"A Tory with half a brain and common sense"

One of the more regular commentators on the local paper website is "RobDCH" of the Defend Council Housing Campaign. Rob is a strident defender of thing such as council housing, play areas for children and good social services. He's a trenchant campaigner for those with least in the Borough. He paid Deputy Leader of Barnet Council, Andrew Harper a rare compliment (believe me it was meant as one). Mr Harper had issued a statement dismissing the comments of some of his fellow Tory Councillors, who were backing a campaign by a small group of residents to prevent improvements to childrens facilities in a park backing on to the gardens. The residents felt that, having bought properties which backed on to a park, that they should have a veto on facilites which would encourage youngsters to use it. Sadly two local Tory Councillors, clearly grubbing for votes Councillors Gordon and Rayner had jumped onto this sorry bandwagon. Here's Councillor Harpers comments :-

“Stoneyfields Park in Hale ward was chosen as one of the eleven sites for the installation of new play equipment because it has the third highest number of under 14s in Barnet and it is something young people have been asking us for. Frankly we shouldn't treat young people as a problem. While I can understand why a few people might not like the decision, it is vital that young people have a say and that they are provided with the outdoor facilities they want. I am sure that the vast majority of residents will wish to work with us to make this a success, as they are in our other ten Playbuilder parks."

This prompted RobDCH to comment "What, a Tory with half a brain and common sense". I was hit by the same shock on reading the comments. Mr Harper had made a statement which sums up my exact feelings on the issue. There is much I disagree with Mr Harper about in Barnet, but he does seem to be emerging as the "sensible wing" of the Barnet Conservatives. Sadly he seems to be a in a minority of one at the moment. None the less, it would be dishonest of me not to acknowledge or recognise the fact that for the first time in ages, a local Tory has said something sensible, reasonable and absolutely spot on in a statement.