Steve Adams: Championing decent Conservative values in Camden

Cllr Steve Adams is the Leader of the Conservative Group on Camden Council.

The greatest challenge for a minority party within a hugely one-sided council will always be that, while opposition to unpopular policy and decisions is easy to garner, what is much harder is to convert that opposition into effective political change.

For the last two years in Camden, the Conservative Group has concentrated solely on local issues, their mismanagement by the Labour-led council administration with the collusion of the official opposition by the Lib Dems. The two parties spend more time at council meetings in posturing on national matters than on pressing local problems.

We have made sure that we have not entertained their game of political ping pong.

Camden has a particularly politically aware population and is literally on the edge of the Westminster bubble. With the Prime Minister as a local MP and much of the Labour hierarchy resident nearby, the most effective and credible course has been for us to aim at reclaiming the high ground of competence.

After each Full Council meeting, we have published a report on our position, which goes out to almost 7,000 members and others. The intention of this initiative is to make use of the work we put into the preparation for meetings and prevent that disappearing like yesterday’s papers into the budgie cage. This continued communication with our supporters is popular and respectful of their belief in us. We are also confident that at the ballot box this will reap benefits.

Another Camden challenge is the burning question

“How can the democratic voice of opposition wards within a larger Council be delivered?”  

When the few primarily Conservative wards clamour against the imposed diktat of the council and 85 per cent local opposition to LTNs is voiced, how can their opinions be considered fairly? This is not a PR quiz, but rather a fundamental question on the essence of representation.

The Cabinet system of local government has delivered Camden a hugely whipped council where even gentle questioning by majority members is effectively stymied. It is not popular with voters and provides us with an opening upon which to benefit. We are making this flaw in local democracy known to the electorate and will increase this message as May 7th draws near.

Kemi Badenoch has accepted many times that in the years leading up to the last election, our party lost the trust of the electorate including our own supporters, and she has committed to rebuilding that vital missing link between the country and the Conservatives. This shows her distinct move away from the bluster and fumble that preceded her.

I have always considered local politics to be just that; local and issue based. However, I appreciate that they reflect on national allegiance and visa versa. In view of that evident fact, I have communicated to all our local council candidates and activists that it is their duty to leave everyone they meet with or write to, with the impression that Conservatives are capable, competent, responsible and committed. By doing this, even in small ways we will rid ourselves of the mistrust that has soured our brand and will eventually swing the tide of public opinion and return the party to the role it should have, the serious duty of government.

We are in the game of marginal gains in both senses of the phrase.

Our local aim is that of redressing the deficit in the balance of power by delivering more, highly capable and effective Tory councillors to the seats in Camden Town Hall and by doing so return to the borough, the principles of decent Conservative values.