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So I've just come down from our conference in Perth, where I have been trying to gather
as many protest letters as I can. The funny thing about this campaign, is I've really
taken to carrying around sample letters and marshal flyers in my handbag, and I hand them
out to anyone I talk to, and my friends are really getting a bit sick of it, but I think
that's a sign of how many people are bothered about Otago Lane, how many people are concerned
at the damage that can be done to the West End by developers who want to destroy places
like this, and how it just shows how when a community can get together like this- and
I agree what Pauline said- it across the parties, we've all been doing our bit. We have our
councillor Kenneth Elder, the local ward councillor, and the other ward councillors have also been
doing their bit behind the scenes, arguing with planning officers, getting the information
from the planning officers, we're all trying to do as much as we can and you are all part
of it. Never forget that the last time we got around 4000 signatures- all be it the
council disputes it- and that power of the number of people who helped that campaign
is what made the developer withdraw in the end. So we can do it again, yes it difficult,
yes we have less time - now its 49 flats- they can't have the formal community engagement
so convenient that. Because your all here, because the numbers of students who been signing
letters outside the unions, there are more and more people joining this and if any of
you have not written your letter by the end of today, that given next week is the deadline,
please make sure you write your letter at the table before you go. Certainly the more
you can do that, the more you can tell your friends to do that everyone you know try and
get them to do that. And I agree with Pauline what she said that this is one of the most
resonant campaigns that I have been involved in the years I have been campaigning here,
and I proud of the amount of desire from local people across the whole area not just the
west end much wider afield. People who have lived in Glasgow and moved away 20-30 years
ago, they still remember this place, they still remember the lane and want to help save
it. So, proud to be part of the campaign, well done for all of you for turning out and
thank you
for listening.