Keep up the good work Morrisons

10:41am Thursday 8th May 2008

THE people of St Helens, in particular those desperate to see the St Helens Rugby League team in a new stadium, are being led a merry dance by local politicians and Tesco.

The new stadium should belong to the people of St Helens, and not rely on the patronage of a corporate body that is virtually saying that if they do not get what they want we do not get the stadium. The site is a non retail site and Morrisons are quite right to object to a further retail development. Morrisons have shown commitment to this town by opening two stores long before Tesco considered gracing us with their presence.

It is significant that MP Dave Watts and former council leader Marie Rimmer have decided to get involved. The treatment of workers and shoppers at Morrisons Boundary Road site on Saturday was a disgrace.

Where was Watts when Pilkingtons were being decimated, and the Ravenhead workers had their pensions stolen? Watts supports the illegal war in Iraq, the ten percent tax fiasco, the erosion of civil liberties through the 42 day detention bill and every other attack on the working people of this country instituted by New Labour. Rimmer managed to lose control of one of the safest Labour councils in the country.

I am a Saints fan, I love the game, and would love to see them in a new stadium - but let it be a people's stadium, owned by the people of St Helens, paid for by the people of St Helens. It is not beyond the business and trade union sectors in this town to get together and raise the capital. If it means going to the people of the town to sell shares, then so be it. I am recently retired, on a fixed pension, but will gladly stump up whatever I can afford to be part of an exciting new stadium, provided I do not have to face another Tesco Megastore.

Keep up the good work, Morrisons - and start the ball rolling by committing at least £10 million towards the finance of the stadium, no strings attached, a gift to the people of St Helens. Then St Helens people can say "One more good reason to shop at Morrisons".

Mike Perry, Prescot Road, St Helens.

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