Camden New Journal - Letters: A case of the councillor quoting Gilby

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Camden New Journal - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 04 October 2007

A case of the councillor quoting Gilby

• ON Thursday September 17 Councillor Chris Philp was distributing leaflets outside Hampstead Heath station, hailing what he believes to be his success in restoring the station to zone 2 – good news. It is, though, a publication openly supporting Cllr Philp’s hopes of being elected as the MP for Hampstead and Kilburn.
I was very annoyed to find that a letter I had written to the press at a time when Cllr Philps was getting some unfair criticism, was quoted, giving my name and my role as Chairwoman of the South End Green Association (SEGA). SEGA is non-political so I had stated that I was writing the letter without political affiliation. However a letter to the paper, though public, is not at all the same as being quoted in a political leaflet on behalf of one political party.
I need to make it quite clear that I was not asked for my consent (and I would not have given it) and I regard this as rude and taking advantage of something done in good faith earlier.
If Cllr Philps wants to be elected he needs to show a much higher profile in the ward he represents on the Council – we want councillors who are here to serve the local community, not those who do it simply to reach what they perceive to be the higher echelons of power in central government.
SEGA is here to serve the local community and we look for help and support from our local councillors, regardless of political affiliation.
Pam Gilby
Chariwoman – SEGA
Constantine Road NW3

• I WOULD like to clarify a quote in my recent newsletter, sent to people in the area. It quoted a letter that appeared in the CNJ on January 11 2007, in which Pam Gilby of SEGA referred positively to the work that we have done for the local area.
Although this letter had already appeared publicly in the local press, we should have checked with Pam and SEGA before reproducing it in a poltical leaflet, and I am sorry that we did not. SEGA do not, of course, endorse politcial parties. I am happy to clarify this matter.
Cllr CHRIS PHILP (Con,)
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
Hampstead & Kilburn

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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