MADAM - Local jobs and windfarms.

Mr Carmichael’s column in last week’s SNJ presented numerous statistics with the clear intention of leading readers to believe he is doing his utmost to create local jobs.

However, his actions in relation to wind turbines strongly suggest otherwise.

Plans submitted by Ecotricity for four wind turbines in Somerset, together with 49 similar applications, have been turned down by the Tory minister responsible without any protestation by our MP.

Moreover, this comes at a time when wind power has become the cheapest renewable energy.

Clearly, Mr Carmichael is more concerned with adhering to Tory political dogma than arguing in favour of projects that would, undoubtedly, have provided many jobs at one of Stroud’s largest employers.

Importantly, there is widespread belief that the next parliamentary election in Stroud will be a ‘two horse race’ between the Tory and Labour parties.

Thus, those who care about the environment and local employment and vote for anyone other than David Drew, will simply help to re-elect a member of parliament whose party has declared ‘war on windfarms’.

Consequently, tactical voting now appears to be the only sensible way forward at national level.

David Buckle

Longney