Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has axed its Christmas lights display...Wait a minute, wasn't that the one featured just a few days ago in this very blog?
Yes, Reader. Yes, it was.
...despite spending £32,000 on beach art which was later removed.
*sighs*
Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, said the decision to scrap Christmas lights was 'short-sighted and damaging' and called the council's decision making 'bizarre'.
He said: 'Much as we all enjoy public art, I suspect, given the choice, local taxpayers would prefer to see the Christmas lights continue rather than spend most of its budget on a seafront art exhibit. It is an illustration of the bizarre financial decision making in BCP Council.
'This approach is extremely short-sighted and will damage our local economy in the long term - subsequently placing greater financial strain on the council.'
Perhaps it's time for a ratepayer strike?
I would have thought that local businesses could put up their own lights on their premises. Modern Xmas lights are pretty cheap these days.
ReplyDeleteIt's not about the money; it's to punish the residents for complaining.
ReplyDeleteHow great it would be if people followed Stonyground's suggestion, leaving the council offices and, presumably, the homes of the Scroogelike council officials, in darkness.
ReplyDeletePenseivat
It couldn't have anything to do with it being a ... Christian celebration? Nah, that's just another wild conspiracy theory, right?
ReplyDeleteI will guarantee though that 'some' in the council 'will' be thinking about not offending the local 'diverse' population (or interrupting their murderous celebrations with 'evil' trees and baubles).
Christmas isn't really a Christian celebration despite its name. Most of the rituals involved predate Christianity and non Christians celebrate it too.
ReplyDelete"I would have thought that local businesses could put up their own lights on their premises. "
ReplyDeleteWell, yes, but the council should decorate the community resources, surely?
"It's not about the money; it's to punish the residents for complaining."
Good point!
"...leaving the council offices and, presumably, the homes of the Scroogelike council officials, in darkness."
That does have a nice ring to it...
"It couldn't have anything to do with it being a ... Christian celebration? Nah, that's just another wild conspiracy theory, right?"
It's astonishing how they keep turning out to be true, isn't it?
"Christmas isn't really a Christian celebration despite its name. Most of the rituals involved predate Christianity and non Christians celebrate it too."
The councils no doubt regard them as the wrong sort of non-Christians, though...