Last month, after a bitter battle between Kersal community objectors and Salford City Football Club, planning councillors granted permission for the redevelopment of the club's Moor Lane stadium that will see the capacity increased to over 5,000 people, with resultant traffic and parking issues.
Last night the fall-out from that decision continued as Kersal Moor Residents Association decided to stand a candidate against Salford Labour Party in the forthcoming Kersal local by-election, following the sad passing of Councillor Harry Davies.
Residents were furious at their perceived treatment by Salford City Council during the planning decision process, with the chair of the Residents Association calling it "bent from the beginning" (see previous Salford Star article – click here).
Attendees at the meeting heard further allegations of close ties between Salford City's joint owner and property speculator, Gary Neville, and Salford City Council which they believed might have influenced the planning decision.
"It's not just about this one issue" Kersal Moor Residents Association Vice Chair, Dr Sandi Mann told the Salford Star "We were shocked at how little the councillors listen and how influenced they are by too many other things, so we want to give a voice back to the people...
"What we've seen is that the councillors have the power and they don't really seem to care about the people; we've seen that in this campaign" she added "We want to encourage other people all over to take the power back off the political parties. We don't have a whip, this is about bringing independent community politics back into the local arena."
At last night's meeting, attendees voted for resident Jonny Wineberg to stand as an Independent candidate against Salford Labour Party for the vacant Kersal ward seat.
"The reason I'm standing is particularly about consultation" he explained "Whenever you make a decision that affects people you not only have to talk to them, you have to talk with them and there's been an absolute failure on the part of the Council to do that. I want to make sure that never happens again, and that, in terms of this area, we do have proper consultation and people are involved in decision making about the places they live.
"I'm used to working with all sorts of communities" he added "I've worked in inner city Manchester, with people who are very often very vulnerable and disenfranchised, making sure they have a proper voice and the services that are their rights. This is much bigger than the football club. This is really about what the Council did and the way in which they didn't make sure that people were represented."
David Mintz, Chair of Kersal Moor Residents Association, added: "This should be a warning to the Labour Party and councils everywhere. If politicians do not fight vigorously enough against the issues that affect their voters, independent candidates will rise to help carry the voices of residents more adequately.
"Recent events have proved that local politics has failed in Salford and the people must now reclaim their council for themselves" he insisted "This is more than a protest vote, this is an opportunity to reshape the political landscape for future generations."
The date of the Kersal by-election has yet to be announced.
*See also previous Salford Star article: Salford City Council Wins the Gary Neville Finger In Pies Award – click here
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