Let’s leave Punch and Judy politics behind

I am writing in response to a number of reports regarding my conduct at the most recent full council meeting (June 23), particularly the use of ‘closure motions’.

It is unusual for a chief whip to pen a letter, but I thought it would be in the interest of transparency, good-quality public debate and to clarify the record.

For context, there was a packed full council agenda and there was critical business to get through.

Full council is the most important decision-making body within the council and ensuring business is completed in a timely fashion, with colleagues able to give their full attention, is important.

Given the pace we were proceeding at on the night, it became increasingly concerning that important decisions would not have been taken until 1 or 2am, some 6-7 hours after the meeting began.

I am sure you will all agree these are not optimal conditions for good decision making.

In addition, councillors are not machines; many have families, full-time jobs, medical conditions, caring duties and other responsibilities during the day.

Indeed, I do recall opposition colleagues asking when the meeting would finish for these very reasons.

We found ourselves in this position because the opposition tabled a number of amendments that were not previously shared with colleagues in advance of the meeting. Whilst the amendments as worded were not acceptable, we did accept that they could be revisited in detail at a future meeting of the constitutional subcommittee. Instead of accepting this offer to discuss the matter further outside of full council, the opposition requested each of the amendments to be debated.

This was a pity and resulted in the tabling of closure motions to ensure key items of business were debated and voted upon.

In relation to the Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury Neighbourhood Plan item, where a closure motion was also tabled, I was not aware that the Cllr Larcombe had indicated he wished to speak.

I have since publicly apologised for this and of course welcome his comments on this important local issue.

As councillors of the Royal Borough, we need to ensure we hold ourselves to the highest standards and, whilst I appreciate the closure motions were frustrating for some opposition colleagues, it is important we avoid angry outbursts and work together constructively to overcome disagreements.

I was shocked to hear one of my opposition colleagues tell the Mayor to ‘go to hell’ – this was deeply unprofessional and I do hope a public apology will be made soon. Moving forward, I hope opposition colleagues will choose to work with us when bringing forward amendments and in the spirit of collaboration we will always listen and discuss constructively.

We need to clean up our politics and ensure we all remain respectful and uphold high professional standards.

Let us put the grandstanding and petty, political point scoring to one side and do away with ‘Punch and Judy’ politics.

Cllr GURPREET BHANGRA

Chief Whip Conservative councillor for Boyn Hild