True transparency comes from making everything easily accessible and understandable. When I was elected, as a Romford councillor in May last year, I started publishing every payslip I receive.
How can it be fair that local residents are hit financially, yet councillors’ allowances and executive remuneration have both increased?
If returned in May, supporting our children to benefit from being physically active would be a cornerstone of our offering.
It is incumbent on all of us to spend less time moaning, and more time putting out energy into where we can get the best return on our limited resources.
In Havering, we have saved £79 million over the past four years. Yet we have improved the lives of the people we serve.
They want to know that their political leaders aren’t racist or judgemental or stuck in a 1950s parody – but they aren’t interested in hearing about these ideas primarily.
Pundits are expecting a drubbing for the Conservatives in the capital. But some boroughs will buck the trend. I predict unpredictability.
We are embarking upon major housing regeneration and are showing that ours is the Party truly focussed on improving residents’ quality of life.
This follows the example of Havering.
The carrot is proving to be a very effective tool.
Such messages have more in common with the race controversies of 50 years ago than with the modern Conservative Party.