Not sure I have an answer on this but I have a view, which is this : many people in Rotherham (and other similar towns) do not follow the goings on of the local councils and politicians as much as some of us do. They have a trust of those in authority, and those elected that they have been ‘brought’ up with, which is after all the basis of a civilised democratic society. We are told that our ‘leaders’ have our best interests at heart and are working for the good of the community. There is no reason to believe otherwise. Until something goes wrong.
Then some of us believe that those responsible for whatever ‘s gone wrong can work together to put it right. But when that doesn’t happen we either complain and try to hold the ‘leaders’ to account, or feel that it’s not worth the bother and do nothing , whilst complaining amongst ourselves about those in power. When elections are held these people don’t bother voting and the ‘leaders’ in control convince themselves that it’s because they are doing a great job.
There are others who not only complain about things that are not right but try to do something about it themselves. As I have written about many times before, we all know that the few are no match for the many, especially when the powerful are becoming more powerful by closing ranks and recruiting new followers with the promise of glory.
Those who the powerful feel at all threatened by are silenced in a variety of ways – often to the detriment of their health and that of their family. It’s basic Animal Farm stuff.
And the solution must be down to each individual, their conscience and their strength of character and mind.
Personally, I have to console my rage and sense of injustice at the situation in Rotherham and in Maltby by writing about it and asking the many questions that never get answered. It’s all I can now do, but I hope to keep folks informed and perhaps the upcoming generation of voters and politicians will have the courage and strength to be true to the basics of community and democracy.