Columns

DISABILITY corner

14 April 2009

This week I am going to do something very unusual and respond to a letter
through my column instead of the letters’ page, as it raises some serious issues
and a response in the letters’ page given its size would not do it justice.

I am referring to the letter in last week's news "Is disability column just a dig at Boris?" by J.J. Roberts.
I have made it perfectly clear that I am politically neutral and I have a dig at everyone - from Boris to Southwark Council. It’s mainly disability related 95% of the time but as I feel so passionately about Southwark and its residents, I do get involved in things like the Cross River Tram, East London line extension and the deleted Surrey Canal Road Station. If I have a dig at Boris (who has no disability agenda) and who I feel is paying back Southwark for not voting for him, I make no apologies.

I have never implied that he had no support in Southwark & Lambeth - after all 47,754 or 26.48% of the electorate voted for him. I just felt that he needed to increase his vote percentage in Southwark. But his recent actions only served to alienate voters in Southwark further. I have not nailed my colours to the mast ,as can be seen from an excerpt from my blog site Life in South East London (the trials and tribulations of a wheelchair user in SE16) www, lifeinsoutheastlondon.blogspot.com   and dated 29th March 2009.

" I am non political and I vote for the person, and not the party. Right now that is Simon Hughes as my M.P.(Lib Dem), Valerie Shawcross GLA (Labour), Councillors Richard Livingstone (Labour) Graham Neale (Lib Dem) and my third Council vote is still undecided as yet. I was always Conservative previously as I was in constant employment, but ever since I returned to this country, I have known nothing but a Labour Government.

To be quite honest with you , I am very frightened that if the Conservatives get elected that I as a disabled person on benefits will suffer cuts, while most of the MPs incur expenses claims of up to £150,00.00 p.a. and continue to make claims for even bath plugs. I am glad to see that my MP was not caught up in this distasteful scandal."
This is a one off reply through my column, and in the future if you disagree with my views, please write to me c/o Southwark News. Until the next time may your God go with you.

The opinions expressed in this column are personal to the author and may not reflect the opinions of Southwark News.   

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