“Strange letter from Williamson. Does he think that the (small) chance of repeal of the hunting act will influence voters? His party have contributed hugely to the mess we are now in, and thanks to the chancellor pillaging savings, pensions,insurance and anything else he can get his grubby hands on, people cannot afford to live normally.
I doubt that foxes would vote Labour anyway, if they had a vote. Since the failed attempt to stop what Chris sees as "toffs" riding out in red coats etc. There are now several hundred people out at night with lamps and rifles. Many more foxes are killed now than ever the "toffs" would.”

“I have just tried to reply to Chris, but not getting though, which is very frustrating.
I'd just like to say breifly then, on the theatre issue, that Derby Uni will be incorporating a wide "mix" of programming, whilst crucially maintaining a core of professional producing theatre, including Derby Playhouse Ltd, of the calibre that existed before the "enforced" closure in Nov '07. It is this factor, in my opinion, that will attract the wider audiences to Derby, as before, and attracted nationally
5* reviews.
As for theories about the current recession- I think it would be helpful to have a wider debate- that took into account across party discussions; (not just "boo ya hiss" politics, which I think the public are sick of, and seems to get nowhere, other than point scoring.)
Thankyou for the discussion, which I appreciate.”

“As usual Mr Wiiliamson tries to hide behind a unlawfull, unjust law to protect this lousy Government. Over 700 hours of valuable parliamentary time was given to this unworkable piece of Labour hatred and jealousy. Ask him how many prosecutions have held up to the law. The answer will be none, not one. Every case has been thrown out. The Hunting Act works as well as this terrible Labour Government. It doesn't and it's time it was thrown out.”

“Firstly I would to thank Joanne for her supportive comments on this issue.

With regard to the record of the Labour administration in the city, I would say in our defence that we were motivated by a desire to improve the quality of life for local people by creating jobs, reducing poverty and inequality, raising aspirations of working class communities and tackling environmental degradation.

With regard to the Playhouse, the Labour Group was and still is committed to producing theatre in or city. Indeed, our Spokesman for Arts and Culture, Cllr Alan Graves, is a leading member of the Arts Council. We too are delighted by the intervention of the University in purchasing the Playhouse lease. I hope we can now look forward to Derby Live promoting live theatre at the Playhouse once again.

On the bus station, it was the Labour Group that secured the new development that is now taking shape. It was the previous administration, before we came back to power in 2005, that allowed things to slip. When we came back in we insisted on progress that ultimately led to the previous developers agreeing to pass the contract on to the company that is now undertaking the work.

One of Labour¿s biggest achievements was to secure the new Westfield Shopping Centre that has created 3000 new jobs and increased the number of vistors to our city by around 9 million each year.

With regard to the comments of ¿Majority View¿ (sic), I would simply say look at your history books. In the 1930s while Britain was cutting public spending the US government, under Franklin D Roosevelt, was spending its way out of recession. This worldwide recession is the worst since the 1930s and needs a solution like the New Deal that Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced after his presidential inauguration in 1933.

The New Deal was based on the assumption that the power of the federal government was needed to get the country out of the depression. It improved the lives of people suffering from the events of the depression and proved that government spending is vital to the economic and social wellbeing of a nation.

¿Majority View¿ (sic) would do well to remember that the US emerged from the depression as the world¿s number one global economic superpower while Britain was left ill equipped to face a war with Germany.”

“"The big question is, will enough people vote for a "nasty party" to propel it into government?"

And the big answer: After the antics of 'Dolly' Draper and Damian McBride (ex-special adviser to Gordon Brown), and their plans to smear opposition politicians with deliberately fabricated stories via the Red Rag web site, then the most likely outcome is that enough people will propel the "nasty party" out of government.”

“I agree with all the points you make on the hunting issue Chris. However, I will be voting Labour at the next general election for much wider issues, especially after remembering the "free for all" market economy and greed from the 1980's.
I think this recession has been coming for a long time, and no doubt there are complex explanations, including global markets.
However, on a local level, may I please say how disappointed I have been about what has been happening in Derby for the past 5 years or so.(Despite a few positive developments.)
Whilst much money has been spent on projects like the swing bridge, basic amenties such as the bus station have taken far too long- and not prioritized for the public.
I also feel the character and appearance of the city centre has been eroded by concrete blocks such as hotel skyscrapers, blotting out views of the Cathedral for example.
Also- I was hugely dismayed by your administration's handling of Derby Playhouse's closure, after allegedly so little support during the building of Westfields over 3 years.
Thank God Derby Uni recognized the need for a city to retain its regional theatre
with professional producing work that attracts local and national audiences.
I believe the emphasis in planning should be about listening and responding to local people's needs, and providing basic amenities and services FIRST.
I am not against regeneration or progress, but I do think it is vital these changes should be handled with full consultation with local people, and done with respect to Derby's historic character- which I believe is what attracts visitors here in the first place.
For Derby to remain/become a thriving city that attracts investment also, I believe basic services and infrastructure should always come first. Secondly, areas such as the arts and entertainment should be about attracting excellence, which reaches a wide audience, and on a par with cities like Nottingham and Leicester.
I think Derby should retain its distinctive character, and not become "blanded out" with merely faceless shops, bars, casinos etc- which can be found in any town in the UK. People will not take the trouble to visit unless there are unique assets, and an attractive enviroment.
Just adding a few of my observations; I do think a debate and discussion can be useful.”

“Yes Chris, they will vote the Conservatives into Government, only someone with a myopic view such as yours would think not and why wouldn't they? It is interesting you choose to express your long held and entrenched views on Hunting with dogs publicly and attack the Tories for using, 'valuable parliamentary time' to debate the issue, whilst not choosing to mention your Labour Government's use of 'valuable parliamentary time' to get us into the economic mess we are now in? Your love of animals is commendable but choosing to exercise yourself publicly over this issue rather than the very real human tradgedies this Labour Goverment's policies are visitng on the human population of the City, speaks volumes for where your priorities lie, and those priorities are wrong, as usual.”