| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Good luck and Kind weather on Clean Up Thursday 28th June 10am to 1pm meeting at Goddards Corner | |
| Posted by: | Phil Andrews | |
| Date/Time: | 21/06/12 22:21:00 |
| "The 6 months later hey! 'Labour organise clear up of park a community effort'" I'm afraid that kind of thing is par for the course when you are dealing with party politics, although that doesn't make it any less infuriating when it happens. It is also very important for the people concerned, of course, to maintain the myth (even to themselves) that the wider community is incapable of organising anything without their help. It gives their own political existence justification and meaning. It reminds me of the time back in 1997 when residents of the Syon estate marched to protest against plans by the Duke of Northumberland to create a vehicular access point into Syon Park from the London Road. It happened to be during the build up to the general election of that year. The march was supported across the political divide with lots of groups involved, not so much working together as all helping in their own separate ways. A local Socialist Workers Party activist provided a loudspeaker system. The ICG produced a leaflet to hand out to passers-by and sent a number of activists to boost the numbers on the march. The Liberal Democrat and Green candidates took part in the event. But what was most important was that it was an activity planned by residents, and participated in by residents. When the march had finished all those residents who had taken part gathered outside Syon House for a group photo. Right at that point both the Conservative MP (Nirj Deva) and his Labour challenger (Ann Keen) emerged from the car park opposite with their respective campaign teams (I assume from separate cars), positioned themselves at the FRONT of the group of residents for the photo, then promptly disappeared again! Most normal people would not have had the sheer nerve to do something like this, but to these two it was perfectly normal behaviour and there was not a hint of unease or embarrassment about either of them. These types really are a breed apart. |