THERE is a fundamental truth in life that everyone is responsible for his/her actions. So who is to blame when things go wrong? Our first reaction is to blame someone else, when the simple truth is; "if it has to be it's up to me".

When I was in my youth someone said to me "you get the leadership you deserve". He talking about who to vote for in the upcoming election at the. Here again we come to that fundamental truth of life, we vote, we choose.

The problem is not enough of us vote. Apathy is our worst enemy. We rely on others to do the right thing, to make choices for us, and then feel let down when things go wrong.

Yet no one has more power in life to change things than the voter. We put that cross on the ballet paper and give that person our mandate to regulate our lives. It is our choice. So yes, we get the leadership we deserve.

The problem is that we are not properly represented. The cabinet system is wholly wrong for Herefordshire where we have 53 councillors and yet only six are empowered to make all the crucial decisions.

The only way this can change is by changing the administration. A new independent council would abolish the cabinet system and allow a proper democratic representation of everyone's views.

Herefordshire needs a fresh approach, needs new and committed people to come forward, independent of national political influence to bring healing and an independent and more representative approach to local governance, because as is evident by the further 25% cut in central funding they are cutting us adrift. It matters not if it is labelled Independent or It's our County, but that it is separated from the influence of national party dogma.

The next three years can determine if this is possible. Please give this your careful thought. "If it has to be, it's up to me".

CHARLES NICHOLLS

Mayor of Hereford

St Owen Street