Your letters - March 19, 2010

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Time for changes in representation

MICHAEL FOSTER'S limp response to the proposed withdrawal of Hastings train services to Cannon Street shows the true extent of the democratic deficit in this country.

The elected MP for Hastings is unable to campaign to keep the Cannon Street services as he is also a junior minister in the Government that is allowing them to be scrapped.

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Consequently he gives lukewarm backing for his ministerial colleague while trying to placate local concerns with a woolly promise to "continue to make our case for improved transport links" without specifically mentioning Cannon Street.

By comparison Gregory Barker MP, free of any government responsibility, has fully backed the campaign to save Cannon Street services and made a speech in Parliament on the subject.

Now don't for one minute think it would be any different if the Tories were in power, the roles would simply be reversed.

The problem of course is our unrepresentative electoral system where we cast a single vote to elect an MP on a "first past the post" basis ending up with a government that only 35 per cent of the nation voted for.

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Surely it's time for us to have two votes; i) one to elect a local MP and ii) for a party to form the national government – then we can always have an MP who is able to stand up for local issues and also a government that the majority of us support!

Clive Bishop

Asten Fields, Battle

Stating the case for an independent MP

AT THE general election I intend to run as an Independent Conservative candidate in the constituency of Bexhill and Battle.

The authority of Parliament has been brought low by the expenses scandal and can only be restored by an infusion of fresh blood from outside the pool of career politicians who have let us down so badly.

Career politicians who abused the expenses system have lost the moral authority that should be a pre-requisite of their position.

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I've always voted Conservative but I have never been a Conservative party member and I believe that the first duty of an MP is to his constituents rather than to any party.

As an independent, I would be free to represent most forcefully the views of all those who broadly share my hopes, fears and aspirations for the county and for the country.

I was born in Eastbourne and for the last 16 years have lived at Chiddingly. I read Economics at Cambridge, I'm married (still on my first wife) with three children and have a family business based at Lewes.

Like most people who live in Sussex and work in London, if elected, I would commute rather than take on the expense of a second home.

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Politics needs a shake-up and as an independent I offer a fresh start, not only to Conservatives, but to all those who've been disappointed and disillusioned by politics in recent years.

It is a daunting prospect to take on the might of the established parties but there is a gathering tide of opinion that is looking for a change from the tired and discredited institutions that have served us badly.

If you're part of that and you'd like to help or find out more please visit my website www.andrewlawsonforbexhillandbattle.com .

We can make a difference.

ANDREW LAWSON

Orchards, Muddles Green

Chiddingly

Better the devil you know.....

LET ME start by saying that although my wife buys the Observer every week I only read it occasionally, so I have missed some previous correspondence, but my attention was drawn to Rod Stuart's letter regarding the role of an MP.

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From my days as a political activist in the 1960s and 70s, when this subject came up time and again in heated constituency meetings, it was finally agreed that MPs are representatives and not delegates because they represent all constituents, not just those who voted and are politically active.

While MPs need to take account of constituents' views they are not obliged to act on them. Mr Foster's role as a minister is part of the normal method of government in the UK and he is an elected representative of the people who collectively make up the government of the day.

I would hate to see a group of professional ministers who were not accountable to the elected government.

The present system of senior civil servants advising their particular minister may not be perfect but is preferable to an unelected departmental overlord.

PAUL LAWN

Cripps Corner

Let's fight to keep Lion Street open!

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REGARDING the potential closure of Rye Adult Education and Learning Centre:

I recently visited the above and was dismayed to hear of this.

I signed the petition but feel this will not achieve much due to the negative conversations and reactions I have encountered and the non-response from a gentleman from the Rye Partnership who, at the time of sending this letter, has failed to respond to my telephone call.

So, I am asking that whoever has organised the petition to keep this lovely building, with its disabled access, open for the local community and not for the profit and greed of yet another property developer, to contact me via the Rye Observer so that at the open Town Meeting at Rye College, on March 24, we can loudly and vocally let those in charge of such measures, be made aware that we are not going to give up without a fight for the following reasons.

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Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the opportunity, social background and benefits of a private education or is brainy enough to get into grammar school.

If, like me, you were state educated in the 1960s and 70s and were not singled out for higher achievement, you may not have gained a job which fully suited your talents and abilities, despite having initiative and intelligence.

I have learned more from having attended adult education classes which eventually helped me to gain employment with better job prospects, through having the services of a local adult education centre.

If you are physically and/or mentally restricted, being unable to drive or affected by a disability, you will understand just how difficult and hard it is to access public transport. If this centre closes, people will have to travel to Hastings or Eastbourne adult education centres.

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I appreciate that there may be some reading this who are now fit, healthy and/or young, but in 10 - 20 years' time you may need your local education centre for all sorts of the above reasons.

If we do not fight this, Rye, I feel, will become a place without any opportunity to help people who want to improve their job prospects, lifestyles or retirement.

There are plenty of social opportunities for those who are 65 plus – which is good and how it should be – but in my experience not enough for those of us who are younger.

If you feel like I do then I hope you will make a big effort to come along to the meeting at Rye College on March 24.

Christine Ward

Hill Top Drive, Rye.

Rye, a Fairtrade town, says thank you

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THE Fairtrade Town Steering Group would like to thank all those who helped in the organisation of the Fairtrade Fashion Show and all those who attended.

In particular, we would like to thank the Mayor and Town Clerk of Rye, the headteacher, staff and pupils of Rye College and the following local businesses: W G Bennett, Hayden's. Jempson/Budgens, Medusa, Rose Anne, St Michael's Hospice Shop, Sue Ryder, and Threshers Wine Merchants.

Rye has now been awarded Fairtrade Town status and we are planning other enjoyable Fairtrade events for the future.

Cllr Mary Smith

Chairman

Fairtrade Town Steering Group.

English Heritage should be consistent

I WAS interested (and pleased) to read in a national newspaper last Sunday, that a proposed alteration by our Iraq War prime minister, to his Grade 1 listed 4.75 million country estate has been refused by the local council, mainly because of objections by English Heritage, who argued that the plans did not show due concern for its "special character" and the local building "traditions".

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Top marks for English Heritage! But what a pity they didn't apply the same thinking to the ugly wall facing their car park and the glass roofed restaurant they built at Battle Abbey a few years ago.

And why did they object to the proposed small development on the land behind the Pilgrims' Rest which, as a result of this objection, has become an untidy weed ridden mess?

Bottom marks, as usual, for English Heritage!

John Hill

Glengorse

Rail campaign steams straight ahead

I HAVE just read the letter from Mary Varrall in last week's paper titled, "We must continue rail campaign" – yes, I agree.

The fact that a debate was gained by our MP, Gregory Barker, is I believe a positive outcome to a request.

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Just so that there are no misunderstandings the RUS reports, one for Kent (January, 2010) and another for Sussex, were published by Network Rail, not the Government.

The response by Government to them has been very much at arm's length and the fact that a debate did take place so soon after publication was indicative of our MP's concern over this issue.

I attend transport consultative group meetings at Westminster and this issue has been raised.

More recently Greg Barker has written to Lord Andrew Adonis, Minister for Transport, setting out very clearly the implications of the possible changes to services.

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A copy of the letter was sent to Etchingham parish council of which Mary Varrall is chair.

An article also appeared in last week's newspaper depicting Greg Barker's visit to Battle station, as part of his campaign to "Save our Trains".

IAN JENKINS

Rother District Councillor

Rye's 'boring' streets of asphalt need fixing

Tourists visit Rye mainly for its historical quaintness and yet, in recent years, those persons responsible for maintaining or even enhancing Rye's attractive features have let down both the retailers, residents and tourists alike.

I refer particularly to the cobbled streets or, should I say, the lack of them. All over Rye we are seeing the cobbles being replaced by boring asphalt; I'm sure the tourists don't come to see that.

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On the continent, particularly the French, see the value of spending that little bit extra to lay cobbles in historic town roads. Apart from the artistic attractiveness of road cobbles they probably also have a traffic-calming influence. Yes, Britain is broke to the tune of about 170 billion, (thank you Mr Brown) but it is short-sighted to cut back on expenditure that has a long-term investment for tourism. Furthermore mariners from Britain and abroad negotiate, not the easiest of rivers, to moor up at Strand Quay principally because it is a quaint town hoping to see cobbled streets.

Is it that we don't have any cobblers in Sussex or amongst the Highways authority? If not then for tourism's sake get them over here from France pdq and rectify the situation. I suggest that the next attempt to lay asphalt where there should be cobbles we have a "sit-down" to stop the work. People rule; not penny-pinching bureaucrats!

Tony Smith

ppc UK Independence Party

Hastings & Rye

Thank you for wearing hearts on sleeves

I am writing to thank all your readers who helped to make the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) National Heart Month campaign such a success this February.

It was great to see so many people going Red for Heart for National Heart Month. From wearing red to work or school on National Wear Red Day, buying our Red for Heart pin badge, writing a Love Note in their local BHF Shop to raising funds their own way by going red.

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We are also extremely thankful to those people who gave their time for free and organised events and other fundraising activities.

To date we have raised a fantastic amount of over 1.4 million.

The money your community raised throughout the campaign really will help to save lives through our pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information.

It is only with your support that we can beat heart disease together

Help save the life you love today.

If people would still like to donate to the campaign they can simply visit bhf.org.uk/red or call Kim Brophy on 01580 754 027

Kim Brophy

Fundraising Volunteer Manager

Kent and East Sussex