For many politicians it has been a terrible month. The cover has been blown on Westminster’s systemic failure and folly and even in Cardiff Bay, there is intense scrutiny of those who are elected; of their wallets and their ethics. Quite rightly, there is anger. Quite rightly, there will be serious recriminations. But we shouldn’t for one minute think that it’s a bad thing that the Telegraph published, or that the public now wants to see their elected laid bare. In many respects, out of the chaos appears an opportunity to change course. An opportunity we should seize because we believe in a liberal, democratic and fair world.
Today, we are all (elected and electors) challenged to reconsider what we want from our democracy. As Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats I must engage with my constituents, get beyond the understandable anger that fraud and abuse have created and find out what Welsh people really want, what they expect and hope for. It’s no easy task but now more than ever, we need to listen and to represent – on the doorstep, in our offices and in the Assembly Chamber.
And we need to do a better job of communicating the work that is done at local and national level by the Welsh Liberal Democrats. If we want to develop a lifelong relationship with communities, individuals, families and businesses we have to demonstrate a commitment to core values in our conduct, our voting records, our campaigns and governance.
It’s more important that we leave a doorstep or a meeting with a business having developed a real relationship, based on values, than offer solutions to a short term concern. Ideally, we can offer both but if we want to invest in a stronger party, a broader consensus and a firmer mandate to represent, then it’s honesty, transparency and Liberal Democratic values we need to show today and every day.
We need to show all of Wales that we are holding Government to account, scrutinising on their behalf, getting better value for their money and protecting principles Labour and Plaid have neglected. So let’s hope for more scrutiny, more publishing of records online and more public engagement in politics –and let’s thrive in that spotlight.
So much of the frustration felt regarding expenses stems from a void in communication – many people don’t see how hard we’re working, the impact we have at local and national level. It’s our job to fill that void, and tell people what we asked yesterday in the Assembly, or how we’ve consistently opposed top-up fees. We don’t need spin or smear – what we do is what matters and our actions illustrate our offer of liberal democratic values most vividly.
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