Letter: Cllr Holliday Should Resign

Published on: 18 Oct, 2016
Updated on: 18 Oct, 2016

From George Dokimakis

Secretary of the Guildford Labour Party

The EU Referendum result divided our country in two and made normal far-right behaviours that are usually marginalised. The police only recently said that since the referendum hate crimes related to racism have increased 40%.

Even in Guildford, some of our residents had to suffer the racist abuse of “Go Home” taunts. In this, the many in Guildford including many councillors proudly stood against xenophobia by gathering in the town centre a few days after the EU Referendum.

Under this air of racism and far-right rhetoric that has come to the fore, it is for our elected politicians to stand up, be counted and hold us together.

This is where Cllr Holliday has failed. He has displayed a catastrophic lapse of judgement. He has failed the people of Burpham he represents and Guildford’s residents by calling those who continue to advocate for Remain to be convicted as criminals.

Cllr Holliday needs to be reminded that the “No” vote only won by a small margin. There was no overwhelming mandate for Brexit being delivered, let alone “hard” Brexit. Moreover, he needs to be reminded that Guildford voted “Remain”.

His calling for the majority of Guildford to be effectively thrown in jail is no joke. It is an appalling act of delusion that does not befit an elected representative of our residents.

The Guildford Borough Council (GBC) leader, Cllr Spooner was right to suspend him. It is not enough though. I fear that his position as a councillor is now unsustainable.

Responses to Letter: Cllr Holliday Should Resign

John Lomas Reply

October 18, 2016 at 3:49 pm

Once again someone has claimed that the result was not significant.

I have no doubt that if the referendum had gone the other way, with the same proportions, the “Remainers” would have all been claiming an outstanding and overwhelming victory.

Frankly, the law Councillor Holliday advocates should have been in force back in ’73 when we taken in by Ted Heath, without a referendum, then were promised “it’s just a trading bloc” by Wilson, and then Thatcher signed us into what is intended as a United States of Europe, something which a number of European dictators have tried throughout recorded history.
Jim Allen Reply

October 18, 2016 at 4:09 pm

Look at the words being used: “catastrophic”, “rhetoric”, “racism” – what glorious use of hyperbole to attempt to hide the grumblings of people who choose to ignore the reality of mass migration and over-population.

I see this petition as an pile driving attempt to bring back sensible talk, nothing more, nothing less. The extremists of the liberal left have had enough to say in these past months.

For every Thatcher we need a Scargill, for every remainer we need a Christian – just to keep a steady course down the middle line.

Churchill once said: “If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time – a tremendous whack.” and it has got everyone talking…
Shelley Grainger Reply

October 18, 2016 at 6:27 pm

I think we need to remember that democracy includes plurality. Yet again, we have Leavers attempting to say that those of us who voted Remain, and are still hoping and campaigning for a close relationship with Europe to be sustained once the true economic picture of ‘Hard Brexit’ becomes clear, telling us we should ‘shut up and put up’.

No, we won’t. To win a narrow victory and then claim it is a huge mandate for change and to deny half the country (56% of us in Guildford) the right to talk about it, is not democratic.

We will not be quiet and we will fight for the best ‘Brexit’ possible for this, our country. Whether the Leavers like it or not!
A Tatlow Reply

October 18, 2016 at 7:41 pm

Small majority or not, it was a vote to leave the EU – full stop. What “Guildford voted” is irrelevant; it was a national referendum with each individual’s vote carrying the same weight as the next regardless of where they live.

It is regrettable that closet racists chose to use this whole issue as licence to express themselves in such a despicable way, clearly not understanding the nuances of the matter whatever their political persuasion.

I don’t believe that Mr Holliday is calling for the majority of Guildford to be effectively thrown in jail; there isn’t room for a start.

I feel like saying, “A plague on both your houses.” We should all beware polarising in this way.