AT last I see more clearly why Sotonians are unable to achieve their wow factor. The End of the Week column by Daily Echo editor Ian Murray (July 6) threw some light on the composition of the people who really control Southampton, and how the pyramid of decision-makers are composed.

It is only the top three who decide what, or what not, to give the go-ahead for plans in Southampton. The top ones are the bureaucrats, who have already made a deal with the pyramid below. We (the workers) just get in the way - we are the fly in the ointment!

With mixed messages the top bureaucrat decides there shall be a giant casino or, no there won't be! Or the immediate shoreline will be the area to build, build, build. It is not for the people of Southampton to decide what they would like as the wow factor.

Many of us would love to have a tiny out in the water' feature, a pier. Would that impede plans the investors have in mind?

Lovely to have the Spitfire as our emblem, Southampton City Council agrees and decides to put it on a tiny piece of land where no casinos, hotels, blocks of flats can be erected - a roundabout! That will be of minimal outlay and keep the citizens quiet.

We must face the fact that these shadowy investors, with Government agreement, will lay waste the Sotonian's piece of land - it's big business and the council have one hand behind its back.

Most Daily Echo readers appreciate the paper is playing the Devil's Advocate and keeping a balance between all parties and seeking a path through these tangled webs - and I thank you.

J MOORBY (by e-mail).