Brussels’ advice on a new petition
SINCE my last Political Viewpoint article appeared in this newspaper – a General Election has taken place and a new government has been elected.
During my time in Parliament, there has been a marked contrast in what I was able to achieve locally between 1983 and 1997 compared to what I have achieved since.
There is no doubt in my mind that this was primarily due to having a Labour Government for the last 13 years who shifted resources from areas such as ours to the Midlands and the North.
I am now absolutely determined to change that and am immediately acting on a number of commitments I gave during the General Election campaign.
For example, I have always believed that Southend should be involved in the 2012 London Olympics. Another of them was regarding the proposed expansion of Southend Airport.
The irony is that if we had had the present Government at the time the council’s committee met to consider planning permission, I do not believe the result would have been the same.
I always felt that the fairest way to deal with such a contentious issue was to have a Public Inquiry and allow all voices to be heard.
The Labour Secretary of State dismissed that option. However, before the General Election I visited Brussels and explored with the Office of the European Commissioner, dealing with the environment and pollution generally, what assistance he might give local residents who were concerned about the proposed expansion.
It was suggested that a petition could be launched to the Parliament regarding the proposed expansion in terms of the effects on the local environment and pollution.
This petition has now been launched and if any resident would like a copy of it or would like to sign it they can download it from our website or collect a form from Iveagh Hall, 67 Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea.