The Debate: Are our city's councillors letting Liverpool down?

Feb 26 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

NO: The Case Against - Disagreements should be kept behind closed doors

by Jack Stopforth, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
 
CITIES get the governance they deserve. 

This newspaper recently suggested that Liverpool Chamber of Commerce was "too cosy" with Liverpool City Council to represent the interests of Chamber members. 

No evidence was offered (it never is) and the jibe was a surprise to the council, who know us to be among their biggest critics.

The Chamber frequently disagrees with the council, but we keep our discussions behind closed doors, lest we comfort the enemies of our city who love to see us fall out publicly. 

That is how a mature city conducts its public affairs. 

If we are to influence council policy, we need a dialogue, not a shouting match. I have little time for people who stand on the sidelines and sneer about public servants when they themselves have neither stood for election nor tried to prioritise competing claims for public resources. 

Being a councillor is a thankless task, like being a football referee. But without people willing to stand up and be counted the game can't be played. Some politicians are more competent and articulate than others. 

There have been many recent occasions when some city councillors have acted unwisely and been rightly pilloried. That goes with the territory and most politicians quickly cultivate a thick skin.

In an ideal world, presidents would not seduce interns, party leaders would not have drink problems, MEPs would never overclaim expenses and MPs would never employ their spouses in imaginary jobs. 

Councillors would use measured language, respect the rules of public debate, be courteous in the Council Chamber and represent our city with gravitas and statesmanship.

Many of them do. Liverpool's ambition to become a "Premier European City" is increasingly attainable.

The milestones along the way - World Heritage status, European Capital of Culture and billions of pounds of outside investment, owe much to the City Council and the vision of individual councillors. 

The current style of local government, with executive members having substantial portfolios makes more demands than ever on our leading Councillors. 

We expect them to be like professional government ministers rather than lay people who have sometimes found onerous responsibility thrust upon them. 

They need more support from the professionals and a meaningful partnership with business. 

When they transgress, they should be criticised, and if they break the law they should be punished but only by people who respect the demands of public office and not by those enjoying a cheap shot at an easy target.