DEAR EDITOR - As a ratepayer I have followed with interest the continued washing of dirty linen in public of the Tories on our district council.

This seems to follow on from the last administration, which was fraught with disputes, deposition of their then leader and a number of instances of incompetence.

We saw rate increases of 28 per cent in one year, a huge hike in parking fees, a declining High Street and of course a Victorian bandstand which very few people wanted in view of the state of the council's finances.

The excuse always given was 'not our fault, blame the Government' for not giving us more money to waste.

The present administration seems to have learnt little from this experience, falling out with one another, seeking to depose the current leadership, which in itself may not be a bad thing, though one wonders if there is anyone left capable of serving the town and its people, rather than seeking power without responsibility.

Bromsgrove deserves better, and if the Tories cannot get their act together, and start bringing some life to our town, they should do the honourable thing, resign en bloc and give the electorate a chance to appoint councillors who put service before self-interest.

I wonder if Theresa May was right when she described the Tories as being 'The Nasty Party.' Perhaps she had heard of the antics being perpetrated in Bromsgrove.

John P Healey

Golden Cross Lane

Catshill

Bromsgrove