MP is showing a lack of respect for constituents
ON FRIDAY, July 30, I attended an open meeting in Lincoln called by city councillors Neil Murray and Karen Lee and county councillor Robert Parker.
About 120 people were present at St Faith's Church Hall, many of whom had braved a heavy shower of rain and had to stand for the 90-minute duration of the meeting.
In a calm, informative and non-party political way, the (Labour) councillors outlined the timetable and procedures that would have to be followed for development on the West Common and the sections of the Commons Acts that relate to such proposals.
Councillor Parker gave information about how the highways department would proceed in the event of such development.
The audience, ranging in age from small children to some in their 90s, listened attentively, asked pertinent questions, expressed opinions and gave information in a civilised and articulate manner.
There was frequent applause for well researched and clearly expressed contributions.
It was a privilege to be present at such an event where open-mindedness and the democratic rights of everyone were so much in evidence.
I came home and read in my Echo Conservative MP Karl McCartney's remarks and did not recognise the people of whom he speaks with such vehemence as "the anti-brigade" and "twisted, hate-filled republicans".
I, for one, would be grateful if he would show us, his constituents, the same respect and concern as the councillors by giving us an accurate portrayal of the proposals and his interest in them, rather than an ill-tempered Twitter feed.
The West Common does, after all, belong to the people of Lincoln and is in their stewardship for generations to come and it would be good to know exactly what is proposed for it by those with business interests and to know that their MP, like the city and county councillors, respects and represents all the constituents he was elected to serve.
Leave tweeting and twittering to the skylarks on the common.
LINDA RICHARDSON Yarborough Road, Lincoln.
The debate over a possible return of the racecourse to Lincoln's West Common is taking up a lot of everybody's time.
It's time to shut up about something that is never going to happen.
There has been a complete lack of thought by the regeneration company.
Would the city council let anyone build a house without planning?
No. So why does the company think it should be given a lease with no planning?
MP Karl McCartney should just do what he is paid to do – represent the people of Lincoln.
The only time he seems to be in the news is when there is another push for the racecourse.
P ILEY Lincoln.
5 Comments
by Trouble Maker, Home
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 11:33PM
“I get excited!!!! ;)”
by Exclamation marks are not the only punctuation, Trouble Maker's Dictionary
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 8:24PM
“.,?":;'-”
by Trouble Maker, Home
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 7:57PM
“So Ted, Murray didnt say he would support public disorder if he didnt get his own way? and out of those 1400 signitures how many are from Lincoln? there has been so many lies around this thing that it's just getting petty! it's easy to see it's got Politicians involved! funny how it's only those 3 from the West End that are making all the noise! if Gillian had made the proposals then they would be telling how much of a great idea it is! i think the council should give us a referendum on this! everyone seems to think they have the public support and Murray and Lee keep telling us it's the peoples common! then fine let the people decide! it's not the councils decision to make!”
by Ted Heriot, Lincoln
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 10:11AM
“Spoon, the councillors are not 'rabble-rousing'. In spite of what Karl McCartney would have you believe the people who are actively opposing these plans are the ordinary people of Lincoln, including me. It is we who have collected 1,400 signatures against the proposal; it is we who delivered 4,300 flyers at the weekend; it is we who staged a peaceful demonstration on the High Street on Saturday. Our councillors are not involved in these activities, but they are standing up for their constituents, which is what our MP should be doing.”
by Spoon, Lincoln
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 9:10AM
“I agree with you on one point Linda that the common belongs to the whole city and not just the West End residents. I have not made up my mind about the racing idea yet as I can't unless the work has been done to give me the full information and that won't happen if Cllrs Lee and Murray get their way. If they were looking at the full facts and then chose to object then fine, that's what they were elected for after all. What they shouldn't be doing is claiming to speak for everyone, rabble rousing and trying to raise their profiles for new year¿s election on the back of it. Is it in the best interests of the people that they are meant to represent that they prejudice their views at such an early stage without having all the information so that they can't now vote on the issue in council. A cynic might judge that they are in fact IN FAVOUR of the proposals so they don't want to be in a position to vote against them.
I'm sure they would claim that it's nothing to do with elections and popularity and I could believe them if they were taking their "road show" around the whole city but as it's only appearing in THEIR WARD I can only see the naked truth. Shame on you.”