So Cllr Hawker thinks the Lib Dems are a bunch of buffoons and the Labour group cannot be trusted. What do these comments make him and the Conservative bunch at West Wilts look like?

They cannot control their own e-mails and are trying to tell us they can run a council.

Before we let this matter rest Cllr Hawker should explain himself. He has only been a district councillor for just over a year. How has he come to the conclusions that one group are buffoons and the other cannot be trusted?

Possibly, as your article suggests at least to me, the leader of the council is loosing control. He has the support of a group, which is telling him what they will or will not accept! The other issue here is the right to pass judgement and the facts associated with these judgements. People passing these judgements must learn, everyone has the right to be treated with the same respect they wish to be treated themselves. Especially in this situation, as one fact cannot be escaped, WWDC is a hung council and the Conservatives' attempts to make friends and influence people takes on a new meaning.

After this how can anyone trust the Conservatives and how could members of the smaller groups at West Wilts support these people?

P EZRA

Westbury

WHAT is so good or brilliant about Cllr Brian Mudge that entitles him to pour scorn on the ability of fellow Melksham West Wiltshire District councillor Vic Oakman?

I think we are entitled to ask this question and he owes the people of Melksham an explanation about his offensive and unacceptable comments.

From my point of view Brian Mudge has behaved disgracefully and should resign. However, I bet he will not be allowed to by his colleagues who, after this sort of unacceptable behaviour, will be afraid of losing this Conservative seat in a hung council.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

FROM time to time I have taken an interest in local politics and must say I am not surprised to hear the views, publicly aired by accident, of Conservative groups at West Wilts.

Your report indicated that if there were prizes for arrogance and conceit the Conservatives would win by a mile.

What is amazing is that there are no comments from the senior Conservatives, the leader or chairman of this council. Are they distancing themselves from this behaviour? Can we assume they all share the same views but are afraid to use the e-mail system because they might be caught out? If they disagree with the messages these e-mails send out do they have the guts to do something about it?

MRS W JONES

Melksham

WITH reference to the ongoing adventures of the West Wiltshire District Council I find the insults dished out to fellow councillors is beyond contempt.

These people were elected the same as themselves and the insults can be carried over to the electorate who voted them in. Do these people think that they are in a world of their own and beyond reproach in such a despicable way?

Was the wrong button on somebody's computer, which brought events to light, an accident or deliberate? These factors only show how some people's minds work to further their own aims. Most politicians are voted in because they represent a particular political party, not for their abilities. Only Independent candidates are voted in on their personal capabilities to back them up.

Apologies after the fact count for nothing. It only shows how these people's minds work. Maybe the voters will have long memories when the next elections come around.

MR R WEST

Westbury

Funny things e-mails. Key the wrong button and all hell breaks loose; revealing one's own inner thoughts designed to be shared with fellows of like mind.

Without seeing the offending e-mail it is difficult to form an opinion. However, judging from the box on page six; the author appeared to view fellow councillors with a hostile regard.

Good government is achieved through co-operation. Hostile government is the road to a disaster.

A Rowland

via email

I WOULD very much like to disassociate myself from the offensive comments which have been circulated in e-mails at West Wiltshire District Council. From comments I have received many of my colleagues feel the same. Personally, I have never, ever, thought in such a way.

All councillors are elected, and their electors have the right to expect their representatives to receive the respect due to them.

CLLR M CLEGG

Chairman

West Wilts District Council