It seems that the Conservative majority on Kennet District Council are more than willing to adopt Downing Street's methods of spin and deception when it suits their purpose.

In his letter on December 23 Coun Parsons supports the line perpetrated by the leader of the council that the 52 per cent increase in allowances, which they voted themselves, in some way reflects the advice of the Independent Remuneration Panel. This is a travesty of the truth.

In 2002 the panel evaluated the average number of hours a member spent on council business against the average wage for the Kennet area and calculated a sum of £5,000 which they recommended should be reduced to £2,500 to reflect an element of public service.

The members of the day accepted that recommendation.

This year the panel suggested an increase, on that basis, which reflected the effect of inflation.

By voting themselves a substantially greater amount the current Conservatives seem to place less value on voluntary service to the community than previously.

High flat rate payments merely encourage the nomination of placemen who may have little or no connection with the areas they represent and whose attendance may be sparse.

Do the Conservatives really wish to turn the clock back 200 years to the days of the Rotten Boroughs?

N Carter, Devizes North

T Duck, Devizes E ast

J Ody, Devizes South