Letter: There Is No Real Save the Countryside Candidate

Published on: 7 Jun, 2017
Updated on: 7 Jun, 2017

From Lisa Wright

Lets face it, if you love the countryside there’s really no one to vote for. I’m still undecided just before polling day.

As I saw on an American placard this week, “There’s no Planet B”, so I’m hoping our British politians are not as stupid as our American friends and will do much more to preserve our planet and the healthy home it provides us with.

If we don’t protect the green belt, our neighbours in towns and cities are likely to die from pollution. Figures already published in Surrey show air quality related illness is on the rise whilst our government has repeatedly failed to keep within EU recommended air quality targets.

As Julian Cranwell points out, no political party is willing to solve the very unhealthy policy of squeezing everyone within an hour of London (or Manchester) and leaving the rest of our nation with high unemployment and little optimism.

I am saddened that I will not be able to put a cross in the box for a politician I want and have to go for a “make do” candidate that covers some of the other areas which I am concerned about.

Responses to Letter: There Is No Real Save the Countryside Candidate

Julia Shaw Reply

June 7, 2017 at 7:02 pm

I feel exactly the same. So sad.
Peter Gatford Reply

June 7, 2017 at 8:58 pm

I love this country and although not having visited all the countries in the world it is probably the best of them all.

Last year we had a referendum to remain or leave the EU. The vote was to leave, not everybody’s choice but a democratic one nevertheless. Some political parties don’t believe in democracy and want a best of three. Other parties are a bit wishy washy and say we will go with it, but… However, the Conservative party have apparently committed themselves to it and intend to make it work.

Unlike a yes/no referendum, a general election is full of ifs, buts and maybes.

Having been around quite a while, my experience tells me politics is full of compromises and we pick out the bits that are most important to us as individuals, or to the country as a whole, and vote for that. We all want the panacea of an ideal world and how we should get there.

However I believe this general election is somewhat different. We now have to commit the welfare and future of this country to a strong and committed government that will be capable of negotiating our way successfully through the grievously hurt and worried EU, its political negotiators and come out stronger and better, which we can.

Anything less than that strong and committed government to do that job will put any other political issues we may have as “blossom in the wind”.
Jules Cranwell Reply

June 7, 2017 at 11:59 pm

I concur with Mrs. Shaw. I am so sad that we do not have a champion for out most precious assets in Guildford, our greenbelt and green spaces. This is not an asset for town or country, but for both and all.

If we become an extension of the London concrete jungle stretching from London to Portsmouth, who really believes that our children, and their children will than us?

I have lived in cities, all over the world. I have lived in the countryside, all over the world. I truly believe these communities all need fresh air, and the freedom that the countryside only can offer.

With one day to go, please can we have a champion for this most most urgent cause? You will not regret it.
David Roberts Reply

June 8, 2017 at 11:53 am

I think Lisa was addressing a bigger issue than our parochial little Brexit.