WITH reference to Cllr Beesley’s and assorted others in the national press regarding the legitimacy of the public sector workers’ strike, various figures of turnout and the fact the ballot was held two years ago have been bandied about.

I would like some figures from those political “Union Bashers” as to what percentage of those eligible to vote elected them and the legitimacy of their manifestos which were published four years ago.

These manifestos are not subject to scrutiny or accountability and are not subject to any consumer protection acts or trading standards.

The whole system of Candidate Selection is a “Closed Shop” worthy of any Ford Union Convenor in the 1950’s operated by the parties.

It is difficult for an independent to make any headway unless they get elected on a party ticket and jump ship once they are elected and have established themselves.

The austerity measures have come about due to the fact that not enough people are paying their taxes, notably the bogus self-employed who are rife in the aircraft maintenance, building and offshore oil industries and are on mega money. Also these “consultants” employed by government and local authorities.

I am afraid we expect to live in a First World country with a Third World tax system. These people on tax avoidance schemes expect to turn up and be treated for nothing on our excellent NHS or expect the police, fire and ambulance to turn up when needed or go running with their British passport to the British embassy when in trouble abroad.

It is my experience that most union members are PAYE and are therefore an easy target as government departments take the easy route like the child support agency left the ‘Jack the lads’ alone as they are too difficult to get money from.

My generation had jobs, could buy houses and most of us were fully paid up in the union, and had an index-linked pension. There was no jealousy between the public and private sector whose conditions are now under attack as a result of the policies of mass immigration.

The younger generation have been left starting out debt ridden, with student fees to pay and nonsense house prices.

WILLIAM GLYN HUGHES, Pine Tree Glen, Bournemouth