Leamington as the happiest town must be a joke

Last week a man was almost beaten to death outside my house. Dismayed and on the phone to emergency services, I watched him roll around in agony from his injuries. Eventually he stood up and lumbered away from the scene, gripping the collar of a Staffordshire bull terrier in one hand and the handle of his machete in the other. Watching this sequence unfurl, I was a mix of feelings and thoughts. The one thing I did not think in that moment was that this is the happiest place to live in Britain.

Every day I get off the bus and see the massive amount of homelessness across the town; people who seem devoid of hope. Watching just a glimpse of this suffering does not convince me of the fact that Leamington is the happiest place to live in Britain. The problem with Leamington, as with most places in the world, is that it can be a beautiful and picturesque city to reside in for those with the wealth to enjoy it, but for those who are poorer Leamington is no Elysium.

Responding to this Rightmove report, the Mayor of the town Caroline Evetts remarked “Royal Leamington Spa has it all, from our wonderful Regency buildings, impressive parks and gardens as well as a unique mix of high street shops and independent boutiques”. This however is exactly what is wrong with the idea that Leamington is so perfect. Leamington is a town with dramatic divides. The Regency airs prove to be something of a facade. Geographically as you cross the river from the North to the South you also cross a social divide. Leamington South has one of the worst crime rates for any local residential area, with 63 more violent crimes than its much more populous and wealthier northern counterpart.

Who cares about friendly neighbours when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from?

As with most places Leamington truly feels the burden of austerity, with fewer police, more crime, and fewer social services for the poor of the town. Leamington received this Rightmove gong for its green spaces, friendly neighbours and sense of belonging. However none of these provide material benefits to the deprived of this town, they merely provide fulfillment to those who are already wealthy. Who cares about friendly neighbours when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from? What do green spaces provide to the homeless other than somewhere else they may have to sleep for yet another night outside? Did the man I watched getting attacked feel a massive sense of belonging I wonder?

That being said, I don’t want this article to be misinterpreted; Leamington isn’t the suburban embodiment of hell. Compared to many places it can be nice to live in. But pretending it is some nirvana free of the social and economic suffering that so often plagues this country is merely living in a fantasy world.