The letters page on Tuesday, August 12, reflected an obvious dilemma and touched on several connected issues. One correspondent asked ‘why can’t Oxford people wait until there are some real plans to examine before leaping into negative mode?’ If we did that the powers-that-be (in our one party parish) would have done half their job. In this part of the parish Stansfeld Education Centre is an urgent issue. The Friends of Quarry are seeking partners to keep it in the same use ie primarily educational or recreational. Some of us may be more creative but if we’re not proactive we’ll lose another vital (public) resource and the environment will deteriorate further.

The city council may well have “the mindset of a 19th century landgrab” – it’s certainly not what we used to call municipal socialism. The need to provide homes for people is a big issue but we need more ‘joined-up thinking’.

If successive governments are prepared to squander over £100 billion on a useless deterrent (Trident) whilst destroying our health service how do we resist? Some may claim Labour is making the most of a bad job.

Steve Dawe challenges the council citing some excellent social and environmental reasons why an even greater Leys wouldn’t help. We know from Brighton that a Green council is only slightly better than those of different colours.

We can all complain about the cynical timing of by-elections and professional politicians but the real question is how we sustain our communities and connect the apparently feeble attempts to influence local authorities (and national parties).

One starting point could be joining a trade union or supporting ‘single-issue campaigns’. Anyway I used to say don’t vote it only encourages them. These days supporting the best local candidate and building an ecosocialist party/movement is an increasingly important option. I’m tempted to conclude by raising a slogan: independence for Quarry but please think about these points and for what it’s worth, use your vote.

Andy Gibbons, Weyland Road, Oxford

 

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