Chelmsley Wood residents urged to have their say about controversial TV series

HAVE YOUR SAY: Labour supporters, concerned by BBC
series People Like Us, visit Mansfield House, Chelmsley Wood

LABOUR Party activists have urged Chelmsley Wood residents to raise their concerns about a controversial new documentary, which purports to show the real life stories of people living on the estate.
Tom McNeil, who is the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for the Meriden constituency, is concerned that People Like Us gives a false impression of the local area.
Now he's urging local people to make their feelings about the programme known.
"The people in the TV show come across as nice people," said Mr McNeil. "However, almost everyone I spoke to in Chelmsley had seen the programme and thought it bore no resemblance to their community.
"They were very upset about the false impression it gives to people who do not know the area.
"The people I met were working hard to support themselves and their families, or in retirement after a lifetime of work and want viewers to know that the vast majority of people in Chelmsley are just like that."
His concerns have been echoed by Emma Chidler, the vice chair of Solihull and Meriden Labour Party.
In a joint statement, the activists said: "Everyone has helped pay for this series through their television licence fee and it's only right that their views are taken into account."