Conservative councillor Sheila Parker says she wants responsible behaviour and accuracy. Here are both. The Conservatives have been in control of our county for 13 years. They have had the responsibility as to how money is spent. During that time they could have made our roads and pavements safe for everyone. They chose not to do so.

Three years ago the Liberal Democrat shadow budget for Wiltshire proposed an increase in the road maintenance budget; the Tories rejected it. Then the old maxim of ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ would have had a useful impact on the state of our roads. Now, with millions being allocated to road improvements, partly by central government, there are legitimate questions to be asked over allocation and it was this that I was seeking to point out in my letter.

Responsibility for using our money means that Sheila Parker and her fellow Conservative councillors should not have voted to increase their own salaries and that of their senior Conservative council colleagues. Now they are irresponsibly shutting Wiltshire Youth Service buildings across the county irrespective of need. This with no consultation and no communication with those most directly affected.

In contrast the Liberal Democrats on the council will continue to work hard to protect frontline services; identify waste, cut bureaucracy and expose irresponsible behaviour by the Conservatives. That is what acting responsibly really means.

Dr Brian Mathew, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for North Wiltshire, Yatton Keynell.