Sunday night.
A busy day on Thursday, visiting Easyjet, (very impressive), and Moorlands School, (adorable pupils who have invented a worry table for pupils with concerns they want to share, a great idea), and Jenny Moody's Women's Aid Refuge, (tragic that such a project needs to exist). On Friday I spent the morning at the Mind AGM, discussing the stigma still attached to mental illness. And then last night I joined the celebrations for Diwali, the Hindu and Sikh Festival of Light, in the Auction House. I had a dilemma, what to wear? I couldn't find anything festive enough in my wardrobe, so in the end I decided on boring black and white, a mistake because when I got there I found myself surrounded by ladies and little girls wearing the most beautiful silk saris in brilliant colours, red, gold, green, purple. I was a sad e moth in a crowd of butterflies. And what a wonderful atmosphere! Lovely children everywhere, the most delicious food, glamorous dancers who would put the Strictly team to shame, and all raising money for a very good cause, the Marie Curie charity who support cancer patients and their families.
I was given a seat at a most distinguished table, with at least three former mayors, and the current mayor of Luton, and acutally sitting next to Lord (Bill) Mackenzie, once the Leader of Luton council. Lord M was clearly conflicted, he's a charming man who wanted to welcome me to Luton but couldn't endorse my intervention because, of course, I am from a different, (Independent), tribe. The same conflict was dealt with rather more rudely by one of the ex-mayors, who when I asked what the essential qualifications are for a good mayor said, pointedly, "Local. He must be local". "Rather than competent?" I asked, equally pointedly. But it was too pleasant an evening to be combatative. If I'd had my wits about me I would have pointed out that I only live down the road, was born a Berko, and love Luton. But the gorgeous hot spicy food which was exploding like fireworks in my mouth distracted me, and I thought of it too late.
Tomorrow is a big day! At 11 am we open our new advice and information centre in the Indoor Market, Luton. (You can write to me at Unit 74/76, or come and see me there by appointment. I will even have a phone there, 01582 418874.) This is entirely due to the help and support from the market itself, the wonderful David Gibbs and his team from Town and Country Markets, and Jodie of Slamsigns. Also the fantastic support from Tim, Clive and Richard who know the constituency so well, and are educating and guiding me. What a team! Their welcome more than compensates for the brusqueness of the ex-mayor.
The website, esther4luton.com is coming along. I am briefly outlining on it the basic principles by which I will work, with transparency and integrity being the priority. We will be developing the site, and making it interactive, as the weeks go by. Coincidentally, ChildLine tomorrow launches its on-line counselling service for the first time, a huge adventure for all of us who want children in distress or danger to reach the help they need.
So, if you see me around the constituency, (and at the moment I am in Luton South almost every day), give me a wave. Luton is the warmest,most generous, most underestimated town I know!
Sunday 18 October 2009
Tuesday 13 October 2009
A bruising encounter in Slip End
The last meeting, the evening in Caddington School, alarmed me. Not because the protest meeting was so passionate - that's good. It's heartening that so many people feel deeply involved in the future of their village, and that they want to influence decisions. But because I was unconvinced that they were being told all the facts. Local politician Richard Stay is eloquent, almost too eloquent. He knows the result he wishes to achieve, and the words he uses are designed to stir up strong feelings, for instance, anyone who might dare to agree with the proposed development was described as "rolling over." Anyone who disagrees with Mr Stay is described as "bonkers". When someone says something he disapproves of, he grimaces, rolls his eyes and shakes his head. An email I received from someone who was present described the atmosphere as "rabble rousing." The Caddingtonites were not of course rabble, but they were certainly roused.
I had said at the meeting that I was sorry the developers themselves were not there, to answer questions. After the meeting one of them got in touch with me, and I went to try and find out more. Looking at the actual plans in detail was very interesting. Mr Stay had said the plan was to "concrete over" eight hundred acres. It turns out that at least half that area would remain green, devoted to woodland, fields, and allotments. There would be a great deal of provision for disabled people and the elderly, there would be a health centre and the famous twenty thousand seater all-weather stadium, and quarter-mile green buffer zones to protect Caddington and Slip End, specifically to protect their character as villages. But there would indeed be 5,500 new houses. A dramatic change to the local landscape.
A couple of days later, last Friday, I went to the second protest meeting in Slip End, to see if the developers would be there this time. (I had a delicious fish-cake beforehand in the Frog and Rhubarb, thoroughly recommended. Good thing, as it turned out). The village hall was hot and packed to capacity. Mr Stay was on the platform again, flanked by parish councillors from Slip End and Caddington who remained fairly silent while Mr Stay paced the stage like a Roman warrior defending the troops in a heroic siege. This time he described the green buffer zones around the villages as "hedges", and declared that he was utterly opposed to the plans "on principle."
When my turn to speak came, I said what about the principle of informed choice? Were they sure they had been given all the information they needed? Would they like me to chair a debate between those who propose the development, and those who oppose it, so that everyone could hear the arguments both ways, and ask questions? Mr Stay was rolling his eyes. He was still in warrior mood. He declared he could see no reason for any more information, he promised the villagers a vigorous fight, an expensive fight, and one that would make "a lot of noise." He is obviously looking forward to the battle, and relished the idea. And in a final vote, the meeting agreed with him.
I retired to the Frog and Rhubarb to think things through. Obviously I would have preferred the villagers to have the opportunity to discuss their concerns directly with the developers. They might even persuade the developer to withdraw the plans, which would save the villagers a lot of money, and Mr Stay a lot of pacing and eye-rolling.
Personally I love the green belts we have preserved around our towns and cities, including the one around Luton. Like everyone there, I would far prefer good housing should be placed on brown field sites. I also know that Luton is gasping for more space. I was given a copy of the core strategy, which will outline the choices. Plenty to think about.
For me, the bad news was the amount of heat and anger aroused at the two meetings, when the villagers desperately need cool heads, logical thinking, cold hard facts and clear evidence on their side. The good news was that I had a chance to meet the Caddingtonites and Slip Enders. I'd love to return for an evening just to talk to local people, to hear their views on a range of other local issues, if they'll have me. Whatever they tell me, I promise not to call them bonkers.
I had said at the meeting that I was sorry the developers themselves were not there, to answer questions. After the meeting one of them got in touch with me, and I went to try and find out more. Looking at the actual plans in detail was very interesting. Mr Stay had said the plan was to "concrete over" eight hundred acres. It turns out that at least half that area would remain green, devoted to woodland, fields, and allotments. There would be a great deal of provision for disabled people and the elderly, there would be a health centre and the famous twenty thousand seater all-weather stadium, and quarter-mile green buffer zones to protect Caddington and Slip End, specifically to protect their character as villages. But there would indeed be 5,500 new houses. A dramatic change to the local landscape.
A couple of days later, last Friday, I went to the second protest meeting in Slip End, to see if the developers would be there this time. (I had a delicious fish-cake beforehand in the Frog and Rhubarb, thoroughly recommended. Good thing, as it turned out). The village hall was hot and packed to capacity. Mr Stay was on the platform again, flanked by parish councillors from Slip End and Caddington who remained fairly silent while Mr Stay paced the stage like a Roman warrior defending the troops in a heroic siege. This time he described the green buffer zones around the villages as "hedges", and declared that he was utterly opposed to the plans "on principle."
When my turn to speak came, I said what about the principle of informed choice? Were they sure they had been given all the information they needed? Would they like me to chair a debate between those who propose the development, and those who oppose it, so that everyone could hear the arguments both ways, and ask questions? Mr Stay was rolling his eyes. He was still in warrior mood. He declared he could see no reason for any more information, he promised the villagers a vigorous fight, an expensive fight, and one that would make "a lot of noise." He is obviously looking forward to the battle, and relished the idea. And in a final vote, the meeting agreed with him.
I retired to the Frog and Rhubarb to think things through. Obviously I would have preferred the villagers to have the opportunity to discuss their concerns directly with the developers. They might even persuade the developer to withdraw the plans, which would save the villagers a lot of money, and Mr Stay a lot of pacing and eye-rolling.
Personally I love the green belts we have preserved around our towns and cities, including the one around Luton. Like everyone there, I would far prefer good housing should be placed on brown field sites. I also know that Luton is gasping for more space. I was given a copy of the core strategy, which will outline the choices. Plenty to think about.
For me, the bad news was the amount of heat and anger aroused at the two meetings, when the villagers desperately need cool heads, logical thinking, cold hard facts and clear evidence on their side. The good news was that I had a chance to meet the Caddingtonites and Slip Enders. I'd love to return for an evening just to talk to local people, to hear their views on a range of other local issues, if they'll have me. Whatever they tell me, I promise not to call them bonkers.
Friday 2 October 2009
Caddington Village School
October 2 2009
The Caddington Village School was packed with concerned villagers, desperately worried about plans for a major new development on 800 acres of green fields. Anyone who thinks voters are apathetic and no longer care about politics, should see the concern and commitment of people who feel their homes and the environment they love are threatened by planners. As a journalist myself, I became anxious because it was clear that nobody was there at the meeting to offer a different point of view. We needed to know how far the attractions of the new plans, (allotments, green spaces, a new stadium, more jobs, a new high street and so on) were simply “unaffordable bells and whistles” as Richard Stay (Conservative Councillor) described them. He was very much in charge of the meeting and vehemently against the development. I have always believed in informed choice. As I said at the meeting, it is better to hear the arguments on both sides. This not only helps us to come to an objective decision but also enables us to hear the other side’s arguments and muster our own ammunition against them. Sadly the meeting at Caddington was entirely devoid of any contribution from those who support the new development. Richard accused me of not having voted for or against the plans. With so little hard information and with emotions running so high, I have decided to do some research of my own.
My greatest shock was to see that not only was the MP missing, (as she is off sick, that is hardly surprising and indeed nobody seemed to have expected her to attend) but Luton’s Labour Party had not sent any representative either. It is utterly wrong that Luton South should have no voice in government or parliament on a crucial issue like this.
I was delighted by the warmth of my welcome at the meeting – it must be very tough to feel outgunned and outnumbered when a community is so comparatively small but let no one underestimate the strength and fervour of Caddington village feelings. I look forward to attending the meeting at Slip End on October 9. I hope there will be some representatives from the developers and Luton’s Labour Party there. Otherwise there is a real risk that passions can be whipped up by politicians with their own agenda.
The Caddington Village School was packed with concerned villagers, desperately worried about plans for a major new development on 800 acres of green fields. Anyone who thinks voters are apathetic and no longer care about politics, should see the concern and commitment of people who feel their homes and the environment they love are threatened by planners. As a journalist myself, I became anxious because it was clear that nobody was there at the meeting to offer a different point of view. We needed to know how far the attractions of the new plans, (allotments, green spaces, a new stadium, more jobs, a new high street and so on) were simply “unaffordable bells and whistles” as Richard Stay (Conservative Councillor) described them. He was very much in charge of the meeting and vehemently against the development. I have always believed in informed choice. As I said at the meeting, it is better to hear the arguments on both sides. This not only helps us to come to an objective decision but also enables us to hear the other side’s arguments and muster our own ammunition against them. Sadly the meeting at Caddington was entirely devoid of any contribution from those who support the new development. Richard accused me of not having voted for or against the plans. With so little hard information and with emotions running so high, I have decided to do some research of my own.
My greatest shock was to see that not only was the MP missing, (as she is off sick, that is hardly surprising and indeed nobody seemed to have expected her to attend) but Luton’s Labour Party had not sent any representative either. It is utterly wrong that Luton South should have no voice in government or parliament on a crucial issue like this.
I was delighted by the warmth of my welcome at the meeting – it must be very tough to feel outgunned and outnumbered when a community is so comparatively small but let no one underestimate the strength and fervour of Caddington village feelings. I look forward to attending the meeting at Slip End on October 9. I hope there will be some representatives from the developers and Luton’s Labour Party there. Otherwise there is a real risk that passions can be whipped up by politicians with their own agenda.
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