Last Friday was a fairly tumultuous day politically across the UK. This wave of change also splashed into Wiltshire, but not in quite the same way as elsewhere. Here in Wiltshire the demise of Conservative control – first time ever since the Wiltshire Local Authority was created in 2009 – means that LibDems are the largest group with 43 seats, whilst the Conservatives are down to 37 seats. So not an overall majority for the LibDem group.
What does this mean for Wiltshire, the citizens of the County, and what does this mean for us in Marlborough? In short, it means that ‘politics’ will come to Wiltshire. The LibDem group will not be able to control every vote as has been the case for the Conservatives on every day of the Wiltshire Council existence. They will have to rely on non-LibDem Councillors – Independents, Reform UK, or even the Conservative group to ensure success in votes. To become the formal leadership group some arrangement will have to be hammered out – yes, politics.
They could persuade all of the Independents (seven) to agree to give their support, they could create a pact with the ten Reform UK Councillors, or maybe go the whole ‘statesman-like’ journey and agree to form coalition with the Conservative group. To share power, agree policies and votes and work together for the best interests of Wiltshire and all of us who voted – for any candidate – and also those who didn’t vote at all. I.e. – the entire electorate of Wiltshire.
Maybe that’s a bit of an uncomfortable nettle to grasp hold of, both for LibDems and for outgoing Conservatives. But for half a million or so the residents of the Wiltshire council area, maybe not such a bad thing.
The alternative is for the LibDem structure in Wiltshire Council to include some ‘whipping system’, like in Westminster politics where the management and control of Councillors presence and voting intention is observed and, made obligatory. Every vote will have to be be pre-judged and calculated in advance to ensure majority and success. It’s a very different political atmosphere, are the LibDems of Wiltshire up to it? If not, there will be issues regarding policy and effective voting, possibly leading to stagnation and inertia. And that will not be good for any of us, in Marlborough, Salisbury, or any part of this Local Authority area.
Or, if the LibDems are unable to come to agreement with any of the other non-LibDem Councillors or political groups, then possibly a return of the Local Conservatives, but in concert with Reform UK. Would this be politically acceptable, or even feasible? What would this mean? Some of the Reform UK Councillors are those who jumped ship recently from the Conservative party. How would this be received, locally, and/or nationally? And what would this mean for us? What would happen to some of the excellent services such as Adult Social Care, which recently achieved a ‘Good’ rating from the CQC? Expensive, but vital. An easy cherry to pick for the Reform UK ‘DOGE’s?
We – Marlborough.news – would never endorse any Councillor or political party for any election. But we would encourage, or even implore those who find themselves in this position of making political decisions to put us all first. Not just those of their party, or those who cast their votes in their favour, but put the interests of half a million plus residents of the Wiltshire Council area first. Otherwise we could (possibly?) face four years of political wrangling, inertia and little effective direction or action. Politics is long term, short term political tactical compromise always comes back to bite. And the longer the elapsed time, the deeper, harder and more painful the bite.
For Marlborough, we wish all three elected Councillors success as we have confidence in all of their approaches and actions. We put them there, they are our representatives in Trowbridge, not Trowbridge representatives in Marlborough, Aldbourne, Ramsbury or even Berwick Bassett. We would welcome any views on this.
Wiltshire Council – welcome to the world of real politics…….
Wiltshire Council election results: 2-1 to the Conservatives who lose overall control
