Today’s series on the parties seeking your vote in the Boston Borough Council elections continues with the Conservatives who – although they have never fully controlled the council, ran it in conjunction with other parties for many years.
Whilst we observed in yesterday’s piece that the BBI was long on history, and short on future promises, the Conservatives, by comparison, are brimming with slogans and pledges – so at least voters have something to think about as their crayon hovers above their ballot paper.
“A record of action, a promise of more” trills the headline.
“Action for you all the year round.”
“Your priorities are our priorities,”
The Tories say they plan to give more for less.
Key promises appear in a clipboard format on the election literature.
The include maintaining front line services, ending secrecy in the council, a push for cleaner streets and a green waste collection, improvements in community safety and policing, and sharing work with other councils to save money.
The Conservatives are fighting 26 of the borough’s 32 wards – one fewer than the Boston Bypass Independents - and they include two foreign nationals among their candidates.

The election literature promises some “tough decisions” over the next two years and pledges consultation with voters as well as keeping them informed.
As with the BBI, the Conservative pledges give us some pause for thought.
“A record of action” is the boast.
But some of the actions proved unpopular as time passed. Memory tells us that the Tories were prime movers in the disastrous PRSA project, which cost taxpayers millions – but there is no suggestion that they plan to review the recent decision to continue funding this unloved white elephant for just a little longer.
And whilst the Bypass Independents are often described as a single issue party, there is no question that the bypass issue got them elected – and we would like to have seen some mention of the Tories’ future transport plans for Boston.
Again, maintenance of “front line” services is something of a red herring in the context of a district council these days – as the services it provides are relatively low key.
And as we’ve pointed out before, something like 80% of Boston’s income goes on staff pay – which is the real “front line” and which is still seriously top heavy.
We also wonder what the subtext is behind the claim that “tough decisions” will only be needed for the next two years – just half the life of the next council.
Will all our troubles have vanished so quickly, leaving a two-year period of bliss and ease for the people of Boston?
Whatever the answer, the Tories have at least made an effort to dangle a carrot under our noses.
It’s the unmentioned stick that might accompany it that worries us most!
Tomorrow, our attention turns to Labour and their plans for Boston in the next few years.

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