HOW touching to hear that Jo Hodges decided to defend Gary Kibblewhite's honour at Wednesday evening's council meeting.

I wonder why the great man himself hasn't yet seen fit to explain his decision to go independent - confining himself instead to vacuous comments about election posters.

Gary Kibblewhite was elected as a Conservative and has now gone "independent" without even considering it polite to inform the people who voted for him what he's up to.

So, come on Gary, get off the fence, nail your colours to the mast and tell the people of St John's what's on your mind. Who knows, there may even be some who are supportive.

PAUL SAUNDERS, Worcester.