Just who is Lady Cromwell and what will she pen next?

A mysterious scribe named Lady Cromwell and her Bridgerton-style writings have set tongues wagging in Cromwell in recent weeks.

Describing herself as Cromwell’s most ‘‘loyal and discerning informant’’ regarding the Central Otago District Council, Lady Cromwell first came to the attention of Cromwell residents in September, with her website Lady Cromwell’s Society Papers.  

A Facebook page of the same name followed last month.

Lady Cromwell did not respond to The Central App's attempts to contact her - and we would not want to blow her cover.

The Gate chief executive Glen Christiansen said while personally not a fan of Lady Cromwell, he thought her writing was amazing and caused great debate . . . . ”and hopefully we have another candidate for council. I would prefer to know who it is,” he said.

Lady Cromwell wrote that for a town such as theirs, “one must always be alert, lest the affairs of governance slide into less . . . savoury hands.”

She said rest assured, her humble scribe shall hold those in power to account, “shedding light where shadows seek to thrive, for you, dear ratepayers, deserve nothing less than complete transparency. 

“After all, we are the foundation upon which this community is built, and it is high time we claimed our rightful voice in matters that affect our daily lives.”

Last month in a post titled ‘’Ignorance and Power’’, Lady Cromwell claimed those who proposed such things, failed to understand the true essence of their duty, “ to govern in harmony not domination.”

“It is through the delicate art of collaboration with the community boards that trust is earned, and true governance is achieved. Not by silencing local voices, but by amplifying them.

On October 28 she warned about how council might vote on districtisation, and then early November posted a caricature mocking the process involved in the appointment of new Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley, after the resignation of former Mayor Tim Cadogan.

As Mayor Tim’s resignation was formally received after the time the Local Government Act required a by-election to determine his replacement, Central Otago district councillors appointed a mayor from within their ranks until next year's local body elections.

Comments on Lady Cromwell’s Facebook page included from Cromwell local Duncan Faulkner who said he hoped the new Mayor made some positive change.

“Cromwell has an awful lot of potential but lacks good leadership and a community that actually holds leaders to account. 

‘’I guess that’s the price we pay for living in such a beautiful comfortable town . . . .it’s just to easy to do nothing and not rock the boat.” [SIC]

A more recent post from Lady Cromwell foreshadowed Council’s final meeting for the year to be held in December.

“One thing is clear: the path forward is fraught with tension, uncertainty, and simmering unrest. 

‘’Will the council risk further inflaming these fires by disregarding the people’s will?

‘’Or, dear readers, will they listen to the rising voices of frustration and find a path that respects both fiscal prudence and local governance?”

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