We want the truth, not propaganda.

In today's edition of the Leatherhead Advertiser on page 19 ("Engaging with the majority"), Mr Vigors, Director of Lonsghot Cherkley Ltd, states that he and his company stand by every word printed in the latest edition of Cherkley Express. Yet on this Blog, on 21st November, "Civic Trust member", in a post titled "Is it Obsessional to look for the truth ?", pointed out several of the misrepresentations appearing in that news-sheet.

In view of this, it is perhaps not surprising that Mr Vigors, without one iota of evidence, refers to those who support Longshot as the "majority" and dismisses opponents as "an increasingly small and isolated group" in a manner reminiscent of the use of bolshevik (majority) and menshevik (minority) in  the propaganda of early 20th century Russian communists. In this light I find the appeal to "due democratic process" worrying.

It is difficult to see how having the support of a botanist and a recorder for the British Isles, and leading figures from Friends of Box Hill and the Surrey Hills AONB Board, as well as several senior members of the CPRE inter alia makes one isolated. Nor do I understand how Cherkley Campaign Ltd can be said to be "increasingly small" when in fact its membership is increasing. One cannot help but recall the double-speak of George Orwell's 1984.

It is, therefore, no surprise in this letter, that does not let facts get in the way of propaganda, that we are told objectors are "primarily motivated by self-interest." But by what, pray, is Mr Vigors motivated? Not, perhaps, by his own self-interest as a director of Lonsghot Cherkley Ltd?

As for the alleged self-interest of objectors, I fail to see what the self-interest is for those whom I mentioned in the 3rd paragraph above. I fail to see what self-interest I have as I live several miles from Cherkley Court and will not personally be affected by what happens there. I fail to see what self-interest motivates many other opponents of the Longshot application.

The reasons why the LRA opposed the application were clearly set out in the Association's Spring Newsletter. I fail to understand how these can be construed as self-interest.

No, Mr Vigors, we are not motivated by self-interest but by an interest in Leatherhead and its environs, i.e. to protect the rural character of the chalk grassland on Leatherhead Downs in the Surrey Hills Area of Great Landscape Value from development as a golf course, for which no need has been established.

Yes, Mr Vigors, we are obsessed – but not by Longshot's plans. We are obsessed, as "Civic Trust member" said, by seeking the truth.

I and many others consider that the so-called "due democratic process" was flawed and call for complete openness and transparency.