I HAVE lived in Worcestershire for roughly half of my 86 years, during which time I have had plenty of opportunity to read about and suffer from the antics of the county council.

After long consideration I have come to one conclusion.

Ever since they lost their beloved kings, Charles I and Charles II, the authorities (and those quietly behind them) suffered irrecoverable trauma.

They cannot conceive that there is no divine right to control the destinies of the serfs, whose money they collect and spend to satisfy their own whims.

They have never produced a leader with the guts and capability to wrench from any government, a fair slice of the national cake for Worcestershire to meet their obligations, including health and education.

Hence the current arguments about declining numbers in schools. Instead of welcoming the chance to give pupils a better service, they want to return to the 40-per-class era.

I have learned from long experience to distrust all political parties with their whips, back-biting and jealousies.

Give me an independent man capable of making up his own mind and decisions.

So wake up Worcestershire County Council, come into the present century and listen to the people who put you where you are and pay your very interesting expenses.

No money? Check some of your rarely used buildings, you might be surprised at how much money is tied up in them, and their contents - and that will only be scratching the surface.

K JACKSON

(Address supplied)