Sir, In the County Gazette "Postbag" last week a Liberal Democrat county councillor claimed that the Conservative Group voted against cuts in councillors' allowances in this year's budget setting. This is completely untrue. I would suggest she reads the minutes of the meeting and if necessary consults with the Chief Executive of the County Council who confirms my recollection of the debate on 7 April.

I accept that having a gratuitous swipe at political opponents is all part of the rough and tumble of politics. However, it is demeaning to do so on distortions of the truth and in particular to do so on our allowances, which are settled by an independent panel, primarily to take the politics out of such matters. No wonder some politicians are held in low regard.

Yours faithfully,

Christopher Wolverson

Leader of the Conservative Group Somerset County Council