| Tuesday,
March 9th,
Richmond
council tweeting
The online networking tool Twitter has taken off in the
last couple of years.
Richmond Council has now adopted the medium for communicating
to the Borough. Meanwhile an article
has appeared in The Guardian concerning non-accredited
journalists and the usage of Twitter from council meetings.
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Monday,
March 8th,
Zac
Goldsmith restates his position on the park's car parking
charges
Below is an email that Zac Goldsmith is sending to concerned
constituents regarding the car parking charges. The email
is also posted on the comments section of The
Richmond and Twickenham Times.
PARKING CHARGES IN RICHMOND PARK - THE TRUTH
The Conservatives are resolutely opposed to the introduction
of car parking charges in Richmond Park. Visiting Richmond
Park should never become a budget decision.
So, how can we stop the Government's proposals to do just
that? First, I want to reiterate that Justine Greening
and I have persuaded the Conservative Party to scrap the
plans if we win the election. However, if the different
political Parties put politics aside, we have an opportunity
to stop the charges sooner.
Yesterday, Susan Kramer sent out an email claiming that
the Conservatives "are refusing to back a vote in
Parliament that would stop the car parking charges".
This is deliberate nonsense, but it has caused unnecessary
alarm among some residents. I want to clarify our position.
Nationally, as I have said, we will scrap the charges
if we form the next Government. In the meantime, we have
tabled an amendment in the Lords that calls on the Government
to withdraw its Order and resubmit the Royal Parks proposals
without the plans to charge for parking.
This is an alternative to the Lib Dem 'fatal amendment'.
There have only been three 'fatal amendments' in history.
It hardly ever happens because the unelected House of
Lords does not reject outright legislation presented by
a government. The peers will not agree to cause constitutional
havoc for the sake of Richmond Park, and the Lib Dems
are well aware of that. Besides, even if the Lords did
vote down a Government Order, the Government could simply
present the same thing the next day.
Susan Kramer's idea is guaranteed to fail, and many people
believe it is actually designed to do so, in order to
allow the Lib Dems to score political points. In the run
up to the election, some politicians will try anything
to attract votes.
If Susan Kramer is genuinely determined to stop these
plans, she must support our alternative. If she continues
with her kindergarten politics, she will have allowed
these charges in. It is as simple as that. The ball is
in Susan's court.
Countless people have been badly misinformed by our MP,
and I strongly urge you to forward this email to as many
people as possible to put their minds at rest, and to
minimise the chance that political smears play a role
in the forthcoming election.
I am happy to answer any questions at all regarding this
or other issues...................................................
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Saturday,
March 6th,
The
Green Party's newsletter
The
Green Party could offer an alternative to the traditional
three party politics that characterises the political
landscape, both at national and local level. The Richmond
& Twickenham Green Party will be endeavouring to field
candidates in all the wards for the forthcoming local
elections. Their
website can be viewed here and the latest edition
of "Green
News" can be downloaded here.
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Richmond
car parking charges confusion
It seems that a row has broken out between the Lib Dems
and The Conservatives regarding the proposed charges to
parking in Richmond and Bushy park. The various statements
are listed below. All the people against the charges want
is for the proposal to be dropped.
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Zac
Goldsmith responds to Susan Kramer
Response
to Susan Kramer's letter 5 March 2010
Many local people have received an email from Susan Kramer
MP today saying: “Betrayed. That’s how I felt
last night when I heard that the Conservatives are refusing
to back the vote in Parliament that would stop Richmond
Park and Bushy Park car parking charges. “
The letter is an utter disgrace. Yet again, our MP has
chosen to mislead voters in a desperate attempt to trick
people into voting for her. For the avoidance of doubt,
I would like to clarify things.
First, Justine Greening MP and I have persuaded the Conservative
Party nationally to scrap the plans if they form the next
Government.
Second, we have tabled an amendment to the Royal Parks
proposals in the Lords that calls on the Government to
withdraw its order and resubmit it without inclusion of
the plans to charge for parking.
We need the Lib Dems to support our amendment instead
of pursuing their own ‘Fatal Amendment’ which
is clumsy and flawed and which has no prospect of being
accepted.
If Susan Kramer continues to push a proposal she knows
will be rejected by Peers, she will have allowed these
charges in. Alternatively, the Lib Dems can back us up
and kill off the charges. The ball is in Susan’s
court. Will she go with petty politics, or will she –
for once – prioritise the interests of our community?
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Conservatives
betray the people of Richmond
From
the website of Susan Kramer
Local MP Susan Kramer has reacted with shock at the announcement
that Conservatives in the House of Lords will not support
a motion that would stop parking charges being introduced
in Richmond and Bushy Parks.
Former MP Jenny Tonge tabled a 'fatal motion' in the
House of Lords that would defeat the Government's plans
if enough Liberal Democrats and Conservatives vote for
it.
Last night the Conservatives announced they would not
support the motion.
The debate is due to take place on Wednesday 10th March
at 7.30pm in the House of Lords.
Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston
said:
"I am utterly shocked. This motion would defeat
the parking charges plan once and for all.
"All we need is for the Conservatives to vote with
the Lib Dems to defeat the Government.
"I am so disappointed that the Conservatives seem
to want to deny local people the chance to see these plans
stopped as soon as possible.
"I hope they can be persuaded to change their minds
before the vote next week."
Susan Kramer is inviting local residents to come to a
protest before the vote at 6.45pm on College Green in
Westminster. There will also be spaces for people to watch
the debate in the House of Lords afterwards.
--------------------------------------------------------
About
the fatal motion
The
text below is taken from Susan Kramer's website
Susan Kramer MP has provided more information about the
debate on Richmond Park car parking charges set to be
held next week.
"As the Conservatives will be well aware, a statutory
instrument (this type of legislation) cannot be amended.
It can only be killed or kept.
"The Lib Dem fatal motion kills off car parking
charges for good.
"The Conservative amendment however, is not fatal.
It will register opposition to the plans but crucially,
will not stop them and does not bind the Government.
"In practice, the Conservative motion will only
request that the Government rethinks.
"Having already met the minister concerned and had
hundreds of people sign petitions 'requesting' the Government
think again - I think we know what the answer will be!
"The other aspects to the bill can be reintroduced
immediately to the Journal Office in Parliament.
"The House of Lords information office said the
Lib Dem proposals would be "completely fatal"
to the regulations and prevent the Government bringing
them back, while the Tory motion would register regret
but not stop the plans."
"You can read the full article by clicking on the
link at the bottom of the page.
"I am so disappointed that it seems the Conservatives
will not support this fatal motion to kill off parking
charges for good, but I hope they will reconsider before
next week.
"Please do come to Parliament next week before the
debate to show how strongly we all feel about these plans.
"There will also be some spaces in the gallery of
the House of Lords for people to watch the debate - please
do contact me if you are able to come."
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Conservatives
say it is the people's Borough
“Everywhere I go in this campaign I hear
complaints about the arrogance of this unpopular Council,”
said Opposition Leader, Cllr. Nicholas True. “They
do not listen. They claim the right to impose their priorities
on the public. They think the Town Hall knows best. They
think they own the Borough. They are wrong. The Borough
belongs to the people; and we will put them in control.”
“Turning this top-down politics on its head will
be our priority. “Putting People First” will
be the theme of our Manifesto. I make six core commitments:
1) First, the commitment to ask. Under our “ALL
IN ONE” pledge, in our first year in office we will
consult EVERY taxpayer in the Borough directly on what
you believe are priorities in your area. This has never
been done before.
2) Second, the commitment to involve. We will meet the
public directly, not hide behind press releases and Council
propaganda. We will hold Leader’s Question Times
and Cabinet days in every ward to consult residents.
3) Third, the commitment to reply. When the people speak,
we will answer. We will require the Council to respond
publicly to public petitions.
4) Fourth, the commitment to consult. Thus, we will pledge
a taxpayer-referendum before any inflation-busting tax
rise; on Twickenham Riverside, we will implement a community
solution, a People’s Riverside, and vest the land
in a trust for Twickenham people for ever.
5) Fifth, the commitment to trust. We will be open. There
will be no cover-ups, like the LibDems cover-up of their
planned £15 million cuts. We will publish Council
spending on line so you can see where your money goes.
6) Sixth, the commitment to serve. Never again must we
see a Council like this one that thinks that, when 93.5%
of people say “NO”, they can do what they
want regardless. We are elected to serve the public. It
is their Borough. It does not belong to Town Hall bosses,
however long they have been in power.
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Friday,
March 6th,
Richmond
Park banner handed into Downing Street
Zac Goldsmith, Justine Greening MP, Tony Arbour and Conservative
PPCs Deborah Thomas and Helen Whately handed in a large
banner to Downing Street that had been signed by hundreds
of the protesters who gathered in the Park last month
to oppose the Government's plans.
Zac
Goldsmith writes about the current situation.
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Thursday,
March 4th,
Crucial
vote on the parking charges
The decision on car parking charges in Richmond
and Bushy parks is to be put before the House
of Lords on Wednesday March 10th. The
vote is believed to be in the evening between 7.30pm -
8.30pm. The car parking charges have already been approved
by the government and so needs House of Lords approval.
Susan Kramer has asked all those against the charges to
come and gather at Parliament at 6.45pm.
Should the Tories be returned in the forthcoming general
election, Zac Goldsmith has stated that the new government
will scrap the charges but with the proviso, if
alternative fundraising measures can be found.
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Wednesday,
March 3rd,
Hindu
festival of Holi
At the Orleans House gallery, Twickenham, on Saturday
March 6th (1-4pm) the Hindu
festival of Holi will be celebrated. Holi is the Hindu
festival of Colour which marks the coming of spring.
It is said the spirit of Holi encourages the feeling
of brotherhood in society and even enemies turn into friends
on this day. In India people of all communities and even
religions participate in this colourful festival.
The festival will include Bhangra and Bollywood dancing,
dhol drummers and Kathak. Food stalls will offer traditional
Holi delicacies and there will be some craft activities
for children.
Admission is free.
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Monday,
March 1st,
Future
of Twickenham meeting
The Richmond United Group have organised a meeting on
the the future of Twickenham to be held at Clarendon Hall
Twickenham at 8.00pm, March 5th.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Twickenham
Riverside site and the future of the town as a whole.
Groups supporting the meeting include, Save Our Riverside
group, Friends of Twickenham Riverside and the Twickenham
Riverside Terrace Group.
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Solidaridad
con Chile
Richmond has a historical connection to Chile as the
statue of Bernardo O'Higgins in O'Higgins Square, Richmond
testifies. At the Eel Pie plaque unveiling ceremony last
April the Chilean Ambassador was present. The Arcadian
Times would like to offer sympathy for the extreme difficulties
that the country faces after the earthquake of Saturday
February 27th.
Nos sumamos a las condolencias por esta terrible
catástrofe y expresamos nuestra solidaridad al
pueblo hermano chileno.
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Arcadian
Times Poll on the Riverside
The Arcadian Times has set up its own independent poll
on the Twickenham Riverside. The Poll is completely unofficial
and only serves as a reflection of the views of readers
of the Arcadian Times. Each voter is limited to one vote
per unique IP address. The question,
"The Local Council's vision for the Twickenham
Riverside represents the best solution to the redevelopment
of the site?"
it is believed is completely fair. In the interest of
fairness, Arcadian Times will not contact anybody about
the poll, or advertise the poll other than on the website.The
ONLY notice about this poll is the notice you are reading
now. Arcadian Times will not vote on the poll.
If you would like to vote, please
click here.
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Local
History, An article on the King's Observatory,
Kew and the Transit of Venus 1769.
More>>>
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Local
History, A little corner of Richmond in honour
of the Chilean statesman Bernardo O' Higgins who lived
two years of his early life in Richmond...
More>>>
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