In his essay in the Weekend Daily Mail on June 22,   Max Hastings writes about the lack of integrity concerning the judiciary and those ministers within the Westminster goldfish bowl. The paper rightly implies that the 'jack-boot' is descending on democracy itself.

Similarly with environmental issues there are 25 national conservation bodies trying to address the systematic destruction and decline of nature across the country. Here in the Dean for example we are struggling to halt the sales of our public and ancient   woodlands. Deregulating the Environment Agency is another step to handing over the countryside and rivers to the developers.

Doing little or nothing about tree diseases and climate change is so utterly destructive for the future of global wildlife and humanity. Covering the countryside in concrete and garden-less dwellings creates a self destructive   momentum for the next generation to inherit.

Our well-being and lifestyles intrinsically are linked to nature and wildlife, and unless we grasp this fact then wildlife, small holdings and farming will be confined to the history books. Concerning the Forest of Dean District Council, should its executive wish to make a real public contribution to society, they can act more courageously to save our unique woodlands. They would then join those most honourable people who fought so hard in 1981, 1993, 2011 to then save our woodlands.

I appreciate that it takes courage to change tack, but they must act by advising their Cabinet councillors before they together destroy everything that is special here in the Dean. They   would have the law of the land on their side and perhaps more importantly the Independent Forestry Panel, the Royal Verderers and the good public of the Dean. Most of them may not have roots here and are passing through with their careers, but please do not forget that many Forest families of my generation have an inherent affinity with our woodlands, from where ancient freedoms have provided and sustained communities with food, fuel, recreation, enjoyment and employment. Because the Forest of Dean and the New Forest is of finite capacity, its value to the nation lies in its unique and ancient woodlands and wildlife which is essentially a broadleaf environment.

Further, its survival is desperately needed to counteract the debilitating aspects of climate change which are already depleting wildlife and affecting the quality of communities' lifestyles. The Coalition government has made a solemn promise to accept the recommendations of the  Independent Forestry Panel chaired by the Rt Rev John James, Bishop Of Liverpool, to maintain public ownership and indeed extend woodland cover. Unfortunately when politicians   are out of the public spotlight, few of them indeed understand or care for these treasured and public owned Forests and are already scheming for another round of public land clearances. Can we stand idly by and allow the Westminster Cabal to again parcel up these public forests to sell off to the highest bidder?  They have given licence to bulldoze buildings containing protected bats and their habitats, while police look on.

Therefore as custodians of these unique forests, we should remember the courage it took for a Conservative MP, Paul Marland, to turn against Margaret Thatcher and his own government and courageously change his mind to exempt the Dean from "faceless and marauding' investors" (Hansard July 1981). He did not spare his words in 1981 and my generation will not forget him.

Today while many may have all but given up our current Conservative MP Mark Harper, and all parties who masquerade under his umbrella. We must keep to a simple faith, truth and pathway for Mark to follow Paul's example by doing the decent and honourable thing by representing his Forest people in the face of shameful intent.

– Andrew Gardiner, Ruardean.