Nick slams ID card plans as Rye loses police hero

Nick Perry, Lib Dem parliamentary hopeful for Hastings & Rye, has responded to the news that Rye is losing a valued community support officer by slamming the Government’s ID card proposals.

Nick said, “I was, like many others, saddened to hear about the move of local community support officer Dan Bevan from Rye town, and I very much agree with those who have said that Rye’s loss is Rye Harbour, Playden and Iden’s gain.

“Unfortunately this is yet another example of our police force stretching itself to cover gaps left by insufficient resources. If only the Government would drop once and for all its policy on the introduction of ID cards.

“The Liberal Democrats have been campaigning throughout this Parliament for the billions of pounds that the ID card scheme will cost to be spent on dedicated community policing, so that it would be possible for there to be an experienced and locally-aware pool of officers, as well as PCSOs like Dan Bevan, in every area.”

Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg MP has said of the Home Secretary,

“Jacqui Smith is clearly in a state of deep denial. The ID card project is already over budget, technologically flawed and increasingly unpopular. She should learn to cut her losses rather than continue to defend the indefensible.”

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David Mitchell given gentle correction about Rye and its wines

[Letter to The Observer]

Dear Editor,

May I, via your Letters Page, attempt shamelessly and briefly to bathe in some of David Mitchell’s reflected glory, and congratulate him on another successful year in the long path towards National Treasure Status!

Since the days when I knew him at Cambridge (same college, same subject, different year) and he undoubtedly didn’t know me, he has become primetime comedian, social commentator and quiz show guest extraordinaire.

However now, as the Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner for Hastings & Rye, I must take to task my erstwhile college comrade for certain comments in his latest Observer offering (www.guardian.co.uk 28 December 2008); and at the risk of seeming as though I haven’t got the joke, represent the good people of Rye in a way that they might like to become accustomed.

Mr Mitchell must surely know that the Ancient Town and Cinque Port of Rye is not in ‘East West Sussex’ – it is in East East Sussex.

And the wines that are produced in the constituency are really very good, no joke whatever, and much better (I am convinced) than those of Ernest & Julio Gallo. Although, as an aside, I am sure that the research David pre-releases regarding the relationship between red and white wine and portions of fruit and vegetables will be of great interest to local residents.

I do hope that he will try to make good this oversight in his review of 2010!

Yours truly,

Pett Level is truly beautiful

We all piled in the car and trouped off to Pett Level yesterday for a walk by the sea and then the river, to try to work off some of the Christmas pudding.  What a truly beautiful piece of countryside there is here, protected by the Pett Level Reservation.  I really encourage those of you who haven’t yet visited to do so!