On the day that the Tory group were usurped by the Labour-Lib Dem coalition as they tried to present their budget I was present in the balcony above the council chamber.

I heard that the coalition were presenting their budget as they wished for councilors to work together for the good of the city.

It was apparent that the Tories had not previously seen this budget as there was an adjournment of hostilities to allow them to study it, so the spirit of working together only applied it seems for the benefit of two political parties.

On April 14 I was again in the balcony to witness a Cabinet meeting at which sheltered housing was due to be discussed.

I am chairman of the council's Sheltered Housing Forum, when I again heard that phrase of councillors working together and when it again became apparent the Tories had no prior sight of the papers.

As this was a paper on education, which I appear to hold as more important than the coalition, I was naturally very disappointed as the views of all councilors should have been sought in this matter.

Interestingly on this day yet another reference was made to a matter which reminded me of the debacle on budget day, and this was in relation to free swimming sessions for school children where it is now agreed that those children being home educated should also qualify.

I have no objection to free swimming for school children, but only a few minutes before Councillor Jean Bridle announced these concessions, she had denounced the Tory proposal of council tax discounts for pensioners on the grounds that she and her party did not agree with discrimination whether positive or negative.

It may come as a surprise to her that this pensioner, who loves swimming but cannot afford to use the councils facilities, actually feels discriminated against.

ALAN KEBBELL, Southampton First candidate for Swaythling.