tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711811977860884793.post1271875985369024861..comments2023-11-05T00:37:20.812-07:00Comments on Molesey Conservative Residents: Hampton Court Rescue Campaign backs SteveSteve Baxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04879808081344949255noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711811977860884793.post-91952894459443195272012-04-23T07:49:23.588-07:002012-04-23T07:49:23.588-07:00Hi Keith,
I have seen this latest communication a...Hi Keith, <br />I have seen this latest communication and am a little baffled by it. It is my understanding that the HCRC Committee - the people who run the campaign - approved the decision to endorse me and the first official email. It is not and I am sure would never, backing the Conservative Party, it is simply saying that I am its preferred candidate based on my consistent stance on the JB and related issues, and the lack of any manifesto commitments from my MRA opponent. <br />My position has not altered and nobody from the HCRC has been in touch to say that it is withdrawing its endorsement. So as far as I am concerned the first statement still stands until I hear otherwise. <br />We are in an election campaign and the JB is a very much a live issue in the ward. People quite reasonably will want to know the position of the candidates on this important issue. I have made my position clear on this website and on doorsteps. My opponent has avoided any mention of it.<br />I don't know on what basis you claim the Conservatives are trying to split the consensus. I am simply reacting as any good would-be ward councillor should, to a major issue in the area and taking a stand on what I believe to be the side of the people. If it means working with the MRA councillors I am happy to do that - this sounds like a Conservative joining the consensus to me!Steve Baxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04879808081344949255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711811977860884793.post-7822316987305107912012-04-23T07:27:05.593-07:002012-04-23T07:27:05.593-07:00Appears someone was pulling a fast one. Here is a...Appears someone was pulling a fast one. Here is a definitive statement today from the HCRC, which has for a long time done a brave job in the face of Consrvative determination to get the Gladedale scheme through, and (in the case of former MP Ian Taylor, Conservative, Esher & Walton) prevent the issue being taken at the national level it deserves: I quote:<br /><br />"In HCRC’s battle to preserve and protect this precious piece of our heritage we have received strong support from many quarters, locally, nationally and internationally, as well as from the Molesey Residents’ Association and a Surrey County Councillor.....<br /><br />....Some HCRC supporters reviewed the contents of each of the respective manifestos and, unsurprisingly, questioned the absence of any policy about the secure future of the Jolly Boatman site in one of them. Unfortunately, this observation was then published. "<br /><br />I think it is important not to play party politics with this matter, so that all can pull together to get a better outcome for this site, which all can feel good about. I know that the Conservatives have had qualms about their decision, and quite right too. They should join the consensus, not split it.<br /><br />- KeithUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02265943743531213706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711811977860884793.post-21367844488600654062012-04-23T07:25:25.267-07:002012-04-23T07:25:25.267-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02265943743531213706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711811977860884793.post-11777141797761653162012-04-22T14:57:47.771-07:002012-04-22T14:57:47.771-07:00Thanks for the comment Bluebird. You are correct t...Thanks for the comment Bluebird. You are correct that Conservative votes allowed this scheme to go ahead, but it was never supported by Tories in Molesey. Many quit the party in disgust, including I believe the co-chairman of the HCRC Mr Rusbridge. <br />You asked where I was: I was a member of the local media at the time and my papers The Herald & Informer covered the issue extensively. Had I been a Conservative councillor I would have voted against it, but crucially I would have tried to influence Conservative colleagues to vote against it too. Some of them thought on balance the scheme was worth backing (to clear up the site and because it would have brought the Star & Garter serviceman's charity to the borough) but may have been persuadable.<br />If the developer is unable to commence building by June 16th 2013 it must renew its planning permission, and if that happens Molesey will need a voice within the Conservative majority to get a different outcome next time. This is where I can be most useful to the HCRC.<br />I want to see the station revamped, and the Boatman site become a community garden and will support any credible plan to purchase it from the developer.<br />If I am the 'purring cat' my opponent could well be the ostrich with his head in the sand. Molesey is being deluged with commuter cars as railway users avoid the station car park charges and park all day in our residential streets. If the JB development goes ahead it will mean the loss of the 204-space station car park during the building work and eject still more cars into Molesey. <br />We need to get our defences in place and I have proposed a one hour restriction on parking in commuter-hit streets. During the hour residents can park in their drives or we can issue permits. Afterwards normal service resumes and people will be able to visit householders or park up and frequent the local shops. <br />The MRA opposes parking restrictions and would presumably be content to see Molesey drown under the onslaught of commuter cars. My opponent at this election makes no mention of this important issue or even the Jolly Boatman scheme itself.<br />The HCRC is not backing the Conservative Party, but has endorsed me personally as the candidate who it believes best understands the issues at stake and is going to do something about them.Steve Baxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04879808081344949255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711811977860884793.post-43198536548005412292012-04-22T14:43:27.138-07:002012-04-22T14:43:27.138-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Steve Baxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04879808081344949255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711811977860884793.post-13617871034544558732012-04-22T04:18:31.516-07:002012-04-22T04:18:31.516-07:00This is hilarious. Like mice voting for a new cat...This is hilarious. Like mice voting for a new cat just because it purrs. Your party forced through this horrible development! Where were you?! How exactly do you propose to reverse the damage your party has done to the Boatman site?Bluebirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06550281629780571142noreply@blogger.com