Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

A special meeting of WCC was held on 16 January.
Despite it being national Conservative policy NOT to seek unitary status, the Conservative controlled WCC has taken the totally opposite view.

Unitary status is not wanted by three of the four District Councils and I agree with them. One authority for the whole of Wiltshire would be cumbersome and hardly 'local government'; rather, it is a step towards regional government - much loved by Labour, but not the public.

One of my main reasons for standing as an Independent is because I don't agree that local politicians should be influenced by party politics; however, I wonder what local Conservative voters will make of the WCC decision? It would seem that even if you vote for a local politician because of his/her party beliefs/policies, those policies can then be conveniently ignored by your representative when it suits them! Please remember this in a couple of months time when canvassing for the May local election starts!!