Setting democratic standards

The following letter appeared in the Hornsey Journal today and has been reproduced at the request of its author:

A PUBLIC debate on improving local democracy is being held at the Salisbury pub in Haringey Green Lanes on Thursday, June 24, at 7.30pm.

All are welcome to come and take part. One or two people from outside of the borough are expected to attend and representatives from Haringey's main political parties have been invited.

One aim is to start a serious dialogue with the Haringey Labour party to improve local democracy.

If the majority group on the council has the confidence and the desire to open up local democracy (and adopt at least those nine measures recently duly published in this newspaper).

I believe Haringey shall by far be the most democratic local authority in the land and one all other councils will aspire to emulate. It's not easy for a council to excel in the best of times, let alone during a recession, but the only cost for Haringey to becoming the best example of a democratic council is a change of mind set and the time taken to engage. As we know councillors (and officers) involved with improving anything are generally rewarded.

Given Haringey's regrettable experiences what's wrong with tying to redeem the borough by giving something back to the nation and restoring Haringey's reputation in the process?

Is the era of "new politics" destined to begin in Haringey, or do we let our children suffer the miserable political inheritance of our lives to date, which we ourselves resent and despise? - M. Petrou, St Ann's Road, N15.