High Speed 2: Upset villagers turn fire on under pressure MP (From Bucks Free Press)

High Speed 2: Upset villagers turn fire on under pressure MP Cheryl Gillan

9:00am Monday 13th February 2012 in Politics By James Nadal

CAMPAIGNERS against High Speed 2 from Great Missenden have ratcheted up the pressure on Cheryl Gillan – but the MP says she will not talk any more about giving up her constituency home.

Mrs Gillan came in for fierce criticism after it emerged she had sold her Amersham house – near the HS2 route.

She explained it was due to the unsuitable nature of the property with her husband's moblity problems - not about HS2.

But constituents have since asked why she could not have stayed in the area by moving to a home which was better equipped.

And they are angry she appears to have ignored pleas to meet them face to face at a public meeting.

Great Missenden resident Marilyn Fletcher, who voted for Mrs Gillan at the General Election, said: “I understand her cottage there was unsuitable.

"Her constituents, however, are reasonable in expecting her to purchase another suitable home in the constituency at a time when they are living with the biggest challenge the area has faced since World War 2.”

Great Missenden resident and former Tory councillor Keith Mikes said: “On the major issue of the day for Great Missenden the failure to come and meet the constituents looks like a dereliction of duty by an MP.

“We cannot understand why she has changed from opposition to HS2 to acceptance of the principle and only working for modest changes.”

He also questioned why Mrs Gillan did not take on another constituency home.

Claire Marriott, also from Great Missenden, said: “I am outraged by her recent behaviour.

“It is simply not good enough that she is refusing to comment on key issues.

“As a constituency MP she needs to be available to those who elected her.

“As inconvenient as it may be, her constituency now includes Great Missenden and the people in this village would like a meeting.

“Prior to her election Ms Gillan was happy to come here and make all kinds of public promises. “Now, however, her diary appears to be closed to anything but private meetings with party loyalists.”

The BFP asked Mrs Gillan a series of questions, including why she decided not to take on another constituency property, if she will consider getting another house in the area, and if she will agree to a public meeting.

A statement issued by her office did not directly address the questions, but said: “Mrs Gillan has already publicly explained the reasons for selling her property in the constituency.

“She will not be make any further comment about her domestic or detailed diary arrangements.”

Mrs Gillan did not comment on whether she backed Buckinghamshire County Council's moves to push for a judicial review on HS2.

She also did not confirm where she is currently living.

Mrs Gillan has previously insisted she has being doing everything possible for her constituents and told the BFP she will not resign as Welsh Secretary.