IN response to your comment (Echo, June 20), some things are always true.

Most, if not all governments, congenitally hide the whole truth from the public by lying. The national media, in the absence of fact, congenitally distort, inflate and invent stories in order to compete for advantage with their peers.

To be really cynical, the present Government's falling out with the media (and vice versa) dates back to when Rupert Murdoch was denied the purchase of Manchester United. A decision Blair will live to regret, I fancy. - Chris Greenwell, Aycliffe.

IN years to come, will the name of Alastair Campbell appear with those of Tony Lock, Jim Laker and Shane Warne in recognition for their contribution to spin. - Alan Kelly, Ferryhill.

Billingham REGENERATION

IT should be crystal clear by now that the views of the residents of Billingham are not properly represented at local government level. It has been an education and a true revelation, watching Stockton Council twist and turn against the tide of public opinion.

More than 4,000 supporters have written to protect and improve John Whitehead Park for future generations.

This level of support far exceeds any numbers or statistics that the council regurgitates in defence of its proposals. To add to this public response, an overwhelming vote of 'no confidence' in Stockton Council and Billingham Regeneration Partnership Board was delivered at a packed Forum Theatre on June 17. - Names and address supplied.

ONE of the country's smallest parks is to be cut in half at the bequest of Stockton Borough Council. This is Whitehead Park.

The park itself in Billingham is only about 250 yards square and quite a small park, although well used.

The two bowling greens have been used for almost 50 years. There are tennis courts for young people and the park is used for picnics in school holidays and a common playing field.

The park itself is coming to its best after almost 50 years, but Stockton Council wishes to change all that and build a new place on the park.

Where are our MPs and councillors when we need them? And is Stockton Council failing to let people of Billingham know what is happening? - Name and address supplied.

AT the height of this public expression of opposition over the future of Whitehead Park, Stockton Council sent in the diggers to bore holes in the park. Such contempt and sheer arrogance was utterly breathtaking, and deeply disturbing.

Politicians who choose to ignore those who vote them in to power, do not deserve privileges. It is time to break the mould.

Billingham has already started to remove them from office. It is clear that party politics should be taken out of local government for the sake of true democracy. The next local elections are in May 2003. - Fred Jones, Billingham.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

JOHN Hawgood (HAS, June 15) appears to be concerned only with the working classes of the Third World. He ignores the long-term effects of structural unemployment arising from the mistakes of successive governments.

For many Britons, just like Third World folk, the lack of basic money and the fear of eviction are daily concerns. This is why people accept longer working hours and worsening housing conditions. This is why they can't afford the 20p per head per day the Government spends on Third World aid.

Without aid cutbacks - including payments to the EU - nothing will change. You can't, Mr Hawgood, tell someone whose family lives in a foul inner city slum to give £170 a year to starving Africans.

We must stop wasting money on the European Union and Third World aid. A phased dismantling of these commitments would free funds to attack unemployment, destitution and hopelessness. - Aled Jones, Bridlington.

SEX SHOPS

I WONDER how many readers know of the decision of the Darlington Licensing Committee to allow a third sex shop in the town, in a place where children and young families live?

A sizeable group attended the hearing and were able to make their objections heard. In spite of reasonable objections, the committee decided to rule in favour of the applicant, a man from Leeds, who has sex shops around the North.

There are two sex shops already in Darlington. Do we need more than that in a town of this size? Is Darlington becoming the sex capital of the North? What a disgrace is being brought upon us all, that people can, under the fatuous excuse that they run well-managed and clean premises, ply their evil trade.

Are any of the main routes into town safe from such degrading establishment?

The leaders of our town are not permitted to make moral judgements, we are told. Then heaven help Darlington and that is genuinely my prayer. - Richard Davison, Darlington.