Sir, - Thank you for reminding Darlington residents of the democratic deficit at the heart of their council following Tony Blair's reforms of local government (D&S report, Sept 1).

In the New Labour century people's democratic rights are stolen by the government. The Prime Minister displays arrogance and contempt for the House of Commons by reducing his appearances to once a week. Ministers choose to give leaks to the press rather suffer the scrutiny of MPs. The House of Lords is reduced to a House of Cronies. Powers over vast areas of our lives is being given to unelected bureaucrats in Brussels. Alan Milburn has rightly been criticised for giving the Labour Party so many places on health authorities.

As a councillor of over 10 years' service I have always honoured the obligations placed on me to represent my electors at the town hall. Under the new system this is becoming almost impossible. Decisions are taken behind closed doors by a cabal of Labour councillors. The press cannot report on them, councillors have limited powers to scrutinise them and the opportunity to speak up at a council meetings has been severely curtailed.

Many people take no interest in these matters and allow Mr Blair to charm. But when the council takes a decision they don't like people will be right to express anger and outrage at the way their ability, through representatives like myself, to complain and change things has been deliberately destroyed in the name of New Labour.

Coun BILL STENSON

Coniscliffe Road,

Darlington.

Gurkha heroes

Sir, - May I thank the Wensleydale agricultural show committee and the members of the public for their support to the North-East branch of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, at the Wensleydale Show on August 26.

The sum of money raised almost achieved the branch's aim of providing a small welfare pension for a Gurkha veteran, of £20 per month for one year. This is an example of our countrymen's affection and respect for these gallant old wartime soldiers living in distressing conditions in Nepal.

Should any of your readers feel inclined to add to this sum may I invite them to send donations to the Gurkha Welfare Trust North-East Branch, at HSBC, High Street, Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

Lt Col D O O'LEARY

Clearbeck Nook,

Moor Road,

Bellerby.

Dales design

Sir, - I would like to thank everyone who helped with or visited the recent Designed for the Dales exhibition Breaking Away.

It featured the work of eight selected students from the University of Sunderland's BA Hons glass, architectural glass and ceramics programme. The work was on show for six days when it visited venues in Teesdale and Weardale. Almost 600 people came to see the exhibition and helped make it a success.

Designed for the Dales is supported by the national lottery, through the Arts Council of England, as well as by Teesdale and Wear Valley district councils. The aim is to give people across the dales the opportunity to view high quality contemporary craft exhibitions at a venue accessible to them.

I am organising the next exhibition, which will feature the work of two nationally acclaimed basket makers, Lois Walpole and Lise Bech. Lise's baskets are very traditional, using materials such as willow and heather. Lois uses recycled materials such as plastics, cork and card. Her work is very colourful and extremely imaginative.

The exhibition begins on Monday at Stanhope town hall and will visit venues across Weardale, Teesdale and Cumbria.

DENISE ALEXANDER

Project co-ordinator

Boldron,

Barnard Castle.

Make them pay

Sir, - We hear of violent attacks on people of other races and skin colour both at home and abroad, with increasing regularity. Wives and families are bereaved. Nothing is done to compensate them.

I suggest that the nation should be willing to accept responsibility for such attacks and compensate the bereaved with a large sum at the expense of the tax payers.

If the culprits are caught and sentenced, they should also be compelled to re-pay a weekly sum to government for the rest of their working and pensioned lives, no matter what age they were at the time of the crime.

Perhaps the idea that they may do somebody some financial good and do themselves permanent financial harm, would make their acts a little less 'mindless' that is the case at present.

G MATHER

Hambleton Place,

Thirsk