MR Gibbons (his letter July 27th”) voices a concern which I, and I’m sure many people in Beaconsfield must feel at the gradual politicisation of the Town Council.

It is after all a parish council and it should be concerned with local affairs and how to carry them out for the benefit of all residents.

Instead, the Conservatives, who are now in the majority have ridden roughshod over many of the traditional and efficient ways in which the council was organised. The Mayor was the “leader” so there was no need for an extra one!

What we need are more people to stand for the council as independent candidates The Beaconsfield Independent Electors Association (formerly the Ratepayers Association) was formed to support people who want to serve the community regardless of their political leanings nationally.

In the eighties and nineties when there was a majority of such people on the Town Council there was a tradition of alternating the position of Mayor and chairmen of committees and all members could have their say in meetings.

Since the reversal in the majority we have the situation referred to by Mr Gibbons where independent members and therefore the people who voted for them are virtually disenfranchised .

I do hope that by the time of the next election there will be enough Independent candidates elected to bring the council back to its original aspirations.

Shirley Scrivener, former Mayor of Beaconsfield and President of the Beaconsfield Independent Electors Association, Burgess Wood Grove, Beaconsfield