MR Clayton's hysterical and ignorant accusations of the Government apparently "killing democracy" and being a "corrupt regime" (Letters, July 2) have no foundation.

Modernisation of the local Government decision-making process, affording more speed and effectiveness, has long been overdue, as were such outmoded public inquiries which provided no real answers at an exorbitant cost to tax-payers.

Olly Andrla,

Press Officer, Vale of York Labour Party,

South Terrace,

Sowerby, Thirsk.

Updated: 10:34 Thursday, July 05, 2001