FURTHER to the acting chairman of UKIP Cotswolds' letter maybe I can simplify the facts for him.

First, the Lib Dems are a junior partner in a coalition Government that means that there is not a Lib Dem Government as he tries to imply. No need to distance myself from those facts.

Second, the European Commission is the executive arm of the EU. Of course legislation originates from them, it’s what civil services do, and of course they are not elected officials, that’s the separation of powers.

But the democratic checks occur in the following ways;

1) Commission appointments are approved by the elected European Parliament

2) The Commission President is elected by the elected European Parliament on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, who are elected

3) Proposed legislation, wherever originated, needs approval from both the elected European Parliament and the Council of Ministers who are elected.

That seems fairly democratic. It’s a fallacious argument to say that because our proportion of the EP is 9.7per cent, we do not control our destiny, as per my previous letter, parliament can change enacting legislation whenever it wants; unlike foreign democracies, our constitution is not entrenched.

Finally, the Market Place. He might like to consider that CDC’s consultation database for the recent Strategic Housing Land Review was 450 for a population of 83,200. 839 for 19000 is pretty good considering that local newspapers, local radio, facebook and direct mail were all employed to gain feedback if people wanted to.

And of course we can’t please all of the people all of the time, but all councillors on CTC aim to do our best.

CLLR MARK HARRIS

Cirencester