Politics has a bad name at the moment. All our problems are often laid at the feet of our elected representatives, and popularity rises and falls like a yo-yo depending on what happens in the moment. A long-term view of anything is rare in this era of social media and immediate opinions on everything that happens.
But someone has to run the country, as well as counties and towns, and there are many elected politicians trying to do what they can, with varying levels of success. However, does this not all start with us, as individual citizens, electing people who we feel will do the best job, often in very difficult circumstances?
These days, many people choose not to vote, feeling that it is a waste of time as “they are all as bad as each other”. Of course that is their right, but then you also lose any right to complain if things don’t go the way you want them. Voting, in national and local elections, is one of the main opportunities open to all of us to influence the direction of where we want to go, and change that direction every four years.
Which of course brings me to the vacancy caused by the departure of Cllr Rebekah Gilbert from Rye Town Council. Whether or not you agree with her views, she has accomplished a lot during her term as a councillor and mayor (see this article) – and we need a replacement with the same sense of focus and dedication.
A lot is happening in local politics at the moment. Our town council, in many cases in partnership with voluntary organisations, is increasingly having to take over responsibilities previously handled by Rother District Council. Rother itself will disappear in two years’ time, being replaced by a, as yet unknown, new local governance structure. East Sussex County Council will also undergo a radical change. Whatever happens, it looks like Rye will need to continue to look after itself for many local services, and may indeed need to take on considerably more tasks. In this environment, our town council will have to increasingly “fight our corner” within governing structures that will be even more remote from our rural location.
This requires a strong, motivated and dedicated town council for the next two years and beyond. A departure always creates an opportunity, and now the residents of Rye have the opportunity to elect a new councillor that will help meet the challenges that we all face going forward.
So, we need 10 residents to create the necessary condition for an election to find that person, and we need strong candidates to step forward an be part of a proactive council team with all of our interests at heart. Then we all need to make sure we elect the best possible candidate for the challenges ahead.
The deadline for the submissions is July 22.
Rye News welcomes all opinion pieces on issues that affect life in Rye and the surrounding villages. If you would like to add yours to our Opinions section email info@ryenews.org.uk.
Image Credits: Peter Connock/Kt bruce .
Rother has suggested that the Town Council should budget £10,500-£11,500 for the cost of Rother administering a bye-election. If no bye-election is called, the Town Council would initiate its co-option procedure.