ONCE again I feel I have to respond to the diatribe of D R Smith (Echo, August 29).

I think he is being quite insulting to the people of Coxford by insinuating that they didn’t know who they were voting for at the recent local elections.

Their literature was very clear, as was the ballot paper, it said independent, and as an independent Cllr Morrell won a substantial vote and was duly returned as an independent councillor for Coxford.

When Cllr Thomas stands next year he also will stand as an independent.

If Mr Smith had bothered to read any of the literature distributed by either councillor he would have seen that to “Put People First” is their one and only aim and to do that they stand as independents.

Regarding how they would budget for council services, they prepared a budget to put forward at the budget setting meeting and were prevented by the Labour group from presenting it.

Perhaps Mr Smith would like to check his facts before he once again attacks two people who are only doing what people expect from their councillors i.e. representing them.

SUE FLETCHER, Southampton.