THE letter sent to Blackburn Labour leader Councillor Malcolm Doherty, on behalf of local Liberal Democrats, which voices our disquiet at the recent conduct of some of his colleagues and the Labour group's apparent disregard for addressing the issues in a satisfactory manner, deserved better than a response that simply confirmed our view that the council is being run by a small number of councillors concerned only with their own self interest.

That the writer of the letter could not be contacted by telephone is a poor excuse. Surely, Coun Doherty's office has access to secretarial assistance.

But his final attempt to avoid the substance of the letter, if he really was serious in the context it was given, was third-rate and unbecoming of any councillor and certainly not one with aspirations to be leader of a city council.

To suggest that it would not be in our party's interest to put such issues in the public domain, demands proof from the councillor which should be made public.

Local Liberal Democrats have nothing to hide, we believe all members of the council and its officers should be accountable to the public at all times, and the public should be fully informed of all council decisions.

Liberal Democrats in Pendle introduced a public question time at the end of council meetings. If Councillor Doherty wants to know more about how to put that sort of democracy into action on Blackburn with Darwen Council I can be reached by telephone - BT call minder - and I can assure him I will respond positively!

KEVIN CONNOR (Press Secretary, Blackburn with Darwen Liberal Democrats), Elswick Street, Darwen.

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