I share Mr. David Edwards' anticipation of the local council elections taking place on 3rd May - five weeks away, not seven weeks, and from what I understand, councillors will be voted in for five years this time, not four.

However, I am sad to see that the outdated stereotypes still exist in the writer's mind, e.g. the Conservatives backing only business and farming - should we not all back local and rural businesses? These,after all, create local jobs and work opportunities. Where would we be without our large and small firms and enterprises in Pembrokeshire, and how and where would we produce the many fabulous fresh and processed foods within the county, if not on our farms?

Plaid Cymru looking only after the Welsh point of view - in fact they are now thinking of total independence for Wales, which will be very interesting, to say the least......

As for Labour working on peoples' needs and maintaining public services, it is disturbing to note that the Welsh Assembly Government (Labour) seems to be planning to cut the grant for public transport by a staggering 27%, but are now delaying this until after the May elections (Western Mail, 28/3/12, page 12)- so much for supporting peoples' needs and maintaining public services. We should let the voters decide where they think trickery exists.

Many of us take the view that independent councillors worth their salt should vote in line with the needs of their local electors, and for the benefit of the county as a whole.

Councillors tied to a party will not be as free and will very likely vote along the "party line" dictated by Westminster, Cardiff or the local party HQ. I think that party political positioning has no place in county council elections, and we should elect strong local councillors who have common sense and speak their mind.

Margot Bateman OBE Orielton Pembroke