Friday, June 22, 2007

Medway Messenger

Party Politics
It could be a touch of sour grapes

I WAS pleased to read the responses to my letter of Friday, June 8, particularly those of Cllr Chishti, who endorsed my comments, and Mrs Miller, who not only ridiculed my suggestion of of politicians throwing party affiliation aside and working together for the greater good of the community, but attempted to tone down Cllr Chishti’s efforts.

I would just like to remind Mrs Miller, and other readers, that the Conservative Party Conference was held in October 2006.

Mrs Miller states in her letter that Cllr Chishti missed his last run because it coincided with the conference.

However, Cllr Chishti’s last run was in March 2007 – five months after the Conservative Part Conference.

If one were to re-read my letter, one would see I was not criticising those who give what they can to such causes, as their contribution is valued highly.

Instead I was suggesting that Paul Clark MP and Cllr Chishti put party politics aside and run side-by-side for this important institution – a suggestion that Cllr Chishti put forward in his letter of Friday, June 15.

One wonders if Mrs Miller has a touch of sour grapes after she failed to inherit the third Gillingham North seat alongside former Labour councillors Last and Price, while Cllr Chishti, alongside current Conservative Councillors Kemp and O’Brien, managed to secure his seat in Mrs Miller’s own ward of Rainham Central quite convincingly.

On an unrelated note, I would like to send my thanks to Bernie Pinner, who conducted a Falklands Conflict memorial service at Brompton Garrison Church wonderfull, and to those who turned up to remember those who died for the freedom of the Islanders.

Alan Collins
Goudhurst Road
Gillingham