GREENS TAKE ON TESCO...AND DAWKINS

25-04-2008

Less than a week before the local elections, the Green Party held a public meeting in Stirchley setting out their opposition to a new Tesco store.  Conservative councillor Nigel Dawkins turned up, and according to The Stirrer’s man on the spot didn’t cover himself with glory.

Our observer – let’s call him Buddy – isn’t, to be fair, a natural Conservative supporter, but isn’t a member of any political party and turned up as a member of the public with concerns for his own community.

He contacted us, unsolicited, after being shocked at what he saw. 

For background, it’s useful to know that the Tories in Bournville ward have accepted the controversial Tesco proposal as a fait accompli (over a rival plan for a retail park from the Co-Op) and have made much of their ability to secure a good Section 106 agreement – promising spin-offs for the community.

This website has no axe to grind with Cllr Dawkins – we are the only news outlet to have publicised his attempt to have Bournville classed as World Heritage Site and have offered our support for that (see link here).

We have also seen him in action at our Stirrer Summit in Digbeth last year, and have always found him courteous and helpful, even to opponents.

He does, of course have a right of reply to Buddy’s comments which follow:

"Dawkins was outstanding - outstandingly arrogant. He gave a vintage performance of sneering insensitivity - and patronised an audience made up of his own constituents.

"He obviously turned up to politicise the event, and immediately lambasted the Greens for calling the meeting a week before the elections - but this was an own goal.

"It was insensitive and insulting to a packed room of residents at Stirchley Community Centre, many who had braved the lashing rain to make their views known - Tesco's were not welcome.

"The Greens were not outstanding, but eventually warmed to the fight. Fair play to Joe Rooney, he did try to keep the event on track by laying out the facts as he understood them.

"Dawkins also had the opportunity to do so and gave people his view that the only option for the regeneration of Stirchley would be a huge Tesco superstore and sod the consequences. No Plan B on either side.

"What galled most people was the fact that Dawkins was so destructive. He could have adopted a statesmanlike stance, listened to the arguments and taken it back to colleagues. Instead he gave a display that was churlish and cringingly patronising.

"When challenged by people he resorted to name-calling and it was evident at the end that he had achieved his aim - disruption of a resident forum. Shame on him.

"The irony is that the Greens do not present a challenge. If this is how he will treat his constituents now, what will he do when canvassing for the big prize at the next General Election?"