MAY I congratulate Coun Don Rishton (Letters, August 18) for making a stand for democracy -- at last a councillor who has put the democratic right of citizens before loyalty to party.

I commend his courage, for this must have been a very difficult decision to make, when one views the harsh treatment meted out to Coun Mike Madigan when he had the courage to fight the closure of Shadsworth old people's home against the wishes of the leaders of the local Labour Party.

This councillor, who had given 25 years of faithful service to his ward, was deselected on the grounds that he needed retraining to deal with people. This was a disgraceful suggestion and totally undeserved.

Councillor Rishton is expressing the will of the majority of the electorate and unconsciously echoing my thoughts that democracy is slowly being eroded in this country, primarily by the Labour Party.

This seems to mean they are against things like justice, mercy, free speech, honour and courtesy.

One contrasts the craven response of some councillors after Councillor Greenwood told fellow councillors 'they were scabs' if they expressed their opinion to the press on the proposed undemocratic cabinet style of government for Blackburn with Darwen.

Some of these councillors hid behind the trite phrase of 'no comment' when asked by the press for their opinion. They lacked the courage to give an honest opinion.

JOHN EDDLESTON, Brownhill Road, Blackburn.