WHY are your readers so surprised at the antics of the Conservative councillors at the budget meeting? They did exactly the same thing last year.

Why, you might ask, do you produce a budget, in this case 12.44 per cent (less than the 12.9 per cent needed to stand still). Then send four of your councillors on holiday to ensure your budget is not approved.

The object of the exercise is your lower budget might get you elected in May, but you need Labour's budget to operate.

But surprise, surprise, there is deadlock, so someone has to abstain in the next vote, and Duggie Stewart drew the short straw. That's what you call conniving, conspiring, Conservative!

M J WARNER

Malvern Road

Swindon