IT is often said that politicians contradict themselves. None was more obvious than the gaff by deputy council leader Derek Boden in last week's edition.

In his letter, he defended the council's decision to spend £250 of council tax payers' hard earned money on a cherished number plate for the mayoral car.

In an article in the same edition he said there was not enough in reserves to balance the budget.

Maybe the people who set the budgets should adopt the same housekeeping methods that we council tax payers have to adopt, forgoing luxury items to pay essential bills?

S. K.,

Prestwich.