Conservative leader in Bristol, Bristol Eddy, has once again used he attack on so-called 'political correctness' to demonstrate that he is no more than a small minded bigot.  This time he has attacked a lottery grant to Bristol West charity EACH which provides support to young people who have been subject to homophobic bullying. A copy of the article containing Eddy's ridiculous comments is set out at the end of this article.

Paul Smith, Labour's candidate in the forthcoming parliamentary election for Bristol West, has labelled Eddy a "Pompous, ignorant, attention seeking and bigoted buffoon". Paul remembers the disbelief when he contacted the BBC in London when Eddy appointed his Golliwog as the Bristol Conservatives Mascot, "They thought I had made it up and refused to accept the story until they had checked with their Bristol office". Paul has publicly called for the Conservative Group to sack Eddy as their leader.  "How can any party which seeks to represent the diverse city which is Bristol continue to be led by a bigot and a fool.  So long as eddy is leading the Conservatives in Bristol Cameron's claims to have rehabilitated the Tories as a progressive party are as shallow as Eastville Lake".

Facebook Group set up by Labour Party members but open to people of all parties, including Conservatives:

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Evening Post Article

"A lottery grant of almost £400,000 awarded to a Bristol youth group challenging homophobia has been denounced as an "outrageous" waste of money.

The leader of Bristol's Tories, Richard Eddy, said the Big Lottery Fund award to a Clifton project called Reach was proof that money was no longer being handed out impartially but was instead being awarded to reflect "politically correct" lobbies favoured by the Government.

Reach has been set up by charity Educational Action Challenging Homophobia (Each), which is working to set up youth groups for youngsters who are lesbian, gay or bisexual.

The project has been given the lion's share of almost £700,000 awarded to Bristol projects, announced today.

The other groups to benefit are Acta Community Theatre Ltd, in Kings Weston, which was awarded £171,601 and Blenheim Scout Group, based in Bedminster, which has been given £129,100.

It will form a youth group to be involved in decision-making processes that affect lesbian, gay and bisexual young people through consultation with agencies around Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset.

It will also develop a youth group for those who are lesbian, gay or bisexual, or questioning their sexuality, and develop a group of young people who will deliver training and peer mentoring to adults, young people and organisations around homophobia and other lesbian, gay and bisexual issues.

Each's executive director, Jonathan Charlesworth, said: "Each's lottery win, in the year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, is most welcome.

"Far too many homophobically bullied gay young people leave our schools with few or poor qualifications, regardless of their actual academic potential.

"This initiative strives to build confidence in the very institutions set up to nurture them. We want to see many more young people thrive, realise their academic and social potential and engage positively in all aspects of life. Each and every young person participating in this initiative will be encouraged to become the best person they can be."

But Mr Eddy, who heads the opposition Conservative group on the city council, said: "I think this is a mistaken and misguided, outrageous waste of money.

"Sadly, it seems to be further confirmation that the Big Lottery has long since ceased to impartially distribute lottery cash to worthwhile and respected causes, instead it seems obliged to dole out punters' money to a raft of politically correct lobbies which clearly sit within the Labour Government's priority."

His comments were echoed by pressure group the Campaign Against Political Correctness.

Spokeswoman Laura Midgley said: "I'm sure people in the community would rather have funding that would benefit all. Often singling out groups of people for special treatment creates more problems than it solves. Funding that would go to a group involving all people would be more inclusive."

The Big Lottery Fund uses money from lottery tickets to invest in community projects. It has spent more than £3.3 million investing in young people in the South West, aiming to help develop their talents, skills and self-confidence.

Allan Burnett, a scout leader for Blenheim Scout Group, who are based in Bedminster Down, said they were thrilled to receive funding.

The money will be used to provide sporting and adventure activities in the area. He said that facilities will include a mountain bike track and beach volleyball court, which will help to reduce the numbers of young people on the streets and improve the community's perception of young people.

He said: "We had heard the day before that we had not got a larger sum that we wanted so getting this funding was very exciting. Part of the money will go to develop our site but this is not just about the Scouts – it will include and reach out to the whole community. We're going to go out and offer first aid courses to 1,250 local people. This is great news for the young people and their dream and vision."

Go North, a project from Acta Community Theatre, said it will use funding to deliver workshops encouraging young people to take part in games, exercises and activities, to promote their creative thinking and develop presentation skills.

The project will also include one-to-one sessions in which young people will work with staff to identify individual goals such as working towards achievement awards. The project will enable those aged 18 to 20 to study for these awards and become apprentices."