At least they had the guts to turn up (From Bucks Free Press)

At least they had the guts to turn up

10:26am Friday 23rd October 2009

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I BELIEVE councillors made an appalling decision when they agreed to close Holywell Mead outdoor swimming pool, but this week I do have to give them credit for one thing at least.

I studied reports of last week’s fiery public meeting to discuss the closed High Wycombe pool and had to suppress my giggles when I read how constituents gave members of Wycombe District Council’s cabinet a torrid time.

But then I felt a pang of guilt as I wallowed in their discomfort. The fact is they were there, while I was at home washing my hair, so to speak.

The people who made the decision at least had the guts to show up. They must have suspected they would be in for a wretched time, but they still turned up. I have seen many a situation where decision makers have wriggled out of this type of confrontation.

I genuinely think they made a wrong decision here, but they are elected to make decisions on our behalf.

Voltaire got it right when he said: “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” Similarly, I fundamentally disagree with councillors’ decision over this precious pool, but Wycombe elected them, so we should defend to the death their right to make this decision.

Similarly, I trust they will also respect the public’s right to protest, and that these councillors should now continue to listen to rescue proposals – and not see a U turn as a sign of weakness.

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