THE outgoing Labour Leader on Fenland District Council has made a statement urging electors to vote anything but Conservative in the forthcoming district council elections — quite difficult for some people as some 18 Conservative Councillors are unopposed

THE outgoing Labour Leader on Fenland District Council has made a statement urging electors to vote anything but Conservative in the forthcoming district council elections - quite difficult for some people as some 18 Conservative Councillors are unopposed.

What a strange and weak piece of advice from a political leader. Made even stranger and weaker by the fact that his party is mounting a challenge in only six out of 40 seats, three of which they are defending.

He complains about lack of consensus in the council. I don't recall him seeking to oppose any of the administration's policies to provide one-stop shops, the rapid response unit, re-cycling, the three-bin scheme and the Nene Waterfront development. Indeed we always went out of our way to bring him into the loop where at all possible.

We even agreed, following the last election when only three Labour members were returned, to compromise and give him and his party the dignity of an opposition group when the constitution demanded four members.

He complains about the council's lack of response to people. Again strange. Fenland District Council is held up as a national leader in public consultation.

He quotes the withdrawal of public questioning from the constitution. In two years we had only two questions. In any event surely it was his job as Leader of the opposition to ask the questions of the administration?

I personally am sorry to see Steve Cawthorne not seek re-election to the council and I wish him well. We had our political differences but we respected one another as fellow councillors. Best of luck Steve.

CLLR GEOFFREY HARPER

Leader, Fenland District Council

Fenland Hall

March