Cllr Mike Bird is the Leader of Walsall Council.
As May 2nd fast approaches many of us face elections in various formats, all out, one thirds along with Mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections all thrown into the mix.
As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said:
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”
He wasn’t wrong, because you won’t get anywhere unless you start the journey, and what a journey we have in front of us.
That journey has now begun and many of us feel that worthy companions on that journey would be Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay as we climb the mountain in front of us that the polls are indicating we have to negotiate.
Let us face the facts that the local elections are exactly that “local” and impressing on people that their local council affects their life on a daily basis with the level of services offered to assist their residents.
It is a fact that in most areas of the country Council Tax only represents approximately 20 per cent of the Council’s budget with the balance being raised from fees and charges and Government Grant.
There is no doubt that the “tax on pensions” and pensioners will feature in your campaigns as the petition for the Government to address this gathers thousands of signatures to address the issue of having raised the pension by a handsome 8.5 per cent the downside being that the personal threshold remaining at £12,500 puts many pensioners into paying tax for the first time.
Adult Social Care is always an expected talking point and as we are all living longer homeowners see the potential inheritance being wiped away by a looming care bill.
On this very subject especially when dementia is involved, please remember that if a person is diagnosed with dementia and is in receipt of a benefit, including attendance allowance, advise them to complete an SMI form (Severe Mentally Impaired) available for their local council or from the website.
This single side of A4 requires name and address of the applicant, signature of their doctor confirming the date of the diagnosis, for which no charge can be made, sees the resident paying no Council Tax and a refund back to the diagnosis date.
As dementia is now a scourge of the elderly this could be welcome support for the family’s finances and is a little known benefit that is so simple to access and can be many thousands of pounds.
This is a fact that is certainly worth putting into your election leaflet as an opportunity to connect with the mainly elderly voter who for many years have been the mainstay of the Conservative support.
Needless to say that the local elections are the barometer for the feeling of the country and will be the pre cursor for the General Election in the not too distant future.
The effect of the Labour Party’s councillors on the war in Gaza, and the rise of Reform UK are both unknown factors, but are soon to be revealed.
When the General Election is called the councillors will once more become the foot soldiers, along with local activists to work to re-elect many MPs who have not been as visible in their constituencies as some, and once more recruit the services of the aforementioned Sir Edmund Hillary to climb even a bigger mountain being presented to us.
In closing might I wish everyone involved in securing a victory both locally and then nationally the very best in their quest and be emboldened by the fact that the alternative is unthinkable and remind you all of that famous phrase from the Sun newspaper in 1992:
“Will the last person to leave Britain please turn out the lights?”
Keep the faith, however difficult that may seem.
As Conservatives we are becoming used to adversity but we must show our courage and battle on to win the battle and the war against Sir Keir Starmer and all that march with him.
My very best to all for the next few weeks and beyond,
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Author: Mike Bird
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