I SHARE Alison Orchard’s feelings, expressed in the "Crediton Courier" of March 12.

The removal of our Sandford and Creedy Ward Councillor, Elizabeth Wainwright, from her Mid Devon portfolio on Climate Change is a retrograde step and is completely unacceptable.

I was so stunned when I read about this in last week’s "Courier" that I found it hard to believe.

How could the Leader of the Council "sack" a Councillor from her portfolio and at the same time completely remove that Portfolio?

I could possibly understand if she had behaved inappropriately or failed to work at her post, but even then, I would have thought this should still involve a vote by the whole Council?

Do we live in a country where autocrats reign? 

I was also troubled to read that Councillor Margaret Squires seems to think it’s all okay that the Leader is able to do this - an act which to me is far removed from "appointing" someone to a post.

Quite how she thinks this is not a retrograde step in relation to the Climate Change Agenda of the council I fail to see.

She herself uses the word "revert" in her argument that the environment portfolio is "reverting to that role".

As Alison points out Climate Change should be at the heart of everything the Council does.

This is an incredibly crucial time for us all to act.

We need more Councillors like Elizabeth Wainwright to challenge the status quo in Mid Devon.

I cannot see how Councillor Bob Deed can justify destroying this Portfolio.

As someone who voted for Elizabeth Wainwright, I was thrilled when she was elected to represent us.  I have been impressed by her work as a Councillor and I am at a loss to know how to respond to this travesty of Leadership.

I will also write to councillor Bob Deed and ask him to reverse these completely unacceptable decisions.  

Can I urge everyone to consider carefully how they vote in the Elections on May 6 AND make sure they vote (although sadly, this won’t be able to shake things up in Mid Devon this time round).

Di Martin

Sandford