The last 18 months have been enthralling and very frustrating - being an elected Councillor for the municipality of Bédar. I never thought that I and Bédar Independents would create a revolution in Bédar, but I did hope that we could make a contribution to this beautiful area in which we live. It was always going to be difficult, especially for me - a relative newcomer with very limited ability in the Spanish language - but I think we have changed things. We have been able to call the Mayor to account for some of his policies, we have put down our own motions for consideration in council meetings (always rejected!) and we have tried to report council proceedings, express opinions and encourage discussion on this blog.
But I have to tell you that I have found the task getting progressively more difficult as time has passed. I knew from the beginning that my limitations - the language and political knowledge - were a handicap, but thought that with the support and resources that were on offer, it was worth taking the risk and having a go. However, I have found that, largely, more and more has been left to me and unless I take action, nothing happens. I don´t want you to think that this is just apathy - although there is quite a lot of that. Many who supported me are busy, creative and energetic people who have their own interests and projects. I have found it tiresome when approached by people who complain about any number of things in Bédar but who contribute very little, if anything.
The Council Meetings themselves seem to be a travesty of democracy. Discussion is limited. Only the Mayor and the opposition leader - Ana - are allowed to speak. The remaining members are gagged. If I have anything to say, it has to be relayed through Ana. At the first meeting the Mayor refused me a translator even before I asked, but it was hardly relevant - I´m not allowed to speak anyway! No meeting lasted more than 40 minutes and was usually much shorter - a few only lasted 10 minutes. Not surprising really when it is only a conversation between two people! There may well be a growing problem here for the Council and the Mayor. 40% of residents being "extranjeros" (most of whom are nowhere near fluent in Spanish) means that a large proportion of the population of Bédar cannot participate in local government. This situation is in the hands of the Mayor - he can change it or maintain it.
But let me get to the main matter. I have got to the point where, because of my limitations and the inadequacy of the support that is available to me, I can not responsibly perform the task of councillor. Unless I can do a job to a satisfactory level I will not do it. I do not think that I can carry out my work with integrity when the difficulties I have come up against are insurmountable. So I am resigning as a Bédar councillor. I do not regret having taken on the role and much of it has been - as I said at the beginning - enthralling, especially developing relationships with my Spanish colleagues and experiencing something of what it is like to be Spanish in these recessionary times.
I realise that my resignation means that there will now be no representative for the "extranjeros" on the Council in Bédar and (as I said earlier) we make up 40% of the inhabitants of the municipality. I do not believe that this is healthy in a democracy. I know there are some who do not think we have a right to a say in local affairs when this is not our country. There are others who are content to enjoy the wonderful environment of Bédar provided by our Spanish neighbours but feel no obligation to help and be involved. Of course, I don´t see it that way. There is much good neighbourliness here, but there are decisions being made by the Town Hall that will affect us all and to sit back in ignorance and let it happen is what we have tried to avoid. Yes, we live in a country that is not "ours" but in the new Europe we do have a right to representation and we do have a responsibility to assist with the development and running of our town. So I am asking the question "Are we, as the "extranjeros" who live here, failing to participate?". And, "Is the Council failing to find ways for us to participate?
You may be wondering what will now happen to this blog. Well, so am I. Our intention with the blog has always been to provide a balanced account of the proceedings in the Town Council meetings, to offer opinions, comments and to encourage discussion of local council policies. Thank you if you have taken the trouble to make a comment. For the blog to continue we need people who are interested in what is going on in the Council and who are prepared to take part in reading, listening and sharing the reporting of decisions and discussions. Without that I don´t think this blog has a proper function.
I will continue to take an interest in local affairs but in the short term I shall be "spending more time with my family"!!!!!!
David Horton
