Mayor’s statue support could turn civic chain into real comedy gold
HAVE you ever found yourself watching someone walk cheerfully into a disaster of their own making?
I had that feeling this week when I learned of Macclesfield Mayor Sarah Bennet-Wake’s enthusiasm for the seven-meter-high silk bobbin statue proposed for Sparrow Park.
Councillor BennetWake says, “silk related attractions are popular with visitors to Macclesfield of Chinese heritage.”
(I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to push shoulder-to-shoulder through the burgeoning throng of Chinese tourists heading for Poundland).
I’m sure our Mayor is a very nice lady with very good intentions and in normal circumstances I would leave her to it but on this occasion I just can’t. It would be far too cruel.
If, and it’s a big if the Mayor is successful in persuading her fellow councillors to approve this monument it will
Ihaunt her for the rest of her life. I’ve been observing politics in Macclesfield for two decades and I know a disaster when I see one coming.
The problem is councillors confer with councillors, they share the same views and ideas.
What is obvious to the general public is invisible to them.
They can’t help it, they live in a bubble of likeminded individuals.
(David Cameron was shocked to find the majority of the electorate wanted to leave the EU). Had he been listening to voters instead of his own cabinet members he would have known what was coming.)
So, Madam Mayor, consider it my duty to make you aware that this giant 23-foot-tall statue right next to the town hall will attract visitors from all over the world to our door but it won’t be for the reason you anticipate.
When word goes out on the Internet that Macclesfield Town Council have (I’m choosing my words carefully here) put up something resembling a phallic symbol adjacent to the town hall it will be all over social media and TV.
Every comedian and chat show host on the planet will see it as comedy gold.
It won’t reflect well on your chain of office but it will do wonders for tee shirt sales.