IN reply to Chris Foote-Wood (HAS, Sept 10) and his supposed "wish for smaller councils". In the real world you can't have your cake and eat it.

Mr Foote-Wood actively campaigned for the EU-inspired directly-elected North-East Assembly, and despite being humiliated by the referendum vote, subsequently became vice-chairman of the existing North-East Assembly.

The creation of a directly-elected assembly would have led to the loss of the district councils which is why the sound-minded public backed the "No" campaign. They knew the removal of local accountability was a loss for democracy and are now being proved right.

Despite the vote, Mr Foote-Wood never argued against Wear Valley District Council sending thousands of pounds to the assembly as a subscription, nor did he stop attending the assembly, all paid for by the taxpayer.

I note from Mr Foote-Wood's records that he is, or was, a member of the European Movement, Britain in Europe, North-East in Europe, Local Government Group for Europe, Campaign for English Regions, Campaign for a North-East Assembly, North-East Constitutional Convention, North- East "Yes" Campaign and Alternate Member of the EU Committee of the Regions. An awful lot of support for smaller councils there.

Peter Laws, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham.