I thought perhaps I was dreaming when I read Hilton Dawson's letter last week.

A petulant reaction to a reasonable point which I hope by now he will be regretting - and one which other local voters will have taken note of... It certainly fails again to address the issue of Labour not taking up their places on the cabinet subject referred to by numerous correspondents in last week's local paper.

"Was his advisor off sick that day..?" suggested a friend...

I was also very sad to hear that the Citizen editor is leaving and especially to hear it in such a way.

He has served Lancaster extremely well by not simply allowing criticism but by encouraging debate.

Which is of course vital to Hilton's democracy...

So Hilton chooses this point in time, when his apparent 'adversary' is leaving, to stick the boot in.

Hmmm...

You might hope the elected parliamentary representative could play the role of moral/pragmatic arbiter to serve the long suffering local electorate... nudging here... calling to account there etc.

But clearly not if they are unable to rise above party 'allegiance' and be even-handed.

Hilton's pragmatic stand on the bypass issue looked like a promising start for a brief moment, only to peter out after a public relations exercise of a public meeting (town hall, 28th September 01).

I believe he was victim to some considerable abuse by his so-called colleagues: due to what they considered to be a betrayal, apparently.

Now once again, we see Hilton involved in a public meeting (regarding the possible threat to the music co-op building) which seems principally designed to create an impression of his being not only concerned with local interests but willing to represent the 'common people' against the uncommon politicians and totally otherworldly developers.

So far, one of the simplest things he promised at that meeting - to supply the attendees with a list of relevant councillors (on the planning committee) - has failed to materialise.

Of course, knowing not to bother waiting, other people have already attempted to do it - though only Ian Barker and Hilton have the list of people who attended the meeting, so it can't have reached them all.

So, I begin to wonder, is it about time local people began the process of lobbying for a referendum which, if it went a certain way, would result in the eventual selection of an elected mayor, who could keep an eye on any councillors or officers who do not always act in the best public interest.

All those in favour, say aye?

Sam Haynes Lancaster.