Ashley Gossip
In the summer 2004 newsletter the local Lib Dems announced that they are putting their weight behind the campaign by St.Werburghs Neighbourhood Association to get rid of the mass of billboard that makes the area look less like housing and more like a mall. No word on support for the spate of direct action that has seen then being toppled by angry residents tired of waiting for politicians to sort things out. These anti-advert vigilantes enjoy considerable support in the local area. I also cant help but wonder how the local support for such activities that are effectively a curb on capitalism will square with the new free-market, pro-privatisation, go-go capitalism Lib Dems we have been seeing emerge as the party moves closer to power. A friend commented that the Lib Dems have always been less controlled from the top of the part to its regional wings; how ever as they move into the position of being player in the grand chessboard, I expect that will begin to change.

Speaking of the Ashley councillor, she really needs to get to a meeting of St.Pauls Unlimited, as there are rumblings of disquiet over the huge list of apologies for not attending meetings that have categorised the councillors involvement with the group for the last year.

Finally a quick note on Venue, who after the Bristle media special, also decided to run a media special. Hmmm. It briefly talks about their owners, Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) and how they own most of the media in Bristol – however concludes that in general the media here offers good choice, relying on Bristle and the Bristolian to illustrate this point: This is a cart before horse argument, as these publications exist because of the media monopoly that the DMGT has over the area. Plus comparing Bristle, That Be Bristle and a few others to a media-behemoth like the DMGT and then concluding choice is to totally miss the point of scale and power – but I guess if you are writing from the belly of the beat, you need to watch for its hunger.