tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post6684645225980089498..comments2023-05-10T16:38:37.925+01:00Comments on Stockwood Pete: Dear Kerry..... About that stadium statement.Pete Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07115478143080295370noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-45646932731416878872010-10-25T22:52:47.810+01:002010-10-25T22:52:47.810+01:00Doesn't really tell us anything new, then - we...Doesn't really tell us anything new, then - we're left with a final para in the MPs statement that calls for the councillors to put 'the views of the majority of residents' ahead of <b>anything</b> else. Except, of course, that <i>"The letter was not intended as an incitement to break the law, merely a way of highlighting the support that there is in Bristol for this development</i>, which is not what the joint statement said, and was hardly necessary in any case given the combined efforts of club, council, and BEP.<br /><br />Surprising, too, that Kerry can only claim that 'over 50' people have contacted her in support of the stadium, after such a long and sustained campaign by the council, the club, and the Evening Post. <br /><br />Otherwise, a disappointing response that doesn't address the issues raised, and doesn't even tell us who drafted the statement that the MPs signed up to so readily.<br /><br />I don't think the stadium issue has yet been raised on <a href="http://kerrymccarthy.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Kerry's blog</a>; but over in Bristol West Stephen Williams has <a href="http://stephenwilliamsmp.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/my-week-in-westminster-11th-to-14th-october/" rel="nofollow">blogged about it</a> and provoked a strong thread of comments. Like Kerry, he affirms that he wants councillors to act within the law, but has no time for the people who secured the Town Green recommendation!<br /><br />Incredible how both of them can be so forthright about their wish for a stadium on green belt at Ashton Vale, but neither can bring themselves to qualify that damning final paragraph in their joint statementStockwood Petehttp://stockwoodpete.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-12308808792846530772010-10-25T22:27:52.411+01:002010-10-25T22:27:52.411+01:00Here's Kerry's reply, received today (the ...<i>Here's Kerry's reply, received today (the missing bits were about other subjects entirely): </i><br /><br />Dear Pete,<br />(cut)<br />.....I was very interested to read your comments and the article, although it is worth noting that the study she refers to is American and as far as I am aware there is no evidence to suggest that the predicted boost to the economy that a new stadium could bring to Bristol is false. It is also important to note that I am not in favour of this stadium for the benefits that it will bring to Bristol City Football Club, but for the benefits that it will bring to the city and the region as a whole.<br /><br />I agree that we must make use of brownfield sites where possible and I’m sure other options were taken into consideration before deciding upon the Ashton Vale site. However, with the current tide of Government cuts, it is imperative that we seek to soften their blows by encouraging private investment in our city. The possibility of the creation of a stadium of international standard, with the jobs and the boost to our economy that would accompany is an opportunity we simply cannot afford to waste.<br /><br />I am in no doubt that the Councillors whose responsibility it is to make this decision will do so within the means of the law and as such will only be taking legitimate considerations into account. The letter was not intended as an incitement to break the law, merely a way of highlighting the support that there is in Bristol for this development. I have so far been contacted by over 50 people on this issue, all of them asking for my help in ensuring the stadium is built. I am therefore trying to serve my constituents by helping to demonstrate these levels of support.<br /><br />(cut)<br />Best Wishes<br /><br />KerryStockwood Petehttp://stockwoodpete.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-66515601158912012062010-10-15T07:48:12.994+01:002010-10-15T07:48:12.994+01:00All of our MPs are a disgrace. Happily being photo...All of our MPs are a disgrace. Happily being photographed alongside a tax avoider calling on people to break the law for him.<br /><br />They have no respect for us, our democracy or our constitution.<br /><br />What a shower of thick, self-serving idiots.The Bristol Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05776065164023718096noreply@blogger.com