Is there any point writing letters to the local newspapers? Fellow Tory councillors point out that only a small minority read the local newspapers so canvassing and leafleting are more important. I agree with this but still think we should send off letters as well. The print runs might be low but the readership will be a bit higher - think how many people read a single copy of a local paper each week in the public library. Maybe they only reach 5% or 10% of the electorate, but that's still worth reaching, isn't it? Also those who do read the local newspapers will more likely to be people who actually take the trouble to vote.
Ken Livingstone has a mechanism on his website for supporters to write letters to all London local papers on an automated emailing forwarding system.
For those of us wishing to support Boris I think it would be more effective to go off to the newsagent buy a local paper and send them a letter. In case you might have missed it here is my letter in this week's Hammersmith and Shepherd's Bush Gazette...
Dear Sir,
So far crime and transport seem to have been the dominant issues in the election campaign for Mayor of London. Boris Johnson proposals to cut bureaucracy and cronyism at City Hall to release funds for more police has struck a chord as has his plans to tackle anti social behaviour on the buses and tubes and end the scourge of bendy buses.
But Boris's plans to improve the environment have received less attention. But his pledge to plant 10,000 street trees by the end of his first term is most welcome.
The £1million funding for street trees per year will be funded from the cancellation of Ken Livingstone's promotional publication 'The Londoner'.
Boris also opposes the Labour Government's proposal for a third runway at Heathrow and will work with the Boroughs to encourage Londoners to install insulation in return for Council Tax rebates.
Also Boris will end Ken Livingstone's constant pressure for more road humps which have proved such an environmental disaster. The Transport Research Laboratory in the United Kingdom conducted emissions tests on roads with a 75 metre hump spacing and found CO emissions increased by 70–80%, Hydro-carbons by 70–100%, and CO2 by 50–60%.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Harry Phibbs
(Ravenscourt Park Ward. Conservative.)
Hammersmith Town Hall,
King Street,
W6 9JU.
