OUTRAGEOUS, scandalous and shameless are the politest words I can think of to describe the latest of a long line of Whitehall farces.

The first is the veto by Gordon Brown of a scheme that would have given financial assistance to over a quarter of a million people who lost their pensions when the companies they worked for closed down. Gordon Brown, by the way, is assured of a pension of at least £116,000 a year.

The second is the statement that councillors should be given golden handshakes' of several thousands of pounds if they do not get re-elected. Unfortunately, according to one report it does not end there.

Not only will they get these redundancy' payments, but there will also be access to pensions, and removal of restrictions on pay, plus a communications allowance, and in some cases the ability to claim benefits (dole) on top of any earnings.

The thinking behind all this is that it will encourage more people to take on these roles, and they will be more representative of the population than the ones we have now. What rubbish.

That there are a few hard-working councillors, who can bring some expertise to the role is not in question, but let's face it, many, like some of the Cabinet, are totally out of their depth and are only in it for what they can get out of it.

If you start giving these sort of incentives, then the situation will get worse not better, as more and more of the wrong people only take up politics' for the money and perks.

This independent' (if you believe that you will believe the moon is made of green cheese). Commission for Councillors was set up at the request of Hazel Blears, and guess what, the person asked to run it is a long-standing councillor in London!

All over the country, thousands of people give up their time and energy for no other reason than to help their fellow man. They do not get a penny in wages, and many I know, pay all their expenses out of their own pocket.

D WALKER, Barrowford.