Listening will be at the heart of all we do, says Opposition Leader

“Everywhere I go in this campaign I hear complaints about the arrogance of this unpopular Council,” said Opposition Leader, Cllr. Nicholas True. “They do not listen.  They claim the right to impose their priorities on the public.  They think the Town Hall knows best.  They think they own the Borough.  They are wrong.  The Borough belongs to the people; and we will put them in control.

“Turning this top-down politics on its head will be our priority.  “Putting People First” will be the theme of our Manifesto.  I make six core commitments:

1)  First, the commitment to ask.  Under our “ALL IN ONE” pledge, in our first year in office we will consult EVERY taxpayer in the Borough directly on what you believe are priorities in your area.  This has never been done before.

2)  Second, the commitment to involve.  We will meet the public directly, not hide behind press releases and Council propaganda.  We will hold Leader’s Question Times and Cabinet days in every ward to consult residents.

3) Third, the commitment to reply.  When the people speak, we will answer.  We will require the Council to respond publicly to public petitions.
    
4) Fourth, the commitment to consult.  Thus, we will pledge a taxpayer-referendum before any inflation-busting tax rise; on Twickenham Riverside, we will implement a community solution, a People’s Riverside, and vest the land in a trust for Twickenham people for ever.

5) Fifth, the commitment to trust.  We will be open.  There will be no cover-ups, like the LibDems cover-up of their planned £15 million cuts.  We will publish Council spending on line so you can see where your money goes.

6)  Sixth, the commitment to serve.  Never again must we see a Council like this one that thinks that, when 93.5% of people say “NO”, they can do what they want regardless.  We are elected to serve the public.  It is their Borough.  It does not belong to Town Hall bosses, however long they have been in power.