In my last column, I wrote about giving power to the people to shape public services. This can only work with public participation.

Local people contact me regularly on the issues they care about, ranging from international affairs and national campaigns on bees and badgers to local planning. It’s a sign of just how much state power impacts on our lives.

One area where we are thoroughly dependent on the state and where it disappoints us all too often is healthcare. Living in West Wycombe, my wife and I are well aware of local opinion on Wycombe Hospital and people’s ferocious desire to see better urgent care services here.

But frankly, I’m frustrated.

Time and time again, people tell me how crucial health provision is but when there is the opportunity to participate in a public meeting, such as the one held the other week by local GPs, hardly anyone attends.

Our democracy is in an advanced state of degeneration. Dissatisfaction with politicians and public policy is routine but all political parties’ membership has collapsed. Those who believe in state power and politics over social power and co-operation now enjoy an almost complete victory. Widespread abdication of government to a tiny minority of public-spirited local politicians and an army of well-paid officials has dropped us into the present state of chronic discontent and frequent anger.

I joined the Conservative Party and stood for election because I was completely fed up with the job politicians were doing. Aren’t you? For me, it was emigrate, moan or stand. What will you do?

Now more than ever, politics hits the lives of those who don’t want to be political. And who can blame them? Politics is usually brutal and unrewarding. That too is a symptom of low levels of involvement. Surely you wouldn’t tolerate the routine behaviour of our politicians if it was at home from your children?

If you are reading this, you are obviously interested and concerned about what happens in our community. I would urge you to join the political party of your choice and either help choose candidates or stand for election yourself. If you believe in social power, the might of free and responsible people co-operating to meet shared ends, then I hope you will join me in the Conservative Party.

I’d like to hold a public meeting to discuss the state of our Town, our District and our Country in the spring. But I don’t want just to be savaged by the usual group of opponents. I want to hear from normal people – those of you who don’t much like politics. You can express an interest here: www.stevebaker.info/contact/meeting.