I BELIEVE the secret of democracy is that you can never actually achieve it, but you have to keep fighting for it if you want to live in a civilised society that holds politicians accountable

I BELIEVE the secret of democracy is that you can never actually achieve it, but you have to keep fighting for it if you want to live in a civilised society that holds politicians accountable to the people who elected them.Politicians on the shady side of life know democracy can't flourish unless the electorate know what is going on. Thus in North Somerset we have leaders and a compliant council who lie to keep secrets, not just from us but from each other. I haven't seen so many black suits in one place since I accidentally frightened a bunch of Freemasons in the 60s. It reminds me of carrion crows picking over their latest handout. If you throw in the town council, a bunch of deadheads who misplaced their town clerk and had to hire a very expensive replacement, we have over 80 councillors wandering around from whom the wise heads can be counted in single figures. The latest tale involved a councillor who was upset to find that his position did not allow him free rail travel!My father, the late Brigadier, taught me that honest people seldom need secrets, and that people who hid information usually have something to hide. People in public positions who refuse to be honest always make mistakes and so don't get too depressed. It is only a matter of time.BRIAN AUSTIN - Alma Street, Weston