Comments on: York – so scared of change

By: Simon

Simon — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 12:00:25 +0000

Oh dear, that link is now a 404!

Also, perhaps, ‘self-governance’ would’ve been a better term.

By: YorkStories

YorkStories — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:14:21 +0000

I’ve just discovered the text of James Alexander’s recent Inaugural Mansion House Speech:
http://www.york.gov.uk/council/mansionhousespeech/
which may be of interest as a follow-up to the comments quoted above. It’s a long page – search for the phrase ‘pace of change’ for the most relevant paragraph. The ‘cultural issue’ is here presented as a British one, rather than specific to York.

Worth a read. Though I almost stopped reading after the first line, which repeats the rather misleading statement I keep hearing – that it’s ‘eight hundred years since democracy came to York’. I’m not an expert in political history, but I’d question that ‘democracy’ arrived 800 years ago? – women have had the vote for less than a century, and I don’t believe many people benefited from ‘democracy’ in 1212?

Anyway, interesting to read the speech.

By: YorkStories

YorkStories — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:19:47 +0000

Stephen, those areas you mention have certainly changed dramatically in recent years. The pace of change has slowed a bit because of the economic climate, of course, but I think there’ll be a quite a few noticeable changes since your last visit! Hope you enjoy your time ‘back home’ here in York.

By: YorkStories

YorkStories — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:14:50 +0000

You’re right that councillors are supposed to represent us, but if you’re council leader I guess it’s different, includes setting ‘policy direction’, etc.

Mr Alexander seems to have a lot of support from younger York folks, and I wonder if reactions to his comments above are dependent on age group. I realised a while back that different perspectives because of age affected my reactions to him and his approach - hence the comments above about old crones … ;)

By: Mallory

Mallory — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 07:08:18 +0000

I’ve been stewing on that quote for weeks.

“The fear of change is a cultural problem in York”

If the people of York dont want ‘change’, then I thought his job was to represent this?

By: Stephen Clark

Stephen Clark — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 23:18:48 +0000

I think that change is more noticable when you have been away from York for a long time. My wife and I were born and raised there but left for Australia 34 years ago. We have been back a few times and when we walk up Layerthorpe or Fossgate/Walmgate the changes are quite dramatic.We are returning for a holiday in 4 weeks so no doubt will discover more of unfamiliar York