At last someone has had the guts to put in writing something I have advocated for many years, to no avail. I agree whole-heartedly with Ian Slater's recent suggestion that party politics should not have a place in local government. Before the last war, local councils were controlled entirely by men and women who, being mostly local residents and business people, put the interests of the local population first and foremost in all their council work. In addition, they gave their services to the community virtually free.

A fine example of pride in one's home town was provided by alderman and local grocer, J.G. Denton, who served Worthing Council loyally for many years. He had Denton Gardens named after him. I can't imagine councillors of today having such loyalty to the people of Worthing.

Councillors' policies now seem to consist of claiming as many expenses as possible and voting strategically in order to win political points. To say councillors have a free vote is, in my opinion, hypocrisy.

-A. Compton, Rectory Gardens, Worthing