"WHEN the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." Thomas Jefferson.

The modus operandi of Forest of Dean District Council is scandalous. They treat the public as if they were idiots who are not able to form sensible opinions about the communities they live in.

Given the intellectual level of commentary in the press from certain members (I cite Cllr G Morgan's recent comments on Berry Hill boundaries being extended to include Steam Mills, which can either be viewed as a poor attempt at humour or just plain stupid), can we expect much more than shady dealings by some of our local representatives?

I implore our communities to take back the power as well as the moral high-ground! Go to your parish council meetings, join community action groups, write to the Forest of Dean District Council, ask questions and demand proper and full answers.

If you don't get them, write to the media and let everyone know about our so-called representatives failing to represent us. For a taste of not getting an answer from Forest of Dean District Council that is remotely useful and/or related to your question, attend a council meeting and witness public questions for yourself. You may not be able to stand it for long, I managed an hour.

May I say that some members are promoting democracy, and are engaging with communities, which is of course the way to approach 'big issues', but theirs is a mountainous battle against the dictatorship at the heart chamber. Perhaps Forest of Dean District Council need to have another look at their PR strategy, because at the moment they are failing on an epic scale.

In these times most of us realise that tough decisions have to be made, and all we are asking for is our right to be heard, to be respected, and not treated as a tick box exercise. By going about your business in this manner Forest of Dean District Council, you are insulting the communities you serve.

– Democracy fan (name and address supplied).