A FORMER Liberal Democrat leader visited Wokingham borough last week to meet with party activists.
Baron Campbell of Pittenweem – better known as Menzies Campbell – came to the Lower Earley home of the party’s Wokingham parliamentary candidate and borough councillor Clive Jones for an evening event.
He also gave an exclusive interview to The Wokingham Paper.
Speaking afterwards, Cllr Jones said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have someone of his stature come to us. It’s the second time in less than three years.
“I’m pleased he was asked so many questions from the 40 members that came along. It was a really good time: he stayed an hour later than planned, it was 10.15pm when he left.
“He was really interested in the issues that affect the borough including the difficulties we’ve got with working out our number of houses that would be fit and proper to take.
“He was also interested in education funding: we don’t get a fair funding deal. That’s all down to the Conservatives. They don’t want to provide enough money.”
And Baron Campbell was full of praise for the Liberal Democrat team in Wokingham borough.
“I’m impressed by the application and commitment and dedication,” he told The Wokingham Paper.
“My test is who is delivering leaflets on a wet Tuesday? I bet you it’s the Liberal Democrats.”
He also felt that his party is more in tune with the public than the alternatives.
“Labour tells you what to do, the Tories say let’s leave it to the market,” he said.
“We have a very well established reputation, we’re much closer to the public than the other parties. We’re community politics, devolving responsibilities – we need devolution from Westminster! And even a devolution from the local authority.
“There’s hundreds of examples of this. If you empower the local community: it is capable of achieving a consensus.
“You get council estates where as soon as you set up a community association, give the tenants the obligations to keep the place clean, they do it. If it’s the council’s responsibility, the government’s responsibility they’re less inclined to do so. That seems to be a good philosophy, tried and tested across the country.”
Baron Campbell was aware of the issues that Wokingham residents face with the threatened tsunami of housing developments in Twyford, Barkham Square and Grazeley on top of the homes already being built.
“It’s nearly doubling the population,” he said. “You can’t do that without the infrastructure, you certainly can’t do that without consent from the local population.”
He also felt that more social housing was needed – as long as the infrastructure was in place.
“I guess the argument is that we need more houses – and that’s true – particularly we need more social housing.
But with the overall housing number, Baron Campbell queried Wokingahm Borough Council’s policy.
“Why are the council determined to proceed in this way?” he asked. “What are the compelling reasons for this extraordinary size of development, which will almost double the size of the community? What steps are they taking for infrastructure: schools etc? What are the calculations made for roads?”
