I AGREE with Mr B Best (EA 31/5/04) that although in power for many years, the Labour led council did little or nothing to improve the quality of life for Swindon residents.

Mr Kevin Small seems quite content to score party political points rather than to put forward progressive ideas.

The Liberal Democrats, who aided the Labour councillors to put in place a crippling increase in the Community Charge, and to a lesser extent the Conservative Party are not entirely free from blame regarding our present sorry state of affairs.

Too many councillors have been in office far too long. They have become lethargic and devoid of ideas. What we need, but probably won't get, irrespective of party, is some new faces on our council.

At least they might bring some new ideas and certainly could not be worse than our present band of yesterday's men.

R W selway

Stratton St Margaret