WHY are we being targeted by the BNP? Why are people taking any notice of them or listening to them?

Could it be that people feel threatened by the thought of crime, or tired of reading and seeing the results of vandalism?

Could it be as in the case of Burnley that they see deterioration of their area, while all the effort and resources seem to be going to the regeneration areas?

Could it be because some Councillors are not listening to the constituents that have voted them into Office and are acting in a very off-handed manner, with attitude like - ?

I don't care how many signatures you have, or the result of the public consultation, we are still going to close the libraries.

And I don't care if you don't like the so called arts exhibits on the South Primenade, I do, art is in the eye of the beholder (my eye) so we are going to remove it from site, paint it and re-site it.

It could be any one or all of them as well as some that I haven't even thought of.

Let's look at them one at a time. Crime, although it may hae gone up nationally in this area it has started to reduce, from the high level that it had reached, hard to believe after the high profile attacks that have been reported in the press! But it is a fact and more resources are being added.

Information, Information, Information, is what is needed to combat crime, each time you ring in with a complaint/information it helps to build up the intelligence information and evidence on which the police can act, don't ever think your call is unnecessary to they haven't taken any notice, it is lodged and helps the police to strike at the right time with the right information.

Vandalism, they are somebody's children, and most parents if they were informed of the trouble they would act to stop it, there are always exceptions and for these we need a naming and shaming exercise, or banning orders to be enforced.

This is not Burnley we live in Blackpool, and we do not have the same problems, although we shouldn't underestimate the ones we have.

We have all got to start taking responsibility for our actions and our community.

Litter in the streets! Somebody dropped it, aren't children taught to put litter into bins? Or are they following the example of parents who like living in a dirty street, my mum always swept in front of our house, don't you?

Resources are going into areas in need of regeneration (why they have been allowed to get into that state, and the targeting of the resources, is political,) that does not mean we have to ignore other areas.

Library closures, art exhibits, well that really is up to you: you voted them in and you can vote them out! But don't complain if you did not vote!!

Let us all get involved in our community, we all want to live in a Happy, Vibrant, Prosperous and inclusive community.

Apathy is the alternative and that's what lets in the BNP as well as other splinter groups and "do gooders" who speak on behalf of the "people".

Don't let anyone else speak for you, speak for yourself, and keep saying it, someone will listen eventually.

Or be out of office, it is time for the silent majority to speak, this is our community, our streets, our town.

Use your voice.

Cllr Major (Retired)

J Houldsworth TD

Halifax Street

Blackpool