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Ignorance is Bliss
Since we do not yet know the identity of the objectors or the nature of their doubts we can afford a little speculation.
Felixstowe has been in this situation many times in the past. It follows a well trodden path.
The Trivial
Some objections will be frankly trivial.
Special interest groups will seek a pecuniary advantage from the situation. They will develop a special concern for the well-being of some rare seabird, exotic form of sea life or hobby interest and insist that the expansion of Felixstowe will mean its extinction.
They will quickly be appeased by a grant of land, foreshore or shingle, complete with a wooden hut, visitors' facilities and a subsidised warden or research grant.
Noisy, sleazy, legal and depressingly predictable.
As a leading character in the Port will undoubtedly say "bung 'em and forget 'em."
The Serious
There will probably be a much more serious challenge from established and respected environmental groups.
Backed by expertise and evidence, they will demonstrate the downside of expansion: the traffic implications and the burden that will fall on the taxpayer.
The Response
Felixstowe will have to demonstrate an overwhelming national case for its further expansion.
This is not 1970 or 1980. It is highly debateable whether such a national need exists.
see Felixstowe to Expand ?
They will no doubt threaten to cut back on investment and employment unless they get their way.
The Reality
The truth is that both arguments are based on false premises.
If the traffic is not available to support the new berths, there will be little environmental impact in the sense suggested by the environmentalists.
There will, however be a devastating impact on the people of Suffolk. A declining, half-empty port is a bad neighbour. That was the real lesson of the last century.
The Challenge
The owners of Felixstowe are a massive multi-national operator. In their battle for supremacy against their competitors, local interests can easily be disregarded.
Big companies make just as many mistakes as small ones. Being bigger, their mistakes are just more destructive.
The democratic challenge is to make sure that the voters' interests are adequately protected.
That takes knowledge and dedication, not ignorance and short-sighted self interest.
Let's hope some of the objectors have their eye on the ball and the wisdom to see through the noise and bluster.
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