FROM time to time, we read reports in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph as to what a well run local authority Blackburn is and how the controlling party should be praised for all of their efforts

This is inevitably followed by a round of 'crowing' from the Labour group on Blackburn with Darwen Council telling us that the best party to run the affairs of the borough is in power.

The report (LET, June 29) that the council is owed £3 million in council tax (which, for a population of 140,000, equates to over £21 for every man, woman and child in the borough) should force all of the ruling Labour party to hang their heads in shame.

They should, resign en masse and allow the people of Blackburn with Darwen to elect a council with a Conservative majority - a party that has real economic competence and the ability to run the affairs of the borough.

I do not accept the excuse that data protection laws prevent the council from requesting information from other parties.

The collection of council tax is the council's own responsibility and no one else's.

Enough is enough and the rot from within must be halted before the borough is declared bankrupt - which would undoubtedly be the case in the real world of trade and commerce.

IAN FORREST, Royshaw Avenue, Blackburn.

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