Angry resignation of Fenstanton's district councillor

FENSTANTON S controversial district councillor resigned suddenly today, claiming political parties were hopeless, all the same and out of touch with the population. In an angry resignation letter, Councillor Paul Dakers, who lives in St Ives and has repre

FENSTANTON'S controversial district councillor resigned suddenly today, claiming political parties were hopeless, all the same and out of touch with the population.

In an angry resignation letter, Councillor Paul Dakers, who lives in St Ives and has represented Fenstanton on Huntingdonshire District Council since 2007, says local authorities are run by unelected officers, ignore the majority of residents and favour whatever minority is flavour of the week.

He claims councillors who try to speak their minds are no longer allowed to do so, a betrayal of those who have laid down their lives to protect freedom of speech.

He added: "I do not believe the fighting forces of this country lived through hell, with many dying in hell, for the kind of 'democracy' we have today.

"Would they really have wanted to see a country where youths urinate on war memorials? Where every moment of their lives is tracked by documents or DNA samples? Would they really want to be guilty until proven innocent? Where people who make false allegations remain anonymous? Where massive banking organisations can make us bankrupt and keep the money for themselves?"

His letter concludes: "I have been a councillor just under three years and I have spent the entire time trying to make town halls see sense. It's not possible.

"If you feel you are a better man than me," he tells any would-be successor, "you are welcome to take my place.