COUNCILLORS freely submit themselves for public office and therefore take the consequences of their actions, which for the most part is criticism of the decisions they make by those most affected.

The Morrisons supermarket scheme in Christchurch and the sites for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople in Poole are two such examples.

In both cases, those who are elected to decide have just done that, although a large number of people have been left disgruntled by the outcomes. But like it or not, that’s the system. Until someone comes up with a better one.