M CARTWRIGHT (You Say, Monday, April 28) is able to imagine a room of Independents discussing the same subjects but having different views - yet appears unable to recognise the very basis of democracy.

Having attended many council meetings over the recent years, I witnessed the so-called democracy practised by the New Labour councillors led in those days by Coun David Barlow and the Tories led by Coun Robert Rowden, with both parties controlled by Westminster.

And I also saw, the sad predictable sight of voting under the Whips, when hands shot up in unison as if puppets on wires.

And although the present New Labour Government has suffered a democratic memory loss, local councillors should remember that they are elected to represent local people, not party politics.

And when that days comes, M Cartwright of Worcester, we will all see democracy.

BRIAN HUNT, Worcester.