Ben Gummer
Suffolk: MP Ben Gummer attacks ‘mediocre’ councillors
By Paul Geater
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
5:46 PM
MP Ben Gummer has delivered a stinging attack on local government at the Tory Party conference – labelling some councillors “mediocre”
He used his experience of dealing with the Labour-controlled borough to during a fringe meeting in Birmingham, where he contrasted local politicians in cities today with leaders from the late 19th and early 20th centuries who transformed their communities.
And the Ipswich MP said many were “self-governing oligarchies of mediocre people.”
He denied he was speaking directly about his experience in his constituency, but he added: “I sometimes wonder if the council knows it is there to serve the people of Ipswich.”
Speaking after making his off-the-cuff speech at the fringe, Mr Gummer said the low turn-out and lack of local accountability meant it was difficult to find high calibre councillors.
But when politicians spoke to residents on their doorsteps it was usually local issues that they were most concerned about.
Mr Gummer said: “More business people need to have a role with councils to enable them to really press on with developing their area – that’s how the great cities like Birmingham and Manchester developed more than 100 years ago.”
He repeated his claim, made in his Star column last month, that many councillors would be unable to understand a balance sheet.
Mr Gummer denied that he wanted to create a “business vote” that would be seen as undemocratic, but said that the City of London where businesses do have a say on the Corporation had helped to create prosperity.
“I am currently working on proposals that would increase business involvement with local government and I shall be publishing those findings later in the year,” he said.
However his comments did not go down well with Labour council leader David Ellesmere who will be fighting Mr Gummer at the next general election.
He said: “The borough has been working very hard to boost the prosperity in the town. We are building the first new council homes in a generation. We have taken action to bring in new businesses.
“We have organised a series of major events in the town to boost its profile – Maritime Ipswich prompted more interest among people interested in buying property on the Waterfront and has already led to more sales there.
“The borough is working very hard to try to improve life in the town because the government’s policies are squeezing the economy so much.”
Latest News See all
- Through the Lens: ITFC star Carlos Edwards and his girls melt hearts
- Video: Vicar boldly going . . . into the pulpit
- Kesgrave/Clacton: Haulier jailed and fined £50k for crush death accident at Ipswich docks
- Felixstowe: Donation for charity brings community centre refurbishment a step closer
- Felixstowe: New walking group in resort
More news
- Through the Lens: ITFC star Carlos Edwards and his girls melt hearts
- Video: Vicar boldly going . . . into the pulpit
- Kesgrave/Clacton: Haulier jailed and fined £50k for crush death accident at Ipswich docks
- Felixstowe: Donation for charity brings community centre refurbishment a step closer
- Felixstowe: New walking group in resort
- Trimley St Martin: Proposals for 66 new homes on land in Trimley St Martin to be debated by planning chiefs
- Gallery: Thousands enjoy a bumper Hadleigh Show
- Hadleigh: Tesco to make new bid for town store
- Bury St Edmunds: The body of PCSO Sue Medcraft is found days before husband’s funeral
- Marks Tey: Road reopens following A120 crash
Suffolk Show
Summer
Crime Week
Campaign
Festivals
Star Savers
Motoring
Oldest English Town
I Love Ipswich
Mr. Ipswich
James Marston
Digital edition
Read today's paper online now
Send us a story
iwitness24 Your news is our news Facebook Like your local paper Twitter Join the conversation Ipswich Borough CouncilADVERTISEMENT
11 comments
Unusually I find myself agreeing with Ben Gummer. However, the same reasoning can be applied to MPs as to local councillors. How can anyone say that the current batch of MPs are of a high calibre. The only reason anyone has heard of Ben Gummer is because of who his father is. The reason for apathy in the voting public, is that MP's are all the same. Realsitically who would actually choose for David Cameron, Ed Milliband or Nick Clegg to be Britain's Prime Minister? Then again, who is there any better to replace these three out of touch politicians in the current batch?
Report this comment
england1770
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
A pity that Ipswich does not have a mediocre MP as that would be a distinct improvement
Report this comment
Rob Steroo
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
A first class example of "Pot-meet Kettle". Gummer is a mediocre MP, selected because of his family connections and Party grovelling. He also has the family advantages of stakes in companies built up on the back of his father's MP and Ministerial status i.e. "public service" (as he perceives it, no doubt) has been a nice route to making money.
Report this comment
T Doff
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Maybe Ben should look at him self. My family had a problem before he just dismissed us, and made it seem like he was to good for us
Report this comment
Buxton
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
“The borough is working very hard to try to improve life in the town" - no, the council is only concentrating on The Waterfront.
Report this comment
Winston Barrington Jr.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
oops, I should have read the full article. "“We have organised a series of major events...property on the Waterfront and has already led to more sales there." - cheers Ben. What about the rest of us? Maybe you should stick some more traffic lights up, that should keep us happy. You know how we love traffic lights. Can't get enough of them in Ipswich.
Report this comment
Winston Barrington Jr.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
“I sometimes wonder if the council knows it is there to serve the people of Ipswich.” - good. Now less of the waterfront and more for the other 130,000 people living in Ipswich please.
Report this comment
Winston Barrington Jr.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Brillant idea. We could give our democratic rights to the bankers..that would put us right! Ben you really ought to think before you speak or perhaps you really do believe the nonsense you espouse. And what of your life experiences, following Daddy into Parliament hardly gives you the right to criticise others who represent all of the community not just business.
Report this comment
redredrobin
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
It is obvious mr Gummer is talking about ipswich,take a look at our town centre,who cares?more parking meters coming,to help pay their expenses , parking and travelling to town is beyond a joke in ipswich
Report this comment
richard procter
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Mr Gummer Manchester thrive's because it has something to go with it that Suffolk don't have ( A GOOD ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE )
Report this comment
MIGUEL100
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Ben is right. IBC are impenetrable, both from an elected member and officer standpoint. They talk a good show but make decisions behind closed doors before asking for input from the business community - which they then completely ignore.
Report this comment
Erm, Why?
Tuesday, October 9, 2012