I WAS sorry but not surprised at the decision by Mid Devon District Council to sell the Crediton Council offices to a private buyer.

It has long been clear that different standards are set by MDDC when dealing with Crediton to the ones used in Tiverton where they were quite happy to sell the Town Hall there to Tiverton Town Council at a reduced rate.

However an additional factor is Conservative party ideology since this decision was taken by a group of Conservative Councillors.

Ever since Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, the party has tried to sell off public assets to the private sector, either to make money or because they were seen to be more efficient.

Recent evidence eg from the debacle of Carillion shows how short-sighted this policy has been.

On occasions the Conservatives have tried to get guarantees from the buyers to protect workers rights or in this case, to ensure the Town Council can still use the building.

However any promise made by the new owner is not worth the paper it is written on since once sold, they can do what they like with the property.

Gerald Conyngham

Crediton

by email