Lib Dem Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick snubs HS2 campaigners
Gaz Corfield, 12:30 pm, Monday, 5 March, 2012
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The Liberal Democrat candidate for the London mayoral elections, ex-Met Police commissioner Brian Paddick, has cancelled a planned visit to High Speed Two campaigners in Hillingdon.
According to campaigners for the Hillingdon against HS2 campaign, both Paddick and his fellow London Lib Dem, Caroline Pidgeon, were due to meet with local residents and hear their concerns.
Keri Brennan, leader of the campaign, said: “He offered [to come and speak to us on] a date in November after some to-ing and fro-ing and then cancelled it with only a day’s notice. He then took until recently to come up with a new date which he has then cancelled again.”
Keri added: “Liberal Democrats of all levels from MEPs, councillors, mayoral candidates, ministers seem to have no real grasp of HS2 particularly in relation to London.”
A spokesman for the Lib Dems said: “It’s a great shame we had to cancel this meeting, there’s no other reason behind it other than extremely busy diaries. In the meantime, we have invited the group to share its views with us via email so that we can personally respond to them.”
Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrat party, said in September last year: “I think high speed rail is absolutely crucial to [a] longer term vision of a more balanced, stable economy.”
The London Lib Dems’ spokesman added: “Both Brian and Caroline care about views of all Londoners, but unfortunately it’s not possible to meet with every single one.”
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3 Responses to Lib Dem Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick snubs HS2 campaigners
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Keri
Monday, 5 March, 2012 at 1:14 pm
we weren’t asking them to meet with every single one we were asking them to meet with one group that represents literally thousands of concerned and affected Londoners. And they weren’t even coming here btw we were going up to them for an hour – not exactly a big ask!!
Rose
Monday, 5 March, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Not talking to people they want to represent will do the Lib Dems no good at all come election time.
Offa
Monday, 5 March, 2012 at 5:29 pm
This is shameful! Cameron is totally freezing out even major business CEOs who want to raise issues around HS2. And now the Lib Dems loyally follow in those footsteps – doing all that they can to avoid speaking to people about their concerns. There is only one response to those who do not want to talk to you about your concerns – DON’T VOTE FOR THEM! They will not represent you!