SIR — You were kind enough last week to print my comments on the sad loss of Cllr Eddie May, who resigned from West Somerset District Council's cabinet.

I was disgusted to read in the same issue of the bitter dispute within the local Labour Party ranks over which of their number should succeed Eddie. Some of the comments were quite unbecoming of councillors.

Simon Stokes probably is young and somewhat inexperienced, but is he over ambitious and reckless or merely driven by a strong sense of public duty?

This to me is not really the issue. The fact I find most disturbing and probably unintentional about this appointment is the effect it has on the geographical representation on the cabinet.

Of the eight cabinet members Steven Pugsley the leader has appointed, four are now from Minehead and in the most part from the business community.

I am sure the people who live in the rural parts of West Somerset are fed up with the council's policies being so strongly influenced by Minehead business interests, which in my opinion have very little motivation other than the acquisition of the quick buck.

The countryside, the environment and the lifestyles of us who live in outlying villages have little relevance in their policy making decisions. Sadly.

John Nethercott,

Independent Councillor,

Old Cleeve Ward,

West Somerset District Council.