In praise of … Queen's Park council
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/29/in-praise-of-queens-park-council Version 0 of 1. It's a world away from Belgravia, but the diverse community of Queen's Park, the City of Westminster's north-western tip, is fated to share a council with London's poshest postcodes. With a majority of residents still living in social homes of the sort that Dame Shirley Porter had once sought to sell off to likely Conservative voters, Queen's Park has a natural urge to make its distinctive voice heard. A referendum of residents produced a two-to-one majority in favour of founding London's first parish council in 50 years. Next month, members will be elected to the fledgling council. None of the 17 locals who have put themselves forward are standing on party tickets; several have plans for events to bring the community closer together, and for regeneration projects that they hope will provide a serious return on the modest council tax precept. The Queen's Park ballot is a vote of confidence in local democracy. |