Tom Kelly’s letter in last week’s Standard rather neatly sums up everything that is wrong with the incumbent Conservative administration at Maldon District Council.

Using a rather patronising maritime reference (something of an ill-advised habit within the Conservative Party it seems), Mr Kelly suggests that Independent members will struggle in decision making.

Nothing could be further from the truth, as unlike Mr Kelly’s Conservatives, the Independents have no party loyalty to worry about; our sole focus is the effective running of Maldon District Council for the benefit of those who elected us.

Time and again we see Conservatives put party before people, from members leaving crucial debates prior to voting, having been ‘whipped’ to attend Conservative group meetings, to former leader Adrian Fluker’s well-publicised decision to exclude Independent members from all working groups, thereby eschewing skills, ability and, crucially, local ward knowledge in favour of those who will toe the party line.

Fortunately, some of the newly elected Conservative members share the Independents’ view and are committed to working together for the betterment of Maldon District Council.

I believe it is no coincidence that it was one of these members who was subjected to a sustained campaign of bullying by Adrian Fluker, who was found guilty by the joint standards committee of breaching the council’s Code of Conduct.

Coincidentally, the same day Mr Kelly chose to waste taxpayers’ money by bringing a complaint against a member of the council for wearing a hat in the chamber.

It really is time to stop playing silly political games and to focus on the needs of the district.

Vanessa Bell

Station Road

Burnham