Sir I notice that Cllr Martin Terry indulged himself into another piece of anti-conservative bashing as he throws his toys out of his pram because he didn't get his own way on the Dog Control Orders issue. 

I have been a councillor for over three years and can assure residents that during that time I have never been subject to a whip on any issue. On occasions I have voted against my own party and sided with opposition members when I have felt the need arised.

I can also reassure Cllr Terry that no whip was applied and that the Dog Control Orders had cross party support as the result of the vote was 27-13 in favour of the Dog Control Orders. 

I note with interest that Cllr Terry feels that party politics should be booted out of Town Hall politics. I guess this means that Cllr Terry will give up his generous leaders salary which he claims as being 'leader of the Independents' and stop holding party political meetings in the Civic Centre as by the nature of forming a group you can not be independent. 

Maybe Cllr Terry can explain why the Independents are effectively the Labour Party in Shoeburyness as website www.southend-on-sea-labour.org.uk links to the Independents Shoeebury News website run by one of their 2010 local election candidates.

Yours Faithfully