No place in Viewpoint for councillors’ letters
I am writing in response to last week’s Viewpoint letter (February 25) from Jonathan Baker and your request for feedback on the particular point about councillors’ letters
Some 20 or so years ago I wrote to the editor on this very same subject and my views have not changed over time.
I sincerely believe that councillors should, under no circumstances, have political letters published in Viewpoint... especially if it prevents a ‘normal’ reader’s letter being published.
Firstly, there is the issue of balance each week and then week on week.
If there is a letter from a Lib Dem councillor, should there not be and equal
number from the other parties?
Secondly, there is the issue of advertising or promotion of a particular political party or councillor or party policy. This in my view is not appropriate in a letters page.
The suggestion I make now is the same as I offered 20+ years ago.
There should be a separate page in the Advertiser that is dedicated to councillor letters – similar to the Opinion columns.
There should be a contribution to the cost of producing that page which could be shared by all the political parties represented, either on a proportional basis or equally.
I would situate it opposite the first letters page to facilitate cross referencing.
It would be OK for if a councillor wanted to write in a purely personal capacity or a non council matter but his title should not be included and there should be no overt mention of political issues or decisions.
Just my thoughts!
MIKE PETERSON Laburnham Road
Maidenhead