Dear editor
I write in support of the compassionate, diligent and industrious people of Bedford and the Borough who quietly work towards achieving balance against the damage that is currently being done to our town and its politics, by way of the ever-growing right-wing behaviour of those who want to radicalise and intimidate.
Read: It hurts to see how we’re talking about the vulnerable people in our community
I believe there is a ‘silent majority’ in our town who want things done properly and traditionally rather than in the sensationalist way that is currently manifesting.
I write because I want to be counted as one of the people who do not agree with the current direction of travel.
As a long-standing industrialist in the town, my company, Midas Pattern Co. Ltd., has been a solid and dependable employer of hundreds of Bedfordians for decades, proud to employ 14 different nationalities in a happy, multicultural, world-class manufacturing environment.
As a result, I know many people who are strongly opposed to what is happening here, particularly the vigilante sensationalism that is rousting up many kinds of social negativity.
Compassion and understanding
I find the victimisation of less fortunate people particularly disturbing, homeless people and addicted people need compassion and understanding, they need practical support and help, they don’t need public persecution!
Hate speech, whether directed at our town, our homeless, our addicts or our many embedded cultures will not end well, provocation and division does not make a place better to live in, it only exacerbates differences tensions and inequalities.
Anyone who espouses well-meaning intentions while breaking down the bonds between us all is not genuine in their intentions.
More than ever, we need tolerance and careful thought, more acceptance of each other, more understanding of each other, and, of course, better policing, more visible policing and better social care.
Read: Community leaders hit back at “recklessly dangerous” comments about Queen’s Park community
But we need a united spirit of neighbourliness where our immediate thought is one of understanding, care, compassion and inclusion rather than persecution and victimisation.
We should remember our history more than ever. John Bunyan and, particularly, John Howard’s example are so relevant to the situation we face.
We need leadership in our town that brings us together and doesn’t cause division, we don’t need sensationalism in Bedford, we need cohesion.
I am proud to add my name to the growing list of what is a more vocal ‘silent’ majority.
Alan Rance
Midas’ MD.
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