The Hereford Times has, in part, revealed the way Herefordshire councillors voted on what is probably the most crucial issue they will ever face.

We say in part because not all of them were willing to say how they voted in the Hereford bypass debate. Others did not respond to our enquiry.

It was not a debate in which the voted was officially recorded – not many are.

That is a bone of contention in itself, but it does not usually matter because full council meetings like this are open to the public. That means people can see the way their representatives vote, or if they choose not to vote (abstain).

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But because of the pandemic meetings are currently held virtually, which effectively means each vote is a secret ballot.

Our readers were understandably irritated by this lack of transparency and accountability on such an important issue. So we set out to find out more.

Astonishingly, our reporter met resistance from some councillors as he went about his investigation.

For instance, Jenny Bartlett (Green), who represents Leominster East, said she was willing to tell us how she voted (in favour of cancelling the bypass and southern link road). But then complained that in asking the question of behalf of her constituents we were guilty of “populist divisiveness”.

We suggest that Coun Bartlett gets off her high horse and accepts that voters have a right to know how the people they elect stand on EVERY issue debated.

Public office is no place for those who seek to influence without scrutiny. No wonder voters are angry!