I WAS rather amused by the comments of Councillor Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council that there is no opposition to the ruling Labour group.

I have been on the council for nearly nine years and during that time both my party and the Liberal Democrats have always opposed the ruling group.

However, unfortunately when it comes to the vote the Labour group, irrespective of the issue, behave like clones and vote for whatever they are told to by the Labour leadership.

In the House of Commons a sizeable number of Labour MPs voted with the opposition to inflict two defeats on their own Government because they believed that was the right thing to do for the country.

Oh, for such independent thinking in the Blackburn with Darwen Council Chamber but alas for democracy it is non-existent within the ruling Labour group who meekly do what they are told to.

Councillor D PEARSON, St Michael's Court, Blackburn.