Dan Norris discriminated against my beliefs - 8th Sep '08 E-mail
I was invited (probably in error) by my local Member of Parliament to attend a public meeting at my local community hall recently. Since I know he has good connections with the Miners Welfare Association, I decided, having as requested, left a message in advance, to take the opportunity ask for his help in furthering the possibility of using its land for a BMX track in my ward for youngsters keen on biking.
Imagine my shock when, having signalled to him my wish to speak, he denied me this basic right, both as a member of the public and as one of his constituents, when he said, and I quote, "No, not you Sarah, this meeting is for the public not politicians."
I have never before during my political life been tempted to use my time to criticise people of a different political persuasion in public, preferring instead to serve and achieve change for the residents in my ward. However, this public humiliation of me (goodness knows what the other people present at this gathering must have thought of him) has persuaded me to express my shock at his treatment of me, purely because I represent a different political group.
I see this as discrimination on the grounds of my beliefs, which is not acceptable in this country, where we fully endorse the Human Rights Act 1998 which makes it an offence to deny any individual the right to express their opinions openly, particularly since he knows me well enough to be confident that I was not intending to make any kind of political point at that meeting.
If he is really so worried that he might lose his seat in the not too distant general election, surely this is not the way to encourage support - I note that he has done nothing to promote his candidate in the local by-election - does he see him as a threat also?
Yours sincerely
Sarah
Cllr Sarah Bevan
B&NES, Lib Dem, Peasedown
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