RA civil war continues

The massive internal divisions within the Epsom & Ewell's Residents' Association movement have been highlighted once again as a senior Residents' Association official has come out and publicly criticised the RA group of councillors.

Mark Walter, Chairman of College Ward Residents' Association (CWRA), has written to the 2,500 households in College ward stating:

"CWRA strongly objected to the blue badge charging scheme but the decision was taken mainly by Ewell RA councillors who do not understand the logistical problems of Epsom residents - had we some RA Councillors in the Epsom wards the result might have been different."

Mr Walter presents a rather selective version of events. There are three Residents' Association councillors from Epsom. Cllr Neil Dallen (Town) voted in favour of charging the disabled for their parking. Cllr Mike Richardson (Woodcote) also voted in favour. Cllr Teresa Cass (Woodcote) didn't bother to turn up to the meeting. The vote was 16-14 in favour of charges. The vote was won for the RAs by Epsom RA councillors. So Mr Walters saying the result "might" have been different with more Epsom RA councillors is, of course, right. The majority in favour of charges would have been even greater!

So Epsom's RA councillors all voted for the scheme that CWRA so bitterly opposes. Mr Walter should face reality - if he wants to reverse the Blue Badge charges he needs to campaign against the RA councillors who brought them in and work to get them kicked out at May's elections.

Perhaps of greater interest than Mr Walters' tortured logic is that he is willing to openly criticise the RA group of councillors. He is in good company in doing so as Bill Slaughter, Chairman of Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents Association, has stated in public:

"the Residents' Association group has hit hardest at the most disadvantaged in our society - the disabled, the elderly and the very young."

How can local residents be expected to vote for RA councillors when their own party activists no longer support them?