BMW - letter to Oxford Mail

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 15th Apr 2006

It appears that Cllr. John Howell is a little ruffled about the new Liberal Democrat leadership at the County Council (Oxford Mail, April 13). I am pleased to see that we are already having an effect.

What he failed to point out to your readers is that at the County Council meeting he refers to there were a total of 14 motions, but he and his Tory colleagues only placed importance on one of them - the congratulation of BMW. Whilst Liberal Democrats did not vote against this motion, they chose not to support it on the basis that there are many other companies in Oxfordshire, so why pick one? We made exactly the same argument when the same Tory administration tried to single out congratulating Jeremy Clarkson for his honorary degree at Brookes University instead of acknowledging other deserving cases at the same time.

There are hundreds of businesses in Oxfordshire and to single out BMW when there are equally thriving establishments, is not helpful to our economy.

Our amendment to the Corporate Plan which his group voted down, actually wished to support our thriving economy without prejudicing the future of our environment and make Oxfordshire a safe, green and pleasant place in which to live, work, learn and visit. Who could argue with this? Perhaps the real problem was that his Tory group could not support helping our disadvantaged and vulnerable residents by enabling them to live fulfilling and independent lives by promoting better public transport, and without withdrawing vital services in social and community care. A promise they could not keep.

To refer to some of those other motions: Cllr. Jean Fooks' motions on the Education White Paper were voted down, Cllr. Bob Johnston's motion on reducing packaging was agreed, Cllr. Fooks' motion on healthy school meals was agreed, Cllr. Tilley's motion on plain English was agreed, Cllr. Patrick Greene's motion on tackling chewing gum was agreed, Cllr Hudspeth's motion against post office closures was agreed, Cllr. Joslin's motion calling for debate on the nuclear industry was agreed as was his motion on medical research companies. I think your readers may be much more interested to learn about the other decisions which were taken during the day, rather than self-congratulatory posturing masquerading as leadership.

The new Liberal Democrat leadership is delighted to keep the pressure on our Tory Cabinet colleagues.

Cllr. Zoé Patrick

Liberal Democrat Leader

Oxfordshire County Council