Cllr Susan Carey, Conservative Candidate, Tolsford Ward.
Dear Friends of the Earth, I have recently received your election circular of April 9th. Yes, it is a busy time for candidates and I shan't be replying to your questions immediately as they require more attention than a glib one liner.

I would just point out that the Conservative Party has always made preservation of our environment a major priority and our constituency MP, Michael Howard played a leading role in the Rio Conference on Environment and Development.

I'll be happy to discuss your issues after the election and perhaps you could answer the letter* I sent to you nearly 18 months ago.

Yours sincerely
Susan Carey

* Cllr Susan Carey wrote to us last September criticising a letter printed in our newsletter by one member who was against the Millenium White Horse proposal. Despite there being a disclaimer stating that "The views in this newsletter are not necessarily those of Shepway FoE" she accused Shepway Friends of the Earth of having "implacable opposition to the horse" and more.....

CLICK HERE to read the letter in full.

We did not reply to that letter because:
1) Shepway Friends of the Earth have never had a view nor written any letters expressing any views on the proposed "White Horse"
2) there were no questions to reply to, you were just expressing your right to an opinion.
3) it was so full of exaggerations, inaccuracies and fiction that it was decided to treat it with the contempt that it deserved and not to get confrontational.

The point here, Susan Carey, is that you have an opinion, I have an opinion, our members have opinions and we are all entitled to them.

It has never been our policy to crisise anyone for their beliefs.

If you want to be considered as a fair and just councillor its about time you did the same.

I consider your reply to our questionnaire to be contemptuous to say the least. I have friends living in your ward, what should I tell them when they ask me what your replies were?

If you are too busy to answer questions on issues that may be important to your constituents (a basic ground rule for potential councillors) what the hell are you doing standing for election as a conservative candidate?

I find it unbelievable that just because some people do not agree with what one environmentalist says in a letter that they would withdraw all support from other environmentalists. How childish, how small minded, is there no room in your party for differences of opinion? Thats the trouble with mainstream politics, we vote for ideals, not people, you do not have to like the person to support the idea.

These views are my personal views and not necessarily those of Shepway Friends of the Earth.

Barrie Botley.