Election fiasco shows system must change (From Bucks Free Press)

Election fiasco shows system must change

10:09am Friday 15th April 2011 in Opinion

THE fiasco over the lack of candidates at the Wycombe District Council elections proves one thing – that the system is outdated and needs to be urgently changed.

Last week, the Bucks Free Press revealed that the Tories were already 6-0 ahead going in to the May 5 elections because the other parties had been unable to nominate sufficient candidates.

But before we denounce anyone over this, shouldn’t we stop for a moment to consider why? Contrary to popular public belief, councillors are not well paid. They may not be my favourite creature on earth, but even I accept that most of them do it out of a sense of trying to serve the public.

However, this all means that the only people able to stand are those with lots of spare time, or those willing to give up huge sections of their private lives for little reward.

This precludes many able citizens who could serve the public admirably.

Then there’s the added problem of there being so many councils — parish, district and county. It’s obvious that there’s never going to be enough candidates.

This can all be solved by two simple steps. Firstly, amalgamate the three tiers into one, and then have fewer councillors – but pay them proper wages.

The job would then become attractive for very good candidates, while the accountability would increase because it would be easier for the public to keep tabs on fewer members.

Yes, a simple solution. But I have no doubt the powers-that-be will find reasons why it won’t or can’t work.