9:25am Monday 22nd March 2010
By Andrew Napier
PEOPLE living in Winchester have seen their quality of life deteriorate in recent years, according to the city’s MP.
Mark Oaten, who is standing down at the forthcoming general election, said he found Winchester “less at ease” with itself than when he was first elected in 1997.
He said the pace of life, coupled with local pressures such as increased traffic and development, had combined to leave its people less happy.
Mr Oaten, in an exclusive interview with the Hampshire Chronicle, said many things had got worse, but admitted that he could just be turning into a “grumpy old man”.
Elsewhere across the city, his views received a mixed reaction, with some — at least in part — sympathising with him.
The Rev David Scott, rector since 1992 of St Lawrence, the city centre parish, said: “We’re going with the way of the world, we’re not as sure in Winchester as perhaps we once were.
“There are a lot of people out there who are worried about international circumstances — wars and chaps going out and getting killed.
It’s all rather frightening.
“The church’s authority is much, much less now, and that is always worrying for people who want answers.
“There’s lots of people concerned about the need to help the world, and Winchester has still got that tremendous sense of getting up and doing something that is positive.”
Jenny Meadows, manager of Winchester’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau, said she agreed that people were less at ease, saying it was down to unemployment and housing problems.
“Unemployment has always been very low in Winchester but now it’s more difficult to get a job, and that’s made a big difference,” she said.
“We see some very severe issues about money and debt.
“Homelessness is hidden in Winchester and there is still lots of difficulty out there due to a shortage of bedsit and one-bed accommodation.”
Khalid Aziz, a leading local businessman, has lived in the area for some 30 years.
He said: “It was suggested Winchester was the richest place in the country, but it does not seem that way.
“Perhaps central Government has sucked the prosperity out of places like Winchester and diverted the money.
“The transformation of King Alfred’s College into the university has given the city a tremendous fillip, but with it comes the issue of student housing and the city being dominated by students, so there are tensions.
“The city can’t remain in aspic — it has to evolve and develop. But people find change difficult.”
Mr Aziz called for Winchester to have more power over its own affairs.
“We must have more power over our destiny. I very much favour an elected mayor.
“The new cabinet system has worked better, but the city needs to get a sense of pride about itself. It can only do that if it gets back control over its money.”
Michelle Gardner, chief executive of homelessness charity Trinity Winchester, largely agreed with Mr Oaten, but said it was not particular to Winchester.
“People are generally working harder to keep what they have got and you will find that anywhere in the country,” she said.
However, Ron Allison, who chairs Hyde900, disagreed.
He worked as a reporter in Winchester from 1952-57, before moving into television.
“We moved here in 1997 and I don’t see it as any less relaxed now than it was then,” he said.
Patrick Davies, a city resident for 40 years and the prospective parliamentary candidate for Labour in Winchester, said: “The quality of life here is remarkable, which is why people want to send their children to the state schools here.”
Council leader George Beckett said: “I recognise what Mark is saying and to a degree understand what he is getting at.
“But change continues and always has done. I accept that not all change is for the better.
“However, I’m proud that Winchester remains a bustling, busy and competitive place, and I’m sure that is all for the better.
“There are many places in other parts of the country who would dearly love to be as prosperous and busy as Winchester, and would accept some of the apparent downsides that comes with prosperity.”
What do you think? Does Mr Oaten have a point? Leave your comments below
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