DEAR EDITOR, - I have taken note of the letter from Anthony Wales published in the Western Telegraph on April 6th. In the letter he questioned my ability to speak as a truly independent elected member of Pembrokeshire County Council, as I am a member of the Conservative Party.

I personally believe that it was a sad day for Pembrokeshire when party politics entered county council proceedings. I would suggest that his suggestion would have had more credibility if, following my election, I had joined the Independent Party at County Hall or tried to form a Conservative Group at County Hall.

My letter (March 9th) to the Western Telegraph entitled 'Scrutinise council services' concerns evaluating how money is spent by Pembrokeshire County Council to firstly see if it was being spent wisely and, secondly, ascertaining the effect of such spending as there seemed to be no improvement by the spending.

I would suggest that had Mr Wales been elected as the county councillor he would have been content simply to echo the national views of the Labour Party at county level, thereby following his own political inclination. It is my belief that these policies have resulted in the increase in burden of the community charge and indirect taxes on the taxpayers of Pembrokeshire.

The reason I am member of the Conservative Party is because at national level it seems to be the only party willing and able to tackle many national issues, such as taxation, crime, Europe, immigration, health service, education and the issue of regulations that are stifling business.

MALCOLM CALVER Gleann-Na-Coille, Pembroke Road, Manorbier.