“A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything.” Friedrich Nietzsche
In 2012 mayoral referendums took place in ten cities on whether to change the council leadership model to have a directly elected mayor. Only one city, Bristol, voted in favour; the other cities included Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield.
Voter turnout in West Yorkshire ranged from 35% in Bradford to 28% in Wakefield so it would be hard to claim this concept had set pulses racing. All three cities rejected the imposition of another publicly funded layer of mediocrity.
In 2021 there will be an election for the new West Yorkshire Mayor but we never had any say here; they call it devolution. The Government and the unelected, self-serving quango West Yorkshire Combined Authority agreed a deal for £38m a year for 30 years paid into the West Yorkshire Investment Fund with significant freedoms to spend on local priorities.
It may sound a lot of money but it is less than £20 per head of population and only around 10% of Bradford Council’s annual budget. Put further in context: In 2018/19, transport spending in London was £903 per head, in Yorkshire it was £276. (www.statista.com)
What a transformative deal! And now the race is on to become the new Mayor, a bit like becoming the Sheriff of Dodge City with a water pistol. Inevitably, Hapless Hinchcliffe, has thrown her hat in the ring. If the Labour Party cannot find a better candidate, woe betide us.
I watched her campaign video, sent to me to ruin my Sunday night by a reader – you know who you are. You can watch it here if you can stomach it – The Courage to Dream, The Experience to Deliver. Whoever dreamed this one up must have been on some local pharmaceuticals.
Deliver what? Bradford was bad enough led by a middle-aged bloke sporting earrings but since her coup in 2016, we have become a city that is pitied and generally ignored. She feels “obliged” to stand – by who?
There are various testimonials including my local MP, Hotair Hussain; her neighbour says she’s very nice too. Tellingly, there is not one contribution from a local business leader. It gets barely 50 likes on Twitter from a city of over half a million.
Laughably she talks about the need for housing and yet heads a council that has been led a merry dance by the big developers. So much for her true “socialist” principles when so many new builds are beyond the dreams of her faithful sat on once green fields so claims to love.
“A cleaner and greener economy” conveniently ignores the new Aire Valley incinerator proposals located in Tory Valley.
For now she is simply in contention for the Labour Party nomination; it surely could not happen, could it?
Footnote
Of the numerous comments attached to this article there was one in support.
One Foot In The Grave
Most days, as part of my high-energy start, I wander down to collect my daily dose of Middle England via The Yorkshire Post. Throw in a furry, yapping shit-machine and I will have the complete One Foot look.
Mystifyingly, every morning – mid-morning to be precise – there are numerous kids out on the streets from the local school. I’m told they are Sixth Formers and by the various designer outfits on show this appears so. But what are they doing?
Yes we had free periods too but we put these to good use stealing coffee or sneaking down to the gym or the odd game of darts. Now this lot just wander the streets listlessly, strutting their take on the notion of a school uniform. I had to make a pair of cords last till summer.
Come summer expect the annual whoops as Courtney and Kalon rejoice with fifteen A***. I don’t believe it!!!
The Blame Game
Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, apparently praised Bradford’s leaders last Monday which led to incredulity here. If he referred to Professor John Wright, Director of Research for the City of Bradford, he is on the money. This guy speaks with authority and knowledge.
If he referred to our invisible CEO and clueless Council leader he is as deluded as they are. Bradford’s numbers have not exploded like other cities largely because they have been consistently high.
Equally, cities like Liverpool and Manchester’s rates have been driven by their dynamic night time economies; Bradford simply does not have one. So our rates remain stubbornly high in the same old areas albeit there are now upticks in many outlying areas too.
As for the new Tier 2 regulations in Bradford. I can still go to the pub but not to meet anybody but my family. I thought about asking my elderly parents if they would come sit with me in The Scruffy all weekend just so I could get my fill.
Then I thought if I just go in and sit there alone, I cannot claim to have gone to meet anybody? It would be just like the good old days – perfect! Thank you Boris!
The guidance gives the impression of being made on the hoof. The Labour Party have nothing sensible to offer either preferring to whine at the sidelines for the money Boris is shovelling to his mates instead of theirs. Meanwhile, we all cop it; this is going to be a long winter.
M.T.Leahy says
Oh dear, you have joined the 21st century lot using that new language we oldies dread.
Please explain “ uptick “ as a substitute for plain
English language ?
Yours,