Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

'Backbenchers' consign Mr. and Mrs. to history at WC.

Conservative backbenchers joined with Independents and Lib Dems on Tuesday to change the rules at future Wiltshire Council meetings.

Wiltshire Council inherited the quaint tradition of addressing councillors as Mr. This, Mrs. That or Colonel The Other. This reflected the seemingly Victorian atmosphere of County Hall.

However, a campaign led by former West Wiltshire DC councillors (including myself)succeeded in overturning the habit. In future councillors will be referred to as 'Councillor'.

In the old days, the use of the term 'councillor' was seen as being too working class and really only suitable for lesser councils at district and parish level.

The Leader at WC (Jane Scott) stated that there was no 'whip' on the issue, yet the whole of her cabinet voted against the suggestion. They were outvoted 44 to 33.

Although this appears trivial it will help members of the public who attend council meetings and, in the past, were not always clear about who were councillors and who were officers. In addition, it challenges the 'old guard' at County Hall to move with the times.