We cannot ever be “Residents First” if our instinct remains “Party First” – one, by definition, has to come second.

This motion represents an important step in the right direction and I am therefore pleased to support it.

Unfortunately, the motion was defeated, with all but two Conservatives voting against.