On October 20 a public consultation on a matter that is literally one of life and death ends. The consultation is on the merging of Wiltshire and Dorset Fire Services.

Our fire fighters put their own safety on the line to save our lives and property. So the maintenance and future of this vital service really does matter to us all and we all need to make our views known.

If the stories in the press are true, it appears that local Conservative leaders in North Wiltshire, MP James Gray and Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott, are both against the merger. However, neither seems to have a viable alternative plan to protect the frontline fire fighters while keeping within budget.

Perhaps if the senior management tiers are merged and money saved then frontline, local fire services will be protected.

It seems a majority of councillors of all parties and those on Wiltshire Fire Authority agree. As such James Gray and Jane Scott appear to be seriously out of line once again, not least with many fire fighters.

It is important that readers study the facts and voice their own views. Sadly Wiltshire Council has not seen fit to publish the consultation document but you can find it at www.wiltsfire.gov.uk/strengthening ourfrs and make your views known there. I am doing just that.

Whatever one’s view, I hope we would all agree that there should be no place in public consultations for the sort of offensive remarks made by Mr Gray concerning Councillor Graham Payne. Coun Payne is the former chairman of the Wiltshire Fire Authority. As such he is a man who has invested time and effort in our fire service.

There is too much petty slanging and name calling in politics. It is time that it stopped in favour of debating the substantive issues.

Dr Brian Mathew, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for North Wiltshire, St Mary’s Place, Chippenham.