The Barnet Tory election machine swings into life for the council elections in 2018

In the last three and a half years have you been invited by the Leader of Barnet Council to question him? I can't remember the last time. But next year there is a Council election. With this in mind, all of a sudden, the local political classes are swinging into life and all of a sudden they are desperate to hear from you (unless like last night when you actually have genuine concerns with their policies). So quite unexpectedly (ho ho ho) the Council Leader has decided to hold a whole series of question times for the public. Here's what his press release has to say.

The Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius, will be hosting a series of ’Question Time’ events across the borough to speak to residents and get their views on what matters in Barnet.

Barnet Council values residents’ views and opinions about how it is performing and delivering. The ‘Question Time’ events are the latest opportunity for residents to hear about the work of the council and ask questions about things that are important to them.
These views help to inform how the council works and set it priorities Barnet Council already engages with the local community via its resident perception survey, as well as through service consultations and engagement with service users and residents.
These events will be hosted by the Leader of the Council, who will give a brief overview of what the council is working on and its current priorities. There will then an opportunity for people to engage and asking questions.
Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius said: “Meeting residents is one of the most rewarding parts of my role and I am excited to hold these events across the borough. They are an opportunity to hear from residents so that I can better understand their needs to help make Barnet the best possible place to live.”
There is no set agenda and the atmosphere will be informal.  Everyone is welcome and Barnet Council wants to see people from all backgrounds, ages and interests.
Taking place across the borough, the Engage Barnet: Question Time events will run from 7pm to 9pm to enable as many people as possible to attend.
Barnet Council will be holding events from 7pm to 9pm at the following venues:

• Tuesday, 26th September-  St Stephens House & Gardens N3 3QE
• Wednesday, 11th October- New Barnet Community Centre EV4 9PF
• Monday, 30th October- Greek Cypriot Community Trust N12 9RU
• Tuesday, 14th November- Sangam Centre HA8 0AP
• Tuesday, 28th November- Old Bull Theatre  EN5 5SJ
• Wednesday, 13th December, Hartley Hall Mill Hill NW7 2JA

Now as you can imagine, the Barnet Eye is only to keen to ensure that these events are a rip roaring success. We will be doing our best to suggest themes that residents may want to take up with Councillor Cornelius. Richard is an amiable chap and I thoroughly look forward to the opportunities. We applaud his Damascene conversion to public engagement. I genuinely hope that all events have a large audience with a good natured, proper discussion of issues in our local community. In advance of these events, we'll be featuring a "theme of the week" to try and get the juices flowing on a few issues. I genuinely hope no one turns up with the simple intention of shouting at Richard. He has serious questions to answer and ordinary voters are none to impressed when activists simply give opponents a hard time. So lets make sure that the events work. I am interested in the choice of venues which all seem to be well placed for important Tory marginals. If nothing else it shows that Richard is rather serious about trying to keep his job. It seems most of his colleagues have decided to follow the Brian Coleman method of  campaigning

Hustings are a total waste of time especially for sitting MPs. No one who attends has an open mind

— Brian Coleman (@BrianColeman251) 29 August 2017

in favour of a nice spot of dinnner!

We do food, too!#barnet #conservatives https://t.co/NtJywOyRw1

— Barnet YCs (@BarnetYCs) August 6, 2017