December 15th, 2006

Contrary to what they said in their letter (HAS, Dec 9) there were no rules as to what a councillor could and could not accept (and that included planning). Nor was this covered in the 40-45 minutes' training I had on election to the planning committee.

The head of legal services has stated in several local and national newspapers that it is how the actions would be perceived by the residents and it is up to the councillor him/herself to work out whether it could be viewed as a bribe or not - as the case may be.

In my particular case, I had sufficient confidence in the intelligence of the residents to decide for themselves how this would be viewed and, judging by the response, both here and worldwide, I was right and the Labour candidates were wrong.

I had sufficient faith in residents that they would view this for what it was - a kindly gesture by a pensioner whose garden I admired and my good manners not to refuse and risk offending him. - Joan McTigue, Independent Councillor, Middlesbrough Council.

IN the debate over the rights and wrongs of Middlesbrough councillor Joan McTigue accepting a pear and four apples (which has resulted in a conduct warning letter from the council) it is important to note that the gifts were given at different intervals over many months.

Why, then, didn't the officers stop Coun McTigue after the first incident, instead of building a case file to throw at her?

I think Coun McTigue should do what she can with the apples, and send it to the officers so they can eat humble pie - that's if they can accept it. - Councillor Brian Hubbard, Beckfield Ward, Middlesbrough.

AS a resident of Middlesbrough, I take great exception to the comments from the two Beechwood Ward Labour candidates, Teresa Higgins and Richard Speakman (HAS, Dec 9), inferring that I and presumably others in this town would ever look upon the giving or receiving of a few bits of fruit as a bribe.

What on earth do these two people take us for? It would have been better had they kept that particular opinion to themselves. - Barbara Dunne, Whinney Banks, Middlesbrough.

PRISONERS' RIGHTS

ONLY weeks after we learn prisoners were successful in suing for being subjected to "cold turkey" treatment for their drug problems, I was absolutely amazed to read The last word (Echo, Dec 11).

A prisoner at a jail near Rugby, Warwickshire, wants prison officers to stop wearing silly hats at Christmas. He claims the wearing of such headgear "rubs salt into the wound" of inmates who were missing relatives during the festive season.

What prisoners and those liberals who support them must realise is this: these people have no rights to their sensitivities - if they thought of their relatives they would not commit crimes which threaten their liberty in the first instance.

Who will make a stand against these "rights conscious" prisoners? They should be told in no uncertain terms they have abrogated all rights to be treated as civilised members of society when convicted.

They should consider the rights of those from whom they have offended against and those prison officers who give up their family Christmas to pander to them over the festive season. - Colin T Mortimer, Pity Me, Durham City.

LABOUR RECORD

IT is becoming increasingly obvious that Tony Blair has ring-fenced spending in Government departments, presumably to keep the total below that imposed by the EU. This has resulted in:

unnecessary deaths and injuries in our Armed Forces;

unnecessary deaths among NHS patients, plus the partial or whole dismantling of mental health hospitals throughout England; large increases in council tax, and cuts and extra charges in local government;

tuition fees and privatisation of schools (through trusts, academies and religion); start of roads privatisation.

Our quality of life has suffered accordingly, more for some than others. However, politicians and their cronies, particularly in European circles, continue ever upwards in their luxurious lifestyle. - F Evans, Sunderland.

'WRONG CROWD'

I READ at least two articles on the same day about youngsters in trouble having got in "with the wrong crowd". It led me to think, why does the law never catch this mysterious "wrong crowd" and who are they anyway?

One of the first words we ever learn is "no". We all have a choice and most of us manage to say no when given the choice of breaking the law or not.

"The wrong crowd" is simply a euphemism for "it's not my fault". It seems society today condones criminals, blaming anyone but themselves, and even hands them ready-made excuses.

They would gain more respect if they just said: "Sorry, yes it was my fault, I'll try not to do it again." - Mrs K Harris, Barnard Castle, Co Durham.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

I KNOW it's Christmas, but some people are decorating their houses to look like some sort of pimp's palace. Not only do they look a total mess, they also contribute to global warming.

Surely councils could do something to stop these fluorescent lunatics who think their house looks nice with a 10ft flashing Santa on the roof.

I suppose, though, if you're sitting inside you can't see the state your house looks from the outside. It's a fad that seems to be growing and needs nipping in the bud. I'm all for mistletoe and decking the halls, etc, but not 100watt Frostie and the gang. - David Nicholls, Darlington.

NATIONALISM

IN Scotland, they have the SNP (Scottish National Party). Now, it is high time that we had the ENP (English National Party) and that ministerial and high office posts were filled by English, or naturalised English, politicians.

On that basis, neither Gordon Brown nor John Reid should be handed the keys to 10 Downing Street.

If either is seconded into position without a countrywide vote then democracy is dead and this country virtually has a dictatorship. The electorate should decide who becomes Prime Minister. - Fred Holdstock, Scotton, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

WOOD-BES

THERE is no evidence whatsoever that we actually need MPs, more so now since the creation of the European superstate.

That these pompous, overpaid, overrated and underworked parasites are reportedly seeking an enormous pay rise again is preposterous.

I propose that next time round every constituency in the country elects a nice piece of knotty pine, approximately two metres long by 100mm thick and sharpened at one end.

The savings would be enormous and at least by spacing them evenly round our coast and stringing a wire between they would perform a useful function by keeping out illegal immigrants. - Colin Dent, Croxdale, Durham.

BRITISH VALUES

TONY Blair says of would-be immigrants: "Our tolerance is part of what makes Britain, Britain. Conform to it, or don't come here." Quite right.

But does this mean that right-wing extremists who are intolerant of ethnic and religious minorities should get out? - Pete Winstanley Durham.