MORE than 100 protesters were out in force outside the De La Warr Pavilion on Thursday, May 11 to vociferously make their feelings known over the proposed asylum seekers’ centre at the former Northeye Prison side in Little Common.
The BBC were in town to film their weekly political debate programme, Question Time, at the venue with a panel including East Sussex resident Richard Coles, the former pop star and vicar as well as respected journalist Nick Ferrari.
But there was one question on everyone’s lips gathered outside with the entrance to the event being guarded by security staff and police which was…“where the hell is our elected representative, Conservative MP Huw Merriman”?
Many amongst those gathered expressed their fury over Mr Merriman’s failure to attend any of the meetings held thus far to debate residents’ fears over the establishment of an asylum centre in the town.
Unlike in previous meetings staged in and around Bexhill there were no pro-immigration protesters in evidence on this occasion as many sporting “Say No to Northeye” T-shirts and brandishing posters made their feelings known.
What is patently clear is that feelings are running high and although many people who Bexhill News spoke to did not want to divulge their names, there were some who were prepared to speak out publicly.
Chants broke out of “Save our Town” and “No Passport, No Entry” while several protesters held banners proclaiming “Where is Merriman, Never Here, Looking After His Career, Not His Constituents.”
One of those prepared to speak out was Fi Douglas, who grew up in Little Common. She said: “This proposal is the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard of.
“The former prison site is totally unsuitable, everyone knows that.
“There are loads of families with young children and of course they are worried about hundreds of young men being housed here.
“Bexhill has always been a safe town but many people fear it will not remain so once this happens.
“We feel abandoned by Huw Merriman. He seems to have deserted this town and he should be ashamed.”
Another protester, Patrick Donovan, from Eastbourne, said: “We have seen what has happened in Eastbourne and we don’t want to see it replicated here.
“There are hotels in Eastbourne housing asylum seekers and it is not ideal with many people expressing fears about what is going to happen.
“The same applies to Bexhill if this is allowed to go ahead.
“People want reassurance but they are not getting it from Huw Merriman are they? He is showing a distinct lack of courage and has been conspicuous by his absence at any of the meetings so far.
“He should be addressing the issues raised by residents so far but no, nothing.
“Why Bexhill? That is the big question. Most people here don’t want it. Bexhill is a small lovely seaside town and we want it to remain that way.”
“Those of us who want it to stay that way need to stand together and present a united front. It is as simple as that and we are not going to go away.”
Later in the day Question Time on the BBC and hosted by Fiona Bruce at the De La Warr, developed into a slanging match as it invariably does, between the panel consisting of Mr Coles, Mr Ferrari and the other panel members including Conservative MP Helen Whately, Labour’s Thangam Debbonaire, and journalist Ash Sarkar as they engaged with the audience.
Both those who support the asylum seekers and those against Northeye spoke eloquently but once again solutions were in short supply. It seems certain this is a debate which will run and run.
Who is right and who is wrong? Well, that is for you to decide.
