The false feminism of Camborne Labour

A year ago the picking of mayor and deputy mayor for Camborne Town Council got really unashamedly political. Mebyon Kernow and the Conservatives had representatives picked as Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively.  As with all politics and life in general sometimes things don't go your way but some can't except this and lash out with any argument at hand.

Labour were sore their nomination for deputy (Cllr Dalley) didn't get selected. Far from taking it on the chin, they howled and screamed. It was not only a sleight to their candidate but an example of MK and the Tories ganging up on Labour "Mebyon Tories" as Adam Crickett would have it. But it was also a full frontal assault on womankind itself. As Jude Robinson explains:

"There were the usual discussions. Two things I do know about politics: one is that when people say ‘this is not political’ reach for an enormous pinch of salt and the other is that when men say ‘It’s about the best person for the job’, they mean it’s a man."

So a year has passed and news of this years nomination has reached the press.  Who is the fine woman Labour put forward? Who will embody the feminist revolution of Camborne? Erm Labour's Trevor Chaulker. Guess who "the best man for the job" was nominated by? The same Jude Robinson and seconded by Adam Crickett as decried a man for the role a year before!?!

Now more women in politics should be a must, does Camborne (or Penzance for that matter) deserve a woman in charge? Most definitely. But how is Camborne as a council and as a town benefiting from this kind of slippery logic? When it suits championing the cause of women but when it matters and a difference can be made, abandoning it entirely?

When I was first elected nearly a year ago. I struggled to understand why people warned me about bringing party politics into local government. Up until now I didn't understand it. Don't get me wrong on Penzance Town Council we have disagreements of opnion between councilors. It's not all sunshine and lollipops but no one throws toys out of the pram and straight onto a press release. It's my sincere hope the Labour group on Camborne Town Council start to think less about throwing ideological insults and more on how to make their town better. Also that I learn from this hypocritical episode and don't forget it.