Don’t play politics with the Grenfell tragedy
FROM my window I can see Grenfell Tower, a constant reminder of the tragedy in which so many lost their lives. Just to see the remains of the building brings tears to my eyes. I also find it sad that so many groups are prepared to use the tragedy for their own ends and castigate Kensington and Chelsea council and individual councillors with accusations that in other circumstances would warrant police action. In the immediate aftermath of the terrible fire, the council may well have been stunned, but it then reacted positively, if a little scattered in its efforts, to provide assistance and to plan for the longer term. The council, which is normally very efficient, does care and proves it in many ways throughout the borough. Can anyone point to a local authority in the country that would have been prepared for a catastrophic event of this magnitude? It is noticeable that most of the displaced people are reluctant to leave the borough and all the stops are being pulled out by the council in finding local permanent accommodation. We should be hearing from the people who have been successfully rehoused instead of only those looking to exacerbate the situation. What is needed is calm so that survivors can grieve in peace and make use of all the assistance that is on offer from the many agencies doing their upmost to help. They should not be drawn into the many protest groups with their own destructive agenda.
MIKE JONES, London W10.