The photo is from the 2019 election count. David Knowles-Leak (DKL) was a good friend of mine who was always brilliant at asking searching questions. I invited him onto the FSB Committee when I was Chair and he flew up the ranks. He was Chair of Maidenhead Labour Party and strongly challenged the behaviour of Mr Simon Dudley after the last elections. Sadly he was a victim of Covid and I thought it would fitting to use his image for these questions…
Last night on our Windsor Elections 2023 Facebook Group a local resident commented on a post
“I’m just researching my voting choices and reading this thread of comments about what name is what isn’t helping. It’s all your values I need not what type of independent you are
”
Residents don’t want us waffling, they want to hear a clear message from each and every candidate so they can make their decision on who to vote for. Waffling and changing the subject on the post is in no-one’s best interests. Just answer the question…
Here are my SIX core values, hopefully other Windsor candidates will add theirs before Thursday…
FAMILY – this is no.1 on my list because without that unity, for me, things become meaningless. I was lucky to grow up in a loving family and while I can be selfish at times, I have the family unit at the core of my thinking. Being a Cllr is about taking care of an extended family, creating an environment that encourages people to be themselves while thinking of their impact on others is what I’d like to see evolve over the next few years as we hopefully have a more balanced, caring council.
TRUST – without trust you can’t move forward as you waste time wondering if what someone said is true or not! If I can’t trust someone then I tend to remove them from my world as I only have 70 years and the clock is ticking. People can trust me to do what I say I am going to. It might not happen quickly as there are always obstacles to overcome but I always try to keep residents updated on what’s happening. My emails may be short and to the point for which I make no apology 😉
FAIRNESS – I have always been keen on making a level playing field for all. If someone flies higher, further, faster then that’s down to them. For my part I will listen to anyone who wants to talk to me about whatever the topic is and will assess their request based on the needs of the whole community, as I understand them at that moment, and advise on proposed next steps we could take. E.g. Recently I asked officers to do a more thorough consultation on the MUFC ground move at the Call-In panel meeting.
HONESTY – you might not like what I have to say but you will know where I stand on a topic. I find it much easier… a liar has to remember what they have said, all the promises they have made to individuals. I say it as it is and can move on with a clear head and conscience which means I tend to mostly be of a happy disposition.
TRANSPARENCY – You can ask me anything and I will give you my current thinking on a topic based on my information to date. New information could change my position but that’s how it should be if you want intelligent, free thinking individuals running the council.
LEADERSHIP – I am happy to lead from the front. I am happy to listen, consult with the wider community and let that information inform my decision making on the direction of travel but then lead, creating a clear explanation that is open, honest and fair and run with it, encouraging others to join us along the way.
Thank you.
Cllr Jon Davey
Independent
Clewer & Dedworth West
EDITOR’S NOTES
Here is the journey I went on to distill the half dozen above.
I googled “human values” and the following was presented…
- Schwartz’s ten types of universal value are: power, achievement, hedonism, stimulation, self-direction, universalism, benevolence, tradition, conformity, and security.
- The participation of human being pertaining to behaviour are the nine values in relationship, viz. trust, respect, affection, care, guidance, reverence, glory, gratitude and love.
- Based on the convergence of the three sources of standards, six universal moral values for corporate codes of ethics are proposed including: (1) trustworthiness; (2) respect; (3) responsibility; (4) fairness; (5) caring; and (6) citizenship.
The latter reminds me of…
The Seven Principles of Public Life – aka The Nolan Principles
- Selflessness. Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
- Integrity
- Objectivity
- Accountability
- Openness
- Honesty
- Leadership
I wrote about The Nolan Principles within weeks of being elected in 2019 when pointed to them by way of guidance for Cllrs engaging online.
