LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Deflection tactics on attendance don’t work

It was no surprise that he would try and brand someone critical of him as a Boris supporting Tory. Cllr Bennett-Sylvester does not know me and I have never met him, yet he resorted to a typical personal attack by those on the left who label anyone who dares challenge them or their world view as a Tory or fascist.

In reality, I’m a real old-school working-class socialist, who pays into my union and has always worked for what I have. I’m the sort of old fashioned socialist who cannot understand why anyone can do tens of hours of unpaid work, but then relies on the state for their income. Real working-class values where those capable of work, work hard to support our family and provide taxes for the welfare state and NHS to support and care for those who need it.

It was also very predictable that Cllr Michael Bennett-Sylvester would respond to my letter, by criticising opposition councillors’ attendance records yet again. Nothing like a politician deflecting one’s own failings by attacking others.

In reality, he does not know how many ward meetings councillors outside his ward attend, how many meetings with parish councils, the police or other organisations, or how many emails and phone calls the other councillors are dealing with.

The days of councillors sitting in an empty village hall once a month doing a surgery is old fashioned; councillors are now contactable 24/7.

I will give Cllr Bennett-Sylvester some praise as he has been very open about his ongoing mental health battles, which is very laudable and brave. It is important those with a platform are not afraid to talk openly about their mental health.

Yet I feel he should therefore be more sympathetic to other councillors who have taken time off due to mental and/or physical health issues and bereavement, rather than penning very personal and vicious attacks in the letters page relating to attendance records without any context.

I would go as far as to say the councillor has become borderline bullying in this approach. The councillor should reflect on whether current behaviours are mimicking past.

One last point, Cllr Bennett-Sylvester is very proud that he does not claim the councillor allowance.

It should be remembered that the councillor allowance is in effect treated as income by HMRC, the DWP and the council.

By declining to be paid it, it is the taxpayers who still have to pick up the bill, as lower income just means higher benefits paid by the taxpayer for his household.

Whether he wants to admit it or not, as a taxpayer I am still paying for the privilege of him being a councillor, just in a different way to the others.

Mr A A Fletcher, Rother Valley resident