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RESIDENTS of Bearpark, Brasside, Framwellgate Moor, Pity Me and Witton Gilbert did themselves a disservice in last Thursday's Durham unitary council elections.

Failing to re-elect George Burlison cost them an excellent advocate, respected representative and loyal friend. His 2006 election established him immediately as a passionate, genuine and tireless public servant whose work rate, intelligent, sensitive intervention and deep commitment were equally impressive and effective.

A just world would have assured his return, allowing continued innovative projects with schoolchildren, youth, senior, resident, and other interest groups.

Sadly, many "old Labour"

neighbours stayed at home - unwilling to endorse a New Labour government whose MPs have lost touch with traditional support, abandoned those who elected them, stopped listening and who needed to be sent a message.

Sadly, George was victim of that frustration and disappointment. So we lost a superb councillor, a man of vision, compassion and integrity.

Voters will learn that claiming hard work and effectiveness is different to actually working hard and being effective. Until then, I personally thank all 1,266 people who, alongside me, put their faith in George and who would join me in offering warmest thanks for real, effective hard work on our behalf and best wishes for the future.

Thanks George, you'll be missed.

Neil Griffin, Pity Me, Durham.

I AM a 60-plus retired female shop assistant, live in a two-up, two-down, have a very small private pension that just went up by three per cent and I get the state pension.

The abolition of the ten per cent tax band means my meagre income is now £10 per month less than before my rise. I do not qualify for any of the credits to alleviate any financial burden.

I watched Prime Minister Gordon Brown on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday and read your report (Echo, May 5) in which he said: "I feel the hurt they feel."

What a hypocrite. He has absolutely no idea how I feel, trying to manage.

Labour once cared about ordinary, hard-working people. Now, they are only out to feather their own nest or nests.

In your report Mr Brown said he believed "the real Gordon Brown is someone who is standing up at all times for hard-working families"

and "to solve people's problems, you have got to understand their problems".

Would the real Gordon Brown please stand up and do something to help us as we seem to have an imposter in 10 Downing Street?

Val Hawkins, Langley Park, Durham.

WE should be reminded that the recent elections were for seats on local authorities up and down the country. Unfortunately, the commentaries following those results have nothing to do with whether local authorities were performing well or otherwise. It was a comment on the performance of central government itself.

If every councillor had stood as a truly independent candidate the result would not have been seen as anything more than the electorate selecting the best candidate to represent them on their councils.

I suggest party politics should not be part of the management of local affairs. Councillors affiliated with political parties do not owe allegiance to their electorate but to the party, and as such are not democratic.

Council meetings become just a formality as the voting on agenda items has been pre-determined at group meetings, making meaningful debate pointless.

I would further contest the validity of a council to function if there has been less than a 50 per cent turnout from the electorate. If it is compulsory to complete census forms, I see it of more importance that voting, with certain exceptions, should also be compulsory.

People fought and, in some instances, died to give us that right.

Derek Pattison, Frosterley, Co Durham.

NOW that the dust has settled on the local elections I feel it prudent to publicly express my gratitude to the many people and communities in the Coundon and Coundon Grange Ward, of County Durham, whom I have had the pleasure of representing since 1987.

As a former councillor who spent more time in peoples' homes than in committee meetings, I was afforded a humbling and privileged insight into their lives as together we wrestled with concerns and aspirations.

I shall treasure forever the thanks I have received for many a job well done and sincerely regret, even now, those issues which I wasn't able to resolve I am proud that there are many examples of what has been achieved; some standing testimony within the community and others of a personal nature known only to individuals.

Serving my community and its people has been a pleasure and a privilege and I wish them all well for the future.

Phil Graham, New Coundon, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham.

10:07am Thursday 8th May 2008

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