Hilary Downes

Friday, May 26, 2006

Barrie Anderson Is New Chair of Council

I went to my first full council meeting on Wednesday since my election. I was delighted that my colleague Councillor Barrie Anderson was unanimously elected Chair of the Council. Barrie is one of the most highly respected and hard working councillors in the Town Hall, and I am so pleased that this has been reflected in his appointment!

posted by Hilary Downes @ 4:51 pm  

4 Comments:

  • At 11:19 pm, Blogger John said…

    I like Barrie too! but, errr, didn't you agree with David Britton, about booting him out as the Tory group leader, then?

     

  • At 11:27 pm, Blogger Hilary Downes said…

    Chair of the council and Tory Group Leader are different positions! It's unfortunate that details of an internal party issue was leaked, and certainly not by David or myself, to newspapers causing poor Barrie much unnecessary embarrassment. I suppose I am unsurprised that our opponents should seek to make political capital out of Barrie and then complain the we treated him badly!!

     

  • At 2:48 pm, Blogger Ellee Seymour said…

    Hilary, you might be well qualified to answer the question about why so few women blog on political issues. See
    http://elleeseymour.blogspot.com/2006/06/reason-why-more-women-dont-blog.html

     

  • At 1:23 pm, Blogger Hilary Downes said…

    Hi Ellee

    I am not sure I am qualified to answer the question but my humble opinion is that many women are put off the rather ruthless, and at times, nasty nature of politics.

    I have been involved with the Conservative Party for some years and my current and previous jobs have been working for an MP and a PPC but, since my election, I have been simply stunned by the level of vitriol which flavours the invective of so many involved with politics.

    I do have to admit to finding some aspects of my experience somewhat disappointing as my aim in being a councillor is to represent my constituents to the best of my ability, not to engage in petty insult-hurling based on the colour of my party!

    So my limited experience suggests to me that if I, as a fairly seasoned politico, find some aspects of politics deeply unpleasant, no wonder there is a shortage of talented women coming forward - whether to engage with politics through the blogosphere or by standing in elections.

     

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