I was surprised to read Councillor Keith House's comments in the Big Question (Daiuly Echo, April 9).

So, now he says that Eastleigh Borough Council doesn't want to merge with Southampton.

It is a great shame he was not of this opinion at the full council meeting on January 25 when he (and the rest of the Liberal Democrats) refused to support Cllr. Olson's motion which stated " ....this council 1. Will resist any proposals to merge with Southampton Unitary Authority and 2. Wshes to retain its present independence and Borough Council status..." (full details can be viewed at www.eastleigh.gov.uk/meetings/ieListDocuments.asp?CId=276&MId=3301&Ver=4) Furthermore, I am not aware that Cllr. House has accused the Daily Echo of scaremongering for printing a two-page article on the subject of mergers with unitary authorities (April 7), as he did Cllr Olson when he tabled his motion. Clearly, Cllr. House has had time to reflect on this matter since the January council meeting, and his change of heart is to be welcomed.

It will be a relief to the people of Eastleigh to see cross-party harmony on this subject.

Cllr. House is to be applauded for his apparent U-turn in favour of an opposition party's position.

J M GRAJEWSKI, Chandler's Ford.