The District elections are more important than usual. Their very existence will be determined by the outcome of these elections.
Last week the Government announced Shropshire would have a 12 week formal public consultation about scrapping our District Councils in favour of a single Unitary council for the whole county.
Three out of five Shropshire districts have already held ballots. In Bridgnorth 86% voted against Unitary on on on 47% turnout. In South Shropshire 57% were opposed to Unitary on a 42% turnout. Shrewsbury & Atcham also voted 2:1 against.
While this is powerful evidence of the lack of a "broad cross-section of support" (the Government's own criterion), the formal consultation is deliberately timed to straddle the District Council elections. Local people now have the power to vote for candidates who will reflect their view on Unitary.
Some said people voted "with their hearts rather than their heads". Such arguments are a denial of democracy and should be firmly rejected in the ballot box. If more councillors who oppose Unitary are elected, this costly reorganisation of local government in Shropshire could be stopped.
I have decided not to stand for re-election to the Ludlow town centre ward on SSDC. I have served the District Council for over 5 years, which has been an honour and rewarding experience. As my life as your MP gets busier in Parliament and across the constituency, I am less able to do justice to my role as a councillor.
