Now's your chance for a real election

Vic Barlow

March 26, 2008

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MACCLESFIELD Borough is looking for fresh councillors to stand in the May 1st elections for the new East Cheshire Authority. Now’s your chance.

The old two-tier system will soon be defunct and all services will be under the control of one authority (Halleluiah!) so no more buck passing. This will be a real election to a real council with real responsibility.

If you’ve wept with frustration at the weird and wonderful decisions emanating from County Hall or seen a good idea thrashed within an inch of its useful life by MBC, you now have the opportunity to make a difference. This may be the best chance you ever have so do not delay.

If you don’t like party politics stand as an Independent. While we are on the subject can we have ex-councillor Steve Carter back in the fray? The local Labour party has gone into hibernation since he quit. We certainly need Councillor Arnold to get himself re-elected (someone has to speak up for Macclesfield town) and I do believe council leader Wesley Fitzgerald has done a remarkable job in the face of many detractors (including me).

If Hilda Gaddum doesn’t get elected then I’ve lost the plot. She’s stood up for residents time and time again and is not easily placated. Tytherington councillor Murphy will be essential to the mix as he can be relied upon to ask questions no-one else will.

I don’t know if ex-mayor Walter Wright is running but he should.

We need a real farmer to represent rural interests. Recently elected Independent James Nicholas made a promising start, let’s hope he stays. Sylvia Roberts can pack a punch and has to be elected.

Come on. This is an opportunity not to be missed let’s have a real election.

The views expressed on this page are Vic Barlow's and not necessarily those of the Express

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MaccForum.co.uk (26/03/2008 at 13:05)

Perhaps it's time for Mr. Barlow to stand for election, and attempt to actually do something about the things that he thinks are wrong with local government.

Big K (27/03/2008 at 12:02)

Commenting from abroad to be clever, anmd try and be one up. It is blatantly obvious that you do not like Mr. Barlow, and criticise just for the sake of it. Stand for election yourself - oh you can't - dear me.

MaccForum.co.uk (27/03/2008 at 13:52)

Well, well - you decided to take your "Big K" account for a spin this week, eh - will you be giving the other accounts a rest? ;-)

Unlike Mr. Barlow, I have not used a local newspaper column over the years, to criticise local government. He has laid out dozens of "proposals" for "change" in that time. Perhaps it's time for him to put up, or shut up.

T.Eastman, Henbury (27/03/2008 at 18:02)

Many times Local and Central Government need criticising, it is called free speech and democracy. He does also give praise but perhaps you conveniently miss that.

MaccForum.co.uk (28/03/2008 at 14:01)

T. Eastman, you're absolutely right that governments, be they local or national, need to be held to account. This scrutiny is most effective, however, when it is objective and constructive, which perhaps explains why the approach taken in this column over the years has unfortunately had little effect.

Mr. Barlow has had a unique vantage point on these matters over the years; he also substantial name recognition. He now has an opportunity to do the very thing he is now "encouraging" others to do; to stand for election so that he can attempt to make a difference. Would you not vote for him, T. Eastman?

The Satisfied Customer (29/03/2008 at 10:16)

If Vic stood for office it would be a disaster, having already infected the local population with his weekly column he would now be free to harness his media power with political clout and perscute anyone who dares speak out against him - SlinkyWizard watch your back! You'll end up digging ditches in Vics fiefdom, living on the left overs from Mrs B's roasts, held as a prisoner by the BBC (Barlows Briefs Crusaders)

Council Tax Payer (29/03/2008 at 12:38)

I am in total agreement. Vic Barlow does give praise but loon may he comment on the inefficiency and profligacy of the Council, Borough and County. Let us not forget that it is our money in the way of a very high Council Tax which is funding this. If the Council were a super store acting in the way they do, their store would be completely empty with all the customers elsewhere. The Council and their officers have forgotten what their purpose is. In a well repeated phrase, they are not fit for purpose.

Council Tax Payer (31/03/2008 at 13:25)

QUOTE “If Vic stood for office it would be a disaster, having already infected the local population with his weekly column he would now be free to harness his media power with political clout and perscute anyone who dares speak out against him - SlinkyWizard watch your back! You'll end up digging ditches in Vics fiefdom, living on the left overs from Mrs B's roasts, held as a prisoner by the BBC (Barlows Briefs Crusaders)
The Satisfied Customer
29/03/2008 at 10:16 “

What a sad, pathetic comment. It has too much vilification and hatred to be classed as humour. I do not usually comment and the above commenter is a reason why.

slinkywizard, Macclesfield (01/04/2008 at 11:36)

Geez, lighten up mate, there is no hatred in his comment.

Its funny.

Leigh Turner (02/04/2008 at 11:53)

Hatred is funny! ?

pete111 (07/04/2008 at 00:00)

Leigh, he said there was NO hatred in those comments. It was someone else who quite wrongly used the word.

The point stands - why does Vic Barlow not stand for office? He constantly criticises the council - and he even has talked of the desperate need for 'independent' voices.

Why, then, with his strong town base in place (through his column and those who support him) does he not stand?

The Maxonian (07/04/2008 at 18:52)

It is good that he points out the establishment cock ups when it occurs, and long may he continue. Pete, it comes across pretty plainly that you do not like Mr. Barlow, so what. He probably does not like you, but he does not disclose this. This is free country and Mr. Barlow is not under any obligation to stand for office, unless he wanted to.
Perhaps there is some hidden agenda behind your ever caustic comments towards him. If you are so keen, stand for office yourself, and God help Macclesfield.

Leigh Turner (07/04/2008 at 22:40)

Pete111 perhaps you have lower standards. I have had another look and the comments made were certainly not friendly and I believe that the word "Hatred" was fairly used. I think that the word "pathological" could have been included.

pete111 (09/04/2008 at 11:12)

Just seen these last two comments. I have no 'hidden agenda' whatsoever, Maxonian - if a writer in a local paper consistently publishes articles that represent a point of view that is strongly opposed by others, then, in any country that's a democracy, those 'others' have every right to have their voice heard.

To 'oppose' is not to be rude. The rudeness in these columns almost invariably comes from those who support Vic.

And, when these people are proved decisively wrong (think of the correspondence on the Winterton Internet poll), there is never a word of retraction, or apology.

I personally certainly do not 'hate' Vic - indeed, I think he's a good writer. But if he has a column in which he expresses forthright views, then those who oppose those views should stand up and be counted.

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