I WAS astonished to read the Conservative parliamentary hopeful for South Swindon announcing he is against development at Coate, east of the A419 and south of the M4.

If he really does join the STOP march he will be criticising his Conservative colleagues on Swindon Borough Council!

Tory councillors have always supported greenfield development in Swindon, be it at Front Garden or at Coate. The same tories support the traffic tunnel at the M4's junction 16.

Mike Bawden, as the Conservative leader of the council, must be embarrassed at this attack on Tory policy but at least he can ask Michael Howard for advice on dealing with people who don't toe the party line.

S STEBBING

Old Town, Swindon