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ELECTION 2003
- Brighton & Hove: No overall control
by Adam Trimingham © Evening Argus
Labour lost control of Brighton and Hove City Council in
a night of high drama at the Brighton Centre. When all the
votes were counted they were a tantalising four seats away
from a majority on the new 54-seat council. The state of
the parties is now Labour 24, Tories 20, Greens 6, Lib Dems
three and independents one. Although Labour is still the
largest party, the night belonged to the Greens who made
great strides forward. Voting was extremely tight on a high
turnout of 46 per cent in the all-postal ballot with several
wards returning councillors from different parties. All
parties except the Greens suffered casualties during the
contest. Labour losses included Frieda Warman-Brown, long-time
education councillor and daughter of former Labour deputy
Prime Minister George Brown. Other losses were housing expert
Pat Murphy and environment councillor Heather James in Wish
ward, sports councillor Mike Middleton in Preston Park,
John Warmington in Brunswick, Christine Simpson in St Peter's
plus John Newington and John Ballance in Hanover. The Tories
lost veterans Brian Rowe in Goldsmid and Pamela Stiles in
Preston Park but both had moved from safe seats elsewhere.
Former Tory councillor Jenny Barnard-Langston and her husband
Mark Barnard, now Lib Dems, both lost their seats in central
Hove to Tory newcomers Averil Older and Jan Young. The one
independent success went to Jayne Bennett, a former Conservative,
in Stanford ward. She headed a successful campaign to retain
a breast cancer unit in Brighton. Former Labour councillor
Steve Collier, also independent, failed to beat Labour councillors
in South Portslade. The Liberal Democrats retained their
two seats in Brunswick and Coun Dawn Davidson, who switched
wards, gained a seat in Regency. But the Green advance was
remarkable. The party surged ahead in its stronghold of
St Peter's and gained one in Preston Park. The Greens gained
two seats in Hanover and Labour councillor Joyce Edmond-Smith
only narrowly survived. Most other independents and minor
parties fared poorly with the BNP achieving a derisory vote
in Rottingdean Coastal. Following the result, it would be
possible for alliances to be formed but no party has so
far been in favour of this. A more likely scenario is that
Labour will form a minority administration. The parties
will chew it over during the weekend.
Council leader Ken Bodfish, who won his ward in Queen's
Park comfortably, said; "This is not the result we
wanted but it is also not the result some other people wanted.
It is clear that Labour is still the largest party in this
city." Tory leader Brian Oxley said: "Labour has
been given a bloody nose and people have proved they are
tired of the party's games in the city. "No matter
which coalition takes power in the city, I hope it will
be in the best interests of the city." An ebullient
Green Party convenor Keith Taylor said: "This is a
great night for us." Liberal Democrat leader Paul Elgood
said his party had councillors in two wards rather than
one and had made progress at the polls.
RESULTS (* indicates sitting councillor)
ROTTINGDEAN COASTAL: Elected - *Lynda Hyde (C) 3,270, Mary
Mears (C) 2,880, *David Smith(C) 2,910. Not elected - Geoffrey
Bowden (G) 749, Harold De Souza (LD) 805, Joy De Souza (LD)
805, Renzo Ferrari (British National Party) 314, Susan Gilson
(G) 545, Roger Page (L) 839, Hitesh Tailor (L) 744, Gregory
Taylor (G) 474, Lisa Winter (LD) 591, Norman Wright (L)
940.
- Lewes District Council - Lib Dem hold
by Barbara Davidson© Evening Argus
It was a night of ups and downs for the two main parties
in the Lewes district but the overall political landscape
remained unchanged. With ward boundary changes slashing
the number of seats available and almost half the sitting
candidates stepping down, predictions had proved almost
impossible. The Conservatives had high hopes of making inroads
into the Liberal Democrat majority but the usually true
blue town of Seaford deserted them, falling dramatically
to the Lib Dems in one fell swoop. They increased their
majority over the Tories by seven seats. Once again, Labour
came nowhere. Peacehaven was the only area where the Conservative
party performed strongly, taking all six seats - four from
the Lib Dems. But the big story in Peacehaven was the turnout
- easily the lowest in the district, averaging about 25
per cent. In East Saltdean and Telscombe Cliffs, the recent
controversy over asylum seekers failed to damage the Lib
Dem vote as some expected. The party reinforced its vote
there - with sitting councillors joined by newcomer Marina
Pepper, the only witch standing in the county. In Lewes
itself the Lib Dems remained supreme, taking all seats bar
one. Lewes Lib Dem MP Norman Baker said: "It's particularly
difficult when you've been in power for 12 years but we've
retained control, and done so with an increased majority."
RESULTS (* denotes sitting councillor)
EAST SALTDEAN AND TELSCOMBE CLIFFS: Elected - David Neighbour
(LD)* 774, Elizabeth Lee (LD)* 723, Marina Pepper (LD) 671.
Not elected - Ronald Maskell (C) 635, Christopher Laycock
(C) 621, John Morris (C) 614, Duncan Ward (I) 329, Peter
Anscomb (L) 297.
- Geoffrey Bowden standing for the Green Party
Q: What made you want to stand for election for Rottingdean
Coastal?
A: It is always easy to leave these things to others, but
having lived in the ward for more than 23 years and felt
it was about time I put something back into the community.
Its as simple as that.
Q: Why stand for your party - why do you think it makes
a difference?
A: I am relatively new to party politics and was drawn to
the Green Party during the last General Election. Like many
I thought they were probably a bunch of 'tree huggers',
but soon found that, while they certainly have respect for
the natural environment, the party has practical policies
which made sense. I also saw that the three Green councillors
serving on then Council had made a huge impact and I feel
passionately that with a few more on the Council we really
could help change things for the better in Brighton and
Hove.
Q: What major issues do you feel strongly about?
A: On our patch, I was really disturbed by the reaction
to the proposals for
the asylum seeker induction centre at the Ocean Hotel. It
made me feel ashamed that so many people expressed barely
disguised racist views and that there were some politicians
willing to exploit those irrational fears too.
Q: What issues do you feel will directly affect Rottingdean
Coastal? in the
coming year or two?
A: The plans for a sewage outlet in our area are just unacceptable
and the ONO campaign has our full support - in fact it is
one issue that has united all mainstream political parties
in the area. I hope that, whoever wins in the ward, will
continue to harness this cross party energy to protect us
from this unwanted scheme.
The way we get rid of our waste has to be a priority. The
botched privatised refuse collection contract should act
as warning to us all that we cannot continue as we have
for so many years. The Council's solution to the growing
problem is to go down the privatisation route again and
let a private company build an incinerator down the road
in Newhaven. This will pour toxic ash into the atmosphere
which is bound blown in our direction and further afield.
It will still require toxic base ash to be buried into the
earth, which is a problem for future generations. We need
to start thinking 'green' and are pressing for a zero waste
strategy.
I am concerned that the lack of affordable housing in central
parts of Brighton and Hove will put pressure on the council
planners to allow a free for all in the ward to relieve
the pressure and soon enough there will be compromises made
to encroach on green field sites. This has to be withstood
to preserve the unique qualities of the area. Other issues
which are important for the area, include: investing in
a community centre where the young in particular can find
a positive outlet for their energies; ensuring
public transport is maintained and provided on a frequent
basis; traffic calming is continued and expanded and that
the coastal road race track is
controlled by the installation of speed cameras.
Q: What is so special about Saltdean & Telscombe for
you.....
A: For me it is beautiful scenery and calmness, along with
vibrant andlively communities.
- Marina Pepper standing for the Liberal Democrats
What made you want to stand for election for East Saltdean
& Telscombe?
I have been involved in politics since my teen years. Delivering
leaflets, canvassing, stuffing envelopes etc.
I have also always felt strongly that unless everyone gets
involved on a broader level - knowing what's going on in
a community for starters - a tiny minority will hold a disproportionate
amount of power, making decisions that suit themselves,
rather than the majority of the people.
Now that my children are older and my career is established
I now have the time, the experience and the confidence to
represent the Liberal Democrats and my community on Lewes
District council. I spend so much time phoning councillors
and officers to get things done, it will save time and give
me a mandate to campaign on all sorts of issues on everyone's
behalf.
Why stand for your party - why do you think it makes a
difference?
Whenever a Liberal Democrat spokesman speaks I always find
myself nodding in agreement. Labour people make me think:
"Clever, but put it into action." Conservative
spokesman have me throwing cushions at the TV or throwing
my newspaper down in disgust.
The Liberal Democrats understand that nothing is black
and white and that politics would be a lot healthier if
we all explored the middle ground rather than opting for
a decision most opposite from the ....er...opposition.
The Lib Dems want a penny per pound on income tax to fund
education and they want communities to have more say in
how their schools are run.
They want free care for the elderly, the abolition of tuition
fees and, like the schools, encourage hospital staff and
patients to have more input in management. I've spent a
lot of time visiting the sick and even I can see ways of
making positive changes without it costing.
The Liberal Democrats also take a keen interest in how
any decision taken will affect the environment. From planning
to waste disposal, unless the practise can be sustained,
it should not be embarked upon.
What major issues do you feel strongly about?
Waste disposal - waste reduction and safe methods of dealing
with rubbish. Incinerators are NOT the answer. I believe
companies that produce excess packaging should be banned
or fined, rather than taxed.
Global warming - no one's serious about curbing it. We're
leaving a frightful situation for future generations.
What issues do you feel will directly affect Saltdean &
Telscombe in the coming year or two?
The planned incinerator for Newhaven. Water pollution,
air pollution, unmanageable amounts of traffic and household
waste. Housing (too expensive), or possibly a property crash.
What is so special about Saltdean & Telscombe for you.....
We have open fields, quiet roads, a good selection of shops,
wonderful school and preschools, and fabulous people. Mostly.
- Joy and Harold deSouza standing for the Liberal Democrats
What made you want to stand for election for Rottingdean
Coastal?
We live in Rottingdean, which as a village is quite unique
and brings with it a community which is trying very hard
to work together for the good of Rottingdean. I see this
in church, on the streets and in the pubs.
similar communities exist in Saltdean, and Kemptown each
having their own uniqueness and respectful cultures which
need to be fostered and progressed. We feel that we can
contribute to this development as we are not tied to any
one ideology or another but broad in our outlook. Multi-
cultural societies need different approaches each, suiting
the needs of their own and the locality.
Why stand for your party - why do you think it makes a
difference?
The party has extensions at all levels of civic duties
and political domains, which sometimes are needed to make
things work. Single ISSUE campaigns do not achieve much
in a complex world that we live in as many aspects must
be considered and inputs from many sources are necessary
to make things happen, which is the ultimate goal.
The party is community led from grass roots and not dictated
by Power hungry ambitions, which makes our work a bit harder,
but more satisfying. We come from a Christian background
and find we can express ourselves freely only through this
party.
What major issues do you feel strongly about?
Education, Health, environment in the contest of people
of all ages seeking a satisfying and fulfilling life with
their neighbours, and not in competition with them. This
has local implication in Schools (I am a school Governor),
health facilities (we have had to wait for years for treatment,
and many are facing that fact to-day)
The sewage problem of Brighton and neighbouring towns is
causing a great deal of unrest among local folks and suitable
dialogue needs to be developed while Southern Water needs
to recoup funds already paid for projects and wasted in
the past, without reaching proper solutions. Road traffic
is another major problem which needs urgent and imaginative
attention, instead of blinkered solutions carried out at
present.
What issues do you feel will directly affect Rottingdean
Coastal in the coming year or two?
Pressure on housing, schools, and hospitals will arise
as younger people move into the flats, and houses becoming
vacant from old retired folks will turn into flats to meet
demand. This will change the landscape and outlook of the
Ward.
What is so special about Rottingdean Coastal for you.....
The people have made us feel welcome, wanted and part of
their life, a feeling I have not experienced when living
in other parts of Brighton. This can be said to extend to
Toto, our dog and Jake the snake, who are endeared by many
children in the village. My son is also buried in the church
yard having felt the wrath of the immigration policy of
the current Government.
- Duncan Ward standing as an Independent for the Saltdean
Residents Association
What made you want to stand for election for East Saltdean
and Telscombe Cliffs Ward?
As Secretary of Saltdean Residents Association I have dealt
with lots of local issues. I therefore felt that I should
use this knowledge and experience at a higher level to represent
local peoples views and concerns. I also want to make sure
that residents receive quality services and are fully consulted
on important issues.
Why stand as an Independent?
I do not believe that national party politics should be
at local level. Local concerns represented by local people
without a 'party whip' . As people will be aware I have
stood for Telscombe Town Council as a representative of
Saltdean Residents Association. For the District Council
elections I have been unable to do this.
Candidates for the District elections can use either of
two descriptions:
Independent a description authorised by a qualifying registered
political party.The Saltdean Residents Association is not
a registered political party and is non-political, hence
I am standing as an 'Independent'.
What major issues do you feel strongly about?
The South Downs National Park and the reinstatement of the
original boundary to include the Tye south of the A259.
Also the where the waste water treatment works will be placed
and the incinerator issue.
What issues do you feel will directly affect Saltdean in
the coming year?
Apart from the National Park, the waste water treatment
works and the incinerator issue I am concerned about the
traffic levels on the A259 and the effect this has on the
local area. The Saltdean Community Centre (although on the
Brighton & Hove side of Saltdean) is used by many in
East Saltdean. I wish to see that the area retains a centre
for the use of the local community, whether this is in the
present building which needs lots of work or in a modern
purpose built building.
What is so special about Saltdean?
I feel passionate about Saltdean. The people here are welcoming
and friendly. We have the sea and the open downland all
close at hand. We are a small community with limited resources
and facilities but have a great community feeling. Telscombe
Cliffs also has this same feeling.
Elections in Brighton & Hove
All seats on Brighton and Hove City Council are up for
grabs in May.
At the last election in May 1999, Labour won a majority
with 45 of the 78 seats. The Conservatives returned 27 councillors,
the Liberal Democrats and Greens three seats apiece. After
this year's election, the city will have 24 fewer councillors
due to boundary changes which have cut the number of electoral
wards from 26 to 21. As a result, the number of candidates
will depend on which ward you are voting in. Two councillors
will be elected in some wards and three in others, so voters
should check the ballot paper.
There are no polling stations in Brighton this year. This
year's city council elections are being held for the first
time using an all-postal ballot. You will not be able to
vote by the traditional method of visiting a polling booth
on the day of the election. Voters will receive full instructions
with their postal ballot paper. Papers will be sent to voters
from April 15 and can be returned by post or to delivery
points at Brighton, Hove or Portslade town halls. Ballot
papers must be returned by the close of poll at 5pm on May
1. If you have any questions contact the election hotline
on 01273 291999.
Why go postal? Brighton and Hove is one of a number of
councils in England selected to pilot all-postal voting
this year.
State of the city
Labour: 45 seats
Cons: 27 seats
Lib Dems: 3 seats
Greens: 3 seats
As of May 1999 election
The idea is to encourage more people to participate in elections
by making it easier for them to vote. Following years of
decline in voter turnout, particularly at local elections,
the Government has encouraged the introduction of new voting
methods. Postal ballots have so far proved the most successful.
In trials held in the 2002 local elections across England,
postal voting was credited with boosting turnout by an average
of 28 per cent. Other experiments have included online voting
and the use of touch-screen technology in poll booths, but
this year a number of trial areas will roll out a raft of
new e-voting methods such as digital voting via interactive
TV and phone text message voting. E-voting in national elections
is likely to be some years off but if the all-postal pilots
are deemed a success in this year's local elections, all
votes could be cast by post in a nationwide poll for the
first time in the 2004 European elections.
Rottingdean Coastal by Adam Trimingham © Evening Argus
Two of Brighton's most intractable problems are big issues
in the new ward of Rottingdean Coastal. It stretches from
Saltdean to the fringes of East Brighton, taking in Rottingdean
and Ovingdean. There has been great controversy over the
possible use of the Grand Ocean Hotel for asylum-seekers,
which probably explains why the BNP is putting up a lone
candidate. Four of the eight possible sites for a new sewage
treatment plant are also in the area: Black Rock, Upper
and Lower Sheepcote Valley and Ovingdean. All are being
opposed. Conservatives are the overwhelming favourites to
win this ward and they are putting forward a strong team.
David Smith has been around so long he is one of the few
contenders to have held a position when Tories ran Brighton
Council. Councillor Lynda Hyde, like David Smith, has a
good nose for local issues. The third member of the team
is the well-liked Mary Mears, a former councillor. Some
spice will be added to the contest by the nomination of
former Tory councillor Norman Wright as one of the three
Labour candidates. Liberal Democrats usually make a fair
showing in Rottingdean and in the past have polled their
highest Brighton vote here without winning. Greens are also
showing more than normal interest, with one of their leading
activists, Geoffrey Bowden, heading their team. The dilemma
for all four main parties will be what to do about the BNP's
exotically named Renzo Lorenzo Ferrari. Do they ignore him,
hoping voters will do the same, or attack him, giving him
publicity?
Candidates (three seats):
Conservative - David John Smith, Lynda Hyde, Mary Mears.
Labour - Roger William Page, Hitesh Tailor, Norman William
Wright.
Liberal Democrats - Harold De Souza, Joy De Souza, Lisa
Maece Winter.
Greens - Geoffrey Alan Raphael Bowden, Gregory Taylor, Susan
Gilson.
British National Party - Renzo Lorenzo Ferrari.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lewes
The whole district council is up for election this year
due to boundary changes which will cut the number of councillors
from 48 to 41. The Lib Dems currently control the council
with 27 seats. There are 16 Conservatives, 2 independents
and 3 vacant seats.
How to Vote
Voters can also participate by post . The elections are
on Thursday May 1. Voting will take place using the traditional
polling booths. However, councils are making it easier for
people to vote by post. Polling booths are open from 8am
to 9pm.
Postal Voting. Brighton and Hove City Council and a number
of other pilot councils across England are trialling all-postal
ballots in May. This is not the case in East Sussex.. Recent
legal changes, however, now allow all voters the opportunity
to vote by post. East Sussex councils are making it easier
to vote this way in a bid to encourage more people to participate.
Some are sending out letters to residents giving them the
option of choosing to vote by post. All councils also now
have online forms for voters to apply for a postal application
via the internet.
53 chase 17 seats
A TOTAL of 53 candidates are contesting the 17 Lewes area
seats up for grabs in the district council elections to
be held on May 1.
Wards in the town of Lewes have as usual attracted the
keenest competition with 28 candidates for seven seats.
Liberal Democrats and Labour are standing for all seven,
with Conservatives and surprisingly Greens standing for
six.
One Independent, Ruth O'Keeffe, who has been a Liberal Democrat
and a Green in the past, is standing for a seat in Priory
ward.
And another Independent, Matthew Britnell, is standing for
Castle.
An intriguing entrant in the Priory hustings is former Mayor
of Lewes, Graham Mayhew, who is standing as a Conservative,
having previously held office within the Labour ranks, the
LibDems and as an Independent.
The number of Lewes District Councillors overall has been
reduced from 48 to 41.
Alan Batty, council deputy returning officer, said poll
cards will be sent to all electors during the next week.
Postal votes must be in by 5pm on April 23.
SIR:
I`m not a BNPer, but I don`t rate the STAR leaflet attacking
them. It seems to be based on guilt-by-association. That
the BNP has nazi elements doesn`t prove they are nazi any
more than marxist elements prove the Labour Party Communist.
The Anti-Nazi League denies the Holocaust too, eg, www.anl.org.uk/12-holocaust.htm,
"Holocaust Denial is the lie the Nazis did not kill
6 million Jews." Actually the Nazis killed another
14 million non-Jews, eg, Poles, why are the ANL denying
this? To say David Copeland was once a BNP member is as
meaningful as saying Denis Nielsen was once an SWP member!
The BNP said Copeland should get the death penalty. The
STAR leaflet is sourced by Searchlight, a money-making press
agency which whitewashes & supports the Israeli genocide
of Arabs. Searchlight publishes the addresses of BNPers,
setting up their families for hassle. To take one point:
STAR/Searchlight go on about BNP criminal records, but these
occur in all walks of life, incl. Searchlight publisher
Gerry Gable - burglary! My opinion of Trades Unions isn`t
lowered by the fact that they don`t expel members for convictions.
STAR should know that such propaganda - plus the annoying,
poss. illegal, stickers littering Rottingdean - will have
no effect on Mr Ferrari, perhaps even backfiring, as he
has lived Rottingdean for some years. The locals know he
does not eat babies!
yours, C. Leeves.
I have always supported Saltdean website as a valuable
community resource. The fact that our favourite web mistress
provides this service free of charge is just a miracle.
This is why I am saddened that people write to the site
with mistruths, misunderstandings, lies and damned lies.
Our web mistress cannot be expected to check every fact.
So, if anyone else plans to write about me, can they at
least call me first please on 01273 300116.
That's what the Argus did. And they still got it so hopelessly
wrong.
Of course I don't think I cast a spell and abracadabra,
the home office went elsewhere in search of a harmonious
community in which to temporarily drop down refugees.
But that does not mean I am not entitled to cast spells.
It's only a prayer, for goodness sake. I think some of the
electorate have been reading too much Harry Potter for their
own good.
I urge everyone who doesn't want a witch as councillor
to stand themselves at the next election. I would much rather
have been elected, but it's hardly my fault an independent
realised how much hard work is involved and pulled out.
I think it's shocking that so many candidates up and down
the country have found themselves elected by default. This
is not good news for the
democratic process. We need to encourage a broader range
of people of all ages to get involved. It's actually rather
good fun. Sometimes.
As for me being a self-publicist: I think not. I'm a best
selling author. I write under a different name. I have not
used the election campaign to promote my books. I have not
been able to stop the press mentioning my religion. The
reason they all know about it is that I was a journalist
myself until I was invited to write a series of books. These
writers know me and know my work. Plus remember they're
journalists. They like a good story. And whether the electorate
likes it or not, a witch as a councillor IS a good story.
Perfect for cliches, etc.
I'll just add: I believe we are all hurtling towards disaster
with our environmental policies, not to mention individual
attitudes. I would say
we're better off with a witch on the town council than some
old codger who doesn't understand the implications of AONB
status or the incinerator/ particulate pollution connection.
Among other things. You don't either? Well it really is
just as well you have a witch, with an honours degree, now
working on her Masters, with a decade's experience writing
for the national newspapers covering health, environment
and society. I do understand the issues and the interconnectedness
of all things, to quote my mother and Douglas Adams. That's
why I wanted to be a councillor. To help. To make a difference.
And I am only too happy to serve.
What the witch bit actually adds, apart from a deep respect
for people and the environment is a sense of humour. Something
I find lacking in some.
Peace and love
Your councillor elect Marina Pepper (please vote to make
me, David Neighbour and Elizabeth Lee as district councillor
on May 1st)
PS: An opinion is always more worthwhile if the author
puts their name to it. Anonymous barbs are just plain sad.
This is the last time I will respond to the anonymous. Honestly,
I still have an election campaign for District to run. And
win.
This really is the last anonymous email I can respond
to.
Re my involvement in the walking bus. If it really was
just a ruse to get myself elected, quite frankly I'd deserve
a place on Lewes District council.
The walking bus has run every morning for two terms
now (about to embark on the third). We've missed only two
mornings due to dreadful weather. I am the only volunteer
who has been on every bus. But hey, this isn't about me.
The walking bus is an Australian concept. Because a
fifth of all cars on our roads in the morning rush hour
are on school runs, alternative methods of getting to school
are seen as a viable way to reduce car use.
Car reliance has to be curtailed because
1/ The oil is going to run out and let's not waste it
on school journeys. Once we've used Iraq's oil, it's all
over.
2/ Global warming is happening and can be slowed down
if every country seriously cuts carbon emmissions.
3/ The rising sea levels, caused by global warming are
destroying coastal communities around the globe, and who
wants to be part of that?
4/ walking to school is good for kids and parents. Like
dogs we all need walks.
5/ The parking round the school is barking. Someone
is going to get killed one day and then maybe people will
stop parking on double yellow or zigzag lines.
The germ of an idea for us to have a walking bus began
after a conversation with a Local Agenda 21 officer from
Lewes District council. I met him at a fete in Seaford where
LA21 had a stall (Agenda 21 is a global organistion, born
out of an agreement made by all countries at the first Earth
summit over a decade ago. It promotes environmentally sound
initiatives at a grass
roots level). He suggested I have a go. I spoke to the head
mistress and she was so enthusiastic. She'd tried to get
one off the ground the previous year. Not one parent volunteered.
Through Brighton & Hove city council, I arranged
a meeting and invited every one I knew in Saltdean to attend.
One person showed up. Which was enough.
We now have five volunteers, but would love more. We
have a pool of 14 children who use the bus and are sponsored
by Lampons. I will gladly give my time to anyone who'd like
to set up another. I've spoken to a mother in Ovingdean
who is enthusiastic. As are the school governors at Balfour
School.
A few months after the walking bus was up and running
I agreed, after being invited, to stand for election. The
reasons I am happy to stand are the same reasons I am happy
to walk to school everyday: I believe we should be the change
we wish to see in the world and do what we can where we
can when we can. If being a Lewes District councillor helps
me to do that, then that is what I must do.
As for the anti war demo on the walking bus, that was
the kids' idea. And brilliant it was too. I was against
the war then and dearly wanted to be proved wrong. Instead
I am now even more horrified by the American Imperialist
presence in Iraq and their sabre rattling towards Syria
and America being too politically embroiled to sort out
the Palestinian crisis. The biggest threat facing America
today was never Iraq. It's America's environmental policies
at home. Pollution is rife as is deforestation. If you're
visiting, I would advise you not to drink the water or swim
in it.
Your child is right to be disturbed by the war. War is disturbing.
Would you rather they thought it was just a fun video game
that bears no relation to our own lives? The best advice
I've heard is to discuss the war with your children. Listen
to them. Try to discover what disturbs and find a way to
soothe them. Infact you'd be better off spending quality
time with your child than using it writing about me.
If anyone wants to join the walking bus for summer term,
call me on 300 116 or email marinabaker@btinternet.com If
anyone wants to join East Saltdean's LA 21 group, please
call. As usual, drop aluminium cans in the blue bin at 82
Oaklands Avenue. I'd also like to hear from anyone who has
ideas for activities using Telscombe's civic centre.
Re: asylum demo. I'm a journalist. I was there spotting
for a friend who's a radio journalist. I didn't carry a
placard. I did meet some very ugly people though who said
some quite disgusting things in my ear. Why? Because when
a big bloke attacked the woman in the camel coat I piled
in to save her. Anyone would have done the same, had they
seen it, I'm sure. I also met lots of my friends there.
I didn't realise you had to stand on a certain side of the
road. All sounds v theatrical to me. I was concerned at
some of the comments that day and after. I still am. Whether
the Ocean Hotel was/is suitable for refugees is arguable.
That refugees need help is not. See war.
Peace and love
Vote for me, David Neighbour and Elizabeth Lee for Lewes
District on May 1st
Marina Pepper
Could I ask those people who condemn the BNP in their fervour
for more multiculturalism, what their opinion is on the
ban on staff using the word "Christmas"in Brighton
college- because of it's supposed offensiveness to ethnic
minorities. Is this the strengthening of multiculturalism
more of which you would like to see? -If so why choose to
live in a very english village like Saltdean in the first
place? Why not live in a more multicultural area of Britain
from the outset?
Dear Madam
I have just received the BNP election literature through
my door.I can't belief that a reasonable person could find
anything offensive or indeed racist about it. After all
this knee jerk hysteria against them leafleting in Saltdean
could someone please tell me what is so wrong in what they're
saying.
I'm a morally thoughtful person but it seems to me to
be pure commonsense that we can't accommodate all the less
fortunate people of the world on this tiny island. There
is a dire shortage of jobs paying above the minimum wage
and . a dearth of affordable housing that means we're actually
talking of relocating people from the Southeast to live
and travel in from the north of France! How can increased
mass immigration be viable?
Moreover people talk about Asylum seekers as being vulnerable
women and children fleeing war zones but in most cases they
aren't- in this country.They are in fact fit young men who
have broken international asylum rules in rejecting more
accessible safe countries to travel halfway across the world
to get here.Why should they be privileged by our compassion
more than those who have stayed in their own countries?
A far more sensible approach to those with genuine human
compassion would be to make substantial charitable donations
to help the people in the countries themselves.- that is
if the pro-asylum seeker lobby are genuinely compassionate
and not just self indulgent liberals wanting to climb on
their sanctimonious hobby horse.
In the meantime my challenge remains to anyone on here
to tell me what is so bad in the BNP literature that we
have received.
Yours with regards
After reading the article in the Evening Argus today I would
like to question the democracy of local government - if
councillors can get in without anybody even voting what
a waste of time!
I am writing to your website so complain in no uncertain
terms about the article that was in the Argus today by the
self publicist Marina Pepper of the Liberal Democrats. I
would like to make one point of which she is free to challenge.
How can she have the gall to say that the positive vibes
from her spell made a positive atmosphere in resolving the
outcome to the asylum seekers and getting her elected. I
know for a fact that she demonstrated with the residents
from Star in support of allowing the asylum seekers into
Saltdean much against popular support, so how her spell
stopped the asylum seekers coming in while she was supporting
Star I really don't know. By the way what community campaigns
has she been a part of. I am sorry that she suffered victimisation
but I do not any a witch as my councillor - who will she
cast a spell on next?
I would like to respond if I may against the abuse being
directed by left-wing bigots against the BNP in Saltdean
and the threat made to its elderly local candidate by the
SWP.Very soon people will be receiving if they haven't already
an anti BNP pamphlet coming from a group called STAR.This
seemingly spontaneously formed group is in fact a front
for a hate organisation with links to New Labour and the
Secret state called "Searchlight" whose aim is
to prevent by any means whatever people voting for anti-immigration
parties .Needless to say that their accusations that the
BNP admire Hitler,deny the holocaust and want to abolish
the NHS etc is part of their nonsense and shows how desperate
they are to stop people registering a protest against the
Government policy of open borders in the abused British
asylum system.
Moreover I think that the people of saltdean will reject
this form of intimidation and vilification just because
there are legitimate feelings of concern about the preservation
of the local community and the wider community in Britain
as a whole.Meanwhile those with a genuine concern for tolerance
and fair play must ask themselves why it is that such a
group can put out as much anti-BNP and pro asylum seeker
literature as it wants whereas the election expenditure
of the BNP is tightly monitored.It is hardly a legitimate
excuse to say that this group aren't submitting candidates
to the democratic process since the purpose of their literature
is to influence the democratic process.
At the end of the day I think that the people of saltdean
have only one choice if they want to influence the lax Government
policy on asylum.
yours
resident
Will Marina Pepper claim everything that happens in Saltdean
on a positive note comes as a result of her spells even
when she has clearly and actively campaigned against it.
I am of course referring to her article in the Argus 16/04/03
where she claims to have sorted out the asylum seekers problem
when she has so actively supported allowing the asylum seekers
in. What hypocrisy. And as a parent at Saltdean school I
noticed that she ran the walking bus which made a lot of
sense. I hope the school took her to ask about using the
walking bus as a campaign vehicle. My children attend Saltdean
school and I was angry to see children as young as five
walking with stop the war placards even when we had been
told after the Saltdean is Not Sangatte leafleting explicitly
in the school newsletter that politics and school were not
compatible. My younger child comes home terribly worried
about the war and I think it is inappropriate to bring these
issues into school. I know that Ms Pepper posts often on
the site and I would be interested to know she I would be
shed some light on this?
It was inevitable, I suppose, that the opportunistic
predators of the BNP would crawl out of the gutter and put
up a candidate in Rottingdean Coastal. Given the xenophobic
frenzy which was deliberately whipped up by the Saltdean
Residents Action Group (SRAG), it was entirely predictable
that the BNP would see Saltdean as a fertile ground in which
to sow further seeds of hatred, fear and naked racism.
Whether or not the ringleaders of SRAG knew, over even
hoped, that this would happen is a second-order issue. The
fact is that the stakes have now been raised to a dangerous
and serious level. Taking a look at the BNP website, it
is clear from their 'success' in various wards in Lancashire
and Yorkshire that their strategy is to win a small foot-hold
in a ward where racial tension has already been heightened
& then grow their support in subsequent elections.
At least 15 Saltdean residents have signed the nomination
papers for the BNP candidate, Renzo Lorenzo Ferrari (who
also give a Lustrells Close address). The fear now is that
Saltdean, in particular, is in for an especially nasty campaign,
with BNP promoting their racist propaganda through further
leaflets and door-to-door campaigning. They won't be difficult
to spot - they'll be the ones with the low foreheads and
their knuckles dragging along the ground.
So what about SRAG? Given their indignant claims that
they are not racist, do not support the BNP, are just concerned
residents which new-found concerns over 'infrastructure',
and reject the interference of 'outsiders' (at least the
ones who don't agree with them) - perhaps its time for the
more prominent anti-asylum campaigners to reassure the residents
of Saltdean of their honourable intentions. Thus:
Greg Bishop
Matthew Cooper
David Shoebridge
Alan Hood (Saltdean Resident who gives his address as 'Rottingdean
Heights' because Saltdean sounds to 'common')
Any other members of SRAG
..take this opportunity to assert your unequivical rejection
of both the aims and methods of the BNP; urge supporters
of SRAG to vote against Mr Ferrari; appeal for a balanced
and rational campaign which respects opposing views and
the democratic process.
Remember, the BNP are only newcomers to Democracy -
only a few years ago Nick Griffin, BNP leader said that
"it is more important to control the streets of a city
than its council chamber".
So come on SRAG, distance yourselves from the BNP. I
wonder how Saltdean residents will interpret your silence
on this matter?
Saltdean Resident of 18 years.
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