Interesting letter

With the local elections over they're are a large proportion of new councillors of all parties now in office. Maltheus wishes them all the best.

A letter to the Evening News today was from Paul Scruton of the electorally successful party 'Norwich Over the Water Party'. In it he advocates that all councillors should be trained by the electoral commission to equip them with the knowledge and skills to be able to stand up to the un-elected council officials which actually rule the councils. Maltheus isn't quite sure of this, there's the sitcom of political officiados with Sir Humphrey Appleby that portrays politicians as the figureheads but civil servants as the powerhouses. Is this true of local government?

Having been in a elected position himself Maltheus is aware of the influence some unelected officials can have on the position of an organisation. However, Maltheus believes that ultimately a civil servant can't change a vote and it is up to the conviction of the voter to set their views forward firmly.

But training can't hurt, can it?

What a...

Nobb - Simon Nobb called my yesterday (Apologies for the pun!). He's the Lib Dem candidate for Mile Cross and seemed a nice enough guy. Obviously trying to get in the last few votes on the campaign trail but seemed a little too unsure for Maltheus to be honest. He didn't quite seem confortable in talking at the doorstep. He wanted to make Mile Cross a better place but admitted that every party would offer that anyway. Like Maltheus says, nice guy but didn't speak councillor to me. However, being the only candidate to knock on Maltheus wishes him luck for his effort.

Bumped into a ex Tory campaigner in the Sportspark today as well and he told Maltheus that he gave up campaiging with the Conservatives because they were becoming too right wing for him. He supported Cameron but Norwich Tories were going in the wrong direction. Better hunt him down Tories!

Talking about the candidate not being too confident, maybe it doesn't matter all that much if they work bloody hard for their constiuents anyway. So Maltheus opens it out to all, what three traits are essential for a good councillor?

Maltheus says:

- Integrity
- A good orator
- Show empathy

Whats yours...?