Beware the rose-tinted

spectacles syndrome!

Any party in The Guardian newspaper’s circulation department must quickly have become a hangover when it emerged that a recent doubling of sales was solely because two local councillors bought copies to illustrate a local paper photo condemning an article about Boston.
The piece in question, in The Guardian’s Weekend magazine on March 26th, certainly did not flatter the town – but all things considered, we have to say that it was not unfair or inaccurate.
However, that view was not shared by Conservative councillors Raymond Singleton-McGuire and Councillor Mike Gilbert
It seems odd that fewer than 500 words can engender such rage, but in particular, the line which ran - “The place still has a pulse. Just. Nurse, the defibrillator!” caused a major upset.
Looking through the article (you can read it for yourself by clicking here .
We note references to the slow decline of our agricultural economy, the obesity tag, “serious” social deprivation, a “sluggish” economy, empty shops, “one of the highest risks of flooding in the country.”
The piece goes on to say that Boston is “a handsome, historic market town that's hit the ropes.”
Councillor Singleton-McGuire went no further than to register disgust at the article, whilst Councillor Gilbert went far further - calling it ‘ill-informed’ and threatening to write to The Guardian.
He defended Lincolnshire’s economy as “robust,” pointed to the recent surge in sport uptake in Boston, the relatively low - and falling - proportion of empty shops, and the Market Place refurbishment.
Meanwhile, Boston’s head of planning and strategy at Boston Borough Council Steve Lumb, said the risk of flooding was “very low indeed” and set to improve.
So why are we mentioning all this?
It’s because we need our councillors to accept the realities of life as well as all the good stuff.
Whilst it’s great that they are prepared to stand up for Boston, it is also necessary to recognise the town has shortcomings as well.
Boston’s upsurge in sporting activity comprises little more than a relatively small walking group, and the proportion of empty shops is open to debate – depending on whose figures you believe. The Market Place regeneration is happening because the area is now so run down that it is a liability to the town rather than an asset.
And only yesterday, Lincolnshire County Council said that job shortages and a lack of major investment are putting a stranglehold on the county’s economy.
At last week’s Boston Borough Council meeting, a motion was tabled opposing Lincolnshire County Council’s proposed changes to the provision of school transport citing – among other things - the fact that average wages in Boston are substantially below the East Midlands average and the percentage of most deprived is 18.61%, - substantially above the Lincolnshire average of 10.70%.
Immediately below the Standard article featuring The Guardian piece was a report that almost 120 jobs are at risk with the closure of a local produce factory.
And if you visit the Environment Agency’s website, you will find Boston in the highest risk category for flooding anywhere in the country.
The man from The Guardian must have got his information from that site – and we wonder why Mr Lumb isn’t demanding that the Environment Agency redraws is flood maps if the situation is as he says – which would bring huge benefits to Boston.
Most of the current information serves to underline what was said by The Guardian – whether we like it or not.
We are soon to have an election which may see a change of control at Boston Borough Council – with the possibility of the Conservatives taking charge.
We would like to think that they – or any other party for that matter – do not let their affection for the town they serve act as a pair of rose-tinted spectacles and prevent them from acknowledging its many shortcomings as well as its better points.

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