City of Culture rivals are absolute dumps, says Essex Tory MP
An Essex MP has branded some of the contenders for the UK 2017 Capital of Culture crown “absolute dumps.”
Tory MP David Amess, 60, is backing Southend-on-Sea, his home town, to win the title.
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Tory MP David Amess
As previously reported by the Mercury Leicester is also bidding.
Other rivals include Chester, Hull, Swansea Bay and Plymouth, Aberdeen, East Kent, Dundee, Portsmouth and Southampton and Hastings and Bexhill-on-Sea.
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The Mirror has reported Mr Amess claimed many of Southend’s rivals: “wouldn’t know culture if it was put in front of them”.
He said: “I have looked at some of the competition and frankly they are absolute dumps some of them.
“I better not say more because I’ll get into trouble, but I really think it is Southend which jumps out.”
Mr Amess, who represents Southend West, said the town has been “under-rated and under-used” in the past.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, who chairs a consortium putting together Leicester’s bid, told the Mercury: “I have been to some of the other places and undoubtedly some of them are very interesting.
“However, I am confident any impartial observer will see that none of them can match Leicester’s unique mixture of cultures.
“We have a brilliant opportunity here and, having seen our rivals, I am confident in our chances.”
All 11 areas must submit their bids by the end of April.
An independent panel will then decide on a shortlist before the winner is announced in November.
• What do you think of Essex MP David Amess' views on the contenders for the UK 2017 Capital of Culture? Add your comments below or tweet us @thisisleics
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by cyberandy
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 4:52PM
“Southend Borough Council was criticised as one of the worst financially managed local authorities in England by the Audit Commission. Areas of criticism were the use of consultants and the spending of £3.5 million on taxis. Perhaps the councillors used the taxis to go elsewhere in search of the culture which their own town sadly lacks?”
by intrest
Sunday, March 10 2013, 7:33PM
“In comment:Perhaps a good idea to re-introduce the cultural aspects of cities-look to 1994-when readers may recall The general election spin-and its focus on cultural diversity-and academic value.The starting place for such projects-for example-ought to be the clearing of litter-on a voluntary basis.For example-4 hours a week.The Cultural Share scheme-could work-as it did in 1994-however-perhaps the public wont trust such schemes-due to present crime levels.”
by Banksider33
Friday, March 08 2013, 7:23PM
“Sarfend's a dump, full of TOWIEs.
Leicester's most serious challenge comes from Chester, followed by Portsmouth.
I suspect Leicester's has a far greater ethnic population which makes it more diverse, and worthy of a city of culture.
And how can East Kent be a city? How stupidl”
by llamalamb
Friday, March 08 2013, 6:29PM
“Having lived in Hastings for 12 years up to 2000 when I returned to Leicester, I can confirm that Hastings is a dump. Compared to Hastings, Leicester is paradise.
East Kent is a rough old part of the country too and I visited Hull about 4 years ago and 1 day was enough.”
by Delstar
Friday, March 08 2013, 6:08PM
“I have read all of the comments posted on this subject with interest.It is plainly evident that some of you have differing views about the Citys application to be the Uks city of culture.One of you( mentioning no name)even has a lack of understanding of the word culture!!,stating that culture has nothing to do with history.I might suggest that he or she, goes back to school,preferably first year primary, where he or she, might discover, most certainly, the very opposite.
It should be pointed out that Leicester is possibly the most multicultural city in Europe and having the greatest number of different nationalities,either living or studying here, makes it the most cosmopolitan city than, possibly,any other city in the world.And in view of that, not only should it be the next city of culture for the next term, but for the foreseeable future because there is no other city in the Uk that can match the claims that our city can.Instead of all of those snipers on this page making derisory comments, they should get behind our city in its quest for success on their application for the honour of becoming the next city of culture and hopefully they will reap the benefits in the shape of jobs and revenue created by the tourism that will surely follow.”
by PLYMFOX01
Friday, March 08 2013, 5:33PM
“Ok Southend has got its pier, but the rest of the town is a dump.”
by disident3
Friday, March 08 2013, 5:16PM
“There was I thinking it was called the Golden Miles because of all the Council/ Government funding it gets. Then I did work in the community down there for a while.”
by DavidJCB
Friday, March 08 2013, 4:37PM
“Shocking news I agree with the others here”
by leic-star
Friday, March 08 2013, 2:31PM
“southend is a mess jus like their Tory MP David Amess!”
by Housepet
Friday, March 08 2013, 2:26PM
“Your are correct 'Lordpostie.'
The Golden Mile is a name given to a stretch of the Belgrave Road in Leicester.
The origin of the name is often, mistakenly attributed to the many shops selling gold jewellery. In fact, the name was first used in the late 1960s and early 1970s when a proliferation of yellow-amber traffic lights appeared along a short stretch of road (one mile to be exact).”