Forum Topic

The Real issues

What a lot of huffing and puffing over the past few days, some of it actually quite good, but much of it pure vitriol based on nothing more than cheap party politics.  I've even received a piece of waste paper through the door from the Conservatives jumping up and down about the Oaks development. It even says something about St Mary's burial ground being overpowered. I don't remember them being too bothered when they ran the council and it was left to rot. Also and I may be wrong, but I can't remember anything dropping through the door about the disgraceful proposed closure of our 4 A and E's, or the closure of Remploy, or the cut back in staff at Wormwood Scrubs which in the words of the IMB (Independent Monitoring Board) have left the prison on a 'knife edge', or the bedroom tax, or the cuts in education, for example. No of course not, they probably support those things and wouldn't be able to gain any cheap points.Lets hope that all those who made it to the planning meeting to protest about the Oaks can find the energy to get out again to save our A and E's, or support teachers and others facing real hardship.

Tony Loftus ● 4713d10 Comments

Tony, would you by any chance be in favour of the proposed Oaks development? Or are you suggesting that anyone who protests the Oaks development should have a record of protest changes to welfare or education Or, are you suggesting that this Town Centre development is irrelevant to you and so must irrelevant to everyone. Do tell.

Maire Lowe ● 4712d

Marie, I don't hold any strong views on the proposed development. I'm delighted that at last something is going to be done to hopefully rejuvenate the high street. Personally I would like to see some brilliant architecture being used that would be a joy for all of us to use.  My main bone of contention is that there are a number of people who are using the issues around the development purely for their own political ends. These are the people who Lord Feldman allegedly describes as 'swivel-eyed loons' whose only concern for Acton is to ensure house prices are rising and Churchfield Road gets another deli. They are attempting to hijack the campaign on the development, hence the door drop last week. I don't remember anything from them landing on the mat about the closure of the A and E's the disgraceful closure of Remploy or any of the other attacks on our schools or public services. My other point is that whilst I was quite heartened to see that 200 people made an effort to attend a planning meeting, it's a pity that many of those can't be bothered to protest at the real issues which are adversely affecting so many people in Acton.

Tony Loftus ● 4712d

The door drop last week was a community association thing - not a party political one - though assorted people helped. The last time we did one was on the CPZ consultation.We only do them on ward-centric issues.Some may be using the Oaks for their political ends but an awful lot nof people just don't want a massive canker plonked on an improving street. The Labour group on the Council seem to have been more party political than anyone else and one of the things I resent is the way its action make the rest of us look party political when we are not.And we can't all campaign on everything - not enough hours in the day if you have a living to earn and many other demands. At the moment, I choose this issue (and restorative justice, the plight of asylum seekers and what we can do for the lonely old) You probably make different choices.Nothing wrong with that!

Sara Nathan ● 4712d

The drop drop I refer to was actually headed 'Intouch' from Ealing Conservatives and dealt exclusively with The Oaks. Perhaps they missed your road. Of course one has to be selective in deciding which issues to fight or campaign for and I'm sure a number of those at the council meeting last week make such choices. However it remains true that the local Conservatives are using this issue purely for party political ends. They have never shown any interest in Acton previously.

Tony Loftus ● 4711d

Yes, a different drop and no, we didn't get it.I think parties are interested in a marginal seat. Now the Boundary Commission is not re-assigning Acton Central to be part of a cobbled-together constituency in Hammersmith, all the parties seem more interested than they were.And, to be fair, and I am not particularly Tory in sympathies, Angie Bray has been more engaged in specifically Acton issues than either of her predecessors. Some of that may be geography and some aptitude...whichever, I find her comparatively responsive and interested in local issues.

Sara Nathan ● 4711d

Tony, It is the last sweeping sentence that prompts me to out myself. I am a local Conservative and I have lived in Acton for 30 years. I have always taken an interest in Acton and I guess plenty of people on this forum would support this, even if they haven't always agreed with me.  My colleagues have respected histories of working for the public good. This is true even if you personally don't know about their work .But isn't the point of democracy that good people with differing viewpoints come together to discuss the issues and collectively seek the best result for everyone? Last week's planning decision has upset people on every side of the political divide. It is quite understandable that local Conservatives would want to point to the questionable way the decision was made. If they didn't, they would be failing in their duty. Scrutiny is part of the process. And yes, we do campaign on other issues. But that is another story.

Maire Lowe ● 4711d

I totally agree with Sara.  I am a lifelong Labour supporter and I was at the council planning committee meeting.  The Labour councillors on the committee (none of whom know Acton) let us down completely.  The fact is that the Conservative councillors had done their homework and raised valid objections based on fact, whereas the Labour councillors had not and made some quite insulting comments about the "type" of people who use social housing and about our area generally.  Quite scandalous.  It was heartbreaking and made me question how I vote at the next Council elections, although Councillor Dan Crawford, who is NOT a Conservative, spoke eloquently against the proposals.  So, put party politics aside as far as you can and think about what the 2 directors of Tottenham Hotspur FC have planned to do to our town centre.  Everyone agrees the site should be developed, but it should be done sympathetically and in keeping with the locale.  At least I'm not a Spurs supporter.

Anne Brown ● 4711d

The Acton Central ward has three Labour Councillors - two of whom, Daniel Crawford and Abdullah Gulaid, spoke against this development at last Wednesday's meeting.  Their arguments against were strong and reflected the concerns of many of their constituents. It's a pity that they were not able to vote.  The voting in my opinion was a farce.

Maria Pettit ● 4711d

Tony, there has been loads of stuff about the NHS cuts - including at least 2 mail drops by the Council opposing the proposed A&E closures. Some of us via the trades council, run a stall at Acton market from time to time as well. I continue to be very involved in that campaign, as well as the campaign of opposition to the Oaks. I couldn't make the planning meeting last week but as I live in social housing myself would have been really upset at being called anti social - and by a Labour councillor to boot!

Chris Hurley ● 4711d

Hear hear Chris.

Maire Lowe ● 4711d