Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
The following is the latest article from MP Charlie Elphicke on his People's Port Proposal ...Just in.
Many thanks Charlie.
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The People's Port
What do you do when the country is bust and the previous Labour Government has proposed a plan to sell off our port to pay down the national debt? What do you do when the cornerstone of our local economy is threatened by a serious breakdown in relations between the ferry companies and the Dover Harbour Board? And what do you do when the people of Dover are crying out for regeneration after 70 years of broken promises? Oh, and don't forget, you've just been elected for a month and are still trying to find your feet!
Last week I decided to take the bull by the horns. I tabled a detailed and substantial proposal that we, the people, should be allowed to buy the port. This has been reported on in detail by the Dover Express and the Daily Telegraph. The plan is to put the future of our jobs and money in our community's hands. Why? Because it is high time that:
• trust and confidence is restored between the ferry companies and Dover Harbour Board;
• our port, our town and the ferry companies forged a long term partnership where we all work together to take our local economy forward;
• the people got some benefit from the national class economic and transport facility that is on our doorstep; and
• that Dover sees real regeneration. We've been waiting 70 years. That's too long and it's time we saw some real action.
Deep down we all know that doing nothing is not an option. Doing nothing will see our port flogged off by a nation financially on its knees. Acting now, together, is to grasp an opportunity that could transform our community. We all know that the previous Government was so far advanced by the time of the election that the Minister's pen is even now hovering over the sale order. That we stand at 5 to midnight when it comes to our port. I believe in our community and believe we can do this. The prize for us all if we succeed is truly great - we would be able to tell our grandchildren how we changed Dover forever.
This is just the start of the debate. I want us all to be involved. I have listened and have led the way - but it's the community of us all and everyone must have a say. If we are to build a people's port, all of us need to be involved. And if the Minister is prepared to give our community the chance to own our port, an important step will be to put the proposal to community vote for endorsement. Please click the image (right) to read letter I have sent to the Minister. Please do comment here, write or email me and tell me what you think.
Letter to the Minister to follow...
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Unfortunatly dont appear to be able to reproduce the letter mentioned for the moment, but no worries here is a direct link to the letter in question, from Charlie Elphicke to the Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond.
http://www.elphicke.com/downloads/plan-for-a-peoples-port.pdf
Charlie is interested in comments so that the debate can take off or rather, continue. We have had more than 60 comments already on the other thread as Im sure Charlie will have seen. Further comments very welcome as Charlie is very interested in the responses and will read all.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Wow - what a scoop for the Forum. The traditional press cannot provide links to the letters/representations like this...
Well done Charlie for being so open with his proposals and for publishing this document here. This really is a new style of representation to be applauded for its openness.
A lot of questions people raised are answered though a lot more remain. We really must get behind Charlie on this.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
not trying to be negative here but words are cheap.action speaks louder than words,and when that action starts it should be quick and decivive.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Brian - this is not words, this is action by Charlie in making repesentation to the Minister after a lot of groundwork. It is over to the Minister now to make a decision and to us to show support to Charlie and help boost his campaign to change the direction that the Port has been going in.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
barryw,its still words at the moment untill the action of actully doing it happens then and only then i will belive it.it has to be a done deal with the eyes and t,s doted and crossed.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Brian as with anything of this scale there are huge hurdles to climb but most definitely this is a fresh new idea and now with the Minister too involved it represents movement forward. Yes indeed there are a lot of words to get through before you see the physical brick put in place, but then that is the normal course of action. Its a big ask and its early days yet but it all could be possible given the will and the enthusiasm.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Brian - so if its 'just words' (it isnt) what action should Charlie take that he has not taken?
Go on, give us the benefit of your wisdom.
Its critisism that is easy, critisism without responsibility because that is all you have shown where constructive input is necessary.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
I am just going out at this time but will read it when I get back,but how do the Dover Public buy a port whichSMILEY:nod would cost over 1billion pounds when most are on low income,and how long would it be before we would see areturn for our cash, and would we get that cash in our own pockets, I do not think so myself, and at the age of 68years I would not even see any change in the Town in my life. So I think it would be a no from me,but I will read it.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Vic - the financing of the project is complex but Charlie does have experience and expertese to put this together.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
If Charlie is being positive, let`s be the same, give him a chance, criticism`s can come later if it all fall`s apart. With no political views in such matters, I`m looking at it all with an unbiased point of view. Let`s just hope and see if it all works out.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Sorry Barry I do not think so because what ever he or anyone comes up with there is not that kind of cash about in the whole of the U.K. let alone Dover we can not even keep our looes open all the year round,and we now have the blues saying in Dover we can find over £1Billion cash to buy the port. I was told once I live in a world of my own with only having dreams of a better DOVER to live in.
Well this is one big dream and it will never happen.
Good to see Brian and Vic being so positive, NOT! Thanks guys, your town needs you, but you are found wanting.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Sorry Sid but at this time I do not have a £1billion pounds in my pocket.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
great stuff from charlie, hats off to him, as barry says great that he is using all avenues of communication including us at the forum.
It's not about you or me personally Vic, and I don't expect something in my pocket for supporting Charlies plan. This is about trying to secure the future for our decendants and the decendants of our friends and neighbours. This is about seizing an opportunity to regenerate our town, properly this time. This is our chance to get some decent housing and liesure facilities for Dover instead of a stupid supermarket. This is about creating something to proud of for generations to come.
This is the last chance saloon at the end of the day. Labour has destroyed the economy of Britain but this plan gives Dovorians the chance to recover quicker.
Why would anyone, unless they are truly churlish and/or selfish, deny Dovorians that opportunity through inaction. Sure there are lots of words to be written and read, but that is activity too. Once that part is done we can really get the wheels moving. Sadly, one or two want to stand by the roadside and watch others do the work, sulking that their paymasters couldn't activate such a plan.
They'd probably be happier seeing dear old Gwynn standing in a car park waving a piece of paper full of broken hopes and promises!
No! Let uis all get behind this plan and make it a success, and a success for Dover.
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
Ever since the idea of selling the port was first mentioned people were moaning that it was 'a done deal' and that it would happen whatever anyone said. Now a real alternative has been put on the table, and actively pushed to the people responsible isn't it time for those who just want to sit back, do nothing and then moan when their fears are realised to actually get behind something for the betterment of Dover?
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
Great proposals indeed from Charlie
This Forum really comes into its own with news like this
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
Let's get a good up-market Theatre in Dover for good drama, popular opera and ballet. How about using the old night-club premises in Castle Street? My elderly (now deceased) neighbour put a letter in the Dover Express some years ago suggesting this. Canterbury is now getting a new theatre, although even the old one must have brought a lot of business to that area. Dover could do the same, it would help to regenerate shops, cafes, and bring more money and visitors. We also need good quality shops like chocolate shops, leather shops, etc. where attention and service to tourists comes first. Supermarkets - would just sound the death knell to more local shops and are not required, they would do more damage than good in the long run.
K.
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
I must say that I am impressed to see such a cogently argued document from our neophyte M.P.
It might be 'only words' so far but I would suggest that the words are a lot more effective than leading ragtag group of protesters along the seafront as the previous incumbent tried!
Well done Charlie, you could be a name to watch for the future (along with the excellent Rory Stewart).
