I EXPECTED a more constructive response from Coun Paul Browne (Letters, November 8) knowing that devolution for Darwen is a subject close to his heart, but his reply to a very serious question was more like a party political broadcast.

But if by next elections devolution for Darwen has not been achieved, it may well be a very good policy for his party to base its campaign on.

I would have expected all Darwen councillors would have banded together, irrespective of party, to go for devolution, knowing that other towns in the same situation as Darwen are on the verge of achieving self rule.

I just wonder if, by Darwen gaining own rule, the population of Darwen with Blackburn would go down by 37,000 weakening Blackburn's chances of becoming a city, I am asking too much to expect our councillors to get together to go for this.

But the non-response from councillors, other than Paul Browne's, show that, as usual, it's more like Dad's Army.

ROY DAVIES, Olive Lane, Darwen.