The word on the street

I have just received a very cut-price local elections campaigning sheet from Philip Mirfin on behalf of the Conservatives.

I would like to take issue with several of the ‘claims’ in this leaflet.

a) All but 2 retail units not currently going through acquisition or fit out! Names to be announced very soon.

This reads to me that only 2 retail units ARE going through acquisition or fit out! Also ‘Names to be announced very soon’ has been the status of this for several months. b) New town toilets . . .

This is a bit rich for the Conservatives to claim credit for since they removed the old town toilets (against public opinion) some time ago.

c) Aldi at Elms Field opens in late June this year with an 85 space car park.

Nice to see Aldi providing a public car park for Wokingham shoppers!

However this is disingenuous. Most Aldi car parks are strictly limited to 90 minutes and administered by Parking Eye who rigorously enforce this and give rise to numerous complaints. This is not the council providing new parking.

d) Carnival Pool being demolished 2020 and rebuilt by 2022.

So we are to be without a swimming pool for 2 years! What about Children’s swimming lessons, especially given the closure of Pulse 8 swimming club in Sindlesham. I recall watching my own children learn to swim here at Carnival Pool several years ago.

e) 55 additional apartments ideally for Key workers.

“ideally” has no meaning whatsoever here. How will this be achieved?

f) Please read our leaflet on Tuesday April 16th.

The leaflet actually refers to itself. This whole leaflet is just a cut and paste from somewhere else!

I’m all for saving money on campaign expenses but this leaflet really takes this a bit far. George Sco , Wokingham Spring. That time of year when “a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love”.

Cherry trees wear blossoms in their hair and, this year, with local elections being held, candidates emerge from hibernation, blinking into the world of reality.

Suddenly appearing on doorsteps to make dubious promises assure us that they are on our side listening to our concerns and they, and they alone, can make the impossible possible if only we will cast our vote in their favour.