IT seems that local elections have degenerated into nothing more than an opinion poll of the popularity of the Westminster incumbents.

This sad view is not only held at Westminster itself but apparently by many of the now elected local government members who, during the last few weeks can find nothing better to do than write "yah-boo" letters to the Gazette.

To be fair, unelected candidates have joined in the sport with cries of "cheat" and "unfair."

A certain correspondent has suggest that the lone Labour member of North Wiltshire District Council will follow her own agenda to the possible detriment of the "ruling" party.

Possibly, this laudable suggestion is nothing more than an advance excuse for everything that can possibly go wrong during the next four years.

That, however, would require imagination , so can be discounted.

More likely it is a matter of fact that the Pickwick member will, as is her wont, follow her conscience and the wishes of her electors.

Had the BNP candidate been elected, would the Conservatives or Liberal Democrats have sought his unqualified support?

As he did not miss election by so very much, this is not a theoretical question.

I suspect that the only one willing to give an honest answer on colluding with the enemy will be the member for Pickwick.

I could be wrong but I will not hold my breath.

R J HARVEY

Lyneham