Democracy doesn’t exist unless you can see it happening, in my opinion. You can watch our illustrious MPs misbehaving in Parliament on telly and locally you can go and watch our councillors reach decisions in the public gallery at Thanet council. Or watch them on Youtube – more like listen as the pictures aren’t brilliant.
But going in person is an important right. You need to see what goes on and, if need be, shout from the public gallery when ghastly blunders come up in what councillors are saying.
It’s all more complicated if you’re dependent on wheels but I felt I really wanted to go last week as the council was debating whether to support a ceasefire in Gaza. I’d emailed my local councillors begging them to support the motion which asked for a stop to the fighting. They hadn’t replied so I wanted to see what they looked like when the motion was being debated.
A few years ago the council decided that disabled people could book a place in the public gallery and bring a carer. The 50 odd seats in the gallery have tortured me for 20 years of council watching – too hard, too cramped and too low to get out of easily. With dodgy legs it would be impossible so I had to go on the scooter.
The department which deals with the public trying to get a look at democracy going on is Democratic Services. The switchboard didn’t know the right department “what do you think I should put you through to?” Fortunately, I knew.
So, I turned up in Thanet Community Transport ambulance/bus that my scooter can get into, scooted up the ramp into the midst of the pro-Palestine demonstration outside where a kind policeman – who I guess was there to stop a riot but as there was no riot he just had a well behaved disabled pensioner to deal with – scurried me through the crowd, opened the door for me where a nice security guard took over: “Come inside, love, it’s freezing out there.”
I saw the demo I’d meant to attend, from the comfort of the entrance lobby! Great speeches and lots of passing local support – while I had a chance to say hello to councillors I hadn’t seen from before lockdown and congratulate the ones bringing the ceasefire motion.
Going up to the council chamber was a bit hazardous – small lifts and tight corners! And once in the chamber I realised that booking a space meant my name was on a seat but no one had thought through where me and my wheels should go. Really helpful staff, poor planning!
When the debate started another disability issue came to light – you can’t hear what councillors are saying unless they’re near you! The acoustics are awful.
We cheered and applauded the ceasefire motion and sat in stunned amazement while two councillors criticised what they claimed to be the bad grammar and basic illiteracy of the motion. So rude – and discriminatory about people who are dyslexic, as the writer of the motion admitted to be.
But, like Cinderella, I have to leave when my transport turns up! I’m looking forward to being able to get the bus again and be free to stay out as long as I want.
I missed the gallery getting so annoyed some people were thrown out. But if you watch the recording things like that are deleted. Which is why it’s important to go!
I caught up with the YouTube recording and managed to hear what had only been murmuring from some councillors when I was in the public gallery. But the motion was passed with a few changes and I’m proud to say that Thanet council has added its voice to the call for the slaughter in Gaza to stop.
So, if you are disabled and want to see democracy in action ring the council on 01843 577000 and ask for Democratic Services.
Christine is a founder member of disability campaign group Access Thanet
