MADAM,

The planning meeting was a carbon-copy of the Indies’ inauguration. The mayor declared herself chairman with her best mate deputy. No dissent, no voting, all stitched up. They didn’t understand, but when, rarely invited to vote, Indy arms shoot up, including their Labour convert. The mayor flapped her hands and muttered inaudibly to the experienced former chairman who kindly came in to help.

This group must be prevented from influencing important planning and finance decisions, everything else is just cosmetic flummery.

Where are their 500 champions who berated former councillors, and abused me personally (for refusing Boasite invitations to supports their plans)? And where are Mrs Jupp’s Trump-like lectures every week? Surprisingly quiet. 

Once we have paid for their training, expect resignations to free seats for the family, either by-elections (expensive) or co-options (outrageous). As Charles Boase remembers the council was once unsuitably filled to boost a power-hungry, self- confessed Thatcherite. Now his frustrated daughter wants that power, it didn’t succeed then and must not now. 

And what about that ludicrous Indy party slogan!

Kirstie Buckland

(Monmouth)