I WRITE to support the call by Phil Dunn of the Bournemouth Liberal Democrats for the resignation of Councillors Decent and Kelsey (Echo, December 1).

There can be no excuse for them not paying their council tax and they should really know better.

I accept that anyone can make a mistake but the problem with this episode is that it erodes even further the trust and confidence of the public in elected representatives. Their ability as local councillors therefore ceases to be an issue once that trust has gone.

In the interests of transparency let me say that I live in the ward Councillor Kelsey represents but he will not be surprised to learn that I didn’t vote for him.

I think Mr Dunn may be more optimistic than me in expecting that they will actually resign.

Given the one party system that currently controls Bournemouth there is a lack of any real opposition or even scrutiny.

The future of Councillors Decent and Kelsey is therefore in the hands of the Conservative Party group on Bournemouth council so I am not holding my breath.

PATRICK CANAVAN

Chair Bournemouth Labour Party, Manor Road, Bournemouth

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