Opinion

DAVID HARDING

15 September 2009

What do you like best about Southwark?
Southwark is a lot quieter than other boroughs in London. The River Thames is a quick walk away and there are a lot of parks and green areas around. Everything's well maintained and very local; so you don't have to travel far to get what you want.

What is your favourite place in Southwark?
The Memorial Garden. I like to sit in the garden next to the playground, where there is a lake with swans. It is very relaxing, peaceful and a nice place to get away from things.

What would you like to change about the borough?
There is a lack of activities available for children and teenagers. There are lot of young people hanging around in gangs, as there is nothing for them to do. It would be nice to introduce facilities for them, in order to keep them occupied.

The recently released Lockerbie Bomber, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, received a hero's welcome upon his return to Libya. Do you think he should have been released?
If a person does not have long to live then yes, I think it is ok for them to be released. The reception he received was wrong, as he was shown mercy by the Scottish government and shouldn't have received a hero's welcome.

Gordon Brown gave a speech on the British involvement in Afghanistan last week. Do you think British troops should be risking their lives to protect a country whose government is accused of vote rigging and corruption?
I think we are fighting for the people of Afghanistan and for our country's safety, not for a corrupt government. It is our role and that of the global community, to help them achieve a democratic government free of corruption. If one method of achieving this is not working then I believe alternative solutions should be sought and implemented.

The eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is this week. What impact do you think it’s had on the world?
9/11 opened our eyes to the truth. It made everyone realise that there are people out there who are hostile and want to harm others, in order to achieve their goals. I think it made the average person more aware as to what is going on around them. But it also allowed for global unity and led to cooperation amongst nations.

Interview by Suneet Kharay

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