|

Independent MP Bob Spink raised this issue on a point of Order against David Cameron today in Parliament

David Cameron has approached SEEVIC to use their theatre for his party political campaigning. He was rightly refused.

I have written to David to challenge him to come to Castle Point and to debate face to face with me, under the chairmanship of the editor of a local paper.

If he refuses, people will know he has no answers to questions like why Local Tories voted to build thousands of houses on our green belt. And, since he says wants to build even more houses than Labour, where will these houses go and how will his new targets be set?

He is inconsistent. This morning he criticised Gordon Brown for not removing the whip from his three charged MPs. He deselected a Billericay councillor for simply asking questions about John Baron’s expenses. And he flatly refuses to remove the whip from a Castle Point councillor (who was Tory Chairman of Planning) who has twice recently been actually found guilty of planning corruption, by 'seeking an advantage for himself and others on planning'.

And why that councillor is his local Tory Parliamentary Candidate’s Campaign Manager, and if that councillor will be responsible for deciding how many houses will be built locally and where they should be built when he returns as a Tory Councillor after his latest six months suspension?

And why, if Mr Cameron really wants to pass more power to the people as he claims, his local Tories refuse to even consult people on destroying their trees or tidal pool or green belt, and refuse to pass Canvey decisions to Canvey Town Council or to listen to Hadleigh residents.

These and other questions need to be answered. If Mr Cameron refuses my challenge, he shows local people he is unable to give them answers.