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By Councillor John Ward
How many times have we all been taken in by the most reasonable of voices, the most charming of people, and the most disarming of spiels?
Yes, I perceive hands going up all over the place as people read this!
We’ve all had it done to us, and usually many times. It is really disheartening to know that so much of what is soft-sold to us, whether a product, service, religious cult or political ideology, is in fact nothing like that in reality.
What do you do? The natural tendency is to become cynical and distrust anyone with a persuasive argument to put. This, though, is throwing out the baby with the bathwater, as they say.
No! We all need to be much sharper in our dealings with the all-pervasive sales patter, wherever it originates — not automatically rejecting everything (which would be pointless) but being far more selective without giving up completely. There is good stuff out there, even including political stuff, as this old cynic found out first-hand after disillusionment with my previous preferred political party.
Don’t get me wrong: the Liberal Democrats in my previous home area were generally very good, and I had high regard for them. I hope they are still maintaining those worthy standards, though I do realise that the party has deteriorated as a whole, which is a great shame.
Meanwhile, I have had to steer a very careful course through the mire of political misinformation that tends to come from some directions, however well dressed-up it appears to be. There is a lot of that about, by the way, and I suspect it pervades all parties in particular locaties from time to time.
Here in Medway, it is the Labour party who are by far the worst offenders, and it is disappointing that not only are they expert in making themselves look credible and believable, but also there are still so many people in this general area who are easily taken in that it simply encourages them to do more of the same.
Anyone making even a modest effort would soon see through almost everything the Labour Party in Medway ever puts about — but so few ever do! In my ward we have a disproportionate number of seasoned professionals, and they are certainly no-one’s fools! They even start off treating me with suspicion (despite my considerable track record) though once they know me well enough, an unshakeable bond is then established.
If only the majority of Medway residents were at least in the same ball-park category of perceptiveness as my wonderful (but challenging!) electors are in places in my ward that I could list here(!) then the Labour people would have virtually no support. It has been declining over the years as the last several local election results have clearly demonstrated, but the lesson still hasn’t been fully learned.
It needs to be learned!
As for the LibDems: well, they are a mixed bunch, and do at least have the potential to become a useful and valuable force within Medway. They too have the unfortunate habit of misleading people with gloss and easy claims, but I see signs of hope on the distant horizon. Medway does need a credible opposition: it would be healthier than a one-party elected Council.
At the moment there is none, so I for one wish to encourage one to come into being. Just don’t let it be a continuation of the plausible sales pitch of a dishonest outfit, dependent upon a gullible public.
I think we all deserve better than that!
Councillor Ward is one of the 3 Councillors for Rochester South & Horsted Ward on Medway Council – you can view his website here.
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How prophetic can one be!
Yes, I’m responding (briefly) to my post; but it is notable that what has been “engineered” by the Labour Group in respect of the Stirling Centre (reported elsewhere on this site) is a notable example of what I wrote above, just a few days ago.
This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to watch such activities in action and make their own independent assessment. Forewarned is forearmed, as they say…