The candidates spoke

A neighbourhood meeting

Our neighbourhood association organised a Zoom meeting this evening, so that members could talk to our candidates for Local Government Elections - which will happen next Monday. I think it went well, although some initial “technical hitches” put some people off. Still, once we got going, the two candidates had a lot to say. We managed to squeeze our questions in.

They both did well, I can honestly say. I hear many complaints about poor representation in local government, with people saying they don’t even know who has been representing them, and who is vying to do so this time around. There is no doubt that the standard of local government has been pretty low, in general. By “standard” I mean that it is, perhaps, all too much partisan bickering, and on-the-ground issues are not addressed...Unless, of course, there is a huge landslide and houses are swept away; or blocked drains cause flooding (which happened on our street not long ago); or some other “natural” disaster. Then the councillors jump up, quite often to defend themselves against finger-pointing. You may see them on television, but it is usually far from enlightening. They just put their best face on things, convincing no one.

Having said that, my relatively comfortable neighbourhood is fortunate, in that many of us are familiar with both our candidates. They attend our association meetings, along with the Member of Parliament. The incumbent is a competent woman who knows the ropes, and the daughter of the late former Member of Parliament for this area (although she has “crossed the aisle” to another party). Her challenger is a young man, a newcomer to politics, who is keen to make his mark. They are an interesting juxtaposition, and I think they are both pretty good. And at least we know them.

Enough about politics. Today was warm and breezy, so I put all the washing on the line.