Frustration with Government’s failure to kick-start economic growth

It was a tougher contest than usual, and I certainly took note of two themes trough my canvassing and meeting electors.

The first was a real anger and concern over Arun District Council’s total disregard of its own consultation findings over replacing the swimming centre and Sportsdome, and moving it from the current popular site, and putting flats in its place; coupled with even greater reaction to the complicity of Arun in closing the cinema operation at the Windmill Entertainment Centre and reducing support to the theatre there.

The second theme was a deep frustration with the Government over failure to kick-start economic growth, a general “anti-politician” feeling, and the anti-EU, anti-human rights, anti-immigrant relentless rhetoric peddled by the Daily Mail, which expressed itself in the UKIP vote, which across Arun was larger than the Conservative vote.

Above all, we were electing a county council, and I will continue to fight as hard at town, district and county levels for a better deal for the town in infrastructure (hospital, roads, leisure etc.), as well as jobs and services for our young and older residents.

Dr James Walsh

The Street

Rustington