Opinion: The Dragon Meets St George

Published on: 1 Oct, 2014
Updated on: 4 Oct, 2014

By Martin Giles

I was minding my own business, dutifully scribbling at the back of the council chamber when a public speaker, Peter Shaw, a doctor of something or other no less, was trying to convince the Executive that it would be a very bad idea to increase the number of signature’s required to trigger a full council debate. If they proceeded, he said: “I can just imagine the headlines on the Guildford Dragon’s front page!”

I sat up. This was my kind of doctor, obviously very wise and perceptive, dishing out the medicine to the right people with none of that namby pamby, spoonful of sugar.

The council leader graciously grinned at me, as I felt, or imagined, myself bathed momentarily in embarrassing limelight. I half grinned, half grimaced in reply. I was not entirely sure that this kind of mention was a good thing.

Just as I was beginning to convince myself that this was, in fact, terrific publicity for the “power” of our fire breathing media beast, Cllr Nigel Manning, of the Ash Sainthood, galloped up in his best St George’s suit of armour, lance at the ready.

“This council makes policy for the benefit of the people of Guildford,” he spat, “not for the front page of The Guildford Dragon.”

Hear, hear Nigel. We quite agree and look forward to that happening.

Responses to Opinion: The Dragon Meets St George

Roland McKinney Reply

October 1, 2014 at 2:11 pm

In the last public consultation, the Lovelace election, it seems voters disagreed with Cllr Manning, at least in that the Conservative led council “…makes policy for the benefit of the people of Guildford” when they elected a Lib Dem.

Perhaps it is what the Lovelace voters would like to see, but did not see the current council as capable in that regard.
Michael Bruton Reply

October 1, 2014 at 3:00 pm

Nigel Manning might spit his contempt for The Guildford Dragon but The Dragon seems more in tune with Guildford opinion and Guildford people than the council Executive, which seems to despise our opinions.

Well done Peter Shaw – just what the doctor ordered!

Perhaps the electorate will spit out the Tories in 2015?
Bernard Parke Reply

October 1, 2014 at 4:24 pm

The Councillor from Ash is, I am sure, well versed with the problems which we experience here in Guildford.

However, it is such media as The Guildford Dragon News that informs Guildfordians what is actually happening locally.

It helps to stimulate debate which is very important to us here.
Tony Edwards Reply

October 1, 2014 at 5:57 pm

I was momentarily heartened to hear the assurances from Cllr Manning that Guildford Borough Council: “…makes policy for the benefit of the people of Guildford”.

But the people of Guildford don’t seem to agree with him if the public reactions to the eccentric ramblings that constitute the Draft Local Plan are an indication of reality.

Perhaps Cllr Manning might peak over the rim of his rose tinted specs for a moment to see what’s really going on in Guildford. It’s not a pretty sight.