Hugh Sandeman
Conservative Councillor for Bell Hill ward, Petersfield

Saturday the 28th saw some members of the Council's Skatepark working party visit, (along with users, parents and representatives from the Festival for Young People) two of the latest Skatepark facilities in London.

The well attended event showed us the latest advances in Park design which will be invaluable as we look to move things along for Petersfield.

Gordon Brown talks-up the strength and importance of the United Kingdom today, he speaks of the risk posed by an "opportunist group of nationalists".

Interesting that he is now so concerned about this after being a senior member of the Government in 1997 that allowed devolution to take place, thus forever fracturing the true Union, instigating double representation for the People of Scotland and Wales, and still allowing Welsh and Scottish MP's to vote on England-only legislation.

Mr Brown we aren't stupid, we all remember which Government set the wheels in motion for the break-up of the UK as we know it, and now pretending that you are concerned about the future of the Union either makes you exraordinarily stupid or just plain forgetful..I know which one of those i'd choose to describe you.

Last night's Channel 4 documenary Dispatches saw a reporter embedded with British, Afghan and Estonian troops and reporting upon their fight against the Taleban in Afghanistan.

The battle to take the town of Garmser in Helmand province from the Taleban, evolved from an action planned to take 24 hours, to a tiring battle lasting six days. Running out of ammunition, and medical supplies and with the 17 British troops having to tend to many wounded men from both sides the footage really showed how hard the fighting is for our troops.

Regardless of whether the conflict is 'right' or 'wrong' or if it will even succeed in banishing the Taleban from the Country, the simple lack of supplies, equipment and direction as shown in the film last night clearly leaves our men in unnecessary danger and also unable to complete the mission they have been sent to undertake efficiently.

The failure by the Labour Government to fund our forces adequately to meet the huge demands upon them is a National disgrace. This follows-on from the recent news surrounding Naval vessels being placed into mothballs to reduce costs. To see what Dr Lian Fox MP, the Shadow Defence secretary said about our currently overstretched forces click HERE to visit the Conservatives homepage.