Mike Cox's Leaders Column October 2008

10.58.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 29th Sep 2008

Councillor Mike Cox

Hillingdon have lost two good councillors in the last few months. Norman Nunn-Price, the former leader of the Labour group and Solveig Stone, the former cabinet member for Education. The subsequent by elections which followed brought home to me the enormous value which many local people have for a good Councillor who has the time, the experience and the commitment to give to local residents. Irrespective of the party, residents value a pro active councillor and both these councillors qualified for this in abundance.

However the last few months has also seen the darker side of political life in Hillingdon. The saga of Ian Oakley, until a few weeks ago the Chair of our Residents Overview Committee, has been shocking even to those at the front line of the political battle. Oakley has pleaded GUILTY to five charges of criminal damage, two charges of harassment against Liberal Democrats in Watford, and asked for 68 other offences to be taken into account. He is due to be sentenced for his crimes in October.

When harsh words are exchanged in the political debate it is important that those involved see the others point of view as a legitimate expression. It must never resort to the sort of personal and criminal actions which were undertaken by Cllr Oakley. Too many times in Hillingdon the "gang culture" takes over and everything your opponents does or says is reviled. In reality as councillors we agree on 95% of the decisions which need to be taken. Let's concentrate on electing good local councillors of all political persuasions who will work hard for the interests of local residents and the community we live in; not those who prefer the status, or the money for themselves or their party.

Mike Cox

Councillor for Ruislip Manor

Leader of the Hillingdon Lib Dem group

Parliamentary spokesman for Uxbridge and South Ruislip