SIR - I was amazed by the comments by Labour County Councillor John Buckley, newly elected to Warndon Parish Council who wants to keep parish elections free of party politics. I suspect that he and Marc Bayliss (who stood against me in last May's city elections) are using the parish council to further their political ambitions and establish their credentials to capture seats on Worcester City Council.

John Buckley is kidding the electorate if he thinks he is exercising an "apolitical role", and any contributions he makes on the parish council are more likely to be supportive of Labour government policy and critical of the Conservative-run city council and its elected ward members. In the absence of a true apolitical local resident, standing Councillor Andy Roberts decided to stand for this election to provide a non-Labour alternative and by standing as a Conservative he was being honest to the electorate. He too campaigned without "the political machine" of the party, having only sought minimal help from the local Conservative Association. John Buckley wanted this election because standing as a local resident living in the parish for the past 14 years he would have a strong chance of winning, as has been proved, but I think as a Labour candidate he would have struggled.

When the full parish council is being re-elected next year, residents should think carefully before they vote if they wish the parish council to remain "apolitical".

STEPHEN HODGSON,

Councillor, Warndon Parish North