FROM their letter ("Feud should not undermine positive work," Letters, September 1), one does rather get the impression that the Conservative "gang of four" are concerned about the poor public image of the leader of the council.

To now present Stephen Clee as the "white knight" who has ridden almost single-handedly to the rescue of our local council, taking control and putting them on the right path, seems quite a melodramatic point of view.

I cannot see that we have a democracy in Wyre Forest when the so-called cabinet, comprising totally of Conservative councillors, has a complete stranglehold and the remainder of the councillors are able to do little more than rubber stamp proceedings.

The remarks our leader has made, both in public and in correspondence, over the past few weeks, to my mind have been both ill-judged and intemperate.

He personally may regard the existing HQ of the council to be a blot on the landscape but such a view is not in accord with Sir Nicholas Pevsner, one of the greatest authorities on architecture, nor with the publication by Arthur Mee of "Kings England - Worcestershire" wherein he refers to the impressive new building in Stourport to house the district authority, and referring to the beautiful site near the Severn, looking to wooded banks on the far side with its church on the hilltop.

It is quite reprehensible for Mr Clee to make dismissive and disparaging remarks as to the poor calibre of the original architects, especially in the light of informed and knowledgeable comment from well-known sources.

I also find his innuendos as to the political motives of the civic society in this matter somewhat offensive.

Could I ask where is the advantage, particularly for Stourport, if the Civic Centre site is handed over to the developers?

T GREEN

Windermere Way

Stourport