Will Duncan pledge to make such a motion at the next Council meeting?

You said :-

“So what we are really asking for from the Council is a commitment to participatory democracy.

Within easy reach of residents’ homes and as a regular occurrence.”

I’d say that I’d completely agree with this. I would say that there should be single issue forums as well. With the internet, it should be possible to allow residents to select a topic from a list so that maybe every six months you could have a special forum on a subject chosen by popular vote. The council could then make sure the right people were there to answer the questions. A mix of general and specialised meetings would seem a good way to go.

I didn’t compare myself to the former MP for Oldham. I just pointed out that he was rather good at hurling insults in the finest British tradition. I’m flattered that you drew that conclusion though,

Within easy reach of residents’ homes and as a regular occurrence.

Now, I don’t think that Single Issue Forums are a good idea because, in my opinion, one single public forum per year on a subject of public interest is unreasonable.

I think the Chief Exec should ensure that a high level rep from all the major council departments each area forum. [12 meetings per year is not too much to ask - ask any School Governor]

And a neutral chairman should rule the audience with a rod of iron – just like an experienced trade union convenor.

What do you think?

I can’t say fairer than that can I. If you check the first response from me to your comment, it was a perfectly reasonable one detailing the public transport from Childs Hill to East Barnet. You then tried to suggest that what constitues a reasonable bus journey was a party political issue, which I thought was a ridiculous point to make, given that I know many Tories who make bus journeys. Anyway as Duncan has had enough of this thread and your comments, let me know and I’ll let you say whatever you like ! You could be the Barnet Eye’s first guest blogger.

And if that isn’t a reasonable offer, I really don’t know what is.

One other point I will make. The hurling of insults at political opponents is a perfectly normal part of the British political process. Former Liberal MP and arguably the Greatest British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill was possibly the finest and most celebrated proponent of this art.

What do you think Rog T, are you able to hold a debate just on the issues?

You could :-

a) Start your own blog and moderate it as you wish
b) Stand for council against Duncan MacDonald

If you don’t like the way he acts as a councillor or a blogmaster.

Mind you, as you are anonymous, for all we know You already have. Maybe it’s paid for at the public expense?

As I understand it Liberal means tolerant of other views. As he’s posted all of your comments, no matter how stupid, I’d say he’s pretty liberal.

As has been pointed out to you and you are too gutless to acknoweldge, you have been very insulting to me and unlike me you’ve hidden behind a cloak of anonymity.

Someone who thinks that a bus journey of less than 1 hour is something only people with no self respect would undertake is clearly a rather odd individual.

I don’t think that this would be anyway to run a Council.