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Twickenham MP Vince Cable says sale of riverside land 'is matter for the council’ (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)
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Twickenham MP Vince Cable says sale of riverside land 'is matter for the council’
12:00pm Saturday 18th July 2009
The MP for Twickenham has defended his decision to stay out of the controversy surrounding the redevelopment of Twickenham Riverside by saying it is a council matter.
Vince Cable has been attacked by riverside campaigners in recent weeks for not getting involved in what they have labelled “the most controversial issue in Twickenham”.
Riverside campaigners are hoping the Liberal Democrat MP will help them stop council plans to build 32 luxury homes and River Centre on the derelict site.
Campaigner and co-chairman of the Richmond United Group, Teresa Read, wrote to the Liberal Democrat MP this week asking him to intervene and persuade the council to stop the sale and discuss community alternatives.
In the letter she wrote: “You really must take notice of your constituents and have the vision to allow a community option the chance to work.”
However, speaking this week, Dr Cable said that as an MP he would not get involved in council matters.
He said: “As a resident who’s lived here for 35 years, who swam in Twickenham Pool, I’m fed up with the endless dereliction and lack of progress on an important site.
“In order to have a good community project like the River Centre and significant open space, which is what the council has planned, it is necessary to have some housing as a necessary mechanism for funding the development.
“I have spent time discussing the proposal with critics on the council. I have listened and passed on people’s concerns to the council.
“They are the elected body and it is their responsibility to make the decision.”
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Your Say YourRichmond
MacGregor, Teddington says...
7:51pm Sat 18 Jul 09
It has taken more than a month for Cable to be shamed into making this statement as the press has been publicising how he has abdicated his responsibility as a constituency MP. Indeed, Cable is so busy backing into the limelight promoting his own interests he seems to forget he is supposed to represent the interests of his constituents – not his own.
As for not getting involved in Richmond’s Lib Dem Council decisions, funny how that doesn’t apply to Conservative and Independent run Hounslow Council when Cable is always first out of the trap to point an accusing finger at them whenever he thinks fit!
sheila hale, twickenham says...
4:59pm Sun 19 Jul 09
Rupert Harris, Richmond says...
6:47pm Mon 20 Jul 09
ratcatcher, Teddington says...
6:58pm Mon 20 Jul 09
MP For Twickenham
Vince, the clue is in the title.
Will we see you help the voters of Twickenham or do you feel lucky in 2010.
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Phillip Taylor, Phillip Taylor says...
2:55pm Sat 18 Jul 09
That is:
Does he think it acceptable to hold any form of local referendum on any local controversial issue in future, and if so, how will that affect or impinge on his role as the current elected MP to Westminster?
The issue may be a matter for the Council, but a referendum is a matter for the MP, surely.