Letter: There Was No ‘Extreme Rudeness’ and People Were Not ‘Shouted Down’

Published on: 18 Jan, 2019
Updated on: 18 Jan, 2019

From Christopher Barrass

Residents for Guildford and Villages organiser

In response to: Over 300 Attend Independent Candidates’ Meeting – Organiser Encouraged by Support

As well as the audience of over 300 in the hall the Surrey Live webcast received 5,500 hits.

We admit we didn’t get everything right in our first meeting, however for Bob Hughes [chairman of the Guildford Conservative Association] to claim “extreme rudeness” and that people were “shouted down” is simply untrue.

If Mr Hughes watches the recorded live stream of the event on the Surrey Live Facebook page he can see, and hear, quite clearly that people were simply asked to use the time allotted for questions and answers as in the agenda given at the start of the meeting.

In a democracy, people are indeed entitled to be listened to. The very reason Residents for Guildford and Villages has been formed, and has so much support, is because the Guildford Borough Council leadership has, for years, singularly failed to listen and respond to the thousands of residents who have protested at its actions. A point made strongly by the Rt Hon Paul Beresford MP in the House of Commons.