I believe that one of the main jobs of any Mayor, or indeed any local council as a whole, is to take action to help create a place that is welcoming to everyone. Strangely this is seen as a contraversial idea by some. And I really have no idea why.
Surely a town or village benefits when people want to live there, work there, play there and visit? This can only add to the life, the prosperity and the community well being of the place. If some people feel excluded or marginalised, that means the town becomes less as a result. That is no good for anyone.
So when I sat down to write The Mayor's Bear, I very deliberately made the main character a woman and someone of colour. Why? Because, I want to do everything in my power to encourage more women and more people of colour to join town and parish councils. Why? Because I think diverse and inclusive councils are more likely to take actions that make their places more welcoming to all people of all kinds.
I am not saying that councils made up only of old white men cannot or do not want to do this. But I will assert that such mono culture councils are less likely to have success at creating places that welcome all. Diverse councils with a rich mix of people sitting around the table dicussing such matters are more likely to be successful. I really hope this is not controversial.
If you feel a little uncomfortable or queasy reading all this, then my book is probably not for you!
But, if like me, you want local councils to be full of diversity, divergence and difference and therefore better able to harness creativity and the full spectrum of thinking, colour and community, I think you will enjoy my book...
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