I WAS delighted, as all Darlington residents no doubt were, to see an elated Councillor Steve Harker celebrating a reprieve for the Civic Theatre on the front page of The Northern Echo (Jan 12). However, my delight was tinged with a large degree of cynicism.

I believe when the cuts were announced, the council, whose uncontrolled spending got us in this position in the first place, intentionally selected targets for cuts it knew would cause the most outcry in the town.

It knew the emotional response closing the theatre would generate.

I would argue it also knew that it did not need to close these venues and that, all along, the plan was to make the announcement, then come to the rescue.

All that surprises me about the current announcement is the timing. Being an election year, I thought Labour would have left it closer to the April election dates to play the “white knight” card.

They obviously must be getting an early start on the election campaign and desperately needed some good news.

Thankfully, like me, I believe the people of Darlington will see through this obvious electioneering tactic.

Tony Brockley, Darlington.