After a brutal campaign, I was re-elected to serve a three year term, though several of my colleagues, and friends, weren't so fortunate. We've lost some good councillors along with our huge majority, and we need to take a long, hard look at the way we do things locally. I only hope there's a willingness to undertake serious self-scrutiny rather than simply apportioning blame elsewhere; otherwise, we'll learn nothing.
The Localism Act should act as a catalyst for change, and we simply can't let the opportunities it affords us to pass. It sounds trite, but we really are at a crossroads, and it's vital that we find the courage to challenge our opinions and systems, because we need constructive criticism if we are to rebuild effectively.
I am hopeful that, together, the Rushmoor Conservatives are up to the challenge.
