They say the Internet never forgets. Thanks to the Wayback machine, something we put on the Internet will stay there. Even when, as things turn out, we may wish we hadn't.
But this isn't new. It’s also a problem with local election leaflets. People can keep them and read them later to see what the candidate said at the time. Then they can compare that with what the councillor is doing and saying now. And… it may not look good.
So, spare a thought for one of the LibDem councillors for the then Shinfield South ward. In March 2023, this person took aim at us SOLVE Hall Farm campaigners in a pre- election leaflet, called us ‘lobbyists’, and wrote:
"In their wilder statements they suggest that the LibDem partnership is preparing to reverse its position and include housing at Hall Farm in the revised local plan."
You don’t say. Fast forward 18 months, and we find that’s exactly what the Lib Dems have done. They have included housing at Hall farm in the revised local plan. It was presented to Wokingham Borough full Council last Thursday 19th September, and passed thanks to the support of the LibDem councillors.
Who’s been making wild statements? Who should be eating their words?
Election special
In an ‘election special’ leaflet also delivered in 2023, that same councillor claimed: "Your Shinfield LibDem team is fighting against overdevelopment at Hall Farm. The more Lib Dem councillors we have the stronger our voice will be!” Voters were urged to support their fight “to stop the Conservatives resurrecting their local plan, which includes 4,500 houses at Hall Farm.” Once elected, and with more councillors, did the Lib Dems speak out against Hall Farm development? On the contrary, they kept the Hall Farm proposal in the local plan. When they made their voices heard, it was to support going ahead with the housing proposal.
Let’s not forget that a year earlier, Shinfield Libdems had told us: "The Hall Farm plan would be a social and environmental catastrophe for Shinfield." This was underneath a photo of two of their councillor candidates for the ward.
Back then, they blamed the Tories for wanting Hall Farm development, and overlooking traffic problems and flooding risk. They called on the Council to think again. So did we. But now they run the Council, it’s a different story: this location, with what they said were accessibility and traffic problems, and flood risk, IS the right answer after all.
T.I.N.A.?
At election time a year or so ago, we were treated to this wonderfully uplifting declaration by one of the Shinfield Lib Dem councillors candidates: “Where there is open space remaining, I want to see it preserved and improved. Where there is wildlife, I want to see it encouraged. I want to see practical steps taken to improve circulation of local traffic, and I want measures implemented to make Shinfield an acceptable place in which to walk and cycle.” Who wouldn’t vote for this inspiring prospect? And did you catch an echo there of Margaret Thatcher's celebrated victory speech on becoming P.M.: “Where there is discord, let us bring harmony.…”?
Now, using another well-known Thatcher trope - There Is No Alternative - this same councillor has been on Facebook defending the Hall Farm plan. Even though it would concrete over a huge swathe of our remaining open space, drive away wildlife, and put thousands more vehicles on country roads already hazardous for walkers and cyclists.
Now this councillor has voted in favour of doing that.
We and many others will continue the fight, this time at the planning inspector level. The Lib Dems will not be among us. Not even at election time.
Pat Phillipps
Comentários