Consultation – or fait accompli?

Everyone who attended the public meeting at

Cinderford on December 10 is now aware of the political

definition of consultation. With regard to the closure of

Cinderford Library, it amounts to 'we're closing it: you run

it, or you lose it'.

As for selling off the Forest of Dean, it couldn't be

plainer that it will be far too late for Mark Harper to

'consult' his constituents when the White Paper on

Forestry has been published.

We have to act now to get Clause 17 of the Public

Bodies Bill (that will legalise the sell-off of our forests)

amended before it passes into law.

I would urge everyone to write without delay to both

Mr Harper and the Defra Secretary of State, Caroline

Spelman, expressing your concern and telling the

Government to keep their 'Hands Off Our Forest.'

– Michele Covington, Coalway, Coleford.