SIR: A correspondent recently complained about the deterioration of local government services in Westhoughton since the formation of Bolton Metropolitan Borough. The same reduction in service has taken place in Farnworth, Blackrod, Kearsley, Horwich and Little Lever.

But wait a minute! The same thing has happened in the old Bolton Metropolitan Borough. Loss of control of police, public transport, water etc. Loss of a say in the running of the health service etc. Deterioration in education, roads, social services, parks etc.

The reason is clear.

In Democratic countries, local government is free to do what it wishes to serve its electorate, provided it is not against the law. In this country it is only allowed to do what government laws allow or tell it to do.

The present government has taken away from councils many of their rights and duties and at the same time given them duties without providing them with the money to carry them out. Local government money is now national government controlled. Democracy in this country is being steadily eroded and local government is in a national government straight jacket.

Even the Labour Party is less democratic. When I joined the party more than 60 years ago we appointed leaders to carry out policy decided by the members; now the leaders dictate policy.

Do we really want democracy to die in Bolton? Do we want a council who can act on behalf of Boltonians, or one whose hands are tied by national government.

Do your readers care?

George K Brown,

Barncroft Road,

Farnworth, Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.