Resolve to fight on in the New Year

Members of the public are being urged to make a New Year’s resolution to join Stop Stansted Expansion to help give the campaign the financial backing it needs to continue its fight throughout 2003.

The aim of the renewed membership drive, launched this week, is to double supporter numbers to over 5000 within the next three months. This will not only increase the group’s credibility in representing local people’s views, it will also provide a much needed cash injection to the ongoing battle against expansion plans for the airport.

The campaign is now destined to run for at least another six to twelve months following Stop Stansted Expansion’s success in overturning the government’s consultation in the High Court in November on the grounds of unfairness and irrationality.

Those who have not already joined can do so either by calling the campaign office on 01279 870558 for a membership form, or by downloading one from the website on www.stanstedairportwatch.com. The suggested donation for a year’s membership is a minimum £10 – but a more generous amount will be extremely welcome from those who can afford it.

Current supporters have already been contacted in writing by Stop Stansted Expansion chairman Norman Mead to persuade a friend, colleague or family member to sign up – or even to offer it to them as a Christmas present. More, however, will need to be done to reach those who support the campaign but who have not yet registered for membership and addressing this will form a key plank of activity in the New Year.

Said Norman Mead: “We are putting in place a dynamic programme for 2003 which will ensure that the government takes note of the views of the people who would be affected by proposals for Stansted Airport. For this, considerable funding will be needed so that we are successful in getting our messages across.”

“We have, of course, achieved a great deal since we formed just five months ago. However, if more people can make a personal commitment to supporting the campaign through membership as well as volunteering their time, it will give us a greater chance of success overall,” he added.