Thursday 28th March, 2024
After a little bit of searching and a few false leads, here we have…
*drum roll*
The Colchester LibDems manifesto for the 2024 local elections in May.
Oh joy. We spoil you.
As a reminder: the LibDems currently have 16 seats.
Sir Keir Starmer shat his pants last year over the word ‘coalition.’ The local LibDems thought BALLS to this as they waited around for their Labour pals to join them.
They went solo and formed a minority administration, backed up with ‘support’ from the Labour Group. Just don’t tell Sir Keir about it, OK?
Seventeen seats are up for grabs in May. The LibDems will be hopeful of at least maintaining their current base. A few seats may – or may not – change hands.
Either way, it looks unlikely that either the LibDems or Labour will have enough lead in their pencil to go it alone.
…aka anyone but the Tory Bogeyman.
And so what is there of interest in the current LibDem manifesto to tempt the electorate to stick with the wishy washy middle ground?
Not a lot, tbh.
Much like the Labour manifesto, it’s full of sensible ideas that you find hard to disagree with.
There’s also little in there to excite you.
Local politics is never about shitting the bed, especially in Colchester.
The manifesto of sorts reads more like a shopping list. It fails to trouble two sides of A4.
The Fit for the Future CCC mantra is lifted:
“Balancing the books and changing what we do to keep essential services running. Living within our means but still investing in our future and delivering what matters most well.”
This means absolutely CHUFF ALL in real terms.
Tell It Like It Is, etc.
There’s vague talk of:
“Continuing to help those struggling or at risk of homelessness. Tackling crime and ASB.”
But no detail or figures.
Support for Jumbo, the Castle, the BID and the New Town Down are all name checked. Bringing ‘vibrancy’ to the city is mentioned.
Some manifesto pledges remain just that.
It gets a little more lively when it comes to transport:
“Opposed to ULEZ for Colchester. Committed to a new bus station and transport interchange and better public transport.”
Hang on. A new bus station?
Bring it on.
But once again there is no explanation as to how this will happen, where it will be and who will pay for it.
Tackling the flooding at the Hythe is highlighted. It makes you wonder why the LibDems haven’t done anything about this sooner.
There was talk of S106 funding from a developer wanting to build yet more student accommodation down by the Muddy Banks coughing up for pump. That’s all gone rather quiet.
The heading ‘Integrity’ led us to a slight snigger:
“Our commitment to act on what matters and tell the public the truth.”
The LibDem Cabinet is currently led by Cllr Dave King. He was a Trustee at the charity Community 360 when a £200,000 loan was agreed for the charity’s Chief Executive.
Cllr King told Cabinet earlier this month that he didn’t recall the decision that was made two years ago.
Integrity…
We’ll leave it with the sign off:
“We will live our values. To welcome new residents, whatever their background or needs. To welcome difference and diversity.”
This should be a given for any administration. It’s good to see it as a policy commitment, whatever form it might take.
Anyone seen the Tory manifesto yet?
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