Leave out party politics and try working together

FIRSTLY, my congratulations to the Echo and its reporter, David Godsall, in bringing the proposed changes with regard to cyclists in the town centre into the public domain. Shows the value of an alert local press.

Clearly, as reported, there were serious hitches in communication between the borough and county. And in his public announcements, Coun Max Hunt, eager, if not even rejoicing, supports the blame being placed firmly on the borough. Or certainly the Conservatives. Although, of course, he then supported and praised the Conservative cabinet lead member at the county council against the borough Conservatives.

Well, that’s party politics. I guess. borough elections just a year away, county elections three years away

But then I read on. And things get curiouser and curiouser. It seems, as normal procedure, last November county officers briefed the two county division councillors, and asked for their views. One is Coun Ted Parton - Conservative, the other Coun Jewel Miah - Labour leader on the borough council!

While I would never dream of putting words into Coun Parton’s mouth, I do find it very odd there was an apparent, God forbid, breakdown of communication within the Labour Group here in Loughborough. Was Coun Miah not talking to Coun Hunt or briefing him? Why not?

Then bang crash! There came the Echo explosion. And fortunately, Max took up the people’s cause, as many of us did. He issued what was almost an edict - it would not happen, he said. And to the pleasure of many of us from both major parties or none, it looks as if there will be no change, or at least not a free for all for the cyclist, some of whom - not all - weave their way at speed through the crowded market.

Isn’t there a phrase about pots calling kettles black. So if county and borough weren’t communicating clearly - as they weren’t - nor were members of the Labour Party.

Suggestion: stop playing party politics. Try working together. You never know, you might it enjoy it. I’m sure the public would!

Happily ex councillor Peter Lewis