Where lies allegiances?
COUN Peter Jordan cites the Oxford English Dictionary's definition of 'independent' as 'unwilling to be under obligation to others'. It's not the only definition, by a long shot.
My OED also defines 'independent' as: 'not in a position of subordination; not subject to external control or rule'.
I found that definition nicely resonant, considering the compromised affinities of our local politics.
The Labour members of South Elmsall Council owe allegiance to South Elmsall, South Kirkby and Moorthorpe Labour Party. They are 'in a position of subordination' to it, by virtue of being Labour and in that particular group.
Now South Kirkby's section of that conjoined party has more members than South Elmsall's, and has the majority in whole-group meetings.
It's hard to avoid the corollary therefore, that South Kirkby controls the Labour members of South Elmsall Council and by that very fact, the council itself, because Labour is in the majority here.
It makes you wonder where power really lies, locally.
It would be no surprise if, before long, there was a call for South Elmsall to amalgamate with South Kirkby under one local, as well as district, council.
A vote for (New) Labour at the next local and district elections should help it along nicely.
On the other hand, if the local electorate would rather South Elmsall Council kept its independence, then Wilf Benson and Fred Hilton look the best bets.
Because they're 'not depending on the authority of another', and not under external control or rule.
John Heyes,
Beaumont Avenue,
South Elmsall
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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