A welcome of eggs for Forest of Dean MP in heated public meeting
EGGS were hurled at Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper as hundreds of people descended on Coleford to quiz him on the Government’s forestry proposals.
Although Secretary of State Caroline Spelman said last week that the Forest of Dean would not be sold off, she left the door open for it to be taken over by a charitable trust.
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Under fire: Mark Harper
Friday’s meeting was the first chance residents have had to quiz Mr Harper about the proposals after he turned down invitations to attend a meeting in Cinderford and the Hands Off Our Forest (Hoof) rally at Speech House last month.
With more than 100 people crammed into the small meeting room inside Coleford’s Main Place building, there were more than 300 placard-wielding campaigners stood outside the venue.
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Mr Harper was taken out of the rear exit of the building at the end of the meeting and bundled into a police van as he made his departure with eggs being thrown at him.
He said: “Eggs were thrown, and I had a fairly good idea beforehand that something like that might happen. None of them hit me, though.
“It’s a shame a handful of people were there to cause violence, and they let others down. I think the meeting was a great opportunity to speak to people about the proposals and especially to reinforce that the Government is not planning to sell the Forest of Dean.”
“Some people insist on believing that that is the case, and that is up to them, but I can assure you it is not.”
Chants of “Hands off our Forest” and “Get Harper out” could be heard from outside throughout the meeting.
Mr Harper was bombarded with questions for two hours.
The biggest cheer of the night came after Rich Daniels, from Staunton, said: “Why don’t you do the honourable thing for your people and call a halt to it now. Just say that you’ve made a mistake and lets all get on with our business.”
Sarah Albon, from Alvington, said: “It’s quite obvious this is not what the people of Britain want. People believe it works as it is. Why are you not working with the Forestry Commission to make it more effective? Are you going to just forge ahead with this anyway? Is this consultation going to make any difference?”
Mr Harper said: “This isn’t about saving money, it’s about what works best.
“Ministers have said that all the privileges currently enjoyed in the Forest will be protected whatever happens. In no way do we want to harm what already takes place.”
He added: “We are not going to sell the Forest of Dean. I have been clear on that for the past couple of months, but I wanted to wait until I had the relevant documents in front of me before holding a public meeting so I could back that up.”
Comments
by Martin Arkway, Gloucester
Wednesday, February 09 2011, 1:56PM
“What is the guy in the background of the picture doing? Is he filming people? Probably one of those "professional witnesses" that politicians are notorious for employing at events like this.”
by Martin Arkway, Gloucester
Wednesday, February 09 2011, 1:46PM
“I remember when MPs came from all walks of life - doctors, architects, lawyers, vicars etc. Since the 1980s it seems the biggest asset to becoming a "professional" politician is a background in accountancy or banking, I prefer the old "amateur" ethos of having a connection with the constituency and its constituents.
Politicians, Civil Service, Banks and Big Business - to paraphrase David Cameron - they are all in it together.”
by tina, woolaston
Wednesday, February 09 2011, 10:35AM
“Our Forest was saved in 1981 by a Conservative Minister and after much support by the Father of Rupert Bathurst, Viscount Bledisloe. Please read Viscount Bledisloes letter on the HOOF site. Why is it that our MP is so two faced or with lack of common sense this time? Is he enjoying his post sat agreeing with all and sundry for a quiet life eating cucumber sandwiches. Or is he not MATURE enough to deal with the issue as his constituants wish? Thankyou Lord Bledisloe for your support if only our MP was as well educated and true we wouldnt be continuing this ongoing battle. Our hospitals were secured through true and loyal people such as Sir Melville Watts, Maurice Bent etc who stood up for our rights and kept them safe. Do we really want this MP anymore....hes completely worthless if hes not dedicated to looking after our Forest and heritage.”
by Simon Henly, Eastington
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 8:24PM
“Very mature!”
by tina, woolaston
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 7:26PM
“NICE TO SEE VIEWS AS STRONG AS MINE ABOVE MY LAST POSTING. THIS IS WHAT WE ARE ABOUT IN THE FOREST...ORGANISE A NEW MEETING MR HARPER WHERE MORE OF US CAN ATTEND AND YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE NOT DEALING WITH THE ISSUE AS THEY WANT AND LEARN FROM IT. LISTEN TO WHAT THEY WANT AND ACT FOR THEM BEFORE YOU LOSE ALL RESPECT. YOUR POSITION ISNT ABOUT CUCUMBER SANDWICHES AND BOOT LICKING ITS ABOUT DOING YOUR JOB PROPERLY. SEEMS TO ME THINGS ARE GETTING HOTTER DOWN HERE BY THE DAY NOW, PEOPLE ARENT HAPPY AND IT WILL BE HOT EGGS AND SCRAMBLED NEXT.....WE AINT FOR TURNING....DOWN IN THE FOREST WE FIGHT!!”
by Green Man, berry hill
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 5:24PM
“One egg doesn't constitute a riot. The 'violent' crowd were mainly locked-out senior citizens, many of whom had voted for Harper in the last election. Running like a frightened rabbit is an unedifying spectacle for any mature adult when the threat is minimal and only serves to antagonise people.
His complaints are all smoke and mirrors to cover his own lack of courage in facing his wet and windswept constituents.
His ploy to call a meeting in a small venue with one day's notice, on the evening of a televised England v Wales rugby international, backfired badly. We Foresters respect people with guts, no matter what the odds are; but in this case it was pure funk and undignified.
"This is the end my friend...." (Jim Morrison).”
by drew, The Forest
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 2:27PM
“Quite right Citizen... oh... Citizen that reminds me... Emporer Vespasian had turnips thrown at him... The Bishop of Durham was egged in the 1600's, it was a popular form of political protest all the way up to the twentieth century, So I don't think you can blame modern ill-educated people, (egging has always been a popular form of protest at universities too).
If Mr Harper continues to be the two faced political slime that hi is, he should count himself lucky it wasn't bricks.
Perhaps he and you should swan off to the home counties and sip sherry in the local conservative club.”
by SMOOTHIE - BOWK, LONGLEVENS
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 1:33PM
“AND THEY SAID GORDON BROWN WAS AN IDIOT!! Bout time MPs started listening to the people who elected them. Wake up Harper the Forest needs to be saved. Our Gloucester MP is a wet week too...dont trust them at all. Hopeless pair!!!”
by tina, woolaston
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 12:56PM
“GROW A PAIR HARPER.. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTING OUR VIEWS! COMMON SENSE TELLS US THAT IF YOU LET THE FOREST BE HELD BY A CHARITABLE TRUST AND THEY FAIL TO FUND IT THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE IT BACK AND SELL IT!! BACK TO WHERE THEY WANT TO BE...YOU HAVE TO STOP THIS HAPPENING....NO WONDER PEOPLE WERE THROWING EGGS AT YOU, THEY ARE SICK TO DEATH OF YOUR PATHETIC DEALINGS OF THE ISSUE. ITS OUR FOREST AND WE WANT IT TO REMAIN AS IT IS CURRENTLY.”
by H, Glos
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 8:55AM
“Citizen, cheltenham - I completely agree with you that those throwing eggs need to grow up a bit. No wonder Mark Harper didn't want a public meeting when these kinds of buffoons are hanging around waiting to cause trouble.”