PETER Doherty's Fifth Column (July 26) informed us that Private Eye lambasted Bury Council, calling them "plonkers" for closing old folk's homes and the other nonsensical things that politicians do when they forget what we elect them for.

But surely the "plonkers" are us, the ratepayers, who let them get away with it!

While schools and old folk's homes are closing for lack of funds, how is it possible for elected members to use our money to award themselves an increase in allowances?

Time was when elected members did the job for nothing, just the kudos, and that was, without doubt, to the benefit of the ratepayers. Can anyone claim that "paid" councillors do a better job than the worthies of yesteryear? I think not.

So who really are the "plonkers"?

STUART MADERS,

Prestwich.