[garinda]

I had a letter published, when the last council ignored the recommendations of an independent body, and massively increased their meal allowances, when away on council business.

The then Council Leader asked that if anyone knew where you could eat in London for a tenner, they should write a guide book.

I helpfully supplied the address of a nice restaurant, yards from Downing Street, where you could have a two course meal, and a glass of wine, all within the limits of the old allowance.

What suprised me about this weekend's Observer is the Leader's Column has been rechristened the Political Column, so even in opposition, we can still read Cllr. Britcliffe's musings.

Can't say I've noticed any political bias in the Observer.

The last leader was featured heavily in the paper, but that's down to the HBC press office, not the Observer photographing his every move.

There are regular letters from a local Communist party member, as well as the regular nutters, of all political persuasion.

The paper isn't what it once was, but I refute the accusation they're politically motivated in their editing.