May I be permitted to add my voice to that of your correspondent Peter Flower (Letters May 23).

The antics of the councillors we are seeing reported in the press do not make good reading.

The leader resigning because he did not feel he could make any difference and another councillor saying the officers had effectively got the better of the elected representatives means the tail is wagging the dog.

There is the alarming increases in our council tax bills for which no one is willing to take responsibility.

And all we get from our councillors is a further episode of playground politics with no sign of any motivation to put the things right.

The consequences of all this for the democratic system are very serious.

It appears controls are breaking down and political infighting is taking the place of civic pride and the well-being of residents.

Is there anybody able enough to assume leadership, authority and responsibility?

As the saying goes: "To think we buy gowns lined with ermine."

DOUGLAS GIBBONS

MALDEN ROAD

NEW MALDEN

May 30, 2003 10:00