So....slightly weird day; some people know, some don't, most don't care either way. Which is true of any life-changing personal event I suppose. Life goes on.
Even though it may seem ridiculous to some, I rank this event in our lives in a similar category to the death of my mother quite suddenly and without warning 11 years ago, in that from now on life will be measured before and after.
Over the past 8-10 years, I have gradually grown used to the loneliness of evenings without B husband. Initially it was a source of resentment but having given up trying to do it all and jacked in the career, life was at least less hectic and I became used to fitting our family life, including weekends, around Southwark. In addition, even though I am not even a party member, I found myself regularly fielding questions ranging from housing difficulties to dog mess in the parks...not sure it was ever my problem but it's certainly not from now on.
So all change, new beginnings, exciting and a bit scary. Feels like that's the message writ large nationally as well but we shall see.
Showing posts with label Southwark Council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Southwark Council. Show all posts
Monday, 10 May 2010
How we're doing
Not too bad as it turns out. A combination of shock and sleeplessness led to a very topsy-turvy couple of days. There have been tears and hugs and this evening a meeting of the local party to debrief which was also emotional with warm tributes paid to B husband who has now resigned as leader of the LibDem group. He's right that after 10 years, and for renewal to take place, it's for someone else to take over. It felt like coming home, walking in there tonight because it is a shared sadness and we were among friends.
Non-political friends have been very kind and as with a bereavement, kindness is something which penetrates one's defences. It's much easier to handle indifference. But friends understand how much we had invested in politics and Southwark and understand the consequences of such a brutal repudiation, however legitimate.
Unsurprisingly to anyone who knows her, BM (who has a touch of the Lady Macbeth about her) finds it difficult not to be bitter about the ingratitude whereas B husband is pragmatic. He prefers to see it as 8 years in which he gave it his all, changed things for the better and it was a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve.
So, Monday looms and that means reality bites. Turns out there are a lot of unemployed lawyers/politicans so better make a start on the CV.
Non-political friends have been very kind and as with a bereavement, kindness is something which penetrates one's defences. It's much easier to handle indifference. But friends understand how much we had invested in politics and Southwark and understand the consequences of such a brutal repudiation, however legitimate.
Unsurprisingly to anyone who knows her, BM (who has a touch of the Lady Macbeth about her) finds it difficult not to be bitter about the ingratitude whereas B husband is pragmatic. He prefers to see it as 8 years in which he gave it his all, changed things for the better and it was a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve.
So, Monday looms and that means reality bites. Turns out there are a lot of unemployed lawyers/politicans so better make a start on the CV.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
In praise of...democracy
Well, you can't argue with it, that's for sure. The national picture may be puzzling but the local one was certainly clear. Southwark Council is now in Labour hands by a clear majority.
It brings to an end 8 years of Lib Dem control of Southwark, of which I believe those involved can be really proud. I suppose the test would be, is it a better place than when you started ? Bear in mind that Labour had run the council for as long as it existed before 2002. The education department had been deemed so dysfunctional that the Govt had imposed external management of the service, schools results were poor and very few schools were deemed good or outstanding by Ofsted, housing disrepair for Council tenants were at an all-time high, there were no doorstep recycling collections, the streets were judged the filthiest in London and those things have all been turned around. It's not perfect but it's a lot better. As well as that, the regeneration schemes which had stalled in the north of the borough have been developed with B Square, B Spa and Canada Water regeneration schemes all visibly progressing.
So at the end of 8 years, immediate unemployment is the order of the day (with no redundancy payment). Was it all worth it? BM is enormously proud of B husband and there can be no regrets because we went into this knowing it could end this way. Many friends looked at what we had chosen and thought we were mad; the insecurity, no pension etc but it has been worth it. Southwark is an amazing place to live and B Dad has contributed towards making it so over the past 8 years.
That said, BM for one is done now...
It brings to an end 8 years of Lib Dem control of Southwark, of which I believe those involved can be really proud. I suppose the test would be, is it a better place than when you started ? Bear in mind that Labour had run the council for as long as it existed before 2002. The education department had been deemed so dysfunctional that the Govt had imposed external management of the service, schools results were poor and very few schools were deemed good or outstanding by Ofsted, housing disrepair for Council tenants were at an all-time high, there were no doorstep recycling collections, the streets were judged the filthiest in London and those things have all been turned around. It's not perfect but it's a lot better. As well as that, the regeneration schemes which had stalled in the north of the borough have been developed with B Square, B Spa and Canada Water regeneration schemes all visibly progressing.
So at the end of 8 years, immediate unemployment is the order of the day (with no redundancy payment). Was it all worth it? BM is enormously proud of B husband and there can be no regrets because we went into this knowing it could end this way. Many friends looked at what we had chosen and thought we were mad; the insecurity, no pension etc but it has been worth it. Southwark is an amazing place to live and B Dad has contributed towards making it so over the past 8 years.
That said, BM for one is done now...
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