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Sussex Tory Backs Falmer
by Matthew James
A Sussex Conservative MP is backing Albion’s plans for Falmer after changing his mind. Charles Hendry, who represents Wealden, is the first Sussex Tory MP to sign an Early Day Motion urging Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to approve the community stadium.
Mr Hendry said, “I have reconsidered my position on the Falmer Stadium. I agree that Brighton and Hove Albion badly needs to be able to expand its capacity if it is to have a viable future, especially now that they have been promoted to the First Division.
“I have also been persuaded by Rory Love, Conservative candidate for Lewes, of the value of the stadium to the area, bringing jobs and allowing Brighton and Hove Albion to expand valuable community programmes such as Football in the Community. The concerns about planning, I believe, can be overcome so that the village of Falmer is not ruined.
“I am proud to lending my support to the only professional League team in Sussex and wish them the best of luck in the coming season in Division One.”
Falmer support continues to grow among MP's
Mr Hendry is the fifth Sussex MP to sign Early Day Motion 889. The others are Labour’s Des Turner (Brighton Kemptown), David Lepper (Brighton Pavilion), Laura Moffatt (Crawley) and Michael Foster (Hastings and Rye).
Hove MP Ivor Caplin and other members of the Government are not allowed to sign EDMs but 89 Labour MPs, including a third of all Labour backbenchers in England, are among 129 MPs to sign the motion.
The stadium is also supported by 22 Conservatives and 18 of the 54 Liberal Democrat MPs, despite the opposition of Lewes Lib Dem Norman Baker.
Liberal Democrat backers include their Shadow Chancellor Vincent Cable, Shadow Home Secretary Mark Oaten, Brent East by-election winner Sarah Teather and Truro MP Matthew Taylor, who is chairman of the parliamentary party and widely tipped to be a future leader.
MPs are attracted by Albion’s heavy emphasis on public transport, which includes a pioneering voucher scheme for train and bus travel to matches at Withdean and Falmer.
Edward Davey, Lib Dem spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, said, “It seems that the environmental arguments for it outweigh those against it.”
Other MPs, including David Heath, support the stadium but have not signed the EDM because the Falmer site is not in their constituency.
Mr Heath, Lib Dem MP for Somerton and Frome, said, “I am completely in favour of this development, which is supported by so many people and will be an exciting community asset. I do wish everyone success with this project and hope that it will prove to be an example of sustainable development of community facilities, followed by other organisations nationally.”
Sussex Tory Backs Falmer
by Matthew James
A Sussex Conservative MP is backing Albion’s plans for Falmer after changing his mind. Charles Hendry, who represents Wealden, is the first Sussex Tory MP to sign an Early Day Motion urging Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to approve the community stadium.
Mr Hendry said, “I have reconsidered my position on the Falmer Stadium. I agree that Brighton and Hove Albion badly needs to be able to expand its capacity if it is to have a viable future, especially now that they have been promoted to the First Division.
“I have also been persuaded by Rory Love, Conservative candidate for Lewes, of the value of the stadium to the area, bringing jobs and allowing Brighton and Hove Albion to expand valuable community programmes such as Football in the Community. The concerns about planning, I believe, can be overcome so that the village of Falmer is not ruined.
“I am proud to lending my support to the only professional League team in Sussex and wish them the best of luck in the coming season in Division One.”
Falmer support continues to grow among MP's
Mr Hendry is the fifth Sussex MP to sign Early Day Motion 889. The others are Labour’s Des Turner (Brighton Kemptown), David Lepper (Brighton Pavilion), Laura Moffatt (Crawley) and Michael Foster (Hastings and Rye).
Hove MP Ivor Caplin and other members of the Government are not allowed to sign EDMs but 89 Labour MPs, including a third of all Labour backbenchers in England, are among 129 MPs to sign the motion.
The stadium is also supported by 22 Conservatives and 18 of the 54 Liberal Democrat MPs, despite the opposition of Lewes Lib Dem Norman Baker.
Liberal Democrat backers include their Shadow Chancellor Vincent Cable, Shadow Home Secretary Mark Oaten, Brent East by-election winner Sarah Teather and Truro MP Matthew Taylor, who is chairman of the parliamentary party and widely tipped to be a future leader.
MPs are attracted by Albion’s heavy emphasis on public transport, which includes a pioneering voucher scheme for train and bus travel to matches at Withdean and Falmer.
Edward Davey, Lib Dem spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, said, “It seems that the environmental arguments for it outweigh those against it.”
Other MPs, including David Heath, support the stadium but have not signed the EDM because the Falmer site is not in their constituency.
Mr Heath, Lib Dem MP for Somerton and Frome, said, “I am completely in favour of this development, which is supported by so many people and will be an exciting community asset. I do wish everyone success with this project and hope that it will prove to be an example of sustainable development of community facilities, followed by other organisations nationally.”
