It was local failures that sank the Tories

How fascinating to observe the Tory group leader, Andrew Johnson, pointing the finger of blame, for their dismal performance in our local Borough elections, toward ‘national headwinds’.

Is it not time for him to accept that his previously loyal supporters have rebelled?

The former council had proved themselves more than capable of pressing their own self-destruct button.

For a Conservative stronghold to end up with less seats than the independent resident associations and the Borough First, may well suggest that Conservative support was culled, as a result in the failure to listen to local issues that matter to the borough residents.

Just some of the key concerns were poor financial management over recent years and dubious town centre construction projects. The over development proposed in the BLP. Failure to support the residents’ needs for a broader service at St Mark’s Hospital. Lack of visible authority and leadership resilience by allowing the council’s decision on the Kimber’s Lane waste disposal site to be overturned. All of these early warning signs should have been firmly on the Tory council’s radar. All were under their sphere of influence or control.

Let us hope, as promised, that the new Lib Dem majority will be more inclusive.

There is undoubtedly residual talent in other elected councillors.

Have the courage and commitment to dismiss the old myopic Conservative traits.

Review the proposed overdevelopment of South West Maidenhead.

In particular, focus on, and put a stop to, the unwanted planned destruction of the open green space and mature trees, currently under threat from the golf course proposals.

We have seen in recent years that almost all of the major national political party leaders have wrestled with the legacy of their predecessor’s fallout.

At our Borough level, Andrew Johnson was no exception, but to be ousted by a 22-year-old Lib Dem, and all credit to George Blundell, is surely a clear indication of just how far out of touch the former Conservative dominated council had become on issues of concern to the local electorate.

No matter your political persuasions, perhaps a simple solution to this unresolved dilemma, is to adopt a style of government that is prepared to listens to other elected representatives and the views and requirements of the local community, instead of pursuing hard wired policies based on short sighted party politics.

I shall watch with interest, in the coming months, how our existing MP, should she choose to stand for re-election at the next General Election, will distance herself from

the collective responsibility and failures of the previous Conservative domination of Maidenhead council.

I guess, yet again, the finger of blame will be pointed in another direction.

That’s politics! Nothing is new.

TIM HART Manor Lane Maidenhead