MADAM, Conservative Agents and the Independence Party seem to be trying to confuse your readers about the role of Independent councillors.

Let me clarify the matter. We do not acknowledge a role for party politics in local government. That is not to say each of us probably favours one party or another in a national situation. Hence, unlike the UK Independence party we are not registered with the Electoral Commission as a political party.

We group together purely to obtain posts of responsibility under proportionality rules.

We try to reach a consensus through reasoned debate but there is no party whip and each Independent councillor votes and acts according to their own views. Our main concern is to provide local services according to local conditions, although this is often difficult because of the edicts of government. The probable considerable rise in council tax is a frightening example of this.

Unlike our party political colleagues we do not oppose everything suggested by the opposition. We do not believe good ideas are exclusive, we are prepared to work with anyone who we believe will enhance services for county people.

DON RULE (Councillor),

Marcle Ridge Ward.