2 replies to this topic

[PaulT]

As a member of the Labour Party, I got emails with the candidates to be Labour's representitive for the upcoming Mayoral elections.

One of Labour's candidate is Ian Stewert who was the Eccles MP from 1997-2010.

During this time (PhilH will back me up) he was the honourary presidant of the M27 Sports and Community Project. For this reason, I replied to his email which I've copied and pasted below.

On his email he said he always replies so when I've got a response, I'll post it on here.

Dear Ian,


As a member of the Labour Party I received your email asking for support to be Labours candidate for the upcoming Mayoral Election.


As a Swinton Lions RL fan, I remember a few years ago, you were the honourary presidant of the M27 Sports and Community Project which was to seek the relocation of Swinton Lions back to Swinton.


If you are elected as the Mayor of Salford, will you support the current project that is currently going on with regards to building a sports facility and stadium at Agecroft and how will you support this?


Many thanks,

Paul Thomason

Swinton Lions fan and Swinton & Pendlebury residant

[PaulT]

I got my response, pretty vague, but make of it what you will

Hi Paul
How are you doing Paul

This is a short response only because I've got so many people on my list to phone tonight.

As a candidate I hope to secure your vote on the basis of my experience, qualities and my integrity. I have made a point of saying I will not seek votes by promising things to people. However, you will remember my enthusiasm for the project on behalf of Swinton supporters, who I believed should have the right to support their club and team in Swinton. My view has not changed a jot since then. I hope that gives you an inkling that I understand and support the Project but at the same time maintains my integrity.

Cheers

Ian

[PhillH]

I see that Ian Stewart has secured the Labour nomination for the Mayoral contest.

He was indeed Honorary President for the M27 Sports and Community Project, having been serving MP for the Swinton area at the time. By doing so the project followed the advice of Trevor Barton and used the same approach as the Leigh Sports Partnership had during development of the Sports Village.

To be fair to him, Mr Stewart opened a lot of doors at the time including those of the Council Leader and Deputy Leader. The ensuing dialogue challenged and changed a lot of entrenched perceptions that were based on historic events and the actions of people who had long since ceased to have any involvement. The want of the community to see its club return was made clear. The problem was making the connection between statements of support / no objection and the proactive backing needed to take the concept to fruition.

To some extent that core problem is evident in the answer he gave to your question above.

In the event that he wins the position of Mayor the opportunity will presumably be there for dialogue to resume in some form, albeit things have moved on with M27SCP essentially dissolving and the club taking Agecroft forwards - something I've not been involved with. As things stand the challenge apparently still remains - the "jaw, jaw" is all fine, none of the key people can object to the argument for a new ground being needed, but making it happen needs more commitment and resources.