THE resident population of Darlington as measured in the 2001 Census, was 97,838. Measured against that, the 300 or so who gathered in the town centre on Saturday to protest against council policies on pedestrianisation, planning and education are a drop in the ocean.

But the protestors who stood shivering on the High Row claim to represent many more people who share their concerns.

Of course, council leader John Williams is probably quite right when he says that the majority of townsfolk are in favour of a new £25m school with state-of-the-art facilities.

It is also true to say that the council's town centre pedestrianisation plans have won brickbats and bouquets in equal measure. By drawing High Row and the covered market together it will provide a counter balance to a proposed £90m shopping development on the other side of the town.

No doubt Coun Williams sincerely believes the authority has consulted with the electorate. "We always listen and we have listened," he says but that is missing the point.

The fact is, for all the council's good intentions the protestors do not believe it has listened at all.

Arguments over whether the council has or has not consulted enough are symptomatic of the general dis-satisfaction with politicians at all levels. People are unhappy because they feel as though no one listens to them any more.

Is this because politicians have lost the ability to get their message across? Or is it because cabinet government has severely curtailed the public debate that gave opponents a forum to air their concerns?

Public debate thrives on openness and confrontation. The Local Government Act 2000, which introduced cabinet government, was supposed to strengthen clarity of vision, community leadership and visibility.

With more protests planned, it looks as though all our politicians need to pay more attention to sustaining or enhancing a stronger base of public support.