MyPE

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Should we Delay Local Elections to 2024?

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The simple answer is….. No.

Why should the electorate give failing leaders another bite at the Cherry for another 3 and a bit years?

Delaying elections is tantamount to giving the corrupt, the inept and the lazy a free pass to continue looting, failing and sleeping at the cost of the ratepayer.

If the USA can, during the COVID pandemic, mobilise at least 161 million Americans to vote in the 2020 election – the largest number of voters in a U.S. presidential election in history – then surely South Africa can do something similar?

Yes, the time is rife for a change in the direction that politicians have taken us.

Yes, the time is right for an independent or non-political political party to get involved in local government and put our City back on a path to pride and prosperity.

Yes, maybe the people agitating for delay in local elections recognise that and are trying to delay in order to reclaim their advantage?

But, time will tell whether we have local elections in November 2021 or not.

The time is ripe for a collection of like minded people to rid our local political scene of party political animals who spend 80% of their time (despite receiving 100% of their salary from ratepayers) on party politics and only 20% on service delivery.

The time is ripe for ‘political leaders’ to put the City FIRST – no matter who proposes the change in bye-law or spend in budget. Our leaders need to put OUR needs and wishes in place based on what we want and not on what is good for their party first. We are tired of crumbs and lip service. People first.

When were we ever asked for input of how we would vote in council on any motion? How about never. Any voting in council is done after individual political parties caucus together and decide to vote en-mass and in a manner that is good for them (and bad for their opposition) whilst allowing the City to suck hind tit. Anyone who votes against the party political decided line is worked out and faces the real possibility of losing their position. How can the City trust individual Ward Councillors placed in such a position?

Any decision in council need to put City and the People First with the party political line running a distant last.

Maybe one day, when our City is prosperous again, the political parties can once again play the party political game.

Ward 7 Independent Councillor

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.