Letter: Brighton is not being ruined
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.I HAVE read and enjoyed Alan Watkins' columns for much of the last 20 years, but I cannot let his absurd comments about Brighton being 'comprehensively ruined by its Labour council' go without question ('The jokes may be old but they're doing their best', 25 September).
Just for the record here are a few of the ways in which the Labour Council has been 'ruining' Brighton over the last year or so:
1. A pounds 1m investment in the seafront that has already generated pounds 500,000 worth of private sector capital with more in the pipeline.
2. A new fishing quarter and museum on the front averaging 1,000 visitors a week and shortlisted for the Silver Unicorn Award, a major international tourism award.
3. A house-building programme which has produced 1,400 new homes between 1986 and 1994, helping the homeless and poorly housed and creating construction jobs in the process.
4. Increased funding for the largest arts festival in England.
5. Conservation policies protecting our Regency heritage praised by the Independent.
We have recently completed a pounds 10m refurbishment of the Royal Pavilion - Brighton is the only council in the country to manage a Royal palace. We have ensured that it remains one of the best-known and best- loved buildings in the world.
The Palace Pier is one of the top tourist attractions in the country. And years of lobbying for funds for the West Pier now look as if they may soon pay off.
We have pizzazz and panache - the town is a photographer's delight. People love to come here and, like the Tour de France (another Council initiative), they want to keep coming back.
Steve Bassam
Leader, Brighton Council
Brighton
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments