Lucy Allan next year’s election, has launched a local cross-party campaign for a better politics to mark Parliament Week. The campaign has been backed by Telford & Wrekin Councillors Veronica Fletcher and Clive Mollett.
Lucy Allan said: “It is important for a healthy democracy to encourage engagement in the political process.
“Too often people feel that politicians are inaccessible, that they do not represent them, that they are ‘all the same’ and only it for themselves.”
“People have told me that they feel alienated by the way their elected representatives behave. People want their representatives to work for them, not for narrow party political interests.”
“In a healthy democracy, people have an absolute right to see, meet and get to know those who want to stand for election. It is also right that candidates are able to tell people what they are doing for the community they want to serve. This enables people to make a choice. Democracy is about choice.”
“It is vital that the conduct of elected representatives does not undermine the democratic process and that candidates are free to communicate with the people they seek to serve.
To tackle what Lucy describes as an “anti-politics rage” she is calling on local political parties to agree that their representatives will: conduct positive campaigns, be honest with the public, and respect other candidates.
“We should expect a high standard of our elected representatives. A better politics will help to encourage participation in the democratic process.
Cllr Clive Mollett, for Horshay and Lightmoor, said: “I’m delighted to support the campaign for the improvement of political service in Telford.”
Veronica Fletcher, the Telford & Wrekin Councillor for Priorslee, said: “I support Lucy in all she’s trying to achieve to make life better for the people of Telford. “