Helen Ainsworth - News Editor of Newbury Sound radio station. We're running a story this morning about Brian Burgess considering running for MP because of the rate at which Newbury is changing "beyond all belief". Tell us do you agree with his comments? Click through this link to read more and leave us your thoughts. http://www.newburysound.co.uk/is-newbury-changing-i-5174.php
Helen Ainsworth - News Editor of Newbury Sound radio station. We're running a story this morning about Brian Burgess considering running for MP because of the rate at which Newbury is changing "beyond all belief". Tell us do you agree with his comments? Click through this link to read more and leave us your thoughts. http://www.newburysound.co.uk/is-newbury-changing-i-5174.php
Wow!!
Someone speaking out at last!
Well done Brian, you certainly have my vote and the rest of my families votes.
These 'lovely Market Towns' survive in people's imaginations.... Time marches on.... We can't live in a chocolate box cover forever
Have to agree with this. I think that majority of people either like the way the town is headed, or don't care. There is a very vocal minority (IMO) on here that voice their displeasure with how the town is changing, but I suspect that there would be little voter support for someone who would base their election campaign on wanting to change Newbury back into the quaint market town that it may (or may not) have been years ago.
Also, I'd be interested to know how Brian pledges to do this. I don't think there would be much support for allowing cars to drive down and park on Northbrook street during the day, or any of the other things that people seem to so fondly remember on here.
I have to say though, that I have a great deal of respect for anyone who takes action over something they are unhappy about, rather than just complaining on here like most of us.
I'd vote for Brian Burgess, the Lib Dems and the Tories have let me down (they are same; although council tax hasn't risen so steeply under the Tories). Time for someone else to shatter my illusions of local democracy.
You cannot have it all ways. We keep saying Newbury is this little quaint, original, market town. Little market towns are not a priority for decent transport, quick pot hole repairs or snow clearance. We have changed whether we like it or not so lets make the most of it and get the respect we deserve. Park Way development is here to stay so lets make it a success. Wholeheartedly agree we should campaign against the things we disagree with before they become reality, such as the park project.
I would vote for anyone with similar views to Doncasters Mayor who, on being elected, slashed public spending (including his own salary), axed pointless council non-jobs and banned the word 'diversity'.
I'd vote for Brian Burgess, the Lib Dems and the Tories have let me down (they are same; although council tax hasn't risen so steeply under the Tories). Time for someone else to shatter my illusions of local democracy.
I believe Brian is thinking of standing as MP not at a local level. However the same applies regarding the parties. We need an area for the protest vote to go. A lot of people are I believe disillusioned about the current system and failure to deliver or even give an honest reply to a question - hence the low turnout at election time!!
A dozen or so of yays or nays will not provide a qualified mandate for more or less change. The vast majority of people in Newbury, or indeed, West Berkshire, don't really care. Pedestrianisation has been OK, but has cost a shocking amount of tax payers money and was poorly managed and implemented. The cinema, while quite popular is an ugly boil on the landscape, and in my view an inappropriate use of public money. With Park View, I see that as the project that will condemn the traditional retail places, rather like in Basingstoke. This despite and decline in the use and need for the high-street.
Have to agree with this. I think that majority of people either like the way the town is headed, or don't care. There is a very vocal minority (IMO) on here that voice their displeasure with how the town is changing, but I suspect that there would be little voter support for someone who would base their election campaign on wanting to change Newbury back into the quaint market town that it may (or may not) have been years ago.
Also, I'd be interested to know how Brian pledges to do this. I don't think there would be much support for allowing cars to drive down and park on Northbrook street during the day, or any of the other things that people seem to so fondly remember on here.
I have to say though, that I have a great deal of respect for anyone who takes action over something they are unhappy about, rather than just complaining on here like most of us.
Spot on. Let's not forget the "stop the vision" candidates finished 5th and 6th out of 6th when they stood in Northcroft Ward. What would his policies be? Only horse and carts allowed in town? Those not in wellies barred from entering? Exactly how do you make a town of 30,000+ people "quaint" in the 21st century?
I'd hope Brian does stand though as local democracy needs this sort of thing, I wouldn't bet on him getting his deposit back though as there would be little support for a "Keep Newbury in the 1900s" type campaign he seems to be set to run, amongst the general populace of Newbury.
Certainly anyone who's tried to eat out recently will know that Newbury is more popular than ever and turning people away because they make the place less "quaint" makes barmy business sense.
So the answer is yes, Newbury is changing for the better and as it must to survive.
Spot on. Let's not forget the "stop the vision" candidates finished 5th and 6th out of 6th when they stood in Northcroft Ward. What would his policies be? Only horse and carts allowed in town? Those not in wellies barred from entering? Exactly how do you make a town of 30,000+ people "quaint" in the 21st century?
I'd hope Brian does stand though as local democracy needs this sort of thing, I wouldn't bet on him getting his deposit back though as there would be little support for a "Keep Newbury in the 1900s" type campaign he seems to be set to run, amongst the general populace of Newbury.
Certainly anyone who's tried to eat out recently will know that Newbury is more popular than ever and turning people away because they make the place less "quaint" makes barmy business sense.
So the answer is yes, Newbury is changing for the better and as it must to survive.
Your usual spiel from you copy of the WBC handbook.
I am sure Brian would not expect his deposit returned - standing on a single issue will not get votes in national or local elections- Indeed if someone stood for the pro 2025 /WBC vision they would get even less - perhaps you will put your money where your mouth is and stand against Brian!! That would make a nice side contest!! But I am sure you know that your statements are such rubbish as to fool no-one but yourself.
As for your comment of Newbury changing for the better it is just a matter of opinion of you and a few others. I think there are more with opposite opinion as is apparent by the balance of comment on this and other websites provided by local media!!
I wouldn't bet on him getting his deposit back though as there would be little support for a "Keep Newbury in the 1900s" type campaign he seems to be set to run, amongst the general populace of Newbury.
Is "Keep Newbury in the 1900s" another one of his policies, or is this made-up? Your right about the deposit, as is true of almost any party outside the top two in Newbury.
Certainly anyone who's tried to eat out recently will know that Newbury is more popular than ever and turning people away because they make the place less "quaint" makes barmy business sense.
More popular than ever? Because we have more eateries? You can have more eateries in a 'quaint' town as well.
So the answer is yes, Newbury is changing for the better and as it must to survive.
'Survive' what?
I fail to see how the burgeoning spread of an urban sprawl is change for the better! Not in this modern age of pollution, climate change, gluttony, laziness, antisocial behaviour, fecklessness and over population, anyway. I'd suggest it is your POV that is set in the 19th century.
The two biggest ironies are firstly that quaint little market towns don't tend to have their own radio station so Brian has taken advantage of progress in Newbury to criticise it. Secondly as far as I know Brian sits on the Town Centre Partnership, the group driving change in Newbury.
Having said this I'm pleased Brian is putting his money where his mouth is and standing for Parliament. It's good for local democracy that people do this.
The biggest irony of all this is quaint little market towns don't tend to have their own radio station. Brian has taken advantage of progress in Newbury to criticise it. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.
Having said this I'm pleased Brian is putting his money where his mouth is and standing for Parliament. It's good for local democracy that people do this.
It would be interesting to see Brian stand (you'd have my vote BB), its a great opportunity to persuade a thousand or so voters to express their disquiet at the incessant development pressure and the determination to increase Newbury's size at an ever increasing rate.
It would be interesting to see Brian stand (you'd have my vote BB), its a great opportunity to persuade a thousand or so voters to express their disquiet at the incessant development pressure and the determination to increase Newbury's size at an ever increasing rate.
It's great news to seem him standing for Parliament. Unfortunately he would need around 25,000 votes, perhaps more to get elected.
I'm afraid BB is a little too late..mind you he does sound and promise just like an MP.. It all statrted to go wrong when the M4 opened up and Vodaphone moved to town.. Along came the money grabbers and out went the local business men..pushed out by greed..That's the way things seem to be and I'm afraid no one or thing will change that..ever!
I'm afraid BB is a little too late..mind you he does sound and promise just like an MP.. It all statrted to go wrong when the M4 opened up and Vodaphone moved to town.. Along came the money grabbers and out went the local business men..pushed out by greed..That's the way things seem to be and I'm afraid no one or thing will change that..ever!
Forget Vodafone and the M4, I blame electricity and the combustion engine for taking our jobs and spoiling our quaint market town.
Seriously though, if we'd halted progress then imagine the state Newbury would be in now.
Forget Vodafone and the M4, I blame electricity and the combustion engine for taking our jobs and spoiling our quaint market town. Seriously though, if we'd halted progress then imagine the state Newbury would be in now.
I repeat, I fail to see how the burgeoning spread of an urban sprawl is change for the better! Not in this modern age of pollution, anthropogenic climate change, gluttony, laziness, antisocial behaviour, fecklessness and over population, anyway. I'd suggest it is your POV that is set in the 19th century.
I think User was correct there - he said 25k votes not 25k majority
Correct. He would need a majority of 1 vote to get elected, actually if you really wanted to get technical he could be elected with a "majority" of 0 votes.
Maths was obviously not his strong point at school, so perhaps it's "beyond belief" that he might think of standing for Parliament.
I think User was correct there - he said 25k votes not 25k majority
So where would I get my votes from IF and it's a big IF I were to succeed, would I take votes from the other candidates or are you assuming that I would create another 25,000 voters.
Please bear in mind that UKIP will take a larger share of the vote based on their showing in the European election. There is also likely to be a National Front candidate, as well as another couple of indies.
!5,000 to 18,000 would probably be more realistic.
It's fair enough if it's to make a point, which I think is all Brian is after.
I wonder though, if Brian stands and doesn't get more than, say, David McMahon (who stood for UKIP)at the 2005 election, is that enough to suggest to the forum complainers that the general population of Newbury is happy/not un-happy with how Newbury is headed, rather than them imply that it's the majority of residents that are unhappy?
It's always been my view that people just dont care that much about how quaint the town is, or used to be. I'm sure when asked, people would say that it's a terrible shame that the market is in decline. But those same people probably never use it because they do all their shopping at the supermarket as it's easier for them.
Also, I'm sure the same people are disgusted by things like the pavilion and Parkway, but when they discover that H&M has taken a unit, or that there will be a nice, big, new Debenhams, they suddenly aren't so bothered because now it saves them a trip to Reading/Basingstoke. People are, on the whole, purely selfish. If building a huge supermarket means that they can do all their shopping (including clothes, toys and electricals) in one place then they would take that over a quaint market town any day. It's not great, but it's just how things are nowadays.
I wonder though, if Brian stands and doesn't get more than, say, David McMahon (who stood for UKIP)at the 2005 election, is that enough to suggest to the forum complainers that the general population of Newbury is happy/not un-happy with how Newbury is headed, rather than them imply that it's the majority of residents that are unhappy?
I can't see how the success of an election in Newbury can be seen as an endorsement. I'm convinced that people tend to vote nationally. People know that to vote Lib Dem weakens the Tories nationally and to vote Tory (obviously), weakens labour nationally.
In the last 15 years, the biggest practical difference I have seen between Lib Dem and the Tories is council tax charges. Under the Lib Dems it soared (and this was not all the Lib Dems fault). At the moment and with some reservation, I think the Tories have got the better balance between council tax rates and services. It remains to be seen, however, if this continues.
It's always been my view that people just dont care that much about how quaint the town is, or used to be. I'm sure when asked, people would say that it's a terrible shame that the market is in decline. But those same people probably never use it because they do all their shopping at the supermarket as it's easier for them.
Also, I'm sure the same people are disgusted by things like the pavilion and Parkway, but when they discover that H&M has taken a unit, or that there will be a nice, big, new Debenhams, they suddenly aren't so bothered because now it saves them a trip to Reading/Basingstoke. People are, on the whole, purely selfish. If building a huge supermarket means that they can do all their shopping (including clothes, toys and electricals) in one place then they would take that over a quaint market town any day. It's not great, but it's just how things are nowadays.
I agree, which lends me to thinks that perhaps, sometimes, people (and towns) need saving from itself! For example, when asked, the vast majority of people felt that investing in the market place would enhance the environment and improve the fortunes of the market (or words to that effect). They have, so far, been proved wrong (£800,000.00 wrong).
At the end of the day, the public gets what the public wants and the councils enjoy the general apathy in the population about towns like Newbury. It makes their job a lot easier!
The last time I went to Reading was last summer & it was merely to walk along the canal there. Last time I went to Basingstoke was just before to see Horrid Henry live. I like to use Fishers in the market, but some weeks I struggle for time and end up buying all food in Sainsburys. All my recent large purchases were in Newbury. Not at an independent though. Let's face it, independents can't compete with Jessops and Dixons, who themselves can't compete with Amazon.
I moved here in 1991 and I don't remember Newbury being quaint at all. I'd describe it as vibrant then. Very, very busy in the Market Place. Some things I like. I like the pedestrianisation of Northbrook Street, though I do think it has led to groups of ne'er-do-wells congregating. Park Way is daft. It did need cleaning up, but I'd rather have seen courtyard style places as in Marlborough, which let's face it is the type of town we really compete with. Reading is a city in all but title.
In the last 15 years, the biggest practical difference I have seen between Lib Dem and the Tories is council tax charges. Under the Lib Dems it soared (and this was not all the Lib Dems fault). At the moment and with some reservation, I think the Tories have got the better balance between council tax rates and services. It remains to be seen, however, if this continues.
I agree, which lends me to thinks that perhaps, sometimes, people (and towns) need saving from itself! For example, when asked, the vast majority of people felt that a investing in the market place would enhance the environment and improve the fortunes of the market (or words to that effect). They have, so far, been proved wrong (£800,000.00 wrong).
At the end of the day, the public gets what the public wants and the councils enjoy the general apathy in the population about towns like Newbury. It makes their job a lot easier!
These are all local issues which are not directly the remit of a Member of Parliament.
It is such a shame that party political politics have any place in local government
These are all local issues which are not directly the remit of a Member of Parliament.
Surely an MP represents their constituency at a national level? I am, therefore, not sure I understand, or agree with what you say. I have approached my MP (former MP, Mr Rendel) with local issues before now.
So where would I get my votes from IF and it's a big IF I were to succeed, would I take votes from the other candidates or are you assuming that I would create another 25,000 voters.
Please bear in mind that UKIP will take a larger share of the vote based on their showing in the European election. There is also likely to be a National Front candidate, as well as another couple of indies.
First of all the National Front is an illegal organisation so I doubt they'll be able to field a candidate. Secondly if you're having to ask me where you're votes are coming from perhaps standing for Parliament wasn't the bet idea? Even if the Tories and Lib Dems get 25,000 votes there are over 25,000 more for you to bag. Maths was obviously not your strong point at school Brian.
Park Way is daft. It did need cleaning up, but I'd rather have seen courtyard style places as in Marlborough, which let's face it is the type of town we really compete with. Reading is a city in all but title.
Agreed about Park Way... It was a shabby dump in need of a revamp. What we have on it's way is perhaps too big for this town and it will only survive through killing other parts of the town... One or other is going to die, but both cannot thrive in this town. A smaller scale development may have been more suitable but the plans were rubber stamped years before the economic downturn grabbed everyone by the short and curlies and it was too late to change tack.........
Agreed about Park Way... It was a shabby dump in need of a revamp. What we have on it's way is perhaps too big for this town and it will only survive through killing other parts of the town... One or other is going to die, but both cannot thrive in this town. A smaller scale development may have been more suitable but the plans were rubber stamped years before the economic downturn grabbed everyone by the short and curlies and it was too late to change tack.........
I'd like to know how it is a "sympathetic response to the surrounding architectural heritage to which it will belong." Who ever sees that has some good eyesight.
[.Are you seriously trying to claim you knew everyone in Newbury and respected every single one of them before Vodafone or the M4 came to town?[/quote]
user23 sometimes uses similar language, but picks and chooses when to scrutinise these figures of speech; often dependent on whether he is the author or not!
I'd vote for BB - not because I expect him to win, but because it would be an opportunity to protest against the over-development of Newbury. It certainly helps that I have no real interest in voting for any of the other candidates.
Many of the voters in West Berkshire probably don't care about Newbury, probably breathing a sigh of relief that Newbury is getting all the development rather than their village/town. Others have moved to Newbury because they like it how it is rather than how it was. And, of course, most will vote for the two main candidates on the basis of national politics. So I don't think BB has a chance - but if he could get his deposit back it would send a message to those at WBC who are pushing Newbury's transformation from market town to London suburb.
Surely an MP represents their constituency at a national level? I am, therefore, not sure I understand, or agree with what you say. I have approached my MP (former MP, Mr Rendel) with local issues before now.
Yes, but as I understand it, the rules are made at Westminster and the application of those rules is delegated down to local government controlled by elected local councillors. You can approach your MP and put your complaints about local issues to him/her but all they can do is pass your case back to the council. They can, if it is serious enough or has national implications, raise the matter in Parliament but they cannot make decisions about local issues at local level.
Right, what you mean is, an MP doesn't have executive power in his constituency. What that MP can do though, is help shape the policies that are forwarded to the executive. They act as lobbyists and this can mean applying pressure on organisations on behalf of constituents; Great Western Railways for instance.
I remember that when Mr Benyon was campaigning, he promised a revue of the town revamp. This did attract me to his party, unfortunately, they went, 'umm, OK, steady as you go'.
I think they do have power, just not executive power.
Right, what you mean is, an MP doesn't have executive power in his constituency. What that MP can do though, is help shape the policies that are forwarded to the executive. They act as lobbyists and this can mean applying pressure on organisations on behalf of constituents; Great Western Railways for instance.
I remember that when Mr Benyon was campaigning, he promised a revue of the town revamp. This did attract me to his party, unfortunately, they went, 'umm, OK, steady as you go'.
I think they do have power, just not executive power.
Correct, the main role of an MP is to represent his constituency at a national level.
As I said earlier, I'm glad Brian is standing for MP for Newbury. It's good for local democracy and it's good he's doing something positive for a change.
Right, what you mean is, an MP doesn't have executive power in his constituency. What that MP can do though, is help shape the policies that are forwarded to the executive. They act as lobbyists and this can mean applying pressure on organisations on behalf of constituents; Great Western Railways for instance.
I remember that when Mr Benyon was campaigning, he promised a revue of the town revamp. This did attract me to his party, unfortunately, they went, 'umm, OK, steady as you go'.
I think they do have power, just not executive power.
Richard Benyon certainly does keep FGW on its toes - not just an exchange of letters, but a constant campaign. Think we don't realise how long things take - but have to say his efforts seem to be bearing fruit. He seems to be doing the same with Thames Water - which for some reason he doesn't shout about. Must say, even though I'm not a natural Tory, I'm quite impressed with him. .
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