I’m writing in response to those residents who are challenging yet a further rise in council tax and the inequitable burden in rates. Their arguments are unassailable, but as night follows day, the politicians will defend their position.

It’s what politicians do, and they’re rather good at it—that and proliferating further tiers of government, as useless as mistletoe and far more expensive. This may appear to be a sweeping criticism, and it is. There are good people in all walks of life including local government. I’m suggesting it’s about time these people nailed their colours to the mast instead of just nodding things through with the occasional purr of objection.

Michael Keyton (Monmouth)