Debate is good

It’s nearly a year since the outof- town superstore plans first confronted Ledbury.

Most reasonable people would, I think, agree with Mary Cooper in regretting the bitterness and animosity which has attended this debate.

Even now, letters rumble back and forth, bemoaning the language and behaviour of people on the other side while claiming that they represent ‘majority’ opinion.

In this country we’ve worked hard over the last two centuries to put in place a mechanism precisely to deal with such conflict.

Elections.

Everybody is entitled to stand up and be counted for what they believe in.

Everybody is entitled to vote.

A winner emerges at the end and a democratically decided position is agreed.

When I called for an election at a recent town council, it was out of a desire to resolve the simmering disagreements in the town – it was not an act of sabotage or crafty politicking.

Like it or not, the forthcoming by-election to Ledbury town council will unavoidably focus on the issues raised in the Sainsbury’s/Tesco debate. How could it not?

But voters will not just be able to register a view on the value of their High Street, they will also be able to participate in a conversation about important long-term questions that will affect their lives: a planned increase in population, the attraction of jobs and investment, the role of tourism, the planning of houses, schools, sports and cultural facilities, management of parking, traffic and transport, support for business growth and more.

Contested elections give legitimacy.

Ledbury’s future is more important than its disagreements.

We should positively embrace this opportunity.
RICH HADLEY
Ledbury