CLAIMING members did not realise what they had voted for on November 13, Councillor David Hughes, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, wants to reverse SWDP decisions taken at that day’s extraordinary meeting.

If we set aside the implied insult to the intelligence of some of his fellow members, the utterly reprehensible behaviour of Councillor Hughes is bringing his own council and local government itself into disrepute.

We used to think that it was only in dictatorships on another continent that democratic representatives were made to vote repeatedly until the “right”

result was achieved.

As recently as November 16, Coun Hughes was reported as saying that a U-turn would contradict the motions passed on 13th November (Worcester News page 2), now it appears a Uturn is exactly what he will be seeking on December 10.

An honourable man would have resigned after the resounding defeat of November 13. Shame on Coun Hughes, in particular, but also on all those who have used every dubious device to achieve the result they originally intended in what amounts to an abuse of democracy. The abuse and the stain on MHDC’s reputation will be remembered by voters.

ERIC JONES Guarlford