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Is politics finally coming of age?
• I MUST admit I am not a fan of American culture. Cheeseburgers, drag racing and teen horror movies are certainly not to my taste.
I prefer a cup of tea, a game of cricket and a good roast.
However, I must admit I was pleased to read, in last week’s New Journal, that one interesting piece of American culture is coming to Camden this month – political ‘Open Primaries’
I have always favoured this style of ‘direct democracy’, and I am looking forward to the local Conservative Party’s ‘Open Primary’, on December 12, which will pick their parliamentary candidate for the Hampstead and Kilburn at the next election.
I only hope that we will not all have to sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at the event!
JOHN WARREN
Willsden Lane, NW2
• REGARDING the up and coming by-election only one issue, and one issue only, concerns us at the moment: Saving Talacre Gardens (Be careful who you vote for, November 23).
Why isn’t that being addressed by any of the candidates?
If they are too scared to talk now, then what good are any of them to us?
CHRISTOPHER MARVIN
Kentish Town Road, NW5
• IN recent years, I have become extremely disillusioned with the political process in this country. I believe a number of acts and initiatives have been put in motion by those who govern us which have been totally against the wishes of the British people. This has set off a miserable chain reaction where the electorate have become aloof to politics.
It was thus with much delight that I read about the Conservative Party’s “Open Primary” selection process, on 12th December, in last week’s paper.
I find it quite a refreshing move that a political party, in this case the Conservatives, want to offer the electorate of a constituency the opportunity to pick its candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn at the next General Election. I will certainly be attending the “Open Primary” and making my voice heard.
Whilst this may only be only a small step to reinvigorating our bruised democracy, it is still a step.
MARIA KAZAB
Gondar Gardens, NW6
• SAM McBratney, along with many former Labour members like me, probably doesn’t support the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, or Labour’s policies on housing, privatisation of public services, replacing Trident nuclear missiles and inaction on climate change but, instead of supporting the Green candidate in the December 7 Kentish Town by-election or standing as an independent, he is standing on a Labour Party ticket.
Where is the integrity in that? I suppose he might support these Labour policies, but, either way, he doesn’t deserve the support of Kentish Town residents – and he won’t be getting it. I agree with Gerry Harrison, the fresh voices of the two Green councillors on the council are already making a difference. The arrival of Sian Berry will strengthen their influence. Camden needs this. Camden also needs more women on the council. I’ll be voting for Sian.
FRANCES SINGER
Lady Somerset Road, NW5
• I WOULD just like to express my delight at the decision of Hampstead and Kilburn Conservative Association to decide upon an ‘Open Primary’ as their method of selecting a prospective parliamentary candidate.
I have been involved politics quite a few years now, and I must admit this is one of the most exciting occurrences that I have come across.
This method of selection will allow the public to judge and quiz those individuals who wish to represent this great part of North London following the next General Election.
This is a great victory for accountability, democracy and public participation in politics and I back it wholeheartedly.
I urge all those eligible to take part in the Hampstead and Kilburn Conservative ‘Open Primary’ on December 12 and have your say about who represents you.
By taking part you can make a real difference to the services and running of the community.
IRENE WEBBER
Dobson Close, NW6
• RENE Adams might be interested to know that the reason given by Lib Dem councillor Jill Fraser for not coming to the rescue of our cherished Talacre Gardens and why she is apparently allowing it to be ruined without so much a lifting a finger (Park debacle is costing our trust.)
My partner and I attended a Lib Dem meeting recently and the inevitable subject of Talacre Gardens being under threat by a private developer popped up. Jill Fraser explained that because she was now mayor of Camden she could not be seen to take sides. So there you have it.
Kentish Town ward next door is having a bi-election in December because its Labour elected councillor is going to work for Mayor Ken Livingstone and is, consequently, unable to do both jobs for fear of being seen in a conflict of interest.
Shouldn’t Jill Fraser also gracefully bow out since we who elected her are now unrepresented by the ruling party in the Haverstock Ward.
This is at a time when we are in dire need of representation in view of the serious threat to our park?
I would be glad to have a by-election in Haverstock.
DUNCAN MCMILLAN
Prince of Wales Road, NW5
• COUNCILLOR Alexis Rowell once again trots out the idea that Labour spurned their advances to join a “rainbow” coalition following the elections in May. (Be careful who you vote for next month). The truth is that this is a classic bit of Lib Dem skulduggery.
The Tories would never have accepted a coalition with Labour and the Lib Dems knew it.
Likewise, Labour would never agree to putting the Tories in control over anything. The “offer” was therefore only ever an attempt to put Labour on the spot and save Lib Dem blushes about putting the Tories in power.
On announcing the alliance, Cllr Keith Moffitt was able to hail the “considerable degree of overlap on key priorities for changing Camden” between Lib Dem and Tories.
Look at how those priorities have played out. Cuts to youth services and advice centres. Jamestown Mental Health Centre closed despite promises to save it. Redundancies amongst council staff. Small wonder Labour felt it couldn’t share these priorities.
ANNE DEGERT
Well Walk, NW3
• OVER the last 18 months, half of Kentish Town has had the pavements renewed to a high standard. But, despite Labour promises, the money evaporated and the job was half done.
This has left the east side south of the Post Office and the west side south of Anglers Lane as poor relatives, with nasty tarmac which holds the puddles.
What has been done to date has been a real boost for shoppers and shop-keepers alike and it’s a credit to the craftsmen involved.
Finding the £300,000 or so needed to finish the job is, rightly, of great concern to all residents. We, the five local Lib Dem Councillors, have put our weight behind seeking to get this done as an urgent council priority.
We welcome the latest new openings of the Phoenicia Food Hall and Earth Natural Foods. There’s also new Christmas lights to replace those sea urchins. Things are looking up for Kentish Town but we must get on and replace those patchwork pavements.
CLLRS FARUQUE ANSARI, PAUL BRAITHWAITE, FRED CARVER, PHILIP THOMPSON AND BEN RAWLINGS
Town Hall
Judd Street, WC1
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