The Relationships Foundation, the Cambridge-based think tank specialising in assessing relationships and helping build relational organisations, suggests rivalry at local council level need not spell disaster for the new national coalition government – as some are saying. In fact, quite the opposite. Coalition at the national level allows local elections to be about local issues rather than being periodic verdicts on the national government. This is good for local democracy and good for relationships.
Many believe the new coalition government will falter when the reality of bitter street-to-street fighting of local politics recommences. ‘It will all come undone at grass roots level’, claim the naysayers. But a mature relationship allows for competition as well as collaboration. Lib Dem MP Simon Hughes has said that the coalition would last a full five years, but the two parties’ candidates would battle hard in local and European elections and continue to do so into the next general election campaign.
The discipline of maintaining unity and collaboration at the national level should lead to a flourishing of local politics. Rather than local elections being an interim verdict on national government, they will need to be fought on the real local issues. The commitment of local activists in serving the community, the wisdom they show in local decisions, the efficiency and competence of their local administration – all these can be debated without reference to the personalities, record or views of national leaders. If the two parties in the coalition also follow through on their commitment to decentralising power, then the scope for the two parties to maintain distinct identities at a local level will also be increased.
The potential for local competition and national collaboration should be no surprise. Commercial rivals can sustain long-term joint investments in shared infrastructure. Partners on one project can compete for other business. Schools or hospitals may compete for patients or pupils, but still work together to build a good local system.
All of us have to manage multiple roles and identities in life – we are complex beings requiring a degree of relational sophistication. At an individual level crude tribalism doesn’t allow collaboration as well as competition – but then it doesn’t allow much to be achieved in any area of life.
Strong stable relationships can deal with difference. For the coalition to bring about social renewal – the rebuilding of family and community at the heart of its agenda – there must be a high degree of relational literacy and maturity.
ENDS
For more information please contact: Peter Lynas –
p.lynas@relationshipsfoundation-org.stackstaging.com 01223 341286 07899 898066
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Relationships Foundation, established in 1993, is a Cambridge-based independent think tank seeking a better connected society. It studies the effect that culture, business and government have on relationships. It proposes new ideas for strengthening social connections, campaigns on issues where relationships are being undermined, and trains and equips people to think relationally for themselves.