WHAT a load of tosh! I cannot believe the comments of Cllr Sharma in your lead article in the Chronicle (June 5).
We have Alan Keen's perception and belief that Labour councillors over the years were happy to turn a blind eye to members of the Punjabi community, building as and where they wished.
I am aware of some residents who have objected to these follies, whose properties may have been blighted by the developments and were quite bemused that, despite their objection, very little support or clarity was shown by the planning department.
It now seems that Cllr Sharma's 'slip of the tongue' with his racial comments should really be that the shoe is on the other foot.
Over many years, this policy of abuse has been instigated by a shallow group of individuals, relying on the Punjabi vote to sweeten the result of the ballot box.
As leader of the opposition, Cllr Sharma should be aware of his inflammatory statement (racism), as it is clear that the policy he was instigating when his party was in power was a definite racist action against the rest of the community.
I am rather surprised that the present planning committee do not instigate an inquiry into the use and abuse of protected areas by virtue of race, denying equal opportunity to all the residents of Hounslow.
I am of the opinion that it is possible for some members of this council, who should know better, to report Cllr Sharma's statement and actions to the standards committee, for this blatant attack on individuals of the planning committee and flippant reaction to racism when it suits him.
I therefore call upon Cllr Sharma to apologise to the residents who have suffered by the actions of the previous council and for his ill-advised comments of racism and subsequently consider his position as leader of the Labour Group and give way to someone who would be more cautious and balanced in response to such issues.
NOEL MURPHY (ex councillor)
New Road, Bedfont.
