Firstly, I should say that I have always personally liked Martin Terry. I believe him to be principled, a believer in both democracy and social justice. It is sad therefore, that his letter in today's Echo marks the beginning of the end of the Independent phenomenon in Southend's political scene. He has been abandoned by his erstwhile colleagues, who have thrown their lot in with the Tory administration on Southend Borough Council.
You do not particularly have to be a Marxist, to see that the move to join with the Tories by the 3 Thorpe Bay Independant Councillors is based on a shared class interest. Thorpe Bay has always been one of the wealthiest wards in the Borough. I have never believed that their claim to be "conservative-minded independents" had any credibility whatsoever.
On more a serious level, the Independants have now become the agents of the austerity policies that are devastating this country, Europe and the rest of the World. They have no mandate beyond the parochial concerns of Thorpe Bay, and should not be supporting the Tories in inflicting the Government's cuts in public spending within Southend. But then, their electorate is perhaps less dependant on public services than those of us not fortunate enough to live in the leafy avenues and boulevards of Thorpe Bay.
Martin hits out at the LibDems for not opposing the Tory administration, and claims the mantle of being the main opposition group on the Council. The LibDems, willingly or unwillingly, are joined at the hip with the Tories. The participation of their Party's leadership in the Coalition government, means that are also agents of austerity despite their claims to the contrary. Therefore, the true opposition is now Labour as long as they hold their nerve and oppose the Tories, LibDems and Independents who are committted to cuts and austerity for the majority of people in Southend.
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