Hands on Haywood High

May 2008

What senior Labour Party members said
after the drubbing they received at the local elections.

The following are quotes from the Prime Minister responding to Labour's election catastrophe:

"We have lessons to learn".

"My job is to listen ...".

"We will learn the lessons. We will reflect on what has happened".

It is a great pity that the P.M. used the word "listen" and not the word "hear", but it is a start!

These quotes are from Harriet Harman, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, speaking to John Pienaar, BBC Political Editor, on Radio Five, 02/05/08:

"There are things about the running of the Government that the people don't like - they feel left out. Not taken proper account of".

"The whole government must be galvanised to act differently. We recognise that our report card has been marked at a very low level".

"We have to have much more humility".

"We have to be getting out more - not on one-off consultation exercises, but spending regular time talking to people about the way in which they see the impact of Government policy on their lives. We've got to see the people of this country as a great asset, and source of advice and guidance to us – not on a once-off basis, but on a continuing basis".

"People feel the Government's not listening to them - what they elected us for is not actually being done in practice".

So, the senior ranks of the Labour Party has finally recognised some facts that were blatantly obvious to the common man. But have the senior ranks of Stoke-on-Trent City Council recognised the same facts? We fear not. Let us alter some of these quotes slightly:

There are things about the running of the City Council that the people don't like - they feel left out. Not taken proper account of.

The whole council must be galvanised to act differently. We recognise that our report card has been marked at a very low level.

The council has to have much more humility.

We have to be getting out more - not on one-off consultation exercises, but spending regular time talking to people about the way in which they see the impact of Council policy on their lives. We've got to see the people of this City as a great asset, and source of advice and guidance to us – not on a once-off basis, but on a continuing basis.

People feel the City Council's not listening to them - what they elected us for is not actually being done in practice.

Did we hear anything resembling these sentiments from our Elected Mayor or defeated City Councillors?

NO.

They blamed each other and the Government.

No-one took personal responsibility.

The most important phrases taken from the above are probably: "The whole council must be galvanised to act differently" and "The council has to have much more humility".

The Labour Party in Stoke has, first of all, to realise that its massive defeat in the polls was primarily due to local issues, not national failings. The electorate has unequivocally stated that they are not happy with local policies, nor with local politicians who implement policies upon which the electorate has not been properly consulted.

It is to be hoped that both the Elected Mayor and City Councillors will, at least, have learned one simple lesson - if you don't heed your electorate, they will get rid of you.

	May 2008 What senior Labour Party members said after the drubbing they received at the local elections. The following are quotes from the Prime Minister responding to Labour's election catastrophe: "We have lessons to learn". "My job is to listen ...". "We will learn the lessons. We will reflect on what has happened". It is a great pity that the P.M. used the word "listen" and not the word "hear", but it is a start! These quotes are from Harriet Harman, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, speaking to John Pienaar, BBC Political Editor, on Radio Five, 02/05/08: "There are things about the running of the Government that the people don't like - they feel left out. Not taken proper account of". "The whole government must be galvanised to act differently. We recognise that our report card has been marked at a very low level". "We have to have much more humility". "We have to be getting out more - not on one-off consultation exercises, but spending regular time talking to people about the way in which they see the impact of Government policy on their lives. We've got to see the people of this country as a great asset, and source of advice and guidance to us – not on a once-off basis, but on a continuing basis". "People feel the Government's not listening to them - what they elected us for is not actually being done in practice". So, the senior ranks of the Labour Party has finally recognised some facts that were blatantly obvious to the common man. But have the senior ranks of Stoke-on-Trent City Council recognised the same facts? We fear not. Let us alter some of these quotes slightly: There are things about the running of the City Council that the people don't like - they feel left out. Not taken proper account of. The whole council must be galvanised to act differently. We recognise that our report card has been marked at a very low level. The council has to have much more humility. We have to be getting out more - not on one-off consultation exercises, but spending regular time talking to people about the way in which they see the impact of Council policy on their lives. We've got to see the people of this City as a great asset, and source of advice and guidance to us – not on a once-off basis, but on a continuing basis. People feel the City Council's not listening to them - what they elected us for is not actually being done in practice. Did we hear anything resembling these sentiments from our Elected Mayor or defeated City Councillors? NO. They blamed each other and the Government. No-one took personal responsibility. The most important phrases taken from the above are probably: "The whole council must be galvanised to act differently" and "The council has to have much more humility". The Labour Party in Stoke has, first of all, to realise that its massive defeat in the polls was primarily due to local issues, not national failings. The electorate has unequivocally stated that they are not happy with local policies, nor with local politicians who implement policies upon which the electorate has not been properly consulted. It is to be hoped that both the Elected Mayor and City Councillors will, at least, have learned one simple lesson - if you don't heed your electorate, they will get rid of you.	Next meeting of the HoHH Community Group 19th March 2008 3.30 p.m. at the School.