UK - Southampton Dail Echo In my view by Royston Smith
Deputy leader Southampton City Council
Fluoride: Let me clarify my position
THE fluoride debate has now been raging for months. I am constantly asked in my capacity as prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen to clarify my position.
I am now receiving dozens of e-mails and letters from anti-fluoridation lobbyists, and feel ; that this article may be the quickest and most efficient way of answering the recurring question. Firstly, some of the campaigners have made accusations and suggestions that are simply untrue.
There are two sides to every story and occasionally - in the heat of battle - people take positions and assume that those that don't agree with their position must in some way have an ulterior motive. There is none. The health professionals believe that by adding fluoride to the water they will be improving the dental health of our children. That is an admirable ambition and we should applaud them for their determination and commitment even if we don't agree with them.
To clarify my position, I fundamentally disagree with the addition of fluoride to our water supply. I completely disagree with mass medication of any sort and I abhor having the choice of whether I want to use fluoride or not taken away from me.
How many people die from tooth decay? Is dental health so serious that the
decision has to be taken away from parents by the state? Will the Labour Government be introducing legislation that dictates what parents can feed their children next? We constantly say people should :: take responsibility for their lives and then the Labour Government takes it away from them. i
I spoke in the recent fluoridation debate in the Southampton council chamber. I spoke against the addition of fluoride to Southampton's water supplies and I voted against it. However, we were not successful at that time because a majority of councillors voted in favour.
People talk of politicians and their relevance. The Labour Government very skilfully gave the decision of whether fluoride should be added to our water to the Strategic Health Authority, thereby deflecting blame from themselves.In my opinion this was an act of political cowardice and further weakens our political process. For complete clarity: my Labour opponent at the next general election is in favour of adding fluoride to water in his constituency, I am not.
Fluoride: Let me clarify my position
THE fluoride debate has now been raging for months. I am constantly asked in my capacity as prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen to clarify my position.
I am now receiving dozens of e-mails and letters from anti-fluoridation lobbyists, and feel ; that this article may be the quickest and most efficient way of answering the recurring question. Firstly, some of the campaigners have made accusations and suggestions that are simply untrue.
There are two sides to every story and occasionally - in the heat of battle - people take positions and assume that those that don't agree with their position must in some way have an ulterior motive. There is none. The health professionals believe that by adding fluoride to the water they will be improving the dental health of our children. That is an admirable ambition and we should applaud them for their determination and commitment even if we don't agree with them.
To clarify my position, I fundamentally disagree with the addition of fluoride to our water supply. I completely disagree with mass medication of any sort and I abhor having the choice of whether I want to use fluoride or not taken away from me.
How many people die from tooth decay? Is dental health so serious that the
decision has to be taken away from parents by the state? Will the Labour Government be introducing legislation that dictates what parents can feed their children next? We constantly say people should :: take responsibility for their lives and then the Labour Government takes it away from them. i
I spoke in the recent fluoridation debate in the Southampton council chamber. I spoke against the addition of fluoride to Southampton's water supplies and I voted against it. However, we were not successful at that time because a majority of councillors voted in favour.
People talk of politicians and their relevance. The Labour Government very skilfully gave the decision of whether fluoride should be added to our water to the Strategic Health Authority, thereby deflecting blame from themselves.In my opinion this was an act of political cowardice and further weakens our political process. For complete clarity: my Labour opponent at the next general election is in favour of adding fluoride to water in his constituency, I am not.
posted by Bill at
9:38 AM
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