Another way

I was also secretary to the Labour local government committee and a delegate member of the Labour group of councillors.

It was clear, as soon as the plan for Shoreham Harbour was submitted to the group, that it was pie in the sky. I said at the time the cost would far outweigh any financial gain.

I was called an idiot when I said the estimated cost of the link tunnel would be at least £100 million more than the £70 million quoted.

Whenever I tried to get the matter debated at the Labour group, I was laughed at, jeered at and shouted down.

It was made clear to me that the function of ordinary Labour Party members was to flog our guts out to get councillors elected.

Having achieved that, we were to mind our own business and not question their actions.

I resigned all official positions and, like so many other Labour Party members, walked away in total disgust.

There was an alternative plan for Shoreham Harbour put forward by me and democratically debated by the ordinary members. That plan was ignored and not even debated by the Labour group.

It called for all port business of Shoreham to be transferred to Newhaven. That way Sussex would have one thriving harbour rather than two struggling ones.

Newhaven already has the road and rail networks. There is a massive amount of derelict land at the Tidemill Lagoon that could be used for harbour development.

As for Shoreham Harbour, the plan called for the filling in of the Aldrington Basin. The land would then be used for a massive housing project to provide homes for low-paid key workers.

-Stuart Bower, Upper Beeding