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Hounslow Liberal Democrats |
How words can be twisted
October 26, 2000 12:00 AM
By Cllr Ray Fincher, Liberal Democrat Group Leader in Feltham Chronicle/Hounslow Chronicle
By Cllr Ray Fincher, Liberal Democrat Group Leader in Feltham Chronicle/Hounslow Chronicle
In my September column I reported that two Hounslow Labour councillors had resigned.
The election was called quickly by Labour and, dare I suggest, they thought the opposition would be caught on the hop!
The manoeuvre, however, only succeeded in part. The Liberal Democrats easily took the Labour seat in Bedfont, but that majority party held Hounslow Central.
John Howliston is our new councillor in Bedfont and Labour's blast from the past is the re-appearance of Bob Whatley. I am sure they will both endeavour to serve their constituents well.
The downside for all of us was the very low turnout. This should be a concern to all who are wedded to the democratic process.
On a separate matter, Hounslow's Tory leader commented recently on the report of the Runnymede Commission on the future of multi-ethnic Britain.
Many of his concerns I share. The report was written by a group without balance and appears patronising and is all too easily selectively misquoted, a gift for those with an interest in spreading dissent in society.
The result, quite wrongly, is to fuel fears in the very communities that face difficulties on a daily basis.
My vision for Britain - which is shared by many - is about a plot of land we live on, the generations of people who have come from across the world to live here, the history we have shared and the values that our diverse identities share: tolerance and decency, a spirit of innovation and a willingness to get the job done together.
We don't need lectures from political persons who toe the party line and are often insulated from the real world by patronage.
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