As most readers will remember the New Labour Government issued the Local Government Act 2000 forcing local Government to decide to adopt one of three similar options that took the vote on all matters away from the ward councillor.

In the case of Spelthorne Borough Council the Executive method was adopted and they have been quite ingenious.

Residents may like to know after New Labour lost most councils in the south-east that further changes are going to be made and a white paper on the subject is due on October 2, 2006, two months before the Lyon's Review of Local Government.

Beware of Governments bearing gifts because the public will have to pay for it.

If readers wish England to remain a democracy they need to make their voices heard.

One of the items that appear to have missed the public's attention is that New Labour has changed the public's relationship with local Government and other services from stakeholder to customer.

This means they have been instructed to operate as a business instead of a service to the public.

Although all businesses have some duty to the customer if they wish to stay in business, they can do what they wish.

I believe in private enterprise but New Labour is dealing with our very existence as the levelling down process continues.

The evidence to back up this statement can be seen in schools, health service, police, post offices, water, energy, car parking and many other areas where the public have lost control.

A system of never mind the quality look at the cheap cost prevails and to achieve this, the training level and power of staff has been compromised.

Another fine mess you have got us into Tony.

Now only the public can correct it.

The Ashford Hospital saga is a typical example with its loss of services, consultation and private car park at extortionate cost to the visiting public.

COUN JACK PINKERTON Stanwell North