Readers' Letters

The highly politicised status quo of Bradford is indeed slowly eating away at the very heart of our local communities.

In the past political parties have abused the power given to them by local electors.

The old political adage that if one were to put up a monkey as a candidate for one of the main parties the stupidity of the electorate would, without thinking, vote for the monkey is thankfully dying away.

It takes great courage and determination to put our town first by voting against our own political preferences, yet the independents, led by David Samuels and Brian Hudson of the Aire-Worth Reform Association, have gained a significant following from a community that is thinking about its future.

I predict that at the next council elections more independent minds will be willing to stand up for the local people against the party politicians from Bradford.

The days of the monkeys are numbered as people realise that a vote for any party politician at local elections is a wasted vote.

MRS R BLACKMAN,

Prince Street, Haworth.

SIR - Frank Pedley asks "by what fevered stretch of imagination RP Beale has to tell an elected representative of the Worth Valley what he should do." KN 21.5.99.

Many like myself see this region as a whole, regardless of county boundaries imposed by the politicians.

We also see the region as the gateway to the Dales, and the foothills of the Pennines. Unlike Mr Pedley we look at the whole, not just outside the front door.

Unfortunately the planners and politicians in Bradford seem to see things from a different perspective. Their actions lead us to believe that they regard the Aire Worth region as the 'butt end' of the City of Bradford.

We still need more people, wherever they live in the area, to come come forward and take issue with the politicians if we are to retain some of our heritage.

Cllr John Cope, chairperson of the Keighley Area Planning sub committee, is one of the people who must take some responsibility for the mass urban sprawl planned across this region.

I hope that supplies a satisfactory answer to Mr Pedley's fevered question.

R P BEALE,

Skipton Road, Cononley.

SIR - The Aire-Worth Reform Association offers sincere congratulations to Mayor Cllr Russell Driver, members of Denholme Residents Action Group, and all those many others who have held out against the might of Bradford Metropolitan Council in their battle to turn Buck Park Quarry into a landfill site.

Those people who voted in the local referendum may have demonstrated that 'people power' can shape and motivate the blinkered thinking of even the most spiritless of politicians.

The last local government election has possibly awoken the party politicians to the fact that people can be vocal, and that when roused from the apathy caused by the seemingly complete stranglehold politicians have over the daily lives of the population, even the mouse can sometimes roar.

Let us hope that those politicians in power at last take note that they were put into power to do the bidding of the electorate, not of the developers or local officials.

The people in Denholme had the chance to vote for their village. Let us hope that they stood up behind all those others who had given them the opportunity. If any person in Denholme failed to vote, without just cause, then they should be ashamed that they have allowed those in power to defeat democracy.

DAVID SAMUELS,

Aire-Worth

Reform Association.

SIR - After reading the Keighley News on Friday May 21, I felt I must write to you and correct a statement that is to do with the Referendum to be held in Denholme.

It stated that "All 2,351 people on the electoral roll will have the opportunity to vote for or against the motion to reject the planning application to use Buck Park Quarry as a landfill site."

This is not the case, I'm afraid. The council has disallowed us a postal vote or a vote by proxy. Which means a good number of residents are unable to vote due to sickness and infirmity, the housebound elderly, people working shifts, young mums that work evenings, and people that are going on holiday, as is the case with my family.

I am totally disgusted with Bradford council for the way they have organised (or not) the Referendum.

I cannot see a plausible reason for not allowing a postal vote or vote by proxy. They have denied us the right to vote which I must add, would be a vote against Buck Park Quarry being used as a landfill site.

So, to the planners at Shipley, please take into account that not all 2,351 residents had the choice to vote, Bradford council saw to that.

May I take this opportunity to wish Cullingworth all the best in their fight against the Manywells Tip.

NAME AND ADDRESS

SUPPLIED.

SIR - Had Councillor Thorne lost at the local council elections then party members and our MP would have called for a re-run of the elections due to alleged intimidation of voters.

If Councillor Thorne's allegations that any part of the electorate was intimidated into voting for or against one particular candidate, then surely the councillor is right, the election should be re-run.

It is my belief, however, that it does not necessarily follow, if the claim is proven, that all those intimidated would have voted for Cllr Thorne, or for that matter Mr Arshad Majeed.

As a candidate in the same ward I feel strongly that even if one person was intimidated into voting for a particular candidate and so, by implication, against me, then democracy demands that the public is entitled to another election within the area.

Obviously the democratic system we have in this country should not only be above reproach, but must be seen to be so.

Finally, instead of further claims and counter claims being made between the two political parties, would not these two paragons of democracy agree with me, a non-party political independent, in the interest of fairness to me, that the elections should be re-run.

BRIAN HUDSON,

Bronte Drive, Oakworth.

SIR - The Keighley planning sub-committee has unexpectedly approved Taywood's footbridge design. What happened to their earlier spirited defence of the Conservation Area?

Twice councillors rejected a metal flyover design. Such a structure could not be put alongside a listed stone bridge dating from the 1770s.

Now suddenly the 'Meccano' design is OK. We are told that subtle (ie minor) differences in detail have made this lightweight (ie cheap) footbridge acceptable.

Linked to a huge new ramp up from the canal towpath, it's somehow also invisible alongside the old bridge.

Who now is to defend the conservation Area and the interests of all those residents and canal users who want to see it preserved?

Bradford council's own planning policy has been ignored. It states that new developments should preserve or enhance the character and appearance of a Conservation Area.

Councillor Cope said a stone footbridge would have been detrimental to the old road bridge. Why? Built in a similar style a sufficient distance away it would actually enhance the area. True, it would cost the developers more.

Keighley deserves a fair return from the millions developers make here. Quality lasts. Cheap stuff will be dear to us all in the long run and once the damage is done, it cannot be undone.

DAVID BATEMAN,

Hospital Road, Riddlesden.

SIR - Councillors who approved the plans for a modern steel footbridge to be built by Taywood Homes at Swine Lane have made a major error of judgement. The accepted design had not fundamental changes from the previous application which was rejected. Why the U turn?

This area is uniquely important to local people. Scale, design, location and respect for local character should be assessed when recommending plans for approval.

What is the point of Bradford Council adopting environmental and conservation policies if they are not adhered to. Local Agenda 21, EN23. Are these simply a PR exercise?

D LONGSTAFF,

Riddlesden Action Group.

SIR - At the European Parliament election on June 10, a key issue for voters will be whether to abolish the pound for the euro. It does not help voters when the politicians themselves don't understand the basic issues.

It is amazing that a group called the Pro-Euro Conservative Party (PEC) will be standing, as 'official' Conservative policy is actually to support the euro.

When Mr Hague voted for Maastricht in 1993, it actually committed the UK to the goal of an eventual single currency, which is why - in spite of the electioneering rhetoric - he will not rule out joining the euro for all time.

The only real difference between the parties is the actual timing.

In spite of cultivating a Eurosceptic image, Hague is actually a President of the London Europe Society which favours tighter binding with Europe.

His current Euro-MPs are part of the European People's Party group that welcomed the appointment of commissioner Romano Prodi, who has called for a single European economy, army, and government.

Hague's speechwriter's dreams about being in Europe but not run by it are at odds with what his own supporters are doing.

As a disillusioned Conservative who wants friendship and trade with the continent, but not EU control of our economy and currency, I shall be ignoring William Hague's image consultants. Like millions of others, I shall be voting for a common sense party that stands for keeping the pound for all time, the UK Independent Party.

MARK TAYLOR,

New Alliance.

SIR - We have done it again haven't we? Straight out of the frying pan into the fire.

We dumped the Thatcherites then gave power to Mr Blair, whose one man and his dog act with President Clinton, has formed an alliance ready to self destruct the moment reality sets the test.

If we are not careful their suicide pact could destroy British credibility for many years to come.

It is insane to say they wish to save the Kosovars by murdering them and then claim Slobodan Milosevic made them do it. No British court would countenance such a weak defence and the sight sickens the whole world.

Blair, Cook, Robertson, and Clair Short should be tried for their crimes and punished, they are no better than Milosevic. Even if Blair should gain his pyrrhic victory, can we afford it?

So far it has cost us billions that could have been better spent on our own problems, but I am afraid Blair and Co have lost the spot on the map marked Britain.

They should be removed from office at the earliest opportunity before we are blamed for their evil deeds.

FRED HIRLAM,

Gloucester Avenue,

Silsden.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.