Shooter to replace Hillan? So what!

That headline will seem rather rude to those people who've taken the trouble to fill me in on some of the background to this story - Mark Shooter to challenge Lynne Hillan for leadership of Barnet council Conservative group.

But it's a political stance, rather than a personal opinion. Of course, it's great fun to see the Tories ripping themselves apart just because David Cameron can't be doing with the PR disaster that is Lynne Hillan (or does he have bigger beasts in his sights?).

But, at the end of the day, will Barnet be spared any cuts with smoothie Mark Shooter in the leader's swivel chair? Is he going to stop Future Shape privatisation?

From the Tories' point of view, can Shooter revive the Tories' reputation in Barnet? I doubt it, frankly. The whole government and, by extension, Barnet council strategy stinks. We don't need public service cuts, we need more public services! We don't need privatisation, services run like businesses for profit by bosses out to screw their workforces! We need democratically accountable public services, that treat their employees like an asset.

If Barnet Tories (and the people that vote for them) can't grasp that, no shuffling of the pack in the Barnet Conservative group is going to change anything fundamental.

But if I haven't put you off yet, and you are determined to know more about Shooter's motivations (and chances), you can read the details on Dan Hope's Barnet Bugle blog - any time now, I would think!

P.S. As an amusing aside, Hendon Conservatives website informs us that Shooter teaches "Enrichment" classes at a local school. I trust he won't be looking to enrich himself in his new post.