The views/points/thoughts expressed on this page are those of Paul Rumsey and not his hobby station ALT-X FM Radio. Paul has always had an interest in politics having lived on both sides of the pond (US & UK) for many years. This is not a page to gain traction etc and so will only be updated when Paul finds something he feels worth documenting and not a weekly or even monthly effort. Welcome to 'We The People'
One of the pressing issues facing democracy today is the absence of balance in public discourse. Too often, the voices that dominate the conversation come from the extremes of the political spectrum – the far left and the far right. This imbalance distorts the democratic process, stifling moderate voices and polarizing society further. Instead of constructive dialogue and compromise, we witness a constant barrage of extreme viewpoints that hinder progress and cooperation. True democracy thrives on diversity of opinion and a willingness to engage with differing perspectives, yet the current climate often silences centrist voices, leaving citizens feeling disenfranchised and disillusioned with the political system. Reinstating balance in public discourse is essential for the health and effectiveness of democracy, fostering inclusivity, understanding, and ultimately, sustainable solutions to the challenges we face as a society.
UK - West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board
My initial launch point may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but it serves to exemplify the behaviour of local government, which often disregards the desires and preferences of its constituents.This no longer affects me directly as a parent, but I empathize with Mr. Whitehead as reported in the BBC article 'No council apology for pupil's 26-mile school trek,' and I find myself quite irritated by the situation. The remarks made by Jacquie Russell (https://westsussex.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=237), the council's cabinet member for children and young people, are particularly frustrating. She stated, "This year’s shortage is due to an increased birth rate and because parents want their children to attend mixed-sex schools." However, Ms. Russell, with her background as Co-Director of a Construction Project Management company and now a Property Developer, should be well aware that while the birth rate may play a role, it is not the primary reason for the issues faced by Mr. Whitehead and others. The real issue lies in the council's decision to prioritize housing development over essential infrastructure in areas like Southwater. Many of us in the community raised concerns about issues such as schools before, only to be ignored in favour of development. Therefore, I must say to Councillor Jacquie Russell that she seems disconnected from the reality of the situation, which surprises me given her career background.
BBC original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv2y86d04mzo