05/06/2026
Sometimes in politics you do get too big for your boots, even at local level, but the public soon bring you back down to earth. I once received a letter addressed to Mr Rob Garnham, Cheltenham Borough Councillor, Gloucestershire County Councillor, Chair of Gloucestershire Police Authority…. and as I continued reading with pride it ended with, and I quote in full…. “Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Cheltenham 2001 (FAILED)”. Me being reminded not to overfill those boots!
Is Andy Burnham getting too big for his boots I wonder? If he wins Makerfield, and only if he wins, he’ll have to resign as Manchester’s Mayor and trigger a Mayoral by-election – at an estimated cost of £4.7million. Does Mr B think he’s of sufficient worth to burden Mancunians with such a high bill, just so he can try and fulfil his personal ambitions and become Prime Minister? Labour’s game playing doesn’t come cheap, does it?
Back when I was a Councillor, I always had one belief when making decisions, especially financial ones, as follows, “am I making this decision for my benefit, for my party’s benefit or for the benefit of the public?”. The right decision was always the last one. Everything a politician does should always be for the benefit, and in the service, of the public.
So when Reform councillors postpone decisions about investing in much-needed water infrastructure whilst they debate their wish to start meetings with the Lord’s Prayer and end with the National Anthem, as in Kent; or when they decide that school bus fares will be increased by 20%, as in North Northamptonshire; or when they consult on closing five Council care homes, as in Lancashire; I do wonder who Reform are actually serving?
A personal plea. Having personally joined ships in the Persian Gulf and passed through the Straits of Hormuz numerous times, I think of the thousands of poor seafarers who have been stuck in those waters since February. President Trump says he controls the Straits, but is he the only person in the world who can’t see that it is Iran still in control? Whilst the news focuses on the war and on trade, please spare a thought for those seafarers stuck on ships that have come under attack, are in unbearable temperatures with supplies running out, and all they want to do is get home to their families. Another unintended consequence of Donald’s doings.
