Future generations will wonder at folly of Brexit
IF May’s Brexit deal is rejected by Parliament, a no-deal Brexit becomes a real possibility.
May claims we have a “strong” economy, but the truth is we have a lowproductivity, low-wage, lowskill economy underpinned by a mountain of public and private debt. None of these problems can be blamed on the EU. Germany is in the EU and has one of the most successful economies in the world. Leaving the EU won’t solve the UK’s woeful economic performance and political mismanagement.
Brexiteers claim project fear hasn’t happened. So how do they explain the fact that since the referendum the fall in the value of the pound has enabled foreign investors to buy strategic British firms at bargain prices?
The fact is the world stands on the brink of financial disaster caused by the banks failing to learn the lessons of 2008, the printing of cheap money to support the banks and keep interest rates low, and last, but by no means least, Trump’s trade wars and the uncertainty of Brexit.
After 300 years as a global rulemaker, a no-deal Brexit would condemn the UK to being a rule-taker. Without the economic power of the EU to help combat the might of the global economic superpowers, the UK will have far less influence on global affairs that could impact on its security and prosperity.
Future generations will wonder at the folly of Brexit and the incompetence of our politicians in allowing a small gang of public school and Oxbridge educated millionaires and their backers to lead them and the nation down the garden path to the Brexit fantasy land.
Bryan D Prescott Caerphilly Political situation unacceptable
SURELY no British citizen can accept the present political situation, where Theresa May, just one of 650 MPs, but with Prime Minister’s power over voting procedure, presents her own EU policy knowing it will be overwhelmingly defeated.
But this wholesale rejection by a large majority somehow becomes a reason why Britain is stuck with an even more unpopular policy and future, although even fewer MPs vote for that.
This is majority democracy stood on its head. Neville Westerman Brynna
Make Porthcawl a town worth visiting
FOLLOWING the town meeting held at the Y Centre on November 19, it must now be clear that the residents of Porthcawl, while wanting to get on with the job, have no appetite for the regeneration proposals put forward by Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC).
As a Society, we had hoped that BCBC would come up with some new, exciting and imaginative plans for the regeneration of the town but, in essence, the proposals put forward are, we understand, very similar to those previously put forward by the Evans families – plans which BCBC had previously found unacceptable. We would, therefore, urge BCBC to go back to the drawing board and produce ideas acceptable to residents, make the town somewhere that people want to visit and generally promote Porthcawl as a premier seaside resort.
The society is putting forward some ideas for consideration:
■ While some of our members would welcome a second “convenience store”, others are concerned about the adverse effect this would have on the town’s current retail outlets. Whether patronised by local residents or people living in the surrounding areas, we suspect many shoppers will simply drive to the new store, do their shopping and drive away again. The town council and chamber of trade have already expressed concern about the drop in footfall in John Street and in order to increase any prospect of the town benefiting from the new store, it must be based as near to the town centre as possible. Hence our suggestion that, if there is to be a new store, it should be based at the end of Dock Street.
■ There seems to be no adverse reaction to the existence of a new hotel in the town though Porthcawl deserves something more than a budget hotel. This can be placed at the northern end of Salt Lake and must be designed so it is a welcoming sight to people visiting the town. First impressions count. ■ As well as the need to ensure that any hotel is designed to add interest to the town’s built environment, so will be the need to ensure that the design of any convenience store is in line with the existing architectural character of the part of the town where it is likely to be built. Many supermarket firms seem to favour a basic, shed-like design which has little architectural value.
■ As was demonstrated at the town meeting, the main area of concern is the proposal to urbanise Salt Lake. The society recognises the need for housing but suggests that all BCBC’s efforts should be concentrated on the development of Sandy Bay for this purpose. We understand there may be some difficulties with access but, even if it results in delays to the other aspects of the town’s regeneration, we believe those delays would be worthwhile. The town has waited for more than 40 years for regeneration to take place and it would be better to wait a little longer to get it right, rather than lose an asset as important to the town as Salt Lake. The town deserves more from what is a prime waterfront site. ■ We suggest Salt Lake should be split into two parts with part used for car parking and the major part landscaped as an amenity area for all comers. In the fullness of time, it may be possible to further develop the amenity area to make it a more attractive place for residents and visitors. It may, for example, be possible to have a bandstand, fountains, works of public art, an area to hold open markets and even a boating lake as well as a “leisure” building. The possibilities are endless and residents should be given the opportunity to put forward ideas. Meanwhile, just grassing over the area would make it more aesthetically pleasing than what’s there now.
■ Make no mistake, with more housing comes the need for more services and improved transport and infrastructure. A light railway linking Porthcawl with Bridgend or Pyle would be the ideal solution and we suggest that increased efforts should be made to see whether this is a possibility.
At present, Porthcawl is punching above its weight and it needs vision
Leaving the EU won’t solve the UK’s woeful economic performance and political mismanagement Bryan D Prescott
and drive if it is to attract new visitors and make the town prosper. A plan along the lines set out above would give everyone what they want and what the town needs. The town would have its supermarket and hotel, the car parking problem would be largely overcome, residents would have their amenity area and BCBC would meet its housing requirements.
In addition, Porthcawl would become a more attractive place to visit and, as a result, the town’s businesses would benefit.
Don Tickner Porthcawl Civic Trust Society
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