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Received and understood, but the simple fact is that over 300 Isleworth people, some have suggested as many as 500, came out in horrendous weather to demonstrate the fact that they would reject any prosposal to make our library or our public hall a casualty of the cuts that the local authority is being compelled to make.Surely you do not begrudge local people the right to express their view in this way?  Nobody was killed, nobody was hurt, and the Isleworth ward councillors very decently availed themselves of the opportunity to come along and speak to dozens of people first hand and to get a feel of how strongly we all feel.  I note once again that the words "my community" are placed into inverted commas in a way that suggests that such a thing only exists in my imagination.  No such thing as community - now where have I heard almost those exact same words before?If the issue of possible library closures is to be revisited next year then the memory of this massive display of local feeling will help those whose task it is to take these difficult decisions to make a judgement.  Surely that cannot be such a bad thing?Quite why the prospect of closure re-emerging next year should be "manna from heaven" for me is something that escapes me entirely, but then again I am not a tribal rosetted robot so I do not think in the same way as you.  I want our library and public hall to stay open for the duration of the current administration and beyond, that is why I was prepared to get wet on Saturday rather than sulking in the background spreading false rumours in the hope that the event would fail.  I like to think I will get my reward in Heaven, you will probably be hoping you get yours at the selection meeting.

Phil Andrews ● 5282d

VanessaIt's a shame you seem to see everything in stupid tribal party political terms.  Most normal people have little or no interest in this rubbish.I honestly don't give a monkey's whether the Tories are riding high, cruising low or contemplating a merger with the Elvis Lives Party.  I didn't vote for them.  What I care about is the fact that there is a threat to our libraries and community facilities which needs to be acknowledged not just this year, but also for the next three years and maybe beyond.Some weeks ago you told us here on this forum that you would support a campaign against library closures.  Then the community organises just such an event and you respond not only by declaring grumpily that you will not attend, but also by spreading rumours that the activity is pointless because the libraries are safe.  They are not safe as you yourself know and have acknowledged, there are still at least three years of severe cuts ahead of us.  So why the hostility?You will be aware by now that the hugely successful residents' march this morning was actively supported by all three Isleworth ward councillors.  I was pleased and extremely proud that they turned out to support us and I have not the slightest doubt that their standing within our local community will have increased considerably as a consequence.It's a shame that you do not appear to be able to move on from the 1990s, when the community was considered a nuisance and at times an enemy, and to associate with them other than from the saddle of a very high horse was viewed as a sign of weakness.I was immensely proud of my community this morning.  I think it is a great shame that you appear not to be able to share in that feeling because I believe you would have so much to offer if only you were able to engage the world from outside of a party political box.

Phil Andrews ● 5284d