CLLR Gethyn J. Davies, in his diatribe against the people of the Forest of Dean (Review July 13 2012), seeks to justify the introduction and level of parking charges in the Forest by comparing them with Chepstow. Chepstow is more expensive – so what!

The ruling clique on the council ignored petitioners, ignored the views of town and parish councils, ignored the views of tradespeople, in fact any view contrary to their own, and ploughed on with their own party political agenda regardless and introduced the charges. They were always going to – come what may.

As I see it we no longer have true democracy in the country, we only have party politics. Our so-called elected representatives represent their political parties first, not the electorate who voted them into office in this failed process.

Is it any wonder turnout at elections is going down? Is it any wonder people are losing interest in the process of government, and question its integrity and competence when elected administrations routinely abuse the power given to them by the people and betray their trust?

Anyway, proud to be a "whinger" and a Forester.

– Eric Nicholls, Trinity Road, Harrow Hill, Drybrook.