‘We won’t be holding back in our fight to deliver change’

Fresh off the back of securing two city seats at the KCC elections, Canterbury’s Labour group voted in a new leader, Dave Wilson. Here he sets out his vision for taking on the ruling Conservative group and highlights the issues he claims the Tories get ‘b

You may think that there is something very odd about anyone who gets excited about local government. We’re a minority of people, quite clearly. Those who not only join a political party but then stand for election are an even smaller group. Those who are successfully elected to council are a very tiny but privileged set: just 39 people from our district’s whole population.

When I moved to Canterbury nine years ago, I had no intention of being one of them. But, in the first month here, I picked up the Gazette to find out what was happening locally. And I read the story about the Westgate Towers traffic scheme trial, which seemed crazy. So I went along to a public meeting, and then to a council meeting. What I saw was a display of arrogance from the Tories which, frankly, enraged me.

I’d been a Labour activist for almost 30 years, and dropped that to concentrate on my career. But now I find myself leading the Labour Group of councillors here. Fortunately, I have some relevant experience as well as the rage, including local government jobs in Aberdeen and Hull, a role in a charity in London, rising to managing director of a small international consultancy. It might not be an obvious political career, but here I am, thanks to the support of my nine Labour council colleagues and the voters of Barton Ward.

You may ask what can a minority opposition party really does to help the people of Canterbury? Essentially, there are three things that are key: support and protect residents; try to influence and, where we can, change decisions for the better; and hold the Tory ruling group to account. That requires a delicate mix of criticising when we think the

Tories have got things wrong, while trying to persuade them to see the merits of our ideas. It means putting forward viable alternatives, something which is not easy in a council which has had so much of its budget cut while being so intent on making unwise major investments. Nonetheless, we can have an impact, as we did with the Climate Change Emergency and bringing forward the target date for a “zero-carbon council” to 2030.

One thing that’s not helpful in this is to demonise Tory councillors. I sincerely believe that every councillor stands for election because they want to improve the lives of residents. However, we can’t hide from the fact that our views on how to achieve that are radically different. If I can crudely summarise the Tory perspective it is that private enterprise alone can solve most problems and that local and central government should interfere as little as possible and thus should have as small a role (and budget) as possible. Not only do I disagree strongly, but I think there is ample evidence to show this theory is wrong. By contrast, Labour generally believes in applying a mixed solution. Certainly, allow the private sector to do things where it is clearly better – which may mean cheaper, or more innovative, or more flexible – but create a foundation through public, shared, provision of infrastructure and core services – like the NHS - which ensures equal opportunity for everyone. So far as local government is concerned, we believe that it has a crucial role in creating the conditions for small, local, businesses to grow. In particular, we support worker-owned businesses and enterprise which keeps the money which residents spend within the district, rather than it being diverted to faceless corporations via tax havens. As an example, look at the St George’s Street market. Whether the market should be enhanced or redesigned is an important issue, but in principle Labour don’t want to see something removed which is well used by residents, is predominantly an outlet for local traders and produce, and which generates footfall in the city. While we welcome upgrading the appearance of the street, the proposed design prevents market stalls being set up.we think you can have both a