LETTER - Response to "paper-wasting Lib Dems"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 12th Sep 2007

Cllr Dakers has invited challenger Mr Haling to spend a day shadowing him in his work as a local councillor and parliamentary candidate

Dear Editor, Parvez Haling of Southall questioned the Liberal Democrats' - and my own - green credentials in last week's BCI Times (7 September 2007). This week I have written direct to Parvez inviting him to spend a day shadowing me in my work as a local councillor and parliamentary candidate. Rather than simply making judgements on my conviction with regard to climate change by reading newspaper articles, I hope this will give Parvez the opportunity to make an informed judgement after closely observing my work.

Parvez suggests that the Lib Dems' interest in the environment is simply a vote winning ploy and complained about the quantity of leaflets generated in the recent Ealing Southall by-election. The unfortunate reality is that leaflets remain one of the most effective means for all political parties to inform the entire community during a by-election campaign. The results of numerous by-elections bear this out. The paper used is nearly always sustainably sourced by the Lib Dems, but I would concede we could do a better job of encouraging everyone to recycle the leaflets.

Not supporting the West London Tram was Parvez' next complaint, asking why I had not spoken out against my Ealing Lib Dem colleagues' opposition to the tram. Determining the most sustainable public transport system is highly complex. I support my Ealing colleagues view that there are alternative low emission public transport technologies that could be used instead on the Uxbridge Rd and offer better value for money. However I have spoken out at a public meeting encouraging the Mayor to look at researching the potential for running the West London Tram through Hounslow down the Great West Rd in Brentford - wider than the Uxbridge Rd - where the technology may be a better fit.

Bus lanes are no panacea for moving buses more quickly in the Kew Bridge area. With the present level of car use, and the narrow roads approaching Kew Bridge from the south, the additional congestion that a bus lane on Kew Bridge is likely to generate simply causes greater delay for bus passengers. I would however like to see safe cycle lanes introduced with urgency on the bridge.

The Liberal Democrats are in opposition in Hounslow, but work constructively with all parties on occasions when our policies and values align. Unlike Labour we feel that if we are to reduce extremism ex-National Front member Cllr Phil Andrews must be welcomed into the political mainstream given that he has denounced his past political views and activity. If there was ever any genuine cause for concern we would be the first to speak up.

Cllr Andrew Dakers

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

Parliamentary Candidate for Brentford & Isleworth