We want to be voice of the people One of the most interesting pledges in the Labour Party’s manifesto in Colchester was to “give the power back to the people”.

It is ironic since they have presided over the plan for developments of 33,000 houses in the Local Plan for the fringes of Colchester in a way which suggests the opposite.

After seven public consultations in Colchester alone, the “people” have overwhelmingly said we do not want communities of this size and scope.

When will Labour start listening to the many, not the few?

The Liberal Democrats at least acknowledge we face “unreliable trains, congested roads” and “air pollution”, but they don’t consider the possibility these might be worse if we overwhelm our roads and public services with massive new development.

As for the Conservatives, their recent conversion to the problem of Colchester’s “infrastructure deficit” and “overdevelopment problem” is remarkable considering community groups have been crying out over these issues for years.

It did not prevent their local councillors from accepting the target of 920 homes per year when it came to a vote at the Local Plan committee, nor did it prevent the Department for Communities and Local Government from seeking to raise this figure by an additional 175 homes to 1,095 homes late last year.

It is surely time for the community’s voice to be properly heard in the Town Hall.

The Independent candidates in the local elections on May 3 want to be that voice.

Those who agree with us can volunteer to help our campaign on the Colchester Independents website. Only the Independents can really give power back to the people in our borough for a better Colchester.

Christopher Hill
Independent Candidate for Old Heath and the Hythe
Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester