Common ground over plight of city's north
Five competing politicians last night agreed that the north of Portsmouth is the city's 'forgotten area'.
At the fifth of The News' pre-election hustings debates, held at 1000 Lakeside, North Harbour Labour's Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Conservative Penny Mordaunt, Liberal Democrat Darren Sanders, Iain Maclennan of the Green Party and UKIP's Mike Fitzgerald debated national and local issues raised by voters.
All five Portsmouth North constituency candidates found common ground on the plight of the north of the city, agreeing that Portsmouth North has been forced to suffer while the south of the city thrives.
Ms McCarthy-Fry said: 'The north of this city has certainly been neglected and I have been fighting to ensure people recognise there's more to this city than just the island. People in Drayton, Paulsgrove and Farlington feel neglected and it's easy to see why. The Labour Party has brought in measures like Building Schools for the Future, which are designed to improve conditions in the worst areas, but we also have to make sure the city council, when it brings investment or spends money, remembers we are here and need the finances.'
Penny Mordaunt said: 'We have discovered that of just under 3m due to Portsmouth North for building infrastructure to support new developments in the last 10 years, only 500,000 has actually been spent here. We don't know where that money is. Business rates should be lowered, local authorities should have more control over the revenue they collect, but people can also make a change to their society. If people volunteer and businesses donate hours and materials, existing facilities can be improved, to the benefit of the whole area.'
Dr Maclennan said: 'Evidence from Lottery funding shows a disproportionate amount goes to the south of the city - 10m to the south, compared to 1m to the north. But we shouldn't just see this as a north/south divide. The north needs more money, but we need to remember this is a great city and it's one city. All infrastructure needs to benefit the whole city.'
Mr Fitzgerald added: 'It's insulting to be required to run this city on Lottery money, when we're paying some of the highest tax in Europe. Gunwharf Quays cannibalised other commercial areas such as North End. I think we need a system where you can evaluate your councillors. If you're happy, then let them carry on. If not, replace them with someone who'll serve Portsmouth, not their party.'
Mr Sanders said: 'It does seem that Portsmouth North is forgotten, though money has been spent. There's the state of the art Mountbatten Leisure Centre, Ferry Port investment, money to keep the Cosham rail bridge up.
But there is an issue about how much is spent and what it's used for, and I would work with councillors of all parties on how to get money here.'
The debate also covered the question of the two Royal Navy aircraft carriers, which all five said they supported, though Dr Maclennan admitted his party 'might not shed any tears' if they weren't built.
Q&A DEBATE
The candidates were also asked to give their opinions on a hung Parliament after the general election.
Ms Mordaunt and Ms McCarthy-Fry agreed the outcome would be bad, each arguing their own party was best placed to bring the country out of recession, while Mr Sanders, Dr Maclennan and Mr Fitzgerald said they thought a hung Parliament could offer the country new opprtunities.
All agreed the government should be able to step in to force financial regulation on football, to help ensure no others face the chaos the city's club has experienced in the last year.
For all the latest Election 2010 news go to our special section with dedicated areas for constituencies within The News region
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Weather for Portsmouth
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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