IN response to Mr Edward Hogan's letter of January 8, I would like to offer the view that as a local councillor, Tony Bradford has a greater democratic mandate to represent the people of Ledbury, and their finances, than the Queen.

To argue that the value of the monarchy to the tourist trade (obviously based in London) compensates for the loss of a jobs fair in a small town during a time of record unemployment demonstrates a rather worrying disregard for the local economy and local people. If the people of Ledbury wish to put in an effort to celebrate a one-off event I wish them every success, but it must not come at the expense of what could be an important opportunity in the day-today lives of their citizens.

As for the suggestion that Councillor Bradford should “sit at the back of the council meetings and keep silent”, would this not contradict his entire purpose as a democratically elected representative?

MARTIN THEAKER
Malvern