The Local Freesheet Pops Through The Door...

How things change over a couple of weeks...

I discovered(as mentioned previously)our local MP made what was publicised as quite a big speech in Parliament(I first read it online)then in the local press but decided it was a history lesson of the area. It tied in with a progress report as to the poor retail and social situation this town finds itself.

For a variety of reasons but I'd suggest mainly due to the area remaining true to it's political roots, the local scene hasn't changed, it is is a Labour stronghold. The political landscape stays the same and the local voter tends to say "Better the Devil you know!" Even if they are becoming unhappy with the direction the party is going. That's why when the last election took place, it was a breath of fresh air to see a bit more fight in this town where candidates were saying things haven't been good for decades and it's time to do something about it.

Local politicians that had been involved on the Borough Council for decades also discovered a backlash against the spin we were were being given and it resulted in the main parties realising that just maybe it was not going to be straight forward to assume that they would automatically be this town's MP.

I'm sure that panic set in having seen the local council election fail. So fighting for the retail area became a major strand of the campaign in the by election for electing a National representative for Parliament and our town became the focus of the media but with our Prime Minister no longer standing for the post, interest was scant. I do wonder if other adjoining areas felt neglected by the priority given to this town.

How many letters in a newspaper are representative of how people feel on a debate is difficult because we'll all be biased in our opinions and you have to be motivated to contact the media but the response to the speech given in Parliament is less than complimentary and letters in the new free sheet raise concerns. Personally I like to believe that I'll praise or criticise any party and come at a political story without preconceived ideas.

We also have had the debate in the House of Commons and vote to close many, many Post Offices across the UK but then as has happened in quite a few locations, the same MP's have promised to fight to keep branches open within their own constituencies. Some newspapers have sighted times where you could suggest an MP is saying one thing and doing something else.

The same free sheet features an on town Post Office fighting for its life and it will be interesting to see what the outcome will be but I wouldn't hold my breath. It is away from the main retail area and is next to a handful of shops that serves a population of a decent size and allows the locals to have fish and chips, sweets, newspapers, hairdressers and the PO is also a general dealer so you can get those little things you always run out of and it's near to a sheltered accommodation/residential home making it easy for elderly to pick up their pensions without traveling far and having to pay for a taxi or attempt to use public transport.

The truth is I think, branches will close, and the vote was going to succeed but if any can be saved its as an after thought and to remain open, it's down to luck and another will take it's place.

We are hearing all kinds of promises as to what may happen regarding the next phase of the retail area, which shops may move in and take over the empty retail units, the completion of the demolition of what remains of the old part of the town which includes a dilapidated library, health centre and completion of the development but again if all the councils are being wound up and business is being transferred to a larger Councils across the UK, who is going to hurry things along and see everything neatly finished off? Why bother? I've said this before(sorry to repeat myself)but there will be a procedure that has to be followed. I suspect what is on the minds of local officials is standing and hoping to be elected again.

The same paper reports that the local library as an example is to be moved temporally before being given a permanent home later on and for this move it is going to cost a reported approx of £350,000.

It is not a big library so the cost I think will surprise quite a few people. I'm tempted to say if practical, close it and wait until the new building can be built. Perhaps that is not a viable solution. Its not ideal but with a library ticket you can use any of the other libraries across the county.

Newton News With this link you can read the letters to match this blog entry. If the web page is updated look for letters archived to March 27th 2008.