Doubt on ‘bribes’ for voters
Jul 10 2008 by William Green, The Journal
MINISTERS were last night accused of “bribing” people into voting after unveiling moves to boost local democracy that include a drive for more elected mayors.
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said voters could be entered in prize draws to reverse low local election turnouts and said the Government would overhaul rules on creating directly elected mayors.
She said elected mayors provided visible local leadership and would get a key role in local policing, although the details are yet to be published.
People were promised a greater say on how cash is spent in their area, and could force councils to debate local issues of concern, grill unelected town hall bosses and have a vote on community-based punishments for criminals.
A £70m fund will be provided to help local groups run services and community facilities, such as swimming pools. Failing councils could also have to hand cash back to residents under proposals in a new White Paper.
But Tories branded voting incentives bribes and warned of taxpayer-funded “partisan propaganda” from councils and “jobs for the boys”, with all but the most senior officials allowed to stand for election.
The proposals also received a mixed response from MPs and council leaders in the North East.
Tyne Bridge Labour MP David Clelland said he was always filled with trepidation when ministers told local government what to do.
Berwick Liberal Democrat MP Sir Alan Beith said powers were not being transferred from Whitehall.
Ms Blears said the Northumberland proposals came from local communities and there had already been significant devolution to town halls. She said: “In many parts of the country, local democracy needs a boost, with low turnout at local elections and people feeling they can’t influence the way some issues are decided in their area. This needs to change.”
But the incentives for voting got short shrift from senior Newcastle councillor Greg Stone, who stressed councils needed sufficient funding and powers.
“I don’t rule it out, but I think there are more serious issues about the health of our democracy than giving people a lottery ticket in exchange for a vote.”
The Liberal Democrat expressed concern about centralising power in an elected mayor. He felt handing them power over policing was a “recipe for sound bites” rather than action.
But he was more positive about community-based punishments.
Labour leader of Derwentside Council, Alex Watson, admitted the voting incentive was a bribe but said it should be seen as positive, though compulsory voting might ultimately be needed.
EYE ON QUANGO
A NEW regional committee of MPs for "robust" scrutiny of quango chiefs today [THURS] moves closer – but could be axed within two years.
MPs said the measure was needed to improve monitoring of One NorthEast because of its budget and role in development.
The Commons Modernisation Committee said English regional select committees would have up to 10 members and reflect the Commons political composition.
But it wants the system to end with the current parliament in 2010, when a review would begin.
Committee chair, Commons leader Harriet Harman, said it would fill an "accountability gap".
North East Minister Nick Brown said: "It would work particularly well in our region."
A One NorthEast spokesman said it would allow regional issues to be put higher on Government and parliamentary agendas.
