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| Cartoon (c) of http://www.mikhaela.net |
It has become a sad reality to us all that politicians whether at national or local level uses a form of English language which at best can be described as "Pithy". It has become very apparent to me reading all the manifestos of the political parties from there barrage of leaflets through our letterboxes here in Belsize Park, that this is happening.
They use words like manifesto, pledge, even daring to utter the word "promise" at out door steps!
What does it all mean, surely we all happy in Belsize "right" well apparently not, they promised us a new pedestrian crossings on a Eton Avenue and Winchester Road in 2010, was it built after the Conservatives were elected, no, they promised us a new community garden at Blashford near the Adelaide Medical Centre was it built well no.
They told us that they will keep council tax down and keep our essential services intact. What did the Conservatives do to Belsize. Close the Hampstead Police Station, not even bothering to secure the property from squatters moving in! They closed "our" beloved Belsize Fire Station, which in the words of Camden Fire Commander places Belsize at the epicenter of highest respinse times in Camden.
All Belsize councillors have written to and sent emails to the 8,500+ voters to explain that Camden is "now" safe from the HS1-HS2 Camden Link. which is true of itself. But for the vast majority of voters that I have spoken to at the door steps there is the mistaken belief that was taken to mean that HS2 would no longer affect Belsize! It will starting 2019.
Naturally, they were very shocked to learn that would sadly not be the case. It must be said that Camden council together with its councillors have been asking residents to sign a petition which must be delivered in person to Portcullis House together with a £20 payment, which I think was an outrage in itself, but in the words of government that is to prevent vexatious claims !
Pithy Politics - The Conservatives and Liberal Democrates back in 2009 through to election 2010 were campaigning "against" HS2. Most of us remember the clear statements back then of that intent that become acceptance !
The party whips have been very busy of late in keeping the party discipline on those key mutated pledges!
