SIR,

I was pleased to read in your edition of 22nd February that Councillor Alan Wintle will be standing as an independent candidate in the May elections.

Alan has been a Conservative county councillor since 1995. During that time he has been a dedicated, conscientious councillor.

It is obvious that Alan has ruffled a few feathers at County Hall by voting against the Local Development Plan.

He has only voiced the views of the people of Monmouth, who do not want another large estate in the town.

As an independent councillor myself for 40 years, and past chairman of the county council, I always believed that people should come before politics. You should represent people, not a party.

I am sure that Alan, if elected, will be pleased to be away from the shackles of the Conservative group at County Hall, who before every meeting gather together behind closed doors to tell their members how to vote.

If you do not toe the party line you will be punished by being deselected at the next election.

This is what is known as democracy.

I hope the people of Monmouth will give Alan their full support in the May elections.

Bob Wilcox

(Grosmont)