LondonSays

A new initiative, the Campaign for Better Politics is being launched, which LondonSays is happy to support.  One of its founder members writes for Londonsays.

FED up of poor decisions being made wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money every day?

Fed up of corruption and behind-the-scenes deals bypassing democracy and accountability?

Are you angry at the perceived dominance of idiocy within central and local government where ethics and common sense appear to have gone out of the window?

If you have answered yes to any of those questions, then why not get involved with a new campaign to make government more transparent, open, democratic and value for money. We want better politics – that is the aim of the campaign.

And we are appealing to Londoners who want to get involved and make a difference.

Our capital is the heartbeat of Britain and in these difficult economic times we need to ensure that those in power are making the right choices.

And we must keep a close eye if they are not and highlight poor practice.

That said, we will also applaud good decisions and government as we should, so others can learn from them and go forward.

London has a population of 7.5 million and is the headquarters of more than half of the UK’s top 100 companies.

Apart from being a financial hub, it also leads the way in culture, the arts, politics, fashion and the media.

It brings in billions of pounds in tourism and is a major player on the world stage.

Yet, we see so much waste and corruption and opportunities thrown away in a capital which could be achieving much, much more than it does.

Stories about high levels of crime, poor housing, pathetic child protection, social cohesion problem and drug abuse are forever splashed across London’s front pages.

While, we also read of London councils failing spectacularly in their basic duties to govern and provide basic services. We’ve all seen recently seen sad stories such as in Haringey where Baby P tragically died despite dozens of visits by child protection officers and the Hackney headteachers sent on jollies to Arizona costing thousands while schools fail at home.

This new campaign wants to carry on highlighting issues like this to raise public awareness of the stupidity and waste within government, which so often goes, unnoticed and even, unreported, for whatever reasons.

If no-one else will mention it, we will. Enough it enough.

Millions and billions are spent on government and the public sector and it’s time we got our money’s worth.

And we want to have a say on how things happen and work.

We have noticed how council chief executives across the country earn up to 200k while residents struggle to find food for the table – this is not good enough.

We have seen officers and directors make key decisions – the wrong ones – without publicity or even telling leading councillors about them leading severe problems. This must not happen.

In Lancashire, officers failed to tell decision-makers about failings in its fostering service and children suffered as a result.

We are looking to start with a wide remit with the ultimate aim of concentrating on an issue or series of areas which need highlighting as part of a series of mini-campaigns.

If you believe you can help then please get in touch and spread the word.

This movement starts here and starts now.

A new politics is emerging in Britain based on action and community involvement – and the internet gives us these tools.

It’s time that those in cushy public sector positions were given a scare.

It’s time to root out the time wasters and make a change.

Please get in touch and let’s get to work! We are watching every move.

For more information, please visit www.betterpol.com