ONLY a short while ago, I had every respect for Councillor Adrian Shurmer, in that he stood up for what he believed in - so much so that the people of Netherton Ward in Great Harwood gave him the necessary mandate to effect those beliefs.

Even the Conservative Party had enough respect for him to allow him to go unopposed against the then leader of the council, George Slynn.

What is now apparent is that both respects are completely unfounded. He has not only managed to alienate himself both from those he could count on as friends, and the Conservative Party, but also from the very people who voted for him by being self opinionated, obstinate and often blinkered in his outlook.

When I first met Coun Shurmer, I had the impression that a breath of fresh air would be introduced into a somewhat stale council. I now find that, far from being a breath, a hurricane has been unleashed, with devastating results, leaving others to clear up afterwards.

He has accused the current, albeit tentative, administration of inaction in not addressing his issues. I ask you how can we do this when we are too busy trying to deal with his agenda of mayhem and destruction?

At every turn, a public inquiry is called for, officers are being subjected to, I feel somewhat pointless, accusations of corruption and often these are accompanied by changes in political allegiances. I am now amazed at his sudden outburst in your report (LET, September 24) - that he has not ruled out a coalition with the Labour Party if it were to be offered. This goes to show the thinking of the man, when everything he stands for is totally opposite to their policies.

He has, also, not thought through the implications of this action. Firstly, the people of Netherton would not have had a choice on the party to vote for, replacing one socialist for another.

Secondly, traffic calming would be back with a vengeance and, thirdly, his hopes of affecting the Safeway supermarket decision will have gone through the window.

If he wants to be truly independent, he has to realise that he is one against 46, and, as such, will find it very difficult to get anywhere with his plans. The people of Netherton, in that case, might as well not have bothered to vote.

As I have said, in the beginning I thought some of his ideas were credible and possible. I can state that until he stops listening to the wicked witches of Harwood, extends an olive branch to the Conservative Party, and accepts his duties as a councillor, only then will he find that actions will follow in abundance.

I for one will have an even greater respect for him if he makes that effort and puts all past differences behind him.

COUNCILLOR DOUGLAS DEAKIN, Station Road, Huncoat, Accrington.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.