WHAT IS the price of democracy? That is the question coming from the Liberal Democrat group, over suggestions to change the election process in the borough.
Last week, Cllr John Halsall, leader of the borough council proposed that elections be changed from once every year, to once every four years.
Cllr Stephen Conway, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group said that he felt Cllr Halsall’s speech at the executive meeting on Thursday, January 27, was “one-sided” and “unbalanced”.
“I don’t accept the argument that elections are expensive, so let’s have less,” he said. “What price is democracy? We value it for what it means — the ability to kick the rascals out.”
Cllr Conway said that accountability is very important, and was concerned that if elections moved to once every four years, councillors may respond less to resident concerns.
“Our group is still discussing the pros and cons of both suggestions, but what we are in favour of is accountability. Regular elections give people the chance to express their view.
“This is about democratic responsibility, not money. You don’t price elections.”
At the meeting, Cllr Halsall said that each election costs the borough council around £1 million.
But Cllr Clive Jones, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said that he is going to write to the council and question this figure.
At Wokingham Town Council, elections cost around £7,000 said Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, Liberal Democrat lead for finance, and leader of the town council.
She said scaling this up to the borough should cost around £210,000, before hall hire and staff time is factored in.
“How is it so much more for a borough council election,” she questioned.
