THE impending closure of much-loved libraries in Backwell, Congresbury and Banwell is deeply unsettling for those of us concerned with ensuring people have access to basic learning resources and vital literature.

THE impending closure of much-loved libraries in Backwell, Congresbury and Banwell is deeply unsettling for those of us concerned with ensuring people have access to basic learning resources and vital literature.

Their demise represents nothing less than the triumph of small-minded managerial tightfistedness over respect for the discoveries and delights that young and old alike find between the covers of a book.

Literate people across the county should hang their heads in shame at this philistine attack on a fundamental provision.

However, the closures should not come as a surprise. If the county votes for a Conservative administration, they must expect Conservative policies - policies like destroying community resources for the sake of a few pennies of council tax.

It's a pattern repeated time and again when slash-and-burn local Conservatives tear through social services to fulfil their 'lower tax' promises, leaving the vulnerable and disadvantaged isolated and struggling.

After the libraries close we can expect the eventual end of the Playhouse, the Portishead Lido, subsidised bus services and the multitude of other things the administration would dearly love to close which require it to use tax money for providing things that might actually be useful.

So who can we thank for the end of our public libraries, and the saving on our tax bills of about 0.01 percent thus created? That would be Felicity Baker, Cllr for Portishead Redcliffe Bay, Executive Member for Leisure. Why not give her a ring and tell her just how pleased you are? Numbers are on the council website.

TOM FOLLETT

Street End Lane, Blagdon