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The Tories were brought into disrepute in the 1990s when they were embroiled in the cash for questions scandal. It's no longer cash for questions – but cash for the right to rip up the English Countryside. Last week we exposed the Conservative plan to remove planning restrictions that will lead to developers being able to concrete over rural England. Not only does this threaten our green belt, but it also threatens listed buildings and historic sites. You can read about it here.Despite Conservatives claiming that this new policy will give local people more of a say in planning decisions, the reality is that — given the inbuilt presumption in favour of development — if local communities object to house- building their opposition will have little or no effect on that actual application. Even village greens will be under threat, since with communities being forced to pay up to £1,000 to apply to save green spaces from the developers, it is less likely they will do so. But why would a seemingly 'conservative' government, who after all you would think would want to 'conserve' our country's natural beauty, be motivated to push through proposals that would destroy our green spaces? Why other than money! The Telegraph yesterday exposed damning links between Tory ministers and top developers. The Property Forum, a Tory donors' club, is charging "key players" within the building industry £2,500 a year for breakfast meetings to "discuss current topics" with top-ranking Conservatives. But the brazen Tories are actually advertising these meetings – and their costs – from their website! These cosy breakfast meetings raise around £150,000 a year for the Conservatives and are advertised prominently on the party's website. Its entry on the donor's page says the forum is "for key players within the property industry to meet senior Members of Parliament over breakfast, discuss current topics and learn about related issues". The Property Forum was conceived before the last General Election and would be cabinet ministers met privately with top developers. Developers have been meeting, among others, Planning Minster Greg Clark and Housing Minister Grant Shapps. The Property Forum's chairman and chief executive of the property developer Helical Bar, Michael Slade was highly critical of the party's planning policies when the Tories were in opposition. Since the foundation of The Property Forum he has donated over £300,000 to the Conservatives both personally and through Helical Bar. The Conservatives were run out of power in 1997 amid a storm of controversy and stories of corruption. They have been in Government again for less than 18 months and they have stooped to shocking new lows. To sell off our countryside to greedy developers for party political gains and a few extra pennies in the coffers is sickening. It is clear to all those looking in that Tory ministers are abusing their roles and are charging developers for access to them at private meetings which are clearly to discuss and shape policy. There is a well worn adage that Labour corruption is usually around Contracts and Tory corruption is usually around Planning Permissions. Half of that adage seems proven by this story alone! You can read a more indepth expose of this on the Chairman's Blog, click here to read more. Comments (3)Subscribe to this comment's feedShow/hide comments ...
Only 18 months into government and already the nasty party is revealing its true colours!
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September 13, 2011
Priorites
I think its about time the government worked for the people, its always about money and never about what is best for us.I want my grandchildren to grow up in an environment where they can play in the woods,or skim stones into the lake.Not another degenerate estate full of yobs were old ladies are scared to walk for their pensions.
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September 13, 2011
who,s policy
It seems the polititions of both parties always have an agenda that would never get them in power ever. This is always rolled out once they are comfortably settled in to the House Of Idiots Then the rubbish is flying. It was multiculturism with Labour and got them threw out. Now its green belt hanky panky with these nutters I really thought Consevetive meant saving the great wonder of Britain the rural landscape But wonder of wonders the dopes have had a brain wave I wonder if this type of democrasy is worth while WE the people never have a say in it.
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September 28, 2011
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The Smell of Tory Corruption
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