Whoever gets in power, people should come first, politics second

BY the time you read this, it’s quite likely we’ll know who will be the MPs representing us for the next five years (or until a Prime Minister next calls an election).

The polls published by organisations such as YouGov made quite definite predictions about Bury North, Rossendale and Darwen, and Hyndburn, which includes Haslingden.

There are so many variables as this election, however. Will people who don’t traditionally vote turn out again as they did in the EU referendum and how will they vote? What of the younger generation, widely portrayed to be fanatical about Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party. Will that have made a difference here? UKIP aren’t standing in Rossendale and Darwen this time, so where does their vote go – back to Labour or does it shore up the Tory majority? What of the Greens and Lib Dems, both parties which attract remarkable loyalty amongst members, but very much on the fringes of politics around here at the moment.

Will people vote for the leader rather than the candidate? Jeremy Corbyn has been absent from a lot of Labour literature around here, but Tory Jake Berry is clearly very proud of his photo shaking Theresa May’s hand, because it’s had prominent billing in at least two of his leaflets.

Will people have voted on local issues, and if they have, is that a handicap or advantage for Rossendale and Darwen Labour candidate Alyson Barnes, who is also the leader of Rossendale Council?

The truth is we’ll never know.

You cast your vote anonymously and unless you tell people how you voted and why, only you know the answer, and that’s how it should be.

Nationally, it feels like quite a bitter campaign between the main two parties has been fought in recent weeks, but locally, quite different. In some ways, regular hostilities between the two main parties here in Rossendale seem to have been suspended during the campaign.

Any chance of them remaining suspended once Rossendale Council’s ruling cabinet start making decisions again, and Lancashire County Council, under Tory control now, kicks into life?

I hope so, and here’s why. Regardless of who wins the general election, this area struggles to have its voice heard in Westminster. And with Metro Mayors now in place in big urban areas, such as Greater Manchester, the chances of our voice being heard reduces further.

Greater Manchester can, in theory, speak with one voice to Westminister now. That’s a very powerful mandate and voice that Andy Burnham has. Rossendale has struggled in comparison.

There’s precious little sign of Lancashire getting a similar sort of devolved deal from Government any time soon, and County Hall has a poor track record when it comes to even remembering Rossendale, let alone ensuring it’s voice is head.

But there have been victories. Rossendale Council and Jake Berry worked together to fight for a reduction on house building in the area – and won. There are many more of these issues in the pipeline.

Regardless of who wins, it’s highly unlikely our councils will have enough money to keep delivering the services we expect. We need a unite political voice to ensure we get our share.Fracking could become a major issue. Funding for transport infrastructure. NHS services need support – and we need to make sure they remain local. The list is endless.

Politics will always involve arguments and disagreements. But my wish from this general election is for a greater focus on the common ground our politicians share, and a determination to work more closely together.

People first, politics second.