VOTE JOHN ROSE

NORTH WARD

. . . . A rocket for LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

 

After you've read the following, click here for a more detailed manifesto, with numerous examples of the failings of the current system.



VOTE JOHN ROSE
N O R T H W A R D


We want to see:

PUBLIC VOTES ON ISSUES THAT MATTER TO US
It’s our life, we don’t want to have only what party programmes decide for us. A petition of 20% of the electorate (1,000 voters) in a ward should trigger a vote at any time, the result of which should be binding on the Council as it affects that ward.

For example, the John Radcliffe Hospital traffic only needs a short 400 yard bypass from the ring road to avoid cluttering up Marston and Headington but the public can’t vote on it.

Similarly, no one connected with Milham Ford School wants it destroyed by the Council but we are not allowed to vote to stop them doing so.

PUBLIC ACCESS TO COUNCIL ACCOUNTS
It’s our money, we’ve worked for it, they take half of it and we want to make sure it’s spent productively. The bills could appear on the Internet for free for us all to view. Their refusal to let us see the details suggests they think they have something to hide. Are we paying a ridiculous amount for a road hump?

DIRECT ELECTIONS
To the local Education, Health, Police and Traffic authorities. Then we would know exactly with whom the responsibility lay for the decisions taken.

A LOCALLY ELECTED WATCHDOG to get sensible answers out of large organisations like BT and the Council. He would need access to all Council documents and power to call a public vote on his own authority.


HOW TO GET IT DONE
It requires a lobby of interested people prepared for a long haul, meeting perhaps once a month (how about supper?). And each prepared to spend (say) a morning a week pushing the ideas at Councillors and Council staff. Gradually, we could do it. After all, they don’t set out to be difficult and thorny - it is just that they don’t get pruned properly. Queries or offers to join in to 423403 or email [email protected]

A vote for any of the present parties with their present approach is a vote for more of the same. A good result for Local Government Reform is a more effective way of reminding them to pay attention to your views.

No more ‘bogus’ Consultations fixed beforehand, opposed by vast majorities at the actual meeting and then used to suggest public support (as in Canal Development).

PROPOSALS FOR A PUBLIC VOTE IN NORTH WARD
1. The traffic ‘calming’ (really ‘ aggravation’) schemes intended to make it easier for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to get around actually make it more difficult and dangerous by making them compete for the reduced facilities, causing unnecessary ill-will between the groups. We suggest no through suburban traffic in North Ward by blocking off Walton St near Worcester College but removing all the other recent obstructions including those proposed for Canterbury Road.
2. No more large scale building unless we have the access and infrastructure to go with it, we like the look of it and we deal with the increased damp in North Oxford basements due, we suspect, to the reduction in land available for rain to soak away (as in Frenchay Road and elsewhere).
3. Reduce the through traffic and increase access to London trains (and, potentially, coaches) by making the Oxford-Bicester railway service stop at Pear Tree Park and Ride, Wolvercote, Summertown, and Waterside. And bring pressure on the railway to do it now.

Vote John Rose!
Phone 420403 Email [email protected]

 

John Rose is the North Ward candidate for Local Government Reform. He has been a student at both local Universities, taught at local schools, worked in a local hospital and the car factory, driven cars for local hire firms and served in local restaurants. He is married with two daughters. He founded and still works at ‘Daily Information’.

 

Printed and published by John Rose, 10 Kingston Road, OX2 6EF. 12-05-01