Enemies to good friends
We’ll see how fr- enemies do
Writ large in the SNP manifesto is the line “We commit to . . . being inclusive and to work collaboratively with all Councillors whatever their political view”.
Ooooer missus – that’s going to be interesting!
The Nats have just spent five years in a Conservative controlled wilderness – and that’s a long time nursing your wrath.
They could go in with a “what goes around, comes around attitude” – and give their rivals a dose of their own medicine.
And the Tories? Are they going to go brazenly ask for all the political niceties they denied their opposition?
Then, what about Labour? Can they be genuine friends to their rivals of just two weeks ago?
Or real rivals to the Tories they’ve propped up for the last five years?
The jury’s out on all the above. The only common denominator among ALL the councillors is their pledge to work in the best interests of South Ayrshire.
And if convener Douglas Campbell can harness and exploit that fact – then he’ll get off to a flying start.
Something has to change at South Ayrshire – and it has to be more than a reshuffle on the council benches.
The public now expect inclusion, consultation and engagement.
The want big decisions made in open debate – not over tea and buns in a committee room by a ‘ leadership panel’.
Yes, they want good schools, good hospitals, better roads, more amenities and social care for those who need it.
But, for starters, they’d mostly like their civic pride back.
A community we can all be part of . . . and all be proud of.
Can the class of 2017 deliver it?
We’re all waiting . . . and we’ll all be watching . . .