During Cabinet questions at Full Council recently I was asked by Cllr Gary Hunt (Lib Dem Cllr for Knighton) if I thought "dialogue was a better way forward for our City than confrontation?". Turned out to be a question about an element of our Licensing policy regarding Taxi Drivers (you can see my answer in full on the webcast at question 30 if you're suffering from insomnia) but the question got me thinking about dialogue vs confrontation and talking vs acting.
Our Council meeting lasted for about 4 hours this time, not too bad I suppose, but it didn't feel like the best way for me to serve the people who elected me. We had ten minutes of questions from the public, two hours of questions and answers from other Councillors (this is one of the ways the opposition Councillors are able to hold the administration to account), a nod through of some really important reports from Children's Services (nodded through because everyone agreed with them) and then an hour debating constitutional minutiae such as if questions should come in 48 or 72 hours before Council meetings!
That isn't to say I don't recognise the importance of open questions and debate, just that it can be frustrating (and very dull).
I like getting things done, I like the practical stuff, getting graffiti cleaned, bollards put in, play equipment repaired, these take some talking but mostly you find out they're needed, work out how they're getting paid for and then get them done.
The big things though need a lot more discussion. They need discussion to try and make sure we get them right. Take the Residents Parking zone that came into force in part of Westcotes recently. People have been talking about residents parking in my area for about the last five years, some are powerfully in favour, some are adamantly against. We have now got an experimental scheme that allows us to keep listening to local people to make sure it works as well as possible (and if it doesn't work to take it out again).
Unfortunately there are also some groups whose only desire seems to be confrontation and no amount of dialogue can change that. The English Defence League (EDL) are intending to march through our City (despite the Council applying for and getting agreement from the Home Secretary to ban marches in the City that weekend to protect public safety) on October the 9th to try and convince people of their vile anti-Islamic views. I hate the idea of these football hooliganesque people being bussed in to cause trouble and try to spread hatred in Leicester and am very glad that the City Council and Police are working together with faith groups, community organisations and Hope not Hate to ensure these thugs are marginalised and that we have the opportunity to celebrate our diversity.
On Friday there will be a peace vigil at the Clock Tower at half four where people will also be asked to start wearing Green Ribbons to symbolise our City's solidarity in the face of extremism and our pride in our diversity and cohesion.
I'm looking forward to taking my kids to the 'One Leicester Together' celebration event in Humberstone Gate on the Sunday too. My kids attend schools where there are over 20 languages spoken, where they celebrate each others traditions and festivals and are empowered to understand and enjoy them. I am incredibly proud of the breadth of understanding and delight they have for a full range of religious and cultural beliefs and know they are being given the opportunity to grow up as active and inclusive citizens of Leicester. This is what we will be celebrating on Sunday. This is why I am confident that the EDL will not divide our City, will not spread their hatred and will not leave a lasting impression.
Of course dialogue is important, whether it be getting to know your next door neighbour, learning about and celebrating new cultures, ensuring everyone has a voice and doesn't feel left out or left behind or listening to what people want and/or need when developing new policies.
This is the dialogue to take our City forward and our actions in celebrating this together on Sunday and in the future will stop confrontational aggression having any place in Leicester.
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