ECHO COMMENT: An election in Tewkesbury that just shouldn't be happening
IS there ever an occasion when democracy has to take a back seat to common sense?
In Tewkesbury, we might just have reached that point.
A by-election is being held for one seat on the town council at a cost of £6,800.
This is a town council that has 15 of its 16 seats already filled. The ward concerned is already represented by five other councillors.
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It would seem that - unless there is a major political debate about to take place that most of the town is unaware of - little will be achieved by a on-off election.
Opponents of the poll argue that someone could be co-opted without any damage to the council’s make-up – it happens regularly elsewhere – but those who have forced the election say voters must be given their say.
Let’s see how many candidates come forward for the Mitton seat – and how many vote. There must be better ways of spending almost £7,000.
Comments
by Shireresident
Monday, January 21 2013, 12:23PM
“Oh yes, leave the whole thing to the old boy, co-opt your bezzie mate brigade. That's not what democracy is about, hardly surprising this wondrous publication is agin it then! All local councils are advised to keep contingency funds for elections and responsible ones do just that so what's the problem? unless some sitting councillors are afraid that whoever gets elected won't tow their unofficial line.”
by QuedgeleyGuy
Monday, January 21 2013, 10:15AM
“Democracy is not perfect but it's a sight better than flouting the rules because something is inconvenient for you.”