Mike's Columns in the Portsmouth News
Come to Portsmouth!
As this is my first column since the final, I would like to start by paying tribute to everyone at Pompey for winning the FA cup. Especially heartening was the good-natured and electric atmosphere that the final was played in and that was down not only to the Pompey fans but also those from Cardiff.
I have also backed this paper’s campaign for a knighthood for Harry Redknapp which would be well deserved in my opinion by putting down a motion of support in Parliament. Pompey’s success is a real boost for the city and has put it even more firmly on the map. So I would urge everyone to pay Portsmouth a visit over the summer. Not only is it home to some great football but we have some unique and interesting shops – particularly in Southsea and Gunwharf but also in the city centre as well. And there are also some excellent visitor attractions – particularly at the historic dockyard and the seafront – along with our theatres, music venues and a vast array of restaurants!
While all this is all good news, two events have caused me great concern recently. The first was the floods in Southsea on Bank Holiday Monday. Southern Water told us that the floods of 2000 were a one in a hundred years occurrence. So, to have the sewers backing up and overflowing into people’s houses once again, only eight years later, is deeply disappointing and not acceptable. The Environment Agency must now examine Southern Water’s plans and if their system is not able to cope with such rainfall on a regular basis then the company must be forced to do more.
My second concern is the proposed downgrading of St Richards Hospital in Chichester which could have a big a big knock-on effect for Portsmouth’s hospitals as patients come here for treatment instead. So, I am demanding answers from city hospital bosses and the health minister on whether Portsmouth will be able to cope and I hope they will rethink their plans. If we can win the FA Cup, then surely we can win the battle for first rate public services for the city and its people!
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