Most of the news as I’m writing this is about the by-election results.

According to the BBC the prime minister said he would "keep going" and address people's concerns.

I’m not sure how much any politician at any level listens to the people who they represent.

I was talking to one local politician about consultations recently and his response was that he didn’t think we needed consultations because he’d been elected to get on with the job.

Another has stated very clearly that she knows what people want so doesn’t need to talk to them.

I know that all politicians from Councillors to MPs are elected on a manifesto but how often can you look back and see that they have achieved what they promised?

They will always tell you that circumstances changed.

If circumstances change then surely they should ask their electorate what they want instead, not just assume that they are omniscient and know what we are thinking.

Another local councillor told me that I shouldn’t talk to anyone working for them, that staff should only talk to councillors.

I’m sorry but I will talk to anyone and participate in any consultation to ensure that the views of the people that I talk to, are shared as widely as possible.

To that end, I’m sharing details of the current consultations which I believe you should take part in to ensure that your views are heard.

The consultation on making the pedestrianisation of the West end of Wantage Market Place permanent is still open until 1st July. See https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wantage_marketplace_experiment22?

The Town Council is consulting on the draft Wantage Neighbourhood Plan. The deadline for responses is Thursday 14 July 2022.

More information can be accessed on the Town Council’s website https://wantagetowncouncil.gov.uk/wantage-neighbourhood-plan/

You should also complete the survey attached to it that can be accessed by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JZVVYMX

The District Council is currently working on a regeneration review for central Abingdon. You can see the current proposals at https://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/central-abingdon-regeneration-framework/ until 11.59pm on Friday 15 July 2022.

You can of course comment on any current planning application via whitehorsedc.gov.uk and I’ve created a short url to the relevant page: https://tinyurl.com/ykb6u245

Of course politicians are omniscient and probably won’t take any notice.