HAVING read the 'Blasted' headline (LET December 8), I wondered what major scandal had been uncovered by the Tory leader.

It was somewhat surprising to find that the story revolved around the fact the Conservative and Liberal members of Blackburn with Darwen Council had welcomed the introduction of a Policy Council.

This story became an attack on spin and money wasting. Councillor Rigby thinks that telling people about the positive work being done by the council and putting resources into the community to support local initiatives is a waste of money. To my mind, these are positive developments and further examples of the inclusive approach the council has adopted.

Councillor Rigby managed to change a potentially positive story about the setting up of the policy council into an attack on the ruling Labour group. To then accuse the council of spin is somewhat surprising.

The council is rightly proud of its achievements and has set out a way forward for the coming year, which aims to tackle the problems still faced by the borough.

In future, I would like to see the Tory leader take part in a positive debate about the future of Blackburn and Darwen, rather than simply engaging in 'mud-slinging.'

JOHN WRIGHT, Dukes Brow, Blackburn.