From: Ted Clarke, West Leigh.
I write firstly in response to David Garston – currently seeking election as Conservative candidate for St. Laurence ward reported as calling for the airport protest group, SAEN group opposed to the extension [of the runway] to disband.
Mr Garston is, of course, entitled to judge the platform best suited to his ambitions and I would not request him to abandon his campaign simply because I did not agree with his views or their potential outcome.
But if he is unable to deal responsibly with the differing and genuinely held opinions of others then perhaps his fitness for election is in question.
I am a supporter of SAEN but more importantly of democracy which I feel has been absent in the conduct of matters involving the airport expansion.
I have twice requested Nigel Holdcroft, leader of Southend Council, who is a near neighbour of mine, to rebut my comments within a written response but he appears subsequently interested only in a private discussion with me to outline the benefits he sees for his constituents.
Perhaps if you print my letter it will encourage Nigel to engage in a more open debate within your columns and I will be very happy to be corrected by him.
I am also perplexed by the latest newsletter (Spring 2010) from Fay Evans, prospective Tory candidate for Belfairs in which she categorically states that the airport noise mitigation proposals mean ‘no night flights over Leigh’. This is entirely misleading and far from the truth despite assurances that she has ‘read and weighed up all the facts’. Fay should publish a retraction immediately.
I am left wondering just how completely familiar our councillors are with all elements surrounding this expansion and just how much reliance they place on assurances given to them.
Tags: Ted Clarke