It is with interest I read Mrs Bowen's outburst regarding diversity awareness in relation to the Heathrow consultation, given that her husband is the Conservative deputy leader of Hounslow Council (a person who has nothing to say on the issue of BAA, claiming the reason for his silence is that he works for them).
She doesn't seem to grasp the concept of demography and the impact strategic developments like Heathrow can have on communities that are the least likely to object due to disengagement from authority, educational dis-advantage and other social and economic factors.
Ignoring people's views because they are not talking to you through the mainstream 'process' gives a negative and narrow spectrum of consultation that is non-representative and biased.
Equal opportunities means exactly what it says and this further consultation, by actively seeking diverse community opinions, gives more people a chance to be heard. The privilege of having your opinion listened to shouldn't just belong to the people who shout the loudest, or who, like Mrs Bowen, have an active political stake in an issue.
DAVID HUGHES Feltham.
