I WAS watching a programme at the weekend and four words were dominant in the narrative. I decided to look up their dictionary references. This is what I found:

Democracy: A form of society which favours equal rights, the ignoring of hereditary class distinction and tolerance of minority views.

Socialism: A political and economic theory or policy of social organisation which advocates that the community should own and control the means of production, capital, land, property etc.

Capitalism: The possession of capital or wealth; system where private capital or wealth is used in the production or distribution of goods; the dominance of private owners of capital and production of profit.

Fascism: A political philosophy, movement or regime that is usually hostile to socialism and stands for a centralised government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe regimentation and forcible suppression of opposition.

Consider the state of Leigh town centre today and how it was before the local government changes. Consider that the Leader of the Council has a peerage. Consider the Guided Bus Route. Consider £100,000 being waived for a piece of land in Lowton. Consider the flats at the side of the canal for mentally ill people. Consider the people who are against Xanadu and then tell me which of the above references best describes Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council.

JOHN SUMNER

Hulme Road, Leigh