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Leamington Letters #56: Shades of conservatism

18/10/2013

28 Comments

 
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Illingworth: so good he voted twice
More than 300 residents of Leamington South Town wrote to oppose the granting of a sexual entertainment licence for Shades Gentleman's Club. One wrote in support.

But the Warwick District council Regulatory Committee granted the licence anyway.

Admittedly, it took a casting vote by the chair, George Illingworth, after an initial five-five split.

But given the opposition, given the fact that an identical application had been refused on two previous occasions, what prompted these five councillors to vote in favour of this kind of activity?

Well, only they know for sure. But they do have a couple of things in common.

All five are conservatives.

And none of them live in Leamington.

Now, we can argue the case for a strip club or lap-dancing club or whatever this place is. (And whatever this place is, you might think that it is in no sense a Gentleman's Club!)

And you can also argue the fact that, with all the investment of time and money and effort which is going into South Town, this is the last thing that's wanted or needed.

But my concern is with the way in which non-resident Conservatives are able to dictate the kind of town Leamington should become.

We saw it with the original vote for the Clarendon Arcade, which fortunately and marginally failed to gain a majority.

And my fear is that we shall see it again if and when the next planning application is made, after the consultation process obviously!

I urge you to write, call or otherwise contact these out-of-towners who have such power over us and our town.

The approvers of Shades are, in addition to George Illingworth, Conservative of Kenilworth:

Felicity Bunker, Conservative, Kenilworth;
David Shilton, Conservative, Kenilworth;
Elizabeth Higgins, Conservative, Warwick;
Sue Gallagher, Conservative, Leek Wootton.

In the words of Alan Wilkinson, former mayor of Leamington Spa, who lives in South Town:

"The decision - made by Tory councillors who do not even live in Leamington - totally disrespects the feelings of people living in the area."

Too right.

Today from the everysmith vault: Thanks to James Knight, I now have a copy of the latest Swaps CD. It was worth the wait. It plays again as I type.

28 Comments
Leamington Resident
18/10/2013 03:22:48

You might also add to your list our MP: Chris White, Conservative, Warwick.

Reply
Don
18/10/2013 09:46:22

I'm afraid he comes over as genial, hail-fellow-well-met. But he's in thrall to Illingworth et al. List patience with him. Got rid of Labour apparatchik and got a Tory one. Sorry. Know he's a mate of yours.

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Max
30/10/2013 05:34:01

I like to think he is. But you're right that all MPs are beholden to their associations. He has been conspicuous by his absence down my way recently!

AnnW
18/10/2013 03:39:33

seems to me that Kenilworth is well represented here so why don't we get the club moved to Kenilworth ..... I'm all for legal activities for consenting adults etc but if the local residents have no say in their local environment, what's the point of voting for representatives I ask myself...

Reply
Max
30/10/2013 05:36:35

Yes, let them vote for it in Kenilworth and see if they get re-elected! Also had calls from Leek Wootten and of course Warwick. Warwick people in Wilde's last week complaining that Leamington charges for parking on Sunday, when it's Warwick District Council that decided that.

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Allan
18/10/2013 03:48:34

How local is local democracy? Looks to me, from a distance, that you have a group of councillors trying to dump stuff away from their back yard.

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WillW
18/10/2013 04:28:33

NIMBY-ism seems the logical inference. But I wonder if there is something here regarding Tory enterprise. They don't care about what the business is, but it probably makes money and they would say that it also provides employment.

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Jack
18/10/2013 05:22:36

The restructuring of local government has a great deal to answer for. Warwick District Council contains Warwick, Leamington, Kenilworth, Whitnash, leek Wootton etc. there is clearly going to be conflicts of interest, because no-one in Leamington or Kenilworth for example thinks of themselves as part of Warwick District. We are Leamingtonians or whatever Kenilworth people call themselves - Tories I suspect! It is obvious that these people are voting to protect their own town/environment without a thought for Leamington. As you point out, it was out-of-town Tories who voted for the Clarendon Arcade first time round. Selfishness pure and simple.

Paul
18/10/2013 10:20:56

And Chris White will be claiming that the increase in employment (or decrease in unemployment) is all down to Conservative policies.

Ellie
18/10/2013 03:49:59

... and three women in the pro camp! What's that about?

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Max
30/10/2013 05:37:59

Bizarre! Although one is from Leek Wooten ...

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Charlotte Ford
18/10/2013 04:10:25

Such arrogance. The clubbable Conservatives and cabals ride roughshod over the electorate yet again.

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Max
30/10/2013 05:38:51

Such alliteration! But true. Xx

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Anders
18/10/2013 04:31:16

If they had taken their role and position seriously, they may have thought that a visit was required, indeed necessary. I relish the thought of Illingworth, the other guy, and three Tory ladies of the shires enjoying the shady delights of this establishment.

Reply
Max
30/10/2013 05:39:36

One never knows. Appearances may be deceptive ...

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Vix
18/10/2013 06:10:44

What makes me mad is that the word 'consultation' is branded about in all arenas including local issues - its the 'in' thing when is comes to any kind of established authority making a decision. It is just in my experience a tick box exercise thats meaningless when people just do whats best for themselves (or mates that will be making money) anyway.

having a club like this in our town also has wider impacts on sexual ideals and morals - implying by its very presence that sexuality is to be devalued and bought rather than held in high regard and saved for the sanctity of marriage!

Rant over :)

Reply
Max
30/10/2013 05:40:26

More rants like this please, Vix. Xxxxxx

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Kathy
18/10/2013 08:42:17

It is strange that three women should vote for this kind of exploitation. I have no explanation for it. As a woman, we know that the activities which are now legal in this club are exploitative. They are also disgraceful and shame on these five for allowing it. What has changed since the previous refusals?

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Sophie
18/10/2013 08:46:03

Tories first. Women a poor second.

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Max
30/10/2013 05:42:05

Think Sophie is right. Thatcher was only a woman when it was politically expedient so to be. Tories are Tories. Anything else comes second.

BruceR
18/10/2013 09:52:28

Is this Tory family values? Or is it back to basics. Or are these five all in Shades together? I - and I suspect most of Leamington are appalled by this. Unless White comes out against this, forcibly, he can say goodbye to my vote. I disagree with almost everything you write, but this is irrefutable. Disgusted of Leamington Spa.

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Leamington Tory
18/10/2013 09:55:02

I vote Tory. I am embarrassed and ashamed that my councillors have done this. We are not all advocates for sex clubs.

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Robin D
18/10/2013 10:06:30

This comment came up as I was reading and considering whether to write anything. I am also a Tory voter, never anything else, and the reason for this is that I have always believed that the Tories would prevent this kind of activity in our town. Now I know - and thank you - that it is actually my party which is enabling and facilitating it. I'm sorry and I will be writing to Chris White to ask him to do something.

Max
30/10/2013 05:43:17

Maybe they are all in it (Shades) together.

Allan
18/10/2013 10:15:48

Posting again because I am pleased to see avowed Tories coming out against their councillors. I hope they use whatever influence they have to reverse the decision. But there is a bigger question. Why is the Regulatory Committee made up of so many from outside the town. This must be the decision of the ruling party. Which is ....?

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Max
30/10/2013 05:45:40

Good point. I appreciate the comments from people who might be expected to support their party. So thanks to all. And please take it up with the councillors involved. I have still not seen an explanation for the vote. Not individually nor collectively.

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Adrian Stjohn
18/10/2013 12:38:35

I'm a lurker. I enjoy your sport , your books, your meals. Less so your politics.

But even I find the five Tories living out of town significant and worthy of comment.

How do they think they will get away with whatever they are cooking up between them? This is disturbing to say the least and requires investigation.

Reply
Max
30/10/2013 05:47:06

Not sure lurker is the correct term in this context. But yes, an investigation would be sensible and its findings even more so.

Reply



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    Max Smith

    European writer, radical, restaurateur and Red Sox fan. 70-something husband, father, step-father, grandfather and son. Resident in Warwick, England.

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