WHENEVER Swindon councillors are confronted with an issue involving money they cry in unison - "we don't get enough money from central Government". When challenged about the latest rises in their basic and special responsibility allowances they plead "it's not us, this was the recommendation from an independent panel". A panel chaired by a former eminent council leader of impeccable integrity and a clutch of lesser known worthies.

I like the little touch of piety, which we are all supposed to acknowledge as a concession made by councillors to not accept all the recommendations made by the panel, gesture politics at their very best. Some councillors appear to no longer represent the electorate of the wards they were elected to, they are simply party hacks ensuring that whenever required they vote on the issues that count.

What I can say without fear of contradiction is that no one forced any councillor to stand for office, each councillor in office fought against one or more opponents to secure the seat they occupy. They became councillors for various reasons, I would like to think the £7,000 per annum, phone card, lap top computer and various other minor benefits were not high on the agenda.

DES MORGAN Caraway Drive Swindon