[Margaret Pilkington]

Neil, I accept that local politics is a very different kettle of fish and I have said as much many times. In fact I think the party allegiances for local politics should be wiped out. I am sure it would lead to much more productive working for the local population if political barriers were removed.

The thing is,that if the electorate are disenchanted with national politics, there is little chance that they will engage in local politics.
And despite the fact that there might be little money in local politics, there is still some rancourous in fighting(you only have to look at the way it destroyed the relationship between a father and daughter to see that......or that between PB and other local politicians who shall be nameless, but you know who they are).

While ever local politics go under the banners of the main political parties it will stay the same......and the town pays for it both in money and resources.