Tories call on the council to honour slim pledge!

Conservative Group Leader Councillor Richard Eddy is calling on Bristol City Council to honour its pledge to erect a statue to Field Marshall Lord Slim.

City Conservatives originally won unanimous Council backing for the idea in October 2005, securing £70,000 from the Authority's Capital Budget in February 2006 to commission the work.

But news of scaled-back plans to install a small bronze plaque instead have ignited controversy and dismayed many people who had expected a statue to honour the famous World War II general.

Now Tory leader Richard Eddy has tabled a motion at the next Full Council meeting, on 1st April, demanding that the Administration fulfil its earlier commitment.

Cllr Eddy (Con, Bishopsworth) said: “The City Council's attempt to row back on its public commitment to Bill Slim is both shoddy and shameful.

“Whilst I have nothing against the plans to mount a bronze plaque in his memory, I do not believe that this releases the Council from its responsibility to honour the outstanding achievements of one of Bristol's most famous sons.

“It is important to remember that any statue to the Commander of the so-called “Forgotten Army” also commemorates all those brave Bristolians who fought and died in the difficult Burma campaign.

“This lack of recognition is little short of a disgrace and the continuing failure to find the means to fund a prominent and permanent memorial to Viscount Slim does a disservice to our remaining war veterans.

“Sadly, as each year passes, the number of Burma Star Association members diminish. Therefore, it is vital that in the little time we have left, this slight of Slim is speedily remedied.”

Back to Local News Index 11 March 2008