With thanks for permission to reproduce his reply here, in response to the press release of Dan Javis MP, Justin Tomlinson MP writes,
Sigh…
What a load of marketing guff, stating the blindingly obvious – well except (as expected) no mention of whether they would provide any additional funding or reference to the swathes of libraries decimated during the Socialist Utopian Government years / Socialist ruled Councils. (I’m not saying any Party is perfect on libraries, but I wouldn’t have put my name to this 2nd hand car-sales brochure if it was in dashing blue either!)
The world of libraries is changing / evolving – come up with concrete suggestions (hey maybe funding?) not flannel. Could of, should of, would of, dear me…
To those actually doing the graft on the coal-face, more power to you.
Me, I’d have a library Tsar with a commercial background (Tim Coates etc!), focus on numbers and customer experience. Share this best practice, rejoice in being the thriving hub of communities – this would make local Government appreciate (and pay for) the services we want.
Be spikey, float radical ideas, hey even get it wrong – but get it done.
Cheers, Justin
Justin Tomlinson
North Swindon Conservative MP
