Echo Comment: Lib Dem U-turn should be praised
NO one likes to admit that they are wrong, especially those who are in the public eye.
However, by making a U-turn on their decision to close 10 public toilets in Exeter, that's exactly what the city council's Lib Dem-controlled executive has done.
And for that they should be applauded.
This newspaper has given council leader Adrian Fullam and his party colleagues a hard time over the past few days.
Our view was that they were picking on a soft target and that there were much better ways of saving £60,000.
Whether the new proposal is any more sensible remains to be seen.
If a public sector pay freeze is accepted they are home and dry, anything above 0.7 per cent and they are back to the drawing board.
In the meantime they are guaranteed to raise the hackles of the very people who keep the cogs turning in local government.
When it comes to making £1m savings you can never please all of the people all of the time but the Lib Dems do seem to be making life difficult for themselves.
We must pay credit where credit is due though and to back down over the toilets plan is commendable.
Last week we reminded Cllr Fullam of an article he wrote for the Echo ahead of the proposed budget cuts in which he said his party would offer a "listening ear".
Cllr Fullam also said the Lib Dems had a "strong determination to do the responsible thing".
By taking on board the views of hundreds of Echo readers and listening to the newspaper's own, often robust, arguments, he has proved he is a man of his word.
10 Comments
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by Paul, Exeter
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 9:29AM
“I can't belieev people are actually pleased with these councillors. They have total disregard for the public. If they did have nay regard then this hair brained idea would never have gone ahead in the first place. Only after some time did they realise they would not win any votes in the coming local elections and so did a U-turn. It was never about what is right or wrong for people or for the city. This U-turn was all about saving their own skins after making a monumental blunder. I would not trust them and I cannot find any reason to praise them either. Best for this city would be to vote for independent candidates in the future!”
by Crazy Masie, Exeter
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 1:00PM
“I am really pleased that there has been a u-turn on the toilet closure, however i reckon the truth behind this change of mind is due to the fact that the Lib Dems have suddenly realised that they wouldn't stand a chance of winning Ben Bradshaw's seat at this yaers general election if the 10 public toilets planned for closure had gone ahead in April”
by nigel, exeter
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 7:43PM
“i know where they can make savings.......................... dont pay anyone on the council over £15,000 a year”
by Kevin Whitburn, Alphington
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 4:10PM
“as some 1 who drives 4 a living
big one up 2 the express & echo and adrian fullam .
having a weak bladder i use the toilets in cowick lane every day.
thanx echo and thanx adrian
and 2 keith patch”
by niel, exeter
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 2:23PM
“Well done a load of useless dirty drug dens have been kept open and now the powers to be will have to find another way to cut costs for once I belive closing toilets was a great we dont need them in places that arnt that popular shopping destinations anymore like st thomas shops and heavitiree and there are pubs close by - so thanks to all you OAPs who can think of anything better to do then claim its a big injustice to close old dirty public loos which no one uses and cost a lot to maintain well don indeed lets see what happens when the council closes things that actuallyy make a difference like community centres ect When that happens you will wish that you could be able to hold it in and not need a public loo!!”