Former Conservative MP Paul Bristow signalled a clash over work from home and equality, diversity and inclusion policies should he win the race to become Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
In his latest post to X (formerly Twitter) where he is documenting his daily campaign, Bristow urges residents of Cambridgeshire ‘leave politics to the Mayor’ and says his plan means there will be:
1: No 4-day week at the Combined Authority
2: No staff working “almost entirely” from home
3: No Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) officers
4: No pronouns in email signatures
5: No campaign-based months, weeks, or days.
In an earlier statement of intent, he wrote that “too often, we see public authorities indulge in cultural agendas.
“From barmy HR policies like four-day weeks and armies of Diversity and Inclusion Officers – to failing to protect spaces for women. This might not involve party politics, but it’s political.
“For example, Cambridge City Council promotes campaigns like Veganuary and World Vegetarian Day. Why should residents pay to be lectured about eating meat? Everyone should make their own choice. It’s none of the council’s business.
“Clear rules are needed for the Combined Authority.”
He said that as Mayor “I’ll ensure that CPCA: values excellence and public service, recruits entirely on merit, respects people with different views, keeps politics out of the workplace.
Picture by Terry Harris.
“Where possible, this will also apply to projects and activity that the authority funds others to deliver. It’s taxpayers’ money. Politics should be left to politicians.”
On its website Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority promotes the fact that “we operate an agile way of working. This means splitting your time between the office in Huntingdon and working remotely.
“The office is located on the 2nd floor, Pathfinder House, St Mary’s Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TN. There is public parking a short distance from the office”.
The authority says: “We believe that flexible working can increase staff motivation, promote work-life balance, enrich employee wellbeing, and improve performance and productivity.
“Our vision is for a prosperous and sustainable Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
“Driven by our values and using our collective voice and strengths, we seek inclusive good growth for an equitable resilient, healthier, and connected region.”
Picture by Terry Harris.
The Combined Authority offers a description of types of flexible working that include
Moving to hybrid working (sometimes referred to as ‘blended working’ or agile working’ which allows staff to split their time between attending the workplace and working remotely
Reducing the number of hours that staff work
Compressing working hours into fewer days (for example moving to a nine-day fortnight).
Working flexitime.
Fact file:
Mr Bristow, MP for Peterborough from 2019 to 2024, has previous local government experience. He was a councillor on Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council between 2006 and 2010.
