Why was I seen crying in the council meeting?

Following a historic victory for the opposition in council on Wednesday 3rd September, I cried. Not a big blubbery cry (though it’s OK if men want to cry), but a small and I thought discrete cry. I was asked about it by someone today, so I thought I’d let you all know why. After all, men need to be more open about their emotions!

As I have previously written, Havering Politics is full of bullying. There’s systematic exclusion, the spreading of malicious rumours and lies, and actual harassment. It’s not unique to Havering, but it is really bad here. It’s resulted in a number of really fantastic past councillors being pushed out and, in my view, the borough is much weaker for those we’ve lost, from all sides.

It has been described by some as ‘tall poppy syndrome’. When a particular councillor is seen as having an impact they are targeted. I have experienced this first hand, and it’s obviously been draining.

A part of this bullying has been the systematic exclusion that I mentioned, rumours and lies have been spread about me, claims of “improper behaviour”, and not once has anyone presented any evidence to me. It’s all behind backs and closed doors. Alongside that, for some time now, have been the whisperings of “David is history”.

“David is history” has been used to try and deter people from working with me or aligning with me. I’ll be irrelevant soon, is the suggestion, so best not waste your time trying to get on with me or work with me. Multiple people have told me that they’ve been told this, as well as being encouraged to try oust me from a position of heading up a scrutiny committee.

So, why the tears?

The tears were tears of joy. Joy of achieving something for the people of this borough and joy in proving the bullies wrong, because I am far from being history.

On September 3rd, Independents and Labour joined the Conservatives to rally around my motion and defeat the HRA. The first time the HRA have lost a vote and the opposition forced a change. And it could be an important change, it was the first move towards ensuring Havering council deliver more social housing.

This is an area I’m passionate about, I’ve been called ‘obsessed’ about it. Housing means the world to so many; a safe warm stable home can be the difference between literal life and death. It can give people the security they need to pick themselves up and rebuild their lives. So, it’s understandable to shed a little tear at this small win.

Far from being history, I united the chamber for the good of Havering’s vulnerable and left-behind. Whilst some are out there stoking fear and division, whilst they are trying to smear my name or prevent people from working with me, I am busy working hard for the people of Havering and securing results.

During my time as a Councillor, I believe I have achieved a lot for residents. I led campaigns which secured a u-turn on parking permit price hikes, I got extra parking hours for the market place, I secured a benefits increase for those on housing welfare, influenced budgets and helped the voluntary sector to fight back. I’ve helped local sports clubs find sponsorship, vulnerable tenants find homes, and stopped unsuitable planning applications. The Como St development was scaled back, dangerously parked delivery bikes moved to a new location, and our faith leaders now plugged into the council.

The bullies can continue to say that “David is history” all they want, I shed a small tear because I’ve yet again proved them wrong.

Men need to show their vulnerable sides, we need to show our emotions more. We need to not be afraid to fight for what’s right, and it is OK to shed a discreet tear or two when you make positive progress.

I’ll not stop, I’m a Councillor for at least another 5 months, I won’t be wasting that time, I’ll keep working hard and winning for local residents.