Despite mounting pressure to screen England’s World Cup matches on the city’s big screen in the Market Place, Derby’s Tories have refused to allow the screen to be used.
Derby’s Labour group have been working with local people to collect signatures for a petition urging the Tories to change their mind. They have collected over 4,000 signatures in less than a week and sought to present the petition last Friday. But the Tory leadership refused to see all the petitioners and would only deign to see two representatives, but wouldn’t see any of the Labour councillors.
I wrote to the Tory leader of the council last week, but he hasn’t even bothered to acknowledge my letter, let alone give a considered response. The arrogance is breathtaking; particularly when they are running a minority administration and six out of the 18 Tory councillors were originally elected under a different party banner. Three of them were originally elected as Labour councillors, two are ex Lib Dems and one is an ex UKIP councillor.
Ironically, when the screen was originally purchased it came from Germany where it had been used to show football matches from the last world cup tournament. When the Labour group sanctioned to the deal to install the screen, it was with the express intention of showing world cup matches from this tournament.
Last week I understand the big screen was being used to show opera. It seems the Tories are happy to allow the screen to be used for highbrow cultural events, but not for events that are enjoyed by the masses!
This is the letter I sent to Cllr Harvey Jennings
“Dear Harvey
“I was dismayed when I heard that Alan Grimadell had vetoed the screening of world cup matches on the city’s ‘Big Screen’. I am therefore requesting you to reverse that decision to enable world cup matches to be screened after all.
“As you will know, I was the leader of the council when we agreed to install the ‘Big Screen’ and it was always my intention that it should be used to broadcast live world cup matches. It is particularly ironic that Alan has refused to use the ‘Big Screen’ for world cup screenings because that was precisely what it was used for during the last world cup tournament in Germany.
“I am sure that most of my constituents would wish to have the world cup screened in the Market Place. It would provide a great opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate a fantastic footballing festival. Derby is a renowned football city and should not be denied the opportunity to come together to enjoy this once in a generation opportunity.
“I understand that concerns about crowd control have been raised, but that is something that simply needs to be policed. I am sure Derby County would consider assisting with stewarding. I would be happy to assist you by brokering an arrangement with the club to enable this incredibly popular sporting extravaganza to go ahead.
“Please don’t let the city down Harvey. Stand up and be counted for Derby’s great footballing tradition.
“Yours sincerely
“Chris Williamson MP”
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