An article in the local news for the people of Cornwall, 'This is Cornwall', has been written. It follows a peaceful demonstration from parents of children with disabilities.
The following text and picture has been kindly taken from This is Cornwall's web page.
Writer - WB Miles
Furious parents of disabled children confronted Cornwall Council representatives this morning at County Hall in the ongoing controversy over Collin Brewer.
Mr Brewer had previously stood down following a massive public backlash over his comment that disabled children "should be put down".
But he was re-elected to Cornwall Council last week in a shock result at the local elections. Parents were due to meet Mr Brewer this morning but Mr Brewer did not attend County Hall today.
Members of the Parent Carer Council confronted other councillors at the entrance to County Hall. One woman said: "He reckons my child should be put down and I think councillor Brewer should be strung up."
A crowd of approximately 80 people had gathered at County Hall to voice their opposition to Mr Brewer being allowed to continue as a councillor.
Bob Egerton, the stand alone Independent member for Probus, Tregony and Grampound, set out the situation facing councillors.
He said: "He was not disqualified from standing again. The people of Wadebridge East voted him in - that is democracy."
Mr Egerton added: "It's not for us then to look at our fellow members and say you don't deserve to be here."
Following this morning's protest a statement was issued by The Parent Carer Council for Cornwall, Disability Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Cornwall People First, National Autistic Society West Cornwall Branch and Cornwall Downs Syndrome Support Group.
The statement said: "We would like to thank everyone who has supported us and the 80 people who turned out at County Hall today to join our peaceful protest. We also thank the leaders of the Council’s political parties who came out to speak to protesters and share their own concerns with us.
"Unfortunately, despite Cornwall Council’s efforts to set up a meeting between the Parent Carer Council, Disability Cornwall and Cllr Brewer, it did not go ahead due to the fact he has been ‘signed off sick’. We look forward to rescheduling this meeting at the earliest opportunity.
"Since Cllr Brewer’s re-election to Wadebridge East, we have heard from many people in that area who are mortified by this result. We believe and many people have told us, Brewer is not representative of Wadebridge or of Cornwall. His comment was not made as a ‘Cornish Joke’, to ‘provoke debate’ or as a ‘wind up’ and despite his protestations that he has ‘done nothing wrong’; he is now just adding insult to injury. This man has caused immense upset and distress to many good citizens in Cornwall and across the world.
"Brewers’ triumphant statement upon his re-election; “The media has actually done me the power of good – they have promoted me and I’m well known” confirms what we already knew, that he has no remorse or understanding of the hurt he has caused and he is not fit to hold public office.
"His re-election sends entirely the wrong message to the people of Cornwall at a time when disabled people are experiencing increasing intolerance and abuse in their communities.
"We have no option but to accept the democratic process however flawed it may seem in this case, but we ask again that Cllr Brewer re-consider his position and find alternative ways to make a contribution to his community. Let’s not forget, if the complaints process itself was fit for purpose in the first place, and a more appropriate sanction applied, Collin Brewer would probably never have had the chance to stand for re-election.
"It is clear we need to work together harder than ever to create a culture of zero tolerance to ignorance and hatred in all its forms, so everyone in Cornwall is able to fulfil their potential and to live full and active lives as equal and respected members in their communities."
Read the article Here on their web page.
When people make poor errors of judgement, or let their mouth run away before engaging their brain, they are usually apologetic after being pulled up on it. Time tells as to whether their apology was genuine.
When you continue to hear remarks from Mr Brewer, well after the fact, you can draw conclusions that he does not regret what he said, only that he said it to the wrong person, one that would not find it funny, or in agreement.
"The media has actually done me the power of good – they have promoted me and I’m well known”.
Does that comment from him show a man full of remorse for his vile rant? Does it show a man wanting to make amends? Or does it show a man, with an enormous ego, happy that he has certain people in favour of his belief in killing children with disabilities, and although he tried to smooth it all over with a weak apology, of sorts, he is actually in need of some moral guidance.
We all live on this Earth. We all share the same air.
Believing in the killing of the disabled is a throw back to days gone by, days where men and women fought to keep us free from these tyrannical men. Men that wanted anyone different from them dead.
It was not a harmless remark he made. It was not an accident. He was angry. He spilt his bile of hatred out, and got caught. It is as simple as that.
