Privilege, class and pensions

IN RESPONSE to Derek Stanley's question about 'freedom of speech' in the public forum of North Somerset Council's 'public meetings', he is absolutely correct.This change in the right to public debate even before it is offered is a step towards totalitarianism. The ideology that perpetrates silence as opposed to vocal opposition is an undemocratic principle that would fit well with the politics of Burma, China and Nazi Germany. The fact remains that elected leaders should give the right of voice to those who have a different opinion. The opinions and arguments that are offered by the public in such a forum may seem to the elected to be out of touch and a waste of committee time, but this should also generate the argument that the information and communication from the council to the people is wilfully obscure and therefore corrupt.The obsession with legalities and the protection this gives to the executive in all its forms will only stifle democracy and increase the gap of power between the electorate and the executive; an obvious mandate for abuse and profiteering. Vote? Don't bother. Privilege, class and fat pensions will put you in your place!JIM BARTLETT - St Ives Road, Weston